What are the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful and sought-after SEO specialist?
I think it's important to have a strong grasp of PHP, HTML, CSS, and JS. Are there any other valuable skills to consider?

I believe that a successful and sought-after SEO specialist needs to have a deep understanding of web design principles and user experience. In addition to proficiency in PHP, HTML, CSS, and JS, it's crucial for an SEO specialist to have a keen eye for design, layout, and the overall aesthetics of a website. Understanding how design elements can impact search engine rankings and user engagement is essential in this role.

Furthermore, a strong knowledge of information architecture and how to optimize it for both search engines and users is paramount. This includes the ability to create clear navigation structures, logical site hierarchy, and user-friendly URLs. An SEO specialist should be able to collaborate with web designers and developers to ensure that the website's design and architecture are optimized for search engine visibility.

In addition to technical skills, a successful SEO specialist needs to be adept at conducting keyword research, analyzing search trends, and creating high-quality, optimized content. Understanding the intricacies of on-page and off-page SEO, including meta tags, schema markup, link building, and content marketing, is crucial for improving a website's organic visibility.

Moreover, staying updated with the latest algorithm changes and best practices in the SEO industry is indispensable. This requires a continuous commitment to learning and professional development. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are also essential for interpreting data from tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to make informed decisions and recommendations for improving organic performance.
Effective communication and project management skills are valuable for collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to implement SEO strategies and achieve business goals. The ability to present complex technical information in a clear and persuasive manner to non-technical colleagues is a key skill that distinguishes an exceptional SEO specialist.

The essential requirements for a Front-End developer + SEO role involve a comprehensive skill set. When collaborating on a turnkey project with a designer, you will receive the layout in PSD format and be responsible for the subsequent tasks such as layout design, programming, optimization, and more. The skills required include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, PHP, the ability to comprehend existing code, experience with popular JavaScript frameworks, usage of version control systems (such as git, svn), and proficiency in working with popular CMS platforms.

In terms of coding and layout requirements, the SEO aspects encompass knowledge of search algorithms, internal optimization according to the standards of search engines like Yandex and Google, external optimization, promotion strategies, and extensive experience in conducting site audits, including usability and technical audits, among others. Additionally, it is crucial to possess knowledge of search engine filters and strategies to navigate through them.

From a practical standpoint, communication with the client is paramount, focusing on offering products and services rather than solely aiming for low prices. This involves technical and usability audits of the site, followed by an analysis of the project's feasibility, including the semantic core, cost, timing for reaching top positions, and other critical factors. The execution phase involves collaboration among the designer, layout designer, programmer, and technical and creative directors, depending on the project requirements.

Furthermore, a successful SEO professional should possess marketing skills, as a significant aspect of their role is effectively presenting products or services to the audience. So, becoming a proficient SEO specialist entails not only technical expertise but also a strong marketing acumen.

I believe it's essential for an SEO specialist to have a broad understanding of the internet trends since search algorithms tend to follow these trends. Moreover, a proficient SEO specialist needs to have a technical grasp of search engine algorithms including semantics, robots/bots, site maps, http access, and more.

Furthermore, an exceptional SEO specialist goes beyond technical knowledge and also comprehends the target audience of the product or service being promoted. Understanding the user intent and behavior is crucial for crafting successful SEO strategies.

Keyword research.
Communication skills.
Social media efficiency.
Link-building strategy.
Willingness to learn.
Time management.
Critical thinking.
Data analysis.

Knowing PHP, HTML, CSS, and JS is cool and all, but if you think that's enough to be a hotshot SEO specialist, you're straight-up dreaming, fam. Those are just table stakes - every wannabe webmaster has 'em. If you're not grinding on keyword research with tools like Ahrefs to find those hidden gems, you're already behind.

Without legit backlink juice, your site's DA (Domain Authority) is trash. You better be tracking SERP (Search Engine Results Page) changes like a hawk, or Google's algo will bury you. Analytics? If you're not glued to GA (Google Analytics) for your KPIs, you're just guessing.