SEO Training Course: Details on What to Look for, How Much It Costs, How Long It Lasts and More

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a mega-hot, high-paying field right now. Just a decade ago, practically no one but techies even uttered the phrase regularly. Now, it’s a common part of internet marketing language. Job opportunities in SEO have grown significantly, which means the need for SEO training is growing by leaps and bounds.The Growth of Jobs in SEOJust how much is the job growth in this sector? A 2012 study by Shareaholic revealed that:Professionals with ‘SEO’ in their title or description on Linked-In grew by 112% in 12 months;Job listings with ‘SEO’ in it increased on job site Indeed by 1900% since 2006; andWanted Analytics reported that over 3,800 jobs were advertised online that required SEO skills in March 2012, which is a 24 percent increase compared to March 2011.So yeah, SEO is hot – and so is SEO training.What to Look for In an SEO Training CourseBefore looking for specifics, the first thing you need to know is that search engine optimization is a broad field. So you have to determine what you want an SEO course to cover.For example, if you want to learn how to write content, you’d look for an SEO copywriting course; if you wanted to learn how to do keyword research, you’d seek a class that covered this; if you wanted to learn how to optimize your site, you’d look for an SEO course that covered things like link structure and meta tags; etc.How Much Does an SEO Training Course Cost?What you’ll pay for an SEO course ranges from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It’s really like the wild, wild west. It all depends on:Factors That Affect How Much an SEO Course Costs(i) What the course covers: As discussed above, there are many elements of search engine optimization. Some courses cover certain elements; others are more skill specific.(ii) Who’s giving the course: SEO courses are given by everyone from universities to internet marketing firms, to individual industry professionals.(iii) Online or in person: Many prefer to enroll in an SEO course online. This is because they can usually do it at their leisure. Some courses are held in person. Online SEO courses tend to be cheaper, obviously, because there’s no renting of a room, equipment, travel expenses, etc.How Long Is an SEO Course?(iv) Length of the course: Depending on what’s covered, SEO courses can last from a few hours, or span several days or a week or more.Search Engine Optimization Training: A Worthwhile Investment?Starting salaries tend to be high, which makes it a smart investment. For example, if you take an SEO copywriting course, you can expect to earn in the mid-40′s just starting out, and up to $90,000 with five or more years experience.Proof?According to a 2012 survey by Robert Half, one of the largest staffing agencies in the world, salaries range from the mid-40s ($45,000) to just over $90,000 per year. The study stated:”Web content writers with five or more years experience can expect a salary range of between $60,500 and $90,750, while those with less than five years experience should receive something in the range of $45,250 and $66,250.”So yeah, SEO training can pay off – big!

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SEO – Choosing the Right SEO Provider to Bring Your Web Site to the Top of Google

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization is the art (and science) of bringing a web site to the top of Google and other major search engines for specific keywords that you want to target.Since being on the first page and in the #1 position for your keywords always means more traffic to your web site, it is easy to see why there is such a high demand for effective SEO services today.So, what does it take for your web site to rise to the top of Google? A lot of that is dependent upon the specific industry your business is in. For example, it would be fairly easy to rank #1 in Google if you had a unique service or product that nobody else had in Branson. But if you are wanting to rank well for a keyword like “branson tickets”, it would be much more complicated, due to the sheer number of other web sites that are also trying to compete for that keyword.Just like any other “battle”, the more contestants you have playing, the tougher the competition is going to be. And SEO is definitely a battle – make no mistake about it. The modern-day SEO arena is home to some of the most ferocious Internet and Web-based marketing tactics known to man.The reason for this highly-competitive force is the nature Internet marketing itself. Most businesses have embraced the Internet and World Wide Web as their primary channel for marketing, advertising, and information distribution channels. More and more businesses are trying to gain popularity and showcase what they have to offer to the entire world – not just the locals.And it makes sense. The more people you can reach on the Web, the more customers and clients your business will attract altogether.But still, there are a large number of web sites that only use minimal SEO tactics. And it’s almost shocking when you analyze a web site and clearly see that even text-book SEO elements have been neglected or omitted entirely. These are the same web sites for the businesses that are struggling to make ends meet, especially in the economic turmoil we are facing at the moment.And what about the web sites for those businesses that are actually being prolific, in spite of the economy? Those web sites are the ones that have implemented professional SEO services to gain a better position in the search engines. And they are thriving!It’s a well known fact that if your web site is not listed on the first page of Google, you are missing out on about 70% of all traffic on the Web today. That’s a pretty big number. But it’s very true. If your business is going to be successful on the Web, then you need to invest in a SEO campaign that can bring you all the way to the top.And when you consider the cost of traditional advertising methods vs. SEO / SEM, you can clearly see that not only is SEO more affordable, it’s also more effective. By investing in quality SEO, you’ll see a much larger return on investment than you would with radio, TV, or yellow page advertisements. Plus, all of the traditional advertising methods restrict you to the local or regional market.An effective SEO campaign will allow you to reach people from all over the world. Now that’s powerful!
You really need to have your web site optimized for the search engines by a qualified SEO professional who can deliver the search engine optimization services you need to stay ahead of the competition.Here are a few tips to consider while you are seeking the right SEO professional to help your web site get a better rank in Google:1. Find an SEO professional who is familiar with the market you are in. By understanding the competitive nature of your specific industry, your SEO professional will be better equipped to provide you with effective SEO services.2. Ask to see examples of previous SEO campaigns that were a success. It is best if they have previously successful SEO campaigns that were for your particular market / web sites related to yours specifically. That way, you’ll know they fully understand how to compete with the other sites in your arena.3. Find out how long it will take before you begin to see some results and improved search engine rankings for your web site. All quality SEO work takes time. It can be weeks or even months before you start to see your web site climbing up in the search engine results. It’s better to have an accurate time estimate before you start so that there are not any surprises later on down the road.4. Ask the SEO professional what exactly will take place during the SEO campaign. Often times, many search engine optimization “experts” will be cryptic and try to avoid this question. And often, it is indicative of an inexperienced “want to be”. Any good SEO professional worth his salt will be able to tell you exactly what will occur during your SEO process.5. Avoid any SEO professional who claims to give you “x” amount of links for “x” amount of dollars. For example, if he tells you something like “I can give you 500 links for $500…”, then it is probably not going to be very effective SEO. All true SEO experts know that it’s the quality, not the quantity of links that matters the most.6. Ask to be kept up-to-date during your entire SEO campaign. That way, you’ll be able to keep up on what is really going on, what work is being performed, how many hours are being invested, etc.7. Find out ( before the SEO campaign begins ) what it is going to take to maintain the higher search engine position after you have reached it. All good SEO experts know that getting to the top of Google is only half the battle. Once you are there, it will require some attention and a little on-going work to insure that your Branson web site stays up there.8. Make it very clear in the beginning that you do not want any “black hat” SEO techniques used during the process of your SEO campaign. Black hat SEO is the practice of implementing questionable SEO practices in the eyes of Google and it will certainly get your web site banned from the Google index!Remember: always ask questions and stay informed. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have better chances of finding the right SEO professional to provide you with a very successful and effective SEO campaign.Here at Digital Spiral Web Design, we specialize in affordable and effective SEO services for web site owners. We know what it takes to have success when competing with other business web sites in the search engines.Already, we have launched several successful SEO campaigns and have achieved over 100 first-page placements in Google! We have the SEO knowledge and experience required to provide you with the best SEO services for your web site.

