Spun Digital - Finding customers online

A bumper Christmas for online shopping will help boost recruitment of those with search engine optimisation (SEO) skills next year, it has been claimed.

Research by IT recruitment agency CV Screen shows that demand for those with search marketing skills increased by 40 per cent over the last year, while the average salary for an SEO specialist in the UK has risen to over £30,000.

The group added that online shopping is expected to be up by 20 per cent this Christmas.

Managing director of the group Matthew Iveson commented that companies will increasingly look to bolster their online presence as they move into 2010.

He added: "Our belief is that the most in demand candidates in 2010 will be those who offer a mix of SEO, online marketing and web development skills who have the ability to formulate and implement online strategies in this rapidly expanding area."

This week, search engine marketing commentator Chris Boggs said that ranking on its own does not equal successful SEO.