Interviewing Rosie Williams

Welcome to a new WTSInterview edition, where we interview brilliant SEOs in our industry and share their stories with the world! WTS members are welcome to share their story by simply filling out this form; we encourage folks from all walks of life in our industry to do so.

Introducing Rosie Williams! Based in sunny Brighton UK, Rosie is an experienced SEO Consultant with over 14 years in the industry. With a broad marketing background spanning project management, SEO, UX, email marketing, social media and web development, Rosie is a jack of quite a few trades! Running her own SEO consultancy for 10 years now, Rosie has worked with brands across almost every industry.

How did you get into SEO?

My very first job after university was as a marketing exec for a home care franchise and here I was tasked with rebuilding the group website via an external agency.

I was initially out of my depth but I quickly realised I absolutely loved the technical side of websites and SEO and I asked the agency for some recommended reading.

I read the SEO book they recommended which got me through the interview for my next job at Friday Media Group, and the rest is history!

What is your favourite SEO task?

I love a website migration. I know that's crazy because everyone knows they are risky and scary but I think that's why I love them! When they go well, it's exhilarating! When they go badly, I get lost in the problem solving until we fix it.

What is your go-to tool or resource that you can't live without?

I'm finding more and more use in Rank Caddy which is an alternative (and cheaper) version of SEMRush built by an ex colleague of mine.

What is something you learned in SEO that made you have an 'AHA' moment?

It never fails to amaze me how few design agencies actually give SEO a moments thought when building websites for clients. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have been approached with a 'we got a new website last year but traffic and rankings have tanked, can you help us?'.

What is your proudest industry achievement?

Sometimes it's the little things. Setting up websites for friends and family to promote their new small business venture, and watching their amazement as the enquiries rolled in and converted into big, proper customers for them. These moments make me realise how special my trade really is!

What advice would you give those who are starting out in SEO?

Get some personal projects to try SEO tactics out on! Sometimes working for agencies or large companies can make it difficult to really trial and error. It's so satisfying to see a little thing make a big difference!

Give a shout out to someone in the industry who inspires you, and tell us why

Of course, Areej AbuAli! For running this community in an otherwise male-dominated industry and giving women the opportunity to lift each other up!

Finally, what empowers you to be the brilliant person you are?

Quite honestly, SEO has given me the opportunity to achieve a proper work life balance and this keeps me going. I get to have the career AND the family and this means the world to me.

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Thanks, Rosie, for a truly insightful interview!

You can learn more about Rosie on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Check out our Interviews page for more interviews. If you've enjoyed reading this, we'd love for YOU to share your story with the world! Simply fill this form here, we welcome brilliant SEOs from all walks of life! 🙌🏽