1. Keyword Research

Keyword research is the process of finding the words and phrases people type into search engines like Google when looking for products, services, or information. This is the starting point of any SEO campaign.

Keyword research is an important skill to master in SEO because choosing the wrong keywords means you’ll likely waste time (and money) producing content that no one wants to read.

Some aspects of keyword research include:

• Finding seed keywords.
• Understanding keyword intent.
• Performing keyword research and analysis.

2. On-Page SEO

On-page SEO refers to the practice of optimizing individual web page content to improve its ranking and attract more relevant traffic in search engines.

On-page optimization is one of the most important aspects of SEO, as even the most minor changes can make a significant difference in how well your pages rank.

Important aspects of on-page SEO include:

• Title and meta description tags.
• Heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
• Internal linking.
• Optimizing image alt tags and compression.
• Keyword placement in content

3. Technical SEO

Technical SEO focuses on improving the backend structure of your website so that search engines can crawl, index, and rank your pages efficiently. Even the best content can struggle to rank if the site has technical problems. 

As a professional SEO Expert in Nepal, you must have the technical skills to analyze websites for common issues such as broken links, canonical tags, and loading speed. 

You don’t have to become a coding expert to solve the issues by yourself, but being able to identify at least the problems that can be forwarded to a specialist is a must for every SEO expert. 

Here are some common technical SEO elements:

• Crawling and indexing.
• Submitting XML sitemaps and robots.txt files.
• Analysing website loading speed
• Checking the website for mobile-friendliness.
• Implementing structured data (schema markup)

4. Local SEO

Local SEO (Local Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing a business’s online presence to attract more customers from local searches on Google and other search engines.

Implementing local SEO is crucial if you’re a small business targeting a specific geographical location.

Some different aspects of Local SEO include:

• Setting up and optimizing Google Business Profile
• Getting listed on local directories (Nepali business listings)
• Collecting and managing online reviews
• Using location-specific keywords (e.g., “in Kathmandu”)
• Adding local schema markup
• Creating location-based landing pages
• Building local backlinks

5. SEO Content Writing

SEO content writing is the process of creating valuable and relevant content that ranks well in search engines and provides value to readers. Search engines reward helpful content.

The content should be easy to read, valuable, and naturally include relevant keywords. 

Some important things to consider in SEO content writing are:

• Writing content based on keyword intent
• Using keywords naturally in headings and paragraphs
• Maintaining readability (short sentences and paragraphs)
  
• Using bullet points, lists, and visuals for clarity
• Updating old content for freshness

6. Link Building (Off-Page SEO)

Link building is the process of acquiring backlinks from other websites to your own. 

Link building is a crucial component of any successful SEO strategy and should be done strategically. Link building is also a key ranking factor in SEO so it is a must-have skill for SEO experts in Nepal.

Some of the most popular link-building techniques include:

• Guest Posting
• Broken Link Building
• Influencer Outreach
• Digital PR
• Competitor Link Building.

7. Analytics & Reporting

Analytics and reporting help you track your SEO performance. An SEO expert needs to know how to use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Looker Studio to monitor performance and create reports.

Here are some essential things to learn for Analytics and Reporting:

• Setting up Google Analytics and Google Search Console
• Tracking keyword rankings and organic traffic
• Measuring bounce rate, session duration, and user behavior
• Creating monthly SEO performance reports
• Setting up goals/conversions in Analytics
• Using tools like Looker Studio for visual reports
• Identifying top-performing content and improvement areas.

8. WordPress & CMS Proficiency

Most businesses in Nepal use WordPress or Shopify. Being familiar with how to publish content, add SEO plugins, manage menus, or edit page elements can save time and reduce dependency on developers.

FURTHER READING:  How to Become an SEO Expert in Nepal.

Soft Skills

9. Effective Communication

Communication skills are one of the most critical skills to possess, not only as an SEO expert but also in all areas of digital marketing.

As an SEO expert, if you can write engaging content and explain your ideas with confidence, you become a valuable asset to any team. Whether you’re working with clients, developers, or internal teams, your ability to explain why something matters can make all the difference. Being able to speak clearly in meetings, simplify complex strategies in presentations, and share real results through case studies can help you win new clients and keep the ones you already have.

10. Client Management

Client management is one of the most valuable skills an SEO expert can develop. Whether you’re working with a small local business or a larger agency client, knowing how to manage expectations and build trust makes a big difference. 

Not every client will understand how SEO works, and that’s okay. Your role is to guide them with patience, keep things simple, and help them stay focused on long-term goals. 

Good client management involves having regular conversations, sharing progress updates, and setting clear goals from the outset. When clients feel supported and understood, they’re more likely to stick with you for the long run.

11. Patience & Long-Term Thinking

SEO isn’t something that delivers results overnight. It takes time, consistency, and a lot of patience. As an SEO expert, one of the most important mindsets you can develop is patience and long-term thinking. 

Rankings may take months to improve, and even then, the changes might be slow or unpredictable. But that doesn’t mean your work isn’t making an impact. Instead of doing guesswork, stay focused on what you can control, like making ongoing improvements, tracking your progress through data, and recognizing the small wins along the way. 

Patience helps you stay motivated, and it also helps your clients understand that real, lasting results come from steady effort over time.

12. Adaptability

SEO is always changing. With search engine algorithms constantly being updated, you may need to change your SEO strategy overnight.

That’s why adaptability is such an essential skill for SEO experts. You need to be open to learning new things, adjusting your approach, and even letting go of outdated methods. 

Staying curious, keeping up with industry news, trying out new strategies, and learning from real case studies can help you stay one step ahead. The more flexible you are, the better you’ll be at handling changes and delivering results in a shifting landscape.

13. Critical Thinking

If you want a career in SEO, you need to understand how things work and make wise decisions based on that insight. This is where critical thinking comes in. 

Instead of just fixing issues, you start looking deeper into the issue. You begin asking the right questions, like why your traffic dropped or what your competitors are doing differently, not just to copy them, but to find better opportunities. 

Critical thinking helps you use data to support your choices and create strategies that make sense. It also pushes you to consider things from the user’s point of view, which often leads to better results. The more thoughtfully you approach SEO, the more valuable your work becomes.

14. Collaboration & Teamwork

Most SEO projects involve working closely with designers, developers, writers, or marketing teams. That’s why being good at collaboration and teamwork is such a valuable skill to learn as an SEO expert in Nepal. 

When you know how to work well with others, everything moves more smoothly and often faster. It starts with respecting everyone’s role and timeline, understanding that each person brings something meaningful to the table. 

Sharing ideas, listening to feedback, and keeping communication open help the whole team stay aligned. Great teamwork leads to better results and a stronger work environment overall.

15. Willingness to Learn

SEO covers so many areas that you can either choose to specialize in one part or build a broad understanding of everything. Very few people know every detail of every aspect, and that’s completely okay. What matters is being open to learning. Whether you’re working with a marketing team, collaborating with other freelancers, or reporting to an SEO manager, there’s always room to grow. 

Taking feedback with a positive mindset and being willing to try new approaches will not only improve your skills but also help you work better with others. The more open you are to learning, the stronger you’ll become in your SEO journey.