{"id":1284,"date":"2018-10-22T11:18:58","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T11:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/?p=1284"},"modified":"2022-09-05T19:23:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T17:23:53","slug":"pay-for-seo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/seo-blog\/pay-for-seo\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you have to pay for SEO?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_3-1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-image align_center\"><div class=\"w-image-h\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_577036534-e1540206985133.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Bar Graph Hologram\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_577036534-e1540206985133.jpg 620w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_577036534-e1540206985133-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_577036534-e1540206985133-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>In previous articles \u2013 such as <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/what-does-seo-mean-in-marketing\/\"><em>What does SEO mean in marketing?<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/what-does-seo-specialist-do\/\"><em>What does an SEO specialist do?<\/em><\/a> \u2013 we outlined some of the basic concepts in SEO or Search Engine Optimisation. The process of SEO has varying price tags attached to it: it can cost as little as a couple of hours of your time or as much as hiring a digital marketing agency to up your SEO ranking. So, you\u2019re probably wondering if a free option is available, why pay for SEO? There are pros and cons to both methods. In this article, we\u2019ll chat about them all so that you can make an informed decision about the choices you make in your digital marketing strategy.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Paying for SEO skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Search Engine Optimisation is very complex and highly technical. It involves many processes as well as a lot of logical thinking. For example, it involves:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Optimising a website for focus keywords so that the people who are searching for what the company offers will be presented with the site.<\/li>\n<li>Building quality, relevant backlinks to a website.<\/li>\n<li>Making suggestions for content to be created which is rich in the relevant keywords as well as making sure that the content is not stuffed with keywords and sounds natural.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>SEO experts are extremely skilled and experienced especially when they are backed by a digital marketing certificate as provided by the Digital School of Marketing. The really good ones have spent years upon years optimising countless websites, closely scrutinising data and making slight adjustments to their work so that the site can climb up the SEO ranks and so help with the company\u2019s marketing. This means that if you want to get an exceptional person or agency to perform your Search Engine Optimisation you\u2019ll have to be prepared to pay quite a hefty sum. However, it will be worth it!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1285 size-shop_single\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shutterstock_530180857-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"DSM Digital school of marketing - pay for seo\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>DIY SEO<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have budget for an SEO agency or full-time SEO expert, it is possible to do optimise your own website for SEO. Before you do this, however, it is vital that you perform extensive keyword research so that you know what searches people are initiating \u2013 surrounding your product \u2013 so that you can incorporate these elements into your site.<\/p>\n<p>Google has countless resources to help you with your SEO. One of these is <a href=\"https:\/\/trends.google.com\/trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Trends<\/a> which helps you see how people are phrasing their search queries so that you can use this information in your website copy. The search engine giant has also put together <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/webmasters\/answer\/35769\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">some guidelines<\/a> to show you what they deem as a good site. This will help you with your SEO as, with this help, you\u2019ll be able to design the user journey through your site in the best possible way. This is important with regard to SEO as Google ranks websites, which are easy to navigate, highly.<\/p>\n<p>If you decide to do your SEO yourself, we highly recommend that you do the Digital School of Marketing\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\">SEO and Web Analytics Course<\/a>. This highly acclaimed digital marketing course is accredited through the Media, Information and Communication Technologies (MICT) SETA. Modules include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How your website needs to be structured for optimal SEO performance<\/li>\n<li>The fundamentals of SEO copywriting<\/li>\n<li>How to put together different types of sitemaps<\/li>\n<li>The most recent and up-to-date link-building techniques<\/li>\n<li>What is metadata and why is it important?<\/li>\n<li>Why you need to label your website<\/li>\n<li>How to interpret your Google Analytics dashboard so that you can constantly improve your SEO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This digital marketing certification is the best of its kind. You won\u2019t find another digital marketing qualification out there that is perfectly suited to help you improve your SEO rankings and expand your digital marketing strategy. Our past students have all told us that this digital marketing course has improved their careers immensely! So take the leap and become an SEO expert today. <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\">Sign up for<\/a> the Digital School of Marketing\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\">SEO and Web Analytics Course<\/a> now and see how a thorough knowledge of SEO will help you and your business.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/contact-us\/\">Get in touch with the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-758 size-us_768_0\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DSM_Footer03-768x123.jpg\" alt=\"DSM Digital School of Marketing SEO and Web Analytics course registration\" width=\"768\" height=\"123\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_justify\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_2\" href=\"#enquiry\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Enquire Today<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Blog Categories<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/blog\/content-marketing\/\">Content Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/digital-marketing\/\">Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/cyber-security-blog\/\">Cyber Security<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/graphic-design-blog\/\">Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/blog\/public-relations\/\">Public Relations<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/blog\/seo\/\">SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/social-media-marketing\/\">Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/web-design-blog\/\">Web Design<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">You might also like<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"w-html\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/social-media-marketing-blog\/zero-moment-of-truth-benefit-social-media-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Use the Zero Moment of Truth to Benefit your Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/your-complete-guide-to-ppc-marketing-basic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Your Complete Guide to PPC Marketing Basics. Find out more.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/you-can-convey-a-lot-of-meaning-with-just-one-graphic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">You Can Convey a Lot Of Meaning With Just One Graphic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/would-you-make-a-great-marketing-manager\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Would you make a great marketing manager?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-with-bona-magazine-and-the-digital-school-of-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win with Bona Magazine and the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-a-digital-marketing-course-valued-at-r12-000\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win a Digital Marketing Course Valued at  R12 000<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Top Selling COurses<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-digital-marketing-course\/\">Advanced Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/courses\/social-media-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Social media marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-brand-management-course\/\">Brand Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/courses\/graphic-design-course\/\">Basic Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-6\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-graphic-design-course\/\">Advanced Graphic design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-7\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-certificate-of-advertising\/\">National Certificate of Advertising<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-8\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-diploma-of-copywriting-course\/\">National Diploma of Copyrighting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Youtube video player\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cImP9WWJVh4?autoplay=0&controls=1&origin=https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za&loop=0&mute=0\" allowfullscreen=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1286,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[264],"tags":[146,147,145],"class_list":["post-1284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo-blog","tag-diy-seo","tag-paid-seo","tag-seo-skills"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1284\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}