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15 Travelers That I Have Met

There are really as many type of travellers as there are people. Here we take a tongue in cheek look at some of the common types.1. The Complete Budget TravelerThe complete budget traveler travels on a strict budget and does not vary from it, no matter how exciting the recently discovered opportunity is. No extra drinks for this traveller unless someone buys him/her one.2. The Perennial Party AnimalThe perennial party animal has one focus and that is to have fun usually at a bar. These travellers find places to party where others cannot. Perhaps they should be partnered with the complete budget traveler!3. The Flexible Go-anywhere TravelerThe flexible go-anywhere traveler just chills out where-ever he/she is. There is no need for planning – everything is good. They go with the flow and to not need to know where they are going. Perhaps the traveller that enjoys any experience.4. The Methodical PlannerThe methodical planner does not do anything that is not pre-arranged. Every second is planned and when things go wrong as they inevitably do, they feel unloved. They will always be found where ever the plan tells them to be.5. The Modern TechieThe modern techie can only travel if he/she has the latest travel accessories and gadgets. Stay close to the modern techie to learn what items works and what items are a waste of money for your next trip.6. The Avid Souvenir BuyerThe avid souvenir buyer has money to spend and anything that he/she wants to remind them of the holiday. The head for the markets and shops and not interested in spending any time with the perennial party animal. Usually has trouble with baggage weight limits on the homeward journey.7. The Know it All TravelerThe know it all traveler studies everything from the guidebooks and internet prior to travel. He/she finds great joy in asking the most in-depth questions of the guides or continually interrupts the guide with statements of “fact”. Not sure who the know it all traveller should travel with.8. The Fancy PhotographerThe fancy photography will probably have the most expensive camera (and don’t forget the lens) and take the longest to take any photograph. Other travellers are always waiting for him/her at any special sight. They also like to get out very early to “catch the light.”9. The Constant ComplainerThe constant complainer finds everything on the tour not to his/her usual standard. Usually claim to be frequent travellers and often want to “talk with a higher authority”. Probably should stay home and enjoy the things that are there!10. The Helpless TravelerThe helpless traveler finds everything a little too much. He/she will ask the most unusual and often useless questions. Often there will be someone on the tour who takes the helpless traveller under their wings to protect them from the others.11. The “I am looking for myself” TravelerThe “I am looking for myself” traveler is searching for something. It is something unique for each or the “I am looking for myself” travellers. Beat to let them find themselves but make sure that they get about safely.12. The Incessant Talking TravelerThe incessant talking traveler does not leave anyone alone. They crave a discussion on almost any topic. Often they are quite interesting people but enough is enough.13. The Travel Light TravelerThe travel light traveler needs only one cabin bag to see the world. They a proud of their achievement but their travelling companions struggle when there is no time for washing clothes. They tend to like to borrow things.14. The Repeating TravelerThe repeating traveler goes to the same place or holiday each year. He/she can provide at least 101 reasons why you should join them. They take pride in telling you that they have seen three management changes at the hotel and the last manager was better than the current one.15. The Exercising TravelerFinally, the exercising traveler rises every morning to a vigorous physical workout. Only stay at hotels with gymnasium and swimming pool. Usually fussy with food and claim to eat “healthy” until the free wine is put on the table.Whatever type of traveler you are or come into contact with – enjoy the experience and learn from them. Even the most tedious travelers will have something interesting to say.

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