Tasks for A New SEO

For a beginner SEO that just joined the team aka the “New SEO” with little to no prior experience in SEO, it’s important to start with tasks that are manageable yet impactful, allowing them to build confidence and competence gradually.

Here are a few areas from your New SEO training manual where beginners can start without needing intensive supervision:

1. Keyword Research

  • Task: Using tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner and SEMrush for basic keyword discovery.
  • Impact: Provides a foundational understanding of what potential customers are searching for and helps inform content creation.
  • Ease: These tools often have user-friendly interfaces and offer straightforward guidance on how to find and select keywords based on search volume and competition.

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2. Content Optimisation

  • Task: Applying basic on-page SEO techniques such as optimising title tags, meta descriptions, and headers with researched keywords.
  • Impact: Helps to improve the visibility and ranking of the website’s pages in search engine results.
  • Ease: These tasks are rule-based (e.g., include this keyword in the title tag), making them easier for beginners to implement correctly with little guidance.

3. Internal Linking

  • Task: Review existing content and add internal links to relevant articles, product pages, and other content on the website.
  • Impact: Improves site navigation and distributes page authority across the website, which can help in boosting SEO performance.
  • Ease: Internal linking can be taught with simple rules on how to choose anchor texts and which pages to link based on content relevance.

4. Content Creation for Specific Pages

  • Task: Writing optimised content for low-competition, long-tail keyword phrases that have been researched earlier.
  • Impact: Targets niche audiences more effectively and can rank more easily due to less competition.
  • Ease: Writing for specific, well-defined topics can be more straightforward for beginners than tackling broader subjects.

5. Basic Technical Checks

  • Task: Using tools to run basic audits to check for broken links, ensuring that all pages are mobile-friendly, and verifying that the site uses HTTPS.
  • Impact: Helps maintain the health of the website and ensures compliance with basic SEO and user experience best practices.
  • Ease: Automated tools provide direct insights and actions that can be taken without needing deep technical knowledge.

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Starting with Practical Exercises

To facilitate these tasks, start with structured practical exercises from the manual that guide them step-by-step through processes like keyword research, writing an SEO-friendly content piece, or setting up an internal linking strategy. These exercises can help ground their theoretical knowledge in practical skills.

Regular Review Sessions

It’s beneficial to hold regular review sessions where team members can present their work, receive feedback, and discuss any challenges they encounter. This not only helps in immediate course correction but also fosters a learning environment where they can gradually take on more complex tasks as their understanding deepens.

This phased approach allows your new team to handle meaningful SEO tasks with a level of autonomy while building up their skills for more complex SEO strategies and tasks.

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1. Process for Keyword Research

Step 1: Access the Keyword Research Tool

  • Task: Sign up or log in to Google Ads or SEMrush.
  • Instructions:
    • For Google Ads: Create a Google Ads account if you don’t have one. Navigate to the “Tools and Settings” menu and select “Keyword Planner”.
    • For SEMrush: Access SEMrush and navigate to the “Keyword Analytics” section.

Step 2: Familiarise with the Tool Interface

  • Task: Spend some time getting to know where things are in the tool. Look for sections like keyword discovery, keyword analytics, and competitor analysis.
  • Instructions: Use help guides or tutorials offered by the tools to better understand the functionalities available. Most tools have a dashboard that provides a good starting point.

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Step 3: Start with a Seed Keyword

  • Task: Identify a basic keyword that is central to the content you plan to develop or the product/service your website offers.
  • Instructions:
    • Think about what potential customers might type into a search engine.
    • This could be as simple as “home coffee brewing” or “budget travel tips”.

Step 4: Enter Seed Keyword and Analyse Results

  • Task: Input your seed keyword into the tool to generate a list of related keywords.
  • Instructions:
    • For Google Ads: Click on “Discover new keywords” and then enter your seed keyword. Hit “Get results”.
    • For SEMrush: Enter the seed keyword in the search bar and review the “Keyword Overview” for a broad analysis.

Step 5: Evaluate Keyword Suggestions

  • Task: Sift through the keyword suggestions provided by the tools.
  • Instructions:
    • Look at metrics like search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty. High search volume and low competition can be promising.
    • Consider the relevance of each keyword to your content.

