2. Execute an SEO Process

Find an aggregation of the best, reliable resources to learn how to develop an SEO audit, establish an SEO strategy, set SEO goals, Measure SEO, Report SEO, and SEO Process management. Take a look below. 

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Establishing an SEO Strategy

Creating an SEO strategy from scratch

Guide from Kevin Indig

How to Create an Enduring SEO Strategy in 2023 (Step-By-Step)

Guide from Jonas Sickler / Terakeet

SEO Strategy: How to Create One for 2023 (+ Template)

Guide from Carlos Silva

 

How to Set A Winning SEO Strategy: Concepts, Steps, Do’s & Dont’s and Mistakes to Avoid

Guide from Crawling Mondays

 

How to Create an SEO Strategy for 2022 [Template Included]

Guide from Drew Fortin / Hubspot

9 Essential Steps In Building A Winning SEO Strategy

Guide from Loren Baker / Search Engine Journal

Setting SEO Goals

How Do You Set Smart SEO Goals for Your Team/Agency/Project?

Video from Rand Fishkin / Moz

 

How to Set SEO Goals for Your Team (That Actually Drive Action)

Guide from Elise Dopson

 

How to Set the Right SEO Goals with 3 Examples

Guide from Kayle Larkin / Ahrefs

 

How to Set & Achieve Realistic SEO Goals

Guide from Paul Schmidt / Search Engine Journal

 

OKRs for SEO: How to Set SEO Goals That Increase Your Value & Get You Greater Investment

Guide from Kameron Jenkins / Botify

 

How to Set Goals for SEO

Guide from Sharon Lunny / Seer Interactive

Measuring SEO

SEO analytics: a step-by-step process with tools, examples, and resources

Guide from Branko Kral / Supermetrics

 

Measuring SEO Results

Guide from Backlinko

 

15 Critical SEO Metrics You Need To Track

Guide from Joe Kindness / Agency Analytics

 

Measuring & Tracking SEO Success

Guide from Moz

 

How to Use Google Analytics to Improve SEO Performance

Guide from Michal Pecánek / Ahrefs

 

15 Ways for Using Google Analytics to Track Your SEO Efforts for Free

Guide from Elise Dopson / Databox

How to Measure SEO Performance & Results (The Right Way)

Guide from Michal Pecánek / Ahrefs

How To Measure SEO Performance and Results

Guide from Erika Varagouli / Semrush

Reporting SEO

The Mini Guide to SEO Reporting

Guide from Moz

 

The Anatomy of the Perfect SEO Report

Guide from Melissa Fach / SEMrush

 

Steal Our SEO Report Template (and Make It Even Better)

Template from Jake Sheridan / Ahrefs

 

SEO Reporting: How To Build Meaningful Analytics Reports

Guide from Bill Sebald

 

SEO Reports: Which Metrics Matter & How to Use Them Well

Guide from Helen Pollitt

 

How to Develop Successful SEO Reports

Presentation from Aleyda Solis

Developing an SEO Audit

A Simple (But Effective) 14-Step SEO Audit & Checklist

Guide from Joshua Hardwick / Ahrefs

The 15-Step SEO Audit Checklist for 2023

Checklist from Backlinko

 

242 Point SEO Audit Checklist

Checklist from Andy Drinkwater

 

How to Perform a Complete SEO Audit (in 14 Steps)

Checklist from Vlado Pavlik / SEMrush

 

How to Develop Actionable and Impactful SEO Audits

Guide from Aleyda Solis

 

How to Approach Website SEO Audits

Guide from Geoff Kennedy / Sitebulb

 

Getting Tech SEO Implemented

Guide from Areej AbuAli

 

Rethinking Technical SEO Audits

Guide from Andrew Charlton

 

Let’s never talk about SEO audits again

Guide from Tom Cricthlow

SEO Process Management

Tips for effective SEO Project Management

Guide from Sam Mangialavori

 

What Makes your SEO Fail (and how to fix it)

Presentation from Aleyda Solis

 

How to turn your agency into the “McKinsey of SEO”

Guide from Tom Critchlow

 

Integrating SEO within the Product Triangle To Align Efforts & Maximize Impact

Guide from Aleyda Solis

 

Thriving as an SEO Specialist: Frameworks & Tips to Manage Complex SEO Processes

Presentation from Aleyda Solis

 

SEO Project Management for Agencies: How to Successfully Manage an SEO Process as an Agency

Video from Crawling Mondays

 

SEO Project Management: A Guide To Get Organised

Guide from Lauren Carel / Search Engine Journal

The ultimate guide to SEO project management for digital agencies

Guide from Gus Pelogia / Teamwork

The SEO Process Execution FAQ
What are the basic steps to execute an SEO process?

The steps to follow when executing an SEO process depend on the nature, context and goal of the project, however, in general, an SEO process tends to start with a keyword and competition research and an SEO audit -including technical configuration, content optimization, and link profile analysis- to establish an SEO strategy that achieves the expected goals. After the SEO strategy and goals are set, and the viability of actions validated by stakeholders, the SEO process implementation and monitorization starts, and can take place for months on an ongoing basis, due to the long term nature of SEO. 

Who should execute an SEO process?

This depends on the nature of the Website, however, when working in SEO processes with clients, the SEO specialist will work with Web and digital marketing specialists dedicated to the Website, such as Web developers and content writers who will execute the SEO recommendations established by the SEO specialists. 

How long does an SEO process take?

This will depend on the scope of work, how well optimized is the Website, as well as the complexity and resources when implementing the SEO recommendations, and the time it takes search engines to take into account the implemented actions. Having said this, SEO is usually a long-term process, that usually takes months or years. 

What are the top challenges when executing an SEO process?

The most common challenge when executing an SEO process is the lack or scarcity of resources and flexibility to implement technical and content actions. This is mainly due to buy-in struggles with decision-makers and lack of alignment and support from stakeholders. This is why it’s fundamental to show the potential impact and value of the recommended SEO actions toward the site business, as well as setting the right expectations and clear communication that decision makers and stakeholders can understand. 

The SEO Learning Roadmap

Take a look at the SEO learning roadmap below, featuring the different areas, from the basics of SEO, to the most common activities and phases of the SEO Process:

Start learning SEO with the fundamental concepts and areas, why they're important, and the basics to execute them: keyword research, content optimization analysis, technical optimization and link building.
Once you know the main SEO concepts, it's time to put them in practice by learning to develop an SEO process, from establishing a strategy and setting goals to management, measurement, and reporting.
Learn to implement the most important SEO configurations in the top Web platforms in the market, along with considerations to take into account.