A Day in the Life of an SEO Manager

What it really looks like to live in the land of rankings, reports, and Google updates as an SEO Manager!

When most people hear “SEO,” they picture someone buried in keywords, whispering sweet nothings to Google’s algorithm while running five different tracking tools on three monitors. Okay… they’re not completely wrong.

But behind the rankings and reports, SEO is about people — understanding what real users are searching for, how they think, and how we can help them find what they need.

At Stand And Stretch, our SEO managers are the humans behind the data, constantly tweaking, testing, and building strategies that help our clients show up and stand out. Want a peek behind the scenes?

Here’s what a real day looks like.

SEO Manager Starts with Signals

Every SEO manager starts by tuning into the signals. We check in on the health of our client websites using tools like Google Search Console, Semrush, and Screaming Frog. We’re looking for any unexpected changes in impressions, traffic drops, or crawl issues that may need immediate attention.

Sometimes we discover a page dropped in rankings after a core algorithm update. Other times, it’s as simple as a misconfigured redirect. Either way, we catch it early — before it becomes a bigger problem.

If a client suddenly jumps to page one… You better believe we’re celebrating that.

Technical Tune-Ups and On-Page Magic

A lot of what we do is fixing things under the hood. That might mean:

• Resolving duplicate content or missing meta tags
  
• Optimizing header structure and alt text
  
• Compressing large images or cleaning up bloated code
• Updating page speed elements to make the site faster and smoother

SEO is part detective work, part digital hygiene. We spend hours inside WordPress and Shopify sites, making small but meaningful improvements that help Google understand what a page is about — and why it deserves to rank.

But it’s not just about pleasing search engines. It’s also about creating a better experience for real people. If a site is slow, hard to navigate, or confusing, it doesn’t matter how well it’s optimized — users will leave. That’s why we always approach SEO with UX in mind.

Strategy, Content, and Connecting the Dots

Once the site’s technical foundation is solid, we shift gears into strategy. That includes:

• Auditing content to identify gaps or outdated pages
  
• Mapping keywords to the right pages (so they aren’t competing with each other)
  
• Creating content briefs that guide writers on tone, structure, and keyword targeting
  
• Planning out internal linking so each page supports the others

This is the part where we align SEO with business goals. Are we trying to drive more leads in a certain location? Get more visibility for a new service? We tailor our work to the outcomes our clients actually care about — not just vanity metrics.

While we love a good keyword, we know content has to do more than rank. It has to connect, convert, and build trust.

Collaboration Is Key

No SEO manager works in a vacuum. At Stand And Stretch, we’re constantly collaborating with our team, from designers and developers to content writers and digital production assistants. SEO overlaps with every other channel, so we stay connected to make sure efforts across the board are working together.

That might look like:

• Advising the web team during a redesign so SEO equity isn’t lost
  
• Aligning with Google Ads to avoid cannibalizing keywords
  
• Coordinating with writers on seasonal campaigns or FAQs
  

We’re big believers in open communication channels, shared Google Docs, and video calls to hash things out fast. Because the best results don’t happen in silos — they happen when a whole team is moving in sync.

Data Reporting and Looking Ahead

SEO isn’t a one-and-done task — it’s a long game. So a big part of the day involves reviewing performance data, interpreting trends, and planning next steps.

When we send reports to clients, it’s not just charts and traffic numbers. We break down what happened, why it matters, and what’s next.

Clients don’t want SEO jargon. They want clarity. They want to know, “Is this working?” and “What are we doing to keep improving?” That’s exactly what we deliver.

So… Why Do You Need an SEO Manager?

Let’s be honest: SEO is complex. It’s not just about tossing keywords into a blog post or installing a plugin. It’s a living system — impacted by algorithm changes, site structure, user behavior, page speed, backlinks, and about 200+ other factors.

It’s always changing.

That’s why businesses need someone in their corner watching the metrics, spotting problems, and staying ahead of the trends. Without that, even a beautiful website can quietly fall off the map.

Hiring a dedicated SEO manager means:

• You’re not guessing at what will rank — you’re using data to drive strategy
  
• Issues are caught before they become disasters
  
• Your content works harder for you over time
  
• You stay competitive in your market, even as search evolves
  

Choose Stand And Stretch as Your SEO Manager

At Stand And Stretch, we don’t just check boxes on an SEO list. We build long-term strategies rooted in research, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of your business goals. We are not here to impress you with industry buzzwords. Rather, we are here to get results — and help you understand the “why” behind every step we take. We are not a massive agency where you’re just another account. You’ll know our names, we’ll know your business, and we’ll be with you every step of the way — from audit to ongoing optimization.

Let’s start with a no-obligation site audit. We’ll show you exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to start making measurable improvements — fast.

👉 Request Your Free SEO Audit