Step 6: Selecting the Right Keywords

  • Task: Choose keywords that align well with the content you plan to create or the audience you aim to target.
  • Instructions:
    • Select keywords with an appropriate balance of search volume and competition that match the intent of your target audience.
    • Make a list of both short-tail and long-tail keywords as they will be useful for different types of content.

Step 7: Organise and Prioritise Keywords

  • Task: Organise the selected keywords into categories based on topic and priority.
  • Instructions:
    • Use a spreadsheet to sort keywords by themes, such as “buying intent”, “informational”, or specific features.
    • Prioritise keywords based on which ones you think will bring the most value to your SEO efforts and match most closely with user intent.

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Step 8: Apply Keywords to Content Planning

  • Task: Incorporate these keywords into your content planning strategy.
  • Instructions:
    • Map out content ideas that utilise these keywords naturally. This can include blog posts, product pages, FAQs, etc.
    • Plan content around both high-volume, competitive keywords for broad reach and niche, specific keywords for targeted reach.

Step 9: Continuous Monitoring and Adjustments

  • Task: Regularly review the performance of your chosen keywords and adjust your strategy as needed.
  • Instructions:
    • Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor how your keywords are performing in terms of traffic and conversions.
    • Be prepared to tweak your keyword list and content plan based on what the data shows about what’s working and what’s not.

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2. Process for Content Optimisation

Step 1: Understand the Importance of Each Element

  • Task: Learn why title tags, meta descriptions, and headers are important for SEO.
  • Instructions:
    • Title Tags: Serve as the headline of your webpage in search engine results; they should be engaging and include main keywords.
    • Meta Descriptions: Provide a brief summary of the webpage content in SERPs; they should entice clicks and include relevant keywords.
    • Headers: Organise content on the page and make it easier for readers and search engines to understand what the page is about.

Step 2: Review Existing Content

  • Task: Perform an initial review of the current title tags, meta descriptions, and headers on your website.
  • Instructions:
    • Use a tool like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to crawl your site and export a report of existing on-page elements.
    • Identify pages that lack these elements or could use improvement based on SEO best practices.

Step 3: Keyword Integration

  • Task: Integrate researched keywords into title tags, meta descriptions, and headers.
  • Instructions:
    • Refer back to the keyword research to select primary and secondary keywords for each page.
    • Ensure that the primary keyword is included in the title tag and meta description, and naturally dispersed within the headers.

Step 4: Writing Effective Title Tags

  • Task: Craft title tags that are concise, compelling, and keyword-rich.
  • Instructions:
    • Keep title tags under 60 characters to ensure they display fully in SERPs.
    • Place the most important keyword towards the beginning of the title.
    • Make the title informative and relevant to the page content.

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Step 5: Crafting Compelling Meta Descriptions

  • Task: Write meta descriptions that motivate users to click through to your website.
  • Instructions:
    • Keep meta descriptions under 160 characters to avoid being cut off in search results.
    • Include a call to action, such as “Learn more,” “Get started,” or “Discover.”

Step 6: Structuring Headers Effectively

  • Task: Use headers to logically organise content on the page and include keywords.
  • Instructions:
    • Use an H1 tag for the main title of the page, incorporating the primary keyword.
    • Use H2, H3 (and so on) tags for subheadings to structure content in a hierarchical manner.
    • Incorporate secondary keywords in subheadings where relevant and natural.

Step 7: Implement and Review

  • Task: Update your web pages with the new title tags, meta descriptions, and headers.
  • Instructions:
    • Enter the revised title tags and meta descriptions in the CMS (Content Management System) of your website.
    • Update the content with the new headers and ensure that they flow logically and naturally.

Step 8: Monitor and Optimise

  • Task: Monitor the performance of these optimisations and make adjustments as needed.
  • Instructions:
    • Use Google Search Console to track how changes impact your click-through rates and rankings.
    • Regularly review and tweak these elements to optimise performance and adapt to changing search trends or keyword performance.

By following these steps, a New SEO can effectively enhance the on-page SEO of web pages, which is crucial for improving their visibility and effectiveness in attracting organic search traffic. This structured approach also ensures that they are implementing SEO best practices in a manner that is manageable and conducive to learning.

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3. Process for Internal Linking

Step 1: Understand the Concept of Internal Linking

  • Task: Learn what internal links are and why they are important.
  • Instructions:
    • Internal links are hyperlinks that point to another page on the same website.
    • These links help users navigate your website and help search engines discover new pages.

Step 2: Audit Existing Content

  • Task: Conduct an audit to assess the current state of internal linking on your site.
  • Instructions:
    • Use tools such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider to crawl your website and identify pages that are underperforming in terms of internal links.
    • Evaluate how well-linked your important pages are, particularly those you want to rank higher or those that convert well.

Step 3: Identify Link Opportunities

  • Task: Find opportunities within your content to add new internal links.
  • Instructions:
    • Read through your content to find relevant places where additional internal links would be helpful and appropriate.
    • Look for natural opportunities to link keywords or phrases to other informative and relevant pages within your site.

Step 4: Choose Appropriate Anchor Text

  • Task: Select relevant, descriptive anchor text for each link.
  • Instructions:
    • Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. Use concise and descriptive text that includes relevant keywords without being spammy.
    • Avoid over-optimising; anchor text should fit naturally into the sentence and provide users with a clear idea of what to expect when they click the link.

Step 5: Add Internal Links

  • Task: Insert internal links into your content.
  • Instructions:
    • In your content management system (CMS), edit the text where you’ve identified link opportunities.
    • Use a standard HTML link format, or utilise the linking tools provided by your CMS to insert links.
    • Ensure each link opens in the same window to keep the user on your site.

Step 6: Focus on User Experience

  • Task: Link strategically to improve user experience.
  • Instructions:
    • Create links that will genuinely be helpful for readers wanting more information or related topics.
    • Balance the number of links so pages are not overly cluttered with hyperlinks, which can detract from user experience and readability.

Step 7: Review and Optimise Link Structure

  • Task: Periodically review and optimise the internal link structure.
  • Instructions:
    • Schedule regular reviews of your site’s link structure to ensure all links are functional and relevant.
    • Adjust links as your site grows and as new content is added to ensure that all important content remains well-integrated.

Step 8: Monitor Performance

  • Task: Use tools to monitor how changes to internal linking affect your SEO performance.
  • Instructions:
    • Use analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to observe how changes in internal linking impact user behaviour and page rankings.
    • Look for improvements in page views, reduced bounce rates, and enhanced SEO performance for linked pages.

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4. Step-by-Step Process for Content Creation

Step 1: Review and Understand Keyword Research

  • Task: Familiarise yourself with the keyword research that has been done previously.
  • Instructions:
    • Review the list of low-competition, long-tail keywords identified during the keyword research phase.
    • Understand the search intent behind each keyword—what users are likely looking for when they type these queries into search engines.

Step 2: Select Keywords for Specific Pages

  • Task: Choose appropriate long-tail keywords for each page you plan to create or optimise.
  • Instructions:
    • Match keywords to pages based on relevance and user intent. For instance, a keyword like “best lightweight summer hiking boots” could be perfect for a detailed product review page on a hiking gear website.
    • Prioritise keywords that closely align with the content’s purpose and the audience’s needs.

Step 3: Plan the Content Structure

  • Task: Outline the structure of the content before writing.
  • Instructions:
    • Start with a basic outline that includes an introduction, main body sections (each targeting part of the user’s query), and a conclusion.
    • Plan to use the selected long-tail keyword in at least one heading and several times throughout the text, depending on the length and depth of the content.

Step 4: Write Engaging and Informative Content

  • Task: Begin writing the content, integrating the long-tail keywords naturally.
  • Instructions:
    • Write an engaging introduction that clearly states what the page will cover and includes the primary long-tail keyword.
    • Develop body content that thoroughly addresses the topic, using subheadings to organise the information logically. Include the long-tail keywords where they make sense and enhance the reader’s understanding.
    • Conclude with a summary or call to action that reinforces the main points discussed and encourages further engagement with the site.

Step 5: Optimise On-Page Elements

  • Task: Ensure all on-page SEO elements are optimised around the long-tail keywords.
  • Instructions:
    • Title Tag: Include the primary keyword towards the beginning of the title tag.
    • Meta Description: Write a compelling meta description using the primary keyword to improve click-through rates from search engine results pages.
    • Headers: Use headers (H1, H2, H3) to structure the content effectively. Ensure the H1 includes the primary keyword and use secondary keywords in H2s and H3s.

