I'm Tess Werling, a London-based SEO specialist with 13 years of digital marketing experience and 9 years focused on SEO. I have worked both in-house and freelance across energy, sustainability, travel, finance, real estate, men's health, pharma and the auto industry, using SEO to understand website purpose, audience and outcomes to increase both quality and quantity of traffic. In addition to technical SEO, I plan content across cross-functional teams, run trend reports, handle migrations and technical errors, improve page speed, optimize local SEO and conduct multilingual keyword research. I translate data into growth by aligning product, design and development with measurable organic outcomes.

Tess Werling

I'm Tess Werling, a London-based SEO specialist with 13 years of digital marketing experience and 9 years focused on SEO. I have worked both in-house and freelance across energy, sustainability, travel, finance, real estate, men's health, pharma and the auto industry, using SEO to understand website purpose, audience and outcomes to increase both quality and quantity of traffic. In addition to technical SEO, I plan content across cross-functional teams, run trend reports, handle migrations and technical errors, improve page speed, optimize local SEO and conduct multilingual keyword research. I translate data into growth by aligning product, design and development with measurable organic outcomes.

Available to hire

I’m Tess Werling, a London-based SEO specialist with 13 years of digital marketing experience and 9 years focused on SEO. I have worked both in-house and freelance across energy, sustainability, travel, finance, real estate, men’s health, pharma and the auto industry, using SEO to understand website purpose, audience and outcomes to increase both quality and quantity of traffic.

In addition to technical SEO, I plan content across cross-functional teams, run trend reports, handle migrations and technical errors, improve page speed, optimize local SEO and conduct multilingual keyword research. I translate data into growth by aligning product, design and development with measurable organic outcomes.

