If there is one career path that has not been hard hit by the recent recession it is that of Search Engine Optimization experts. Granted, people working in this industry may have felt the effect of the current economic climate. However, it has not been as bad as those professionals in other major industries such as automotive, banking, and the like.
So, what are some of the things that one can expect from a career in SEO during the recession? For one, you have to maintain a realistic outlook. If the bulk of your clients came from industries that were hard hit by the recession such as the real estate industry, financial services etc. then you would have a reason to be affected too, as these industries will not be spending extra money while they are trying to recover. Typically in these instances, you would be better off simply being grateful at the fact that you can still pay your bills through a career in SEO and begin searching for clients in other industries.
The second thing to keep in mind when it comes to working in SEO during the recession would be your position. There is a difference between you working for a large company that deals in SEO and you being self-employed in this industry. Being employed is always a much more vulnerable position than if you were dictating your own employment terms and conditions.
Lastly, you would have to consider your skill set as well as the label of your skill. If you are a novice, getting into the SEO industry would not be advisable during a recession.
So, why is it that the SEO industry is largely recession proof? For one, the market for SEO is already established. Although not too many people know about it, it is still quite deeply rooted and not something that is a passing fad. Another reason why this industry tends to be less affected by the recession is that this is one of the last services that large companies will cut. The returns on investment from SEO are much higher compared to those from other investments.
The aggressive campaigns involved in SEO are even more so important during a recession’s tends to be much more affordable than PPC. SEO is also much more affordable than the regular offline marketing methods. SEO is an expense that will keep recurring. All in all, the future of SEO and Link Building looks bright during the recession as it becomes even more crucial during these tough times.