Comments on: The SEO Coding Fallacy

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:45:58 +0000

Thanks, you’re right, it is tough in the fast lane.

In all honesty I see no real reasons or justification for all SEO’s to learn to code unless of course they had the idea themselves in their own working non coding brain.

I also think that you should only tell people they should learn to code if you know for certain it will influence plenty to start coding and give you lots of buying time so you can move into the products and training space.

So whilst I’m pissing about trying to build pointless WordPress plugins with a million security exploits or a Google doc that can extract my number of twitter followers and divide it by 7 (that by the way will definitely 100% make me a better SEO) you can start changing your whole business model.

It’s like saying that all opening batsmen should learn to bowl off spin otherwise they’re not worthy of a place in the team.

By: 011100110110010

011100110110010 — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:08:35 +0000

Anything else is a bonus. Something is very wrong if you work as a professional SEO engineer but don’t know basic HTML

#Truth

By: Adam D

Adam D — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:17:37 +0000

It depends on the level of coding knowledge claimed.
Not many SEO projects require in-depth OOP PHP using scalable and modular best practices, for example.
Every “SEO expert” *shudder* should know basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript.

Anything else is a bonus. Something is very wrong if you work as a professional SEO engineer but don’t know basic HTML.

By: 011100110110010

011100110110010 — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:27:17 +0000

Hey Emma, thanks for the comment and I like your blog

I also like this…

I’m learning really basic macro coding so that in the future SEO people spend less time doing repetitive tasks and more time doing SEO

If coding and creating something will help save time then I’m all for it. The impression I get throughout the industry is that people are learning to code for no real reason/to call themselves a coder/to sell. Fuck it, if they want to do it for those reasons why not!

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:13:50 +0000

Hi Sean,

I’ve seen this bandied about quite a bit recently. Coding skills are good to have, but certainly not necessary with regards to SEO practice. My current position is mostly about supporting the SEO team and in my spare time I’m learning really basic macro coding so that in the future SEO people spend less time doing repetitive tasks and more time doing SEO. Now, web coding is an entirely different ball game and I’m not planning, any time soon to learn how.

So yes – learn to code if you want to, and if you think it might improve your skills in a way that you can use them!

By: 011100110110010

011100110110010 — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:53:42 +0000

I read it as well. Again though it’s someone looking down on people and wanting to keep his industry as small as possible so that he can charge as much as possible.

How can I look elitist when everyone can do the same as me?

I also agree that if someone wants to learn how to code then it’s their choice. I just think (and you probably agree) that they shouldn’t feel like they have too

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:22:43 +0000

I hate this learn to code / don’t learn to code argument. Every time I see an SEO tweet that Jeff Atwood article “Please don’t learn to code” I feel like drowning a cat.

If you want to learn to code – that’s great! But saying people shouldn’t learn to code (as Jeff does) because they aren’t going to be a useful addition to the coding workforce is like arguing I shouldn’t enjoy a kick-about in the park because I’m never going to play for England.

Everyone in SEO or inbound marketing (or whatever we’re calling it now) should learn to code – if they want to.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:48:48 +0000

You hit the nail on the head, I personally know what I need to know and leave the rest to people who have a lot more experience and know code like a second language. They are going to do a much better job at it than I am.

By: 011100110110010

011100110110010 — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:46:58 +0000

I didn’t see the original post but yeah, Nail > Head.

By: 011100110110010

011100110110010 — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:46:05 +0000

Jonathan, I always enjoy reading your comments. It does seem that everyone is awfully busy nowadays. It must be difficult moving, thinking, creating, being, living life to the max, 24-7 baby, wooo!

I thought the statistic was 6ft but I am happy to be proved wrong. These coders, they’re everywhere…