About Me

This is Andrea Motta, an active SEO professional, who built up his long-standing career in the United Kingdom. Welcome to my blog!

I moved to England in 2012 to complete my Master’s degree in journalism.

The plan was to stay till the end of my degree but guess what? I ended up living and working in the UK for 10 years, acquiring British citizenship.

Life is unpredictable and beautiful – this experience didn’t let me go empty-handed, as I came back after a decade with some brand new skills, a profession, a wife and 2 kids – not bad, right?

Now let’s skip to the beginning of how Andrea Motta became an SEO professional.

My beginnings in Sicily

After completing my bachelor’s degree in International Communications and earning an Italian press membership card, I started my professional career as a sports journalist and was fortunate enough to interview some amazing personalities of the football world like the current manager of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone.

I also had the luck to work with local newspapers and radios, which allowed me to follow Calcio Catania, an Italian football club based in my hometown, Catania, in Sicily.

Later on, I flew to the United Kingdom for the start of my revolutionary journey!

The move to England

The shift from 40 degree Celsius summers of Catania to the heavily humid weather of Birmingham was the least favourite part of my move to the UK. However, Birmingham was going to be my home for my next year or so, as I came to pursue my Master’s Degree in International Journalism at Birmingham City University.

After completing the degree, I realised this couldn’t be the end of my journey in England and moved to London, home to some of the most inspirational and innovative companies in the world…

London: the land of talent and opportunities

Here in London, I faced with all the challenges of a freshly graduated student. Unaware of British culture, where experience matters more than academic qualifications, I thought I would easily get a job with a degree from the UK. I was wrong!

So what did I do to gain that experience? At night, I worked as a receptionist in a West London hotel.

My mornings were sleepless too, as I found myself working as a freelance journalist. Ahh my long lost passion! Back at it again.

Then, I had the opportunity to experience life at the Guardian’s Sports Desk, supporting the editorial staff on a variety of tasks, including writing (and optimising) articles for the online version of the newspaper and assisting on the recording of the Football Weekly podcast.

This internship gave me an insight into what the digital world looks like at a media giant and clearly, I was thrilled. This experience led me to pursue SEO as a full-time job.

I joined the agency world, working throughout a vast array of industries as well as internal and external stakeholders, which helped me build upon my skills and improve my CV.

Agencies often make you a one-man show, taking care of everything from account management to paid ads, email and social media marketing.

I didn’t mind that at all! But SEO became my real passion.

Bournemouth: territory of Digital Marketing & Web Design Agencies

Yess! It was again time I packed my bags and moved from London to Bournemouth, a pleasant coastal town located in southern England. You might call it a stretch – however Bournemouth is known as the silicon valley of the United Kingdom, for its packed environment of startups and web agencies.

It was the place where I started building my family with my wife – whom I met a few years back in London -, we bought our first house and welcomed our first child. Then, the COVID-19 outbreak started, dramatically changing our sense of self.

Here is an interview about Brexit that I granted to The Breaker, the official newspaper of the University of Bournemouth.

Remote Work is the way

During the first lockdown, I had recently changed my job. A new agency, a different working environment and a team of executives to coordinate, while facing the challenge of working from home for the first time, due to the pandemic. Quite challenging, wasn’t it?

Was I able to cope with the new remote working style? Surprisingly, yes, it ended up benefiting me in several ways (and I am not the only one: according to a recent study, 82% of employees today prefer to work from home).

It gave me that pinch of courage that I had been waiting for a few years: to undertake a career completely remotely, leaving my comfort zone and go back home to Sicily, convincing my wife that living in the south of Italy is not so bad.

The so-called South Working can be a great opportunity for us and the territory. With passing times and pandemics slowing down, it’s nice to see that many now, including the company I currently work for as a Senior SEO Manager, prefer a fully remote approach.

Brands I've Worked With – My Portfolio

Over the last ten years in the SEO industry, I have had the great privilege of collaborating with a wide range of brands, from local businesses and start-ups to international giants. I have worked as a consultant, within agencies and as a part of in-house teams, gaining an in-depth understanding of various sectors and markets. This experience has allowed me to develop skills that can be tailored to meet the needs of any client, regardless of size or industry.

During my time in the UK, I had the privilege of working for three years at Appius, a web development and digital marketing agency, where I supported prestigious brands in the insurance sector such as Aon and Axa, developing strategies to enhance their online visibility. I also had the opportunity to work with world-renowned luxury hotels, such as Claridge’s and Maybourne in London, helping to increase their search engine visibility. Additionally, I worked with financial institutions like Teachers Building Society, Stafford Railway Building Society, and Canaccord Genuity, optimising their digital platforms.

My experience extends to the healthcare sector, where I have collaborated with prestigious organisations such as the Professional Standards Authority, ICS (Independent Clinical Services), and LifeSearch. I also worked with Hoya, a global leader in optical technologies, contributing to the optimisation of their online presence.

Subsequently, I worked for a year at Upperdog, a web design and marketing agency, where I managed high-profile clients, including the iconic motorbike brand BMW Motorrad, known for its luxury motorcycles and exceptional performance. I also helped improve visibility and conversions for brands such as Qualcomm® aptX™, specialists in audio technology, as well as Toolstation and SCF Hardware, two e-commerce websites.

In recent years, I have held the role of Senior SEO Manager at BRYTER, a no-code platform designed to automate the more repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up legal professionals to focus on more interesting and high-value work. Since 2022, I have also been an SEO Consultant for Betsson Group, one of the most well-known iGaming companies in the world, where I optimise the visibility of their products on search engines.

These diverse experiences have allowed me to develop a 360-degree view of digital marketing, with a particular focus on SEO. Each project and client I have had the pleasure of working with has enriched my professional journey, enabling me to continually grow, learn new strategies, and stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the industry.

Why this blog?

Just like any other medium, blogging can act as a powerful tool when used wisely. So, I want to jot down my experience and share my reflection and notes through words on this platform with the digital world.

What is the driving force behind opening this space? To inspire others and even myself.

As I find myself getting motivated and inspired by someone’s words often. Hoping to do the same!

If you wish to invite me to your events or conferences, just fill out a form from the Contact Me section and we can have a direct chat about it. Looking forward to hearing from you!