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Language

English
Fluent
Swedish
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Portuguese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Owner at SEO for Startups
July 1, 2020 - Present
Leading big and small SEO projects for startups, performing full-site and content audits, keyword research and content planning, defining brand language and digital brand focus.
Freelance SEO Manager at Jellyfish
July 1, 2024 - September 23, 2025
Opportunity identification in search marketing; analysis and reporting on content performance and trends; content and strategy planning in Swedish.
Freelance SEO Manager at NOVOS
July 1, 2024 - September 23, 2025
Digital content strategy and website experience optimisation for an outdoor Scandinavian client; keyword research; landing page optimisation; brief creation.
Freelance - SEO Manager at The Curious
July 1, 2024 - September 23, 2025
Managing the SEO retainer for three UK-based clients in sport & leisure e-commerce, environmental technology and The Curious themselves. Technical site audits and actions; product page optimisation and schema; migrations (WordPress & Magento).
Freelance - SEO Manager at MGX.Digital
August 1, 2023 - September 23, 2025
Managing the digital presence of 3 independent London-based brands in health, hospitality, and design. Technical website audits, content analysis and content refurbishments; long-term digital strategy planning.
Freelance - SEO Manager at Velocity Partners
February 1, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Finding opportunities in search for several EMEA & US-based B2B clients. Search strategy and planning; extensive competitor analysis and trend reporting; technical website and content audits.
Freelance - SEO Manager at Octopus Electric Vehicles
November 1, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Lead and build the Digital Content and SEO strategy; build the digital product offering together with the Product and Development team; brief written content for freelance writers; monitoring organic growth and sharing performance updates with stakeholders.
Freelance - SEO Specialist at The River Group
June 1, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Search strategy for clients including Superdrug, Vitality, Holland & Barrett and Co-op; full website content audit based on organic performance; liaise with Account Directors on pitches and 2022 content strategies; build weekly, monthly and quarterly performance reports.
Senior SEO Account Manager at Verb Brands
October 1, 2021 - September 23, 2025
Managing 6 clients, including LloydsPharmacy’s eCommerce site, and a team of 3; planned, tested and oversaw two platform migrations (Shopify); keyword research and content optimisation across UK, IE, ES and PT; lead content creation for maximum SEO visibility.
Senior SEO Account Executive at Syzygy UK WPP
October 1, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Managing the UK, DK, NO and SE market's website content and keyword targeting; technical crawls to maintain website health; website architecture and internal linking; keyword research to update content for multiple languages for paid teams.
Account Manager at The Future Factory
October 1, 2016 - September 23, 2025
Account management and campaign coordination for client engagements in digital and marketing projects.
Project Assistant (temp) at Dynamic Resources International Limited
October 1, 2014 - September 23, 2025
Temporary project support across marketing and communications tasks.
Design Trainee at TNS UK
September 1, 2014 - September 23, 2025
Trainee designer supporting creative projects and design processes.
Marketing and Comms Intern at Cafedirect Producers Foundation
March 1, 2014 - September 23, 2025
Marketing and communications intern supporting outreach and campaigns.
Direct Marketing Manager at Hewlett Packard
September 1, 2013 - September 23, 2025
Direct marketing responsibilities within marketing team.
Social Media Assistant at Hilton Worldwide
January 1, 2013 - September 23, 2025
Social media coordination and engagement.
Owner, SEO for Startups at SEO for Startups
July 1, 2020 - Present
Big and small SEO projects to get startups ranking in Google. Full site and content audits. Keyword research and content planning. Brand language / Digital brand focus.
Freelance Search Engine Optimisation Manager at Jellyfish
December 1, 2023 - Present
Opportunity identification in search marketing. Analysis and reporting on content performance and trends. Content and strategy planning in Swedish.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at NOVOS
July 31, 2024 - September 23, 2025
Digital content strategy and website experience optimisation for an outdoor Scandinavian client. Keyword research. Landing page optimisation. Brief creation.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at The Curious
July 31, 2024 - September 23, 2025
Managing the SEO retainer for three UK-based clients in sport & leisure e-commerce, environmental technology and The Curious themselves. Technical site audits and actions. Product page optimisation and schema. Migrations (WordPress & Magento).
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at MGX.Digital
August 31, 2023 - September 23, 2025
Managing the digital presence of 3 independent London-based brands in health, hospitality, and design. Technical website audits, including wireframe and UX layout reviews. Content analysis and content refurbishments. Long-term digital strategy planning.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at Velocity Partners
February 28, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Finding opportunities in search for several EMEA & US-based B2B clients. Search strategy and planning. Extensive competitor analysis and trend reporting. Technical website and content audits.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at Octopus Electric Vehicles
November 1, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Lead and build the Digital Content and SEO strategy. Build the digital product offering with Product and Development teams. Brief written content for freelance writers. Monitoring organic growth and sharing performance updates with stakeholders.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Specialist at The River Group
June 30, 2022 - September 23, 2025
Search strategy for clients including Superdrug, Vitality, Holland & Barrett and Co-op. Full website content audit based on organic performance. Liaise with Account Directors on pitches and 2022 content strategies. Build weekly, monthly and quarterly performance reports in DataStudio / GA.
Senior SEO Account Manager at Verb Brands
October 1, 2021 - September 23, 2025
Managing 6 clients, including LloydsPharmacy’s eCommerce site, and a team of 3. Planned, tested and oversaw 2 successful platform migrations (Shopify). Keyword research and content optimisation for UK, IE, ES and PT markets. Leading the content creation for maximum SEO visibility.
Senior SEO Account Executive at Syzygy UK WPP
October 1, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Managing the UK, DK, NO and SE market's website content and keyword targeting. Technical crawls to maintain website health. Website architecture and internal linking. Keyword research to update content and provide keywords to paid teams in different languages.
Account Manager at The Future Factory
October 31, 2016 - September 23, 2025
Managed client accounts and content strategies within digital marketing and SEO contexts.
Project Assistant (temp) at Dynamic Resources International Limited
October 31, 2014 - September 23, 2025
Support across project coordination and marketing activities.
Design Trainee at TNS UK
September 30, 2014 - September 23, 2025
Trainee in design and related activities.
Marketing and Comms Intern at Cafedirect Producers Foundation
October 31, 2013 - September 23, 2025
Marketing and communications internship at charity foundation.
Direct Marketing Manager at Hewlett Packard
September 30, 2013 - September 23, 2025
Direct marketing management role in Glasgow, UK.
Social Media Assistant at Hilton Worldwide
January 31, 2013 - September 23, 2025
Social media support role in Glasgow, UK.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at The Curious
May 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Managing the SEO retainer for three UK-based clients in sport & leisure e-commerce, environmental technology and The Curious themselves. Technical site audits, product page optimisation and schema; migrations (WordPress & Magento).
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Manager at MGX.Digital
November 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
Managing the digital presence of 3 independent London-based brands in health, hospitality, and design. Technical website audits, content analysis and refurbishments, long-term digital strategy planning.
Freelance - Search Engine Optimisation Specialist at The River Group
November 1, 2021 - June 1, 2022
Search strategy for clients including Superdrug, Vitality, Holland & Barrett and Co-op; full website content audit; liaise with Account Directors on pitches and 2022 content strategies; build weekly, monthly and quarterly performance reports in DataStudio / GA.
Senior SEO Account Manager at Verb Brands
October 1, 2018 - October 1, 2021
Managed 6 clients, including LloydsPharmacy’s eCommerce site; planned and tested platform migrations (Shopify); keyword research and content optimisation for UK, IE, ES and PT markets; led content creation for maximum SEO visibility.
Senior SEO Account Executive at Syzygy UK WPP
October 1, 2016 - October 1, 2018
Managing the UK, DK, NO and SE market's website content and keyword targeting; technical crawls to maintain website health; website architecture and internal linking; keyword research for multilingual campaigns.
Account Manager at The Future Factory
October 1, 2014 - October 1, 2016
Delivered content strategies and supported client campaigns for digital marketing projects in London.
Project Assistant at Dynamic Resources International Limited
September 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
Temporary role supporting marketing and communications projects.
Social Media Assistant at Hilton Worldwide
June 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Managed social media activities.

Education

Master of European Design at Glasgow School of Art
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012
Master of European Design at Glasgow School of Art
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012
Google Analytics Individual Qualification at Google
May 1, 2018 - February 11, 2026
Master of European Design at Glasgow School of Art
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Google Analytics Individual Qualification
May 1, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Google Analytics Individual Qualification
May 1, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 11, 2030 - September 23, 2025
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 11, 2030 - September 23, 2025
Master of European Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Google Analytics Individual Qualification
May 1, 2018 - September 23, 2025
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
Google Analytics Individual Qualification
May 1, 2018 - February 11, 2026
Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management
January 1, 2016 - February 11, 2026
Foundation Diploma in Digital Marketing
January 11, 2030 - February 11, 2026
Master of European Design
January 11, 2030 - February 11, 2026

Industry Experience

Energy & Utilities, Travel & Hospitality, Financial Services, Real Estate & Construction, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Retail, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment