Exploring a Career in SEO: Insights from Ridho Putradi S'Gara, Founder of Search Agency

Hello, search marketing enthusiasts! I'm Ridho Putradi SGara, the founder and CEO of Search Agency. Today, let's have a casual discussion about building a career in SEO; it is incredibly timely, as many are considering career changes or waiting for the right moment in this new year.

I often receive questions about SEO careers on our Instagram Q&As. Questions range from how to start a career in SEO to recent graduates looking to enter the industry and even doubts about whether SEO still promises a bright future. Given my long-standing experience in the industry since my career switch from a developer to digital marketing around 2007-2008, I'm here to share my insights and perspectives.

To keep this structured, I'll divide my talk into four parts:

  • the industry itself

  • the skills and knowledge needed

  • career progression in SEO

  • tips on getting started

The SEO Industry

Let's address the future of SEO careers. SEO in Indonesia is not a new industry. Significant players have been in the field since my first encounter with SEO around 2007. However, despite its longevity, the sector faces challenges, particularly in growth and salary scales. But, it's crucial to recognize that SEO remains a vital marketing investment for business growth.

The SEO industry in Indonesia is at a tipping point. The main contributor to digital performance in any industry is search. Google searches have continued to grow, debunking the myth that "SEO is dead." For example, in 2020, while working for a multinational SEO agency, I was part of a team that closed an SEO campaign worth 3.7M per year, indicating businesses are ready to invest seriously in SEO. Moreover, with Google Chrome phasing out third-party cookies by Q1 2024, companies are increasingly focusing on building assets to scale up their first-party cookies, with SEO being a scalable channel for this purpose.

Skills and Knowledge

SEO requires combines technical skills and creative marketing. The three key areas to focus on are technical SEO, content marketing, and content amplification. Technical SEO is fundamental, and resources for learning range from basic to advanced. Content marketing goes beyond article creation; it involves understanding search intentions and creating content that engages and moves the audience through the buying journey. Content amplification ensures your content reaches a broader and more relevant audience. In addition to these disciplines, problem-solving and data analysis skills are crucial for successful SEO.

Career Path

Career Path in SEO The SEO career path varies. It might start with an internship, move on to an SEO executive role focusing on technical or content marketing, and then move on to a managerial position where strategy and resource management become key. Higher roles like Head of SEO or SEO Director directly relate to business performance and managing multi-regional teams. I won't delve into salaries, but they are a matter of personal research.

Getting Started

Start by learning and practicing the skills and knowledge required. There are abundant resources available today. Practice is as important as theory; start by setting up your domain and applying your SEO learnings. Additionally, building a personal brand as an SEO specialist is crucial. Be active on platforms like LinkedIn, write blogs about your SEO experiences and insights, and engage in community or event sharing to build connections and reputation in the industry.

A career in SEO offers vast opportunities and challenges. I hope this discussion provides valuable insights for those considering or already in the field of SEO. Stay tuned for more in my upcoming videos!

Ridho Putradi S'Gara