On-page SEO Expert Job Description

On-page SEO experts focus on improving website search rankings by making content and metadata more accessible. This job description has been created with the input of Toptal marketing talent and includes the foundational responsibilities and skills to advertise for when hiring a professional full-time or freelance on-page SEO expert.

Share

Trusted by leading brands and startups

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to a brand’s website. On-page SEO experts focus on developing content and metadata that makes pages more attractive to search engines and users alike. While content and metadata are components of on-page SEO, some of these elements may not be visible on the page itself. For example, on-page SEO specialists will fine-tune the title and meta description that appears on the search engine results page (SERP); they also develop image alt text that makes graphic elements more likely to appear in image searches and accessible for screen-readers.

These digital marketing specialists must also be skilled and knowledgeable content marketers, as creating content that demonstrates experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (what Google calls E-E-A-T) is the foundation of on-page SEO. SEO experts can help with optimizing existing content for better performance, in addition to developing content for new landing pages, blog articles, and other website pages. Regardless of the use case, on-page SEO experts should conduct SEO keyword research and strategically integrate target keywords within content and meta details.

This sample job description for full-time or freelance on-page SEO specialists will help you advertise your job, find qualified candidates, and hire talent who match your specific criteria. Adjust this job description if you require the candidate to have specific market knowledge or familiarity with certain industries, techniques, or tools.

On-page SEO Expert – Job Description and Ad Template

Copy this template, and modify it as your own:

Company Introduction

{{Write a short and catchy paragraph about your company. Make sure to provide information about company culture, perks, and benefits. Mention office hours, remote-working possibilities, and everything else you think makes your company interesting. On-page SEO experts often work remotely, allowing companies to access a wider talent pool.}}

Job Description

Our brand seeks an experienced on-page SEO specialist who will enhance our search engine ranking, drive organic search traffic, and generate leads. This creative thinker will develop and implement on-page SEO strategies that involve keyword research, competitor analysis, and a prioritized plan for creating engaging, user-friendly content that makes effective use of on-page components, such as titles, headings, meta descriptions, internal links, and image alt text. This search engine marketing role requires strong collaboration with content creators, marketing specialists, web developers, and other cross-functional team members.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement SEO strategies that achieve measurable goals for enhancing brand awareness, engagement, and conversion via Google and other major search engines
  • Research SEO keywords and identify both short- and long-tail keywords and phrases that align with business priorities and demonstrate strong user intent
  • Conduct competitor analysis to identify content gaps and opportunities for differentiation
  • Collaborate with content marketers to create compelling content for landing pages, blog articles, product description pages, and other website pages, ensuring compliance with keyword strategies and best practices in SEO
  • Develop optimization strategies for on-page SEO components, including titles, headers, meta descriptions, internal links, and image alt text
  • Develop in-depth knowledge of our audience and industry to ensure website marketing meets user needs and demonstrates expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness
  • Monitor and report on SEO key performance indicators and make recommendations for ongoing strategic improvements
  • {{Add other relevant responsibilities here.}}

Skills and Qualifications

  • Proven experience driving business growth with on-page optimization and related SEO content strategies
  • Proficiency in using Ahrefs, Semrush, or other SEO tools for keyword research and performance tracking, along with experience using website analytics tools, such as Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics
  • Analytical skills and ability to make data-backed decisions
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other marketers (including digital marketing strategists and copywriters) to integrate SEO insights into content marketing strategies that employ relevant keywords and create user-friendly experiences
  • Technical skills with SEO performance testing, such as A/B or multivariate experiments, to evaluate the performance of content variations
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as our design and web development teams, to accomplish complex SEO campaigns
  • Deep understanding of digital marketing techniques and best practices
  • Passion for continuous learning and staying up to date with the latest SEO trends, search engine algorithm updates, and industry trends
  • Strong understanding of how HTML, CSS, and JavaScript elements influence SEO
  • Ability to adapt to changing marketing strategies and business priorities to ensure ongoing SEO success
  • {{Emphasize relevant industry knowledge, particularly for technical or specialized markets, such as engineering or healthcare.}}

Education and Training Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, mass communication, business, or related fields or equivalent professional experience {{Modify to reflect the desired qualifications.}}

Experience Requirements

  • Two or more years of SEO experience, with a proven record of achieving strong search performance {{Adjust this section based on the needs of your project—two years of experience corresponds with a junior on-page SEO specialist position; senior-level experts have 7 or more years of experience.}}

Salary Range

{{Include the salary range for your position. The cost associated with hiring an on-page SEO expert depends on various factors, including location. In the US the average total annual pay for on-page SEO experts is approximately $61,000 as of September 2024.}}

See also:Toptal’s growing, community-driven list of essential On-page SEO interview questions

How to Hire On-page SEO Experts

On-page SEO experts help companies improve their search rankings by making webpage content and metadata more attractive to search engines. This guide to hiring on-page SEO experts shows hiring managers what to look for in candidates and how to attract the best talent for their projects.

Read Hiring Guide

Find the right On-page SEO interview questions

Read a list of great community-driven On-page SEO interview questions.
Read them, comment on them, or even contribute your own.

Read the Questions

Hire a Top On-page SEO Expert Now

Toptal is an exclusive network of top on-page SEO experts, consultants, managers, and professionals. Top companies and startups hire freelance on-page SEO experts from Toptal for their mission-critical marketing campaigns and projects.

See Their Profiles

Vadym Kurdohlov

Freelance On-page SEO Expert
Bulgaria
Toptal Member Since July 19, 2023

Vadym is an SEO expert with 9+ years of experience specializing in lead generation for B2B and B2C companies in the US, EU, and UK markets. He has expertise in software, hardware, betting, trading, law, educational, SaaS, and eCommerce sites. Skilled in technical and on-page SEO, page speed optimization (Core Web Vitals), and coding, he's developed his own SEO app and gained global experience working on different sites, which showcases his versatility and proficiency as an SEO professional.

Show More

Felipe Monsalve

Freelance On-page SEO Expert
United States
Toptal Member Since September 19, 2022

Felipe is a local SEO expert who helps businesses improve local visibility and attract more customers. He specializes in industries like home services, hospitality, and retail. With expertise in managing Google Business Profiles, conducting local keyword research, and applying data-driven SEO strategies, he delivers real results for proven local SEO success. An expert in driving organic growth, Felipe creates tailored strategies for local markets.

Show More

Steffen Ploeger

Freelance On-page SEO Expert
Canada
Toptal Member Since April 30, 2024

Steffen is a seasoned professional with expert knowledge in on-page and off-page SEO. He's well-versed in creating technical site audits, conducting keyword research, and implementing internal linking and pagination strategies. Steffen is also proficient at developing organic search strategies aligned with business objectives through actionable goals and roadmaps.

Show More

Discover More On-page SEO Experts in the Toptal Network

Start Hiring

Toptal Connects the Top 3% of Freelance Talent All Over The World.