Step 6: Review and Edit Content

  • Task: Review the content for SEO, readability, and engagement.
  • Instructions:
    • Proofread the content to correct any grammatical errors and improve sentence structure.
    • Ensure that keywords are used naturally and that their use doesn’t hinder the readability or flow of the article.
    • Ask a colleague or supervisor to review the content and provide feedback, focusing on both SEO and user engagement aspects.

Step 7: Publish and Monitor the Content

  • Task: Publish the content on your website and monitor its performance.
  • Instructions:
    • Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track how well the content is performing in terms of rankings, traffic, and engagement metrics.
    • Be prepared to make adjustments based on performance data. This might include tweaking the content to improve SEO or updating information to keep it relevant.

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5. Process for Crafting Compelling Meta Descriptions

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of Meta Descriptions

  • Task: Learn what meta descriptions are and why they are important.
  • Instructions:
    • Meta descriptions are HTML attributes that provide concise explanations of the contents of web pages. They are commonly used on search engine results pages to display preview snippets for a given page.
    • While they don’t directly influence search engine rankings, they do affect click-through rates (CTR), making them crucial for SEO.

Step 2: Review Examples

  • Task: Examine effective meta descriptions on high-ranking pages in your industry.
  • Instructions:
    • Perform searches for keywords relevant to your content. Observe the meta descriptions that appear in the SERPs.
    • Note how the best descriptions offer a clear value proposition and call to action, enticing users to click to learn more.

Step 3: Identify Target Keywords

  • Task: Choose target keywords for your meta description.
  • Instructions:
    • Select keywords that are highly relevant to the content of your page, which you have already used in your title tags and headers.
    • Ensure these keywords naturally fit into your meta description to maintain readability and relevance.

Step 4: Write Your Meta Description

  • Task: Craft a meta description that incorporates your target keywords and motivates users to click.
  • Instructions:
    • Keep your meta description under 160 characters to ensure it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
    • Naturally incorporate the primary keyword. Include a secondary keyword if it fits naturally and adds value.
    • Ensure the description accurately reflects the content of the page while also enticing the reader to want to know more.

Step 5: Include a Strong Call to Action

  • Task: Encourage action from the user.
  • Instructions:
    • End your meta description with a compelling call to action (CTA) like “Learn more,” “Get started,” “Discover,” or “Find out how.” Choose a CTA that reflects what the user will do on the page.
    • The CTA should naturally flow from the information provided in the meta description and encourage the user to take the next step.

Step 6: Use Active Voice

  • Task: Write in an active, engaging voice.
  • Instructions:
    • Use active voice to make your meta description lively and direct. This style of writing is more engaging and likely to draw in the user.

Step 7: Review and Refine

  • Task: Ensure your meta description is optimised and error-free.
  • Instructions:
    • Read your meta description aloud to check for fluency and engagement. Revise any awkward or unclear phrasing.
    • Use a spell-checker to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. Professionalism in your meta descriptions reflects well on your brand.

Step 8: Implement and Monitor

  • Task: Add the meta description to your page and monitor its performance.
  • Instructions:
    • Insert the meta description into the HTML of your webpage in the <meta> tag.
    • Over time, monitor the click-through rate (CTR) from the SERPs for pages with new meta descriptions via Google Search Console. Adjust if necessary, testing different calls to action or phrasing to optimise for higher CTR.

About the SEO Instructor

Crom Salvatera is a respected digital marketing specialist with an in-depth knowledge of the Australian market. He is the author of the influential article “Master SEO Like Your Job Depends On It” which has become a foundational resource for both seasoned and new SEO professionals across Sydney and Australia.

Crom brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at some of Sydney’s premier marketing agencies. His expertise extends across SEO and digital advertising, with a notable proficiency in leveraging platforms like Facebook for strategic marketing outcomes. His approach goes beyond merely chasing short-term results; he emphasises the importance of cultivating lasting relationships between brands and their audiences.

This philosophy is especially beneficial for New SEOs who are just starting in the field. Crom’s instructional methods are designed to be straightforward and practical, ensuring that even those new to SEO can grasp and implement effective strategies successfully. In this course, he combines his passion for digital excellence with a commitment to delivering SEO tactics that are not only personalised but also geared towards making a lasting impact.

For ongoing insights or to connect, follow Crom Salvatera on LinkedIn, where he continues to share valuable tips and strategies tailored for New SEOs looking to make their mark in the industry.

Follow or connect with Crom Salvatera on LinkedIn.