A New Intern Joins I-COM

I'll start by introducing myself: it’s been two weeks now since I joined I-COM’s Search team as an intern. I have just passed my second year of university with first class honours, and am now in my final year studying BSc Hons in Business Information Systems at The University of Salford.

My interest in SEO all started when I participated in a Search Engine Optimisation based project in my first year of University; in fact, that was the first time I came across the term SEO. Following that initial encounter my interest in SEO grew, and I decided I wanted to learn more about how Internet marketing strategies are revolutionising business online, providing huge increases in relevant traffic and conversion rates.

My enthusiasm didn’t stop there. During my second year I studied SEO as a module of my degree, which I believe more Universities should offer to their students. Whilst it is true that learning is enhanced by practising and actually implementing SEO strategies, the degree module provides students with essential knowledge, not to mention an advantage when they step into the real world of Internet marketing and SEO.

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand”- Chinese Proverb.

Unless you start applying what you have learnt you may not remember it, thus working at I-COM will be thoroughly beneficial for me, helping my understanding through direct involvement.

I-COM so Far

Moving on to my experience of working at I-COM so far, I would say it has been excellent; in fact, somewhat beyond my expectations. I-COM employs a team of friendly and helpful internet marketing experts who have been guiding and assisting me, in particular Adrian Berry. The company also has a flexible approach to timings and a team of professional and talented individuals: what more could I ask for?

Looking back at what I learnt at university and from books, and comparing that knowledge to what I am now learning at I-COM, the two seem slightly different. Some of the SEO activities which I thought hold value in increasing the page rank, turn out to either not have much relevance any more, due to changes in the page rank algorithm, or are SEO myths.

During my experience so far I have learnt about:

• Useful tools and links that can save time & money.
• Building Back-links.
• Analysing Google Analytics data in order to make informed decisions.
• Fresh & unique content and link building are key to success.
• No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.
• Writing & submitting articles.
• Writing effective titles & meta descriptions.
• Setting up Google Alerts for clients.

In conclusion, I believe that my experience at I-COM will furnish me with many more opportunities to learn, enhance my skills and gain priceless experience of the SEO and online marketing industry.