Rather than going last we thought we'd give our own in-house SEO Pro Barry the honor of opening up this year's SEO Interviews. The purpose of SEO interviews is to poll some top SEO names, those who have specific skills sets, and those who have been in the industry for a while. Their knowledge is invaluable and we are confident even the seasoned SEO vets will take something out of each participant. Without further ado here's Barry!

Your vitals:

• Name: Barry Nagassar
• Web site you wish to have linked: You're on it now!
• Shameless plug about yourself: Hmmm. Well we'll be releasing an SEO Book that will be focused on MBA style marketing techniques readable to a general business audience. It's more than SEO our book, it will be a broad marketing approach, not a get rich quick scheme, but foundational marketing practices with a unique web marketing twist.

SEO Question Sets for the Pros

1. Defining SEO should be more than ‘on-page and off-page’ components. If you had to describe the industry to someone new what would you say?

Well for those who have never heard about SEO it's not SEO, it's web marketing. They have a web site, or are thinking about putting one up, and need to translate that need into a language they understand. SEO is merely a subset of the overall web marketing picture. You can start converting sales from an online audience through, you guessed it, marketing. SEO is not selling, it's not a service--it's marketing. Courting online visitors and turning a 'want' into a 'need' while creating relationships (customer into client) is all a part of profitable marketing. Search engine optimization is one component of this process, and when done correctly and successfully can reap immense benefits.

2. Many managers, webmasters, and web owners have heard horror stories about the SEO industry. In your opinion what’s the biggest problem preventing SEO from becoming a mainstream component of business marketing?

I think most relevant and current firms are aware of SEO and it's strengths. There is a movement to move a lot of the marketing and web aspects in-house. The problem probably lies around the lack of accreditation. Any boob can be an SEO if they read enough, but what separates the good from the bad? Some people are burned because they don't apply the same practices in hiring SEO consultants as they would with any other firm/job. Do your due diligence and you'll be pleasantly surprised with your results.

3. How can we solve/address this issue?
Just more transparency in the industry. That's transparency in what we do and more transparency when mainstream media outlets come knocking for information. Really, web designing started in a similar way and now we have designer schools. SEO may never have schools of their own, but Universities and business school's are starting to offer appropriate classes.

4. What’s more important to you? On page optimization or off-page optimization.
Unique and quality content. It's in its own realm. Off-page at the moment is the hardest and most necessary--get your relevant links. I would say too many people are focusing to hard on the on-page aspects to the point they stifle their growth and forget their content.

5. Name two web markets you believe are not yet saturated and have higher than average ROI potential.
I think every industry has some room to grow and it can be quantified and captured using long-tail analytics. Sure, 'mortgages' is saturated, but '*insert small town here* mortagages' is not. The vast majority of products (especially from entrepreneurs) have immense potential for growth.

6. In your view, what are the top 5 must haves (if you think there are 5) for on-page optimization?

1. Content
2. Content
3. Content
4. Content
5. Title tags.

Ok, seriously:

1. Relevant, coherent, and unique content
2. Title tags
3. error free code
4. web design (it has to be nice to look at and convert users)
5. internal linking structure.

7. Same question, only this time aspects for off-page optimization.
1. Links, but specifically the anchor text for your incoming links.
2. Location of your links--relevant locations (relevant to your content.)
3. A link is a link is a link. Just better when it comes from relevant locations.

8. Web 2.0 is here and alive, where do you see Web 3.0 (Web Cubed) heading?
Understanding your audience is crucial. Some will move forward to Web Cubed, others will be happy with static boring content. For more on Web 3.0 or Web Cubed read my article here.

9. Is it true that just about anybody can ‘do’ SEO?

On-page optimization can be learned by anybody. That's why SEO training or seminars are great ways to teach your webmasters the foundations. Off-page SEO (web promotion) is far harder. Getting traffic and links is a process unique to each SEO.

11. Case scenario: a strong web programmer (short on business skills) and a strong businessperson (short on programming skills) enter the SEO industry at the same time. Who has the advantage?

You know, it doesn't matter. Both have strengths. You need to find your niche, what you're good at, and dominate in that area. Programmers can put together some interesting concepts that are unique, business people can court clients with ideas and growth.

12. Do you find that most popular and savvy SEOs fall in one of the two above categories?

I see neat tools from the programmers but a ton of great business savvy people who have found their niche in SEO and have done very well. Make no mistake, SEO is not a get rich quick scheme, those who stick around have a keen business sense.

Well that does it for this round. Up next will Randall McCarley from 14thColony.

[tags]seo interviews, seo pros, marketing interviews[/tags]