My SEO Journey: Ishaq Shakoor from curemd.com – Mastering B2B SaaS Growth with SEO

My SEO Journey is a series where entrepreneurs and Indie makers share their honest SEO Journey filled with failure and success, and most importantly, proven results. Episode #161 features Ishaq Shakoor from CureMD.

The Beginning: Discovering SEO in SaaS

Back in 2019, I was introduced to the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Like many beginners, I started with the basics—reading blogs, watching tutorials, and experimenting with small websites. But as I delved deeper, I realized that SEO for SaaS was a different ballgame. Unlike traditional eCommerce or local SEO, SaaS SEO requires a strategic approach focused on long-term lead generation, customer retention, and brand authority.

I became obsessed with understanding how top SaaS brands drive traffic, nurture leads, and convert visitors into paying users. I experimented with different content strategies, technical SEO techniques, and link-building tactics tailored for B2B SaaS businesses.

Gaining Experience: Scaling SEO for SaaS Startups

As I transitioned from an SEO enthusiast to a professional, I had the opportunity to work with multiple SaaS brands, refining my skills in driving organic growth. One of my biggest breakthroughs came when I joined Torque360 sister of RepairDesk, where I focused on optimizing their digital presence. The results were game-changing:

• Traffic Growth: From 378 to 2,625 visitors—a 300% increase
• Domain Rating (DR): Improved from 27 to 33
• Backlinks: Increased from 5.3K to 8.3K
• Referral Domains: Grew from 220 to 982

These experiences taught me that B2B SaaS SEO is all about positioning, authority, and scalability. Unlike other industries, SaaS SEO requires a blend of technical expertise, product-led content strategies, and data-driven optimization to succeed.

Joining CureMD: Leading SEO for a Healthcare SaaS Powerhouse

Currently, I’m an SEO Analyst at CureMD, a leading healthcare SaaS company specializing in Electronic Health Records (EHR), mental health practice management software, and medical billing solutions. My experience in SaaS SEO allowed me to take a structured approach to optimizing CureMD’s digital presence.

At CureMD, my responsibilities include:

• Technical SEO: Optimizing website architecture, improving crawlability, and fixing indexing issues.
• Conversion Optimization: Enhancing landing pages, refining CTAs, and improving lead generation through data-driven A/B testing.
• On-Page SEO: Optimizing SaaS feature pages, case studies, and industry-focused blog content to rank for high-intent keywords.
• SaaS Link-Building: Earning high-authority backlinks through guest posting, digital PR, and strategic partnerships.

Proven SEO Strategies for B2B SaaS Success

Over the years, I’ve developed a repeatable SEO framework that works exceptionally well for B2B SaaS companies. Here are some of the most effective tactics I’ve implemented:

1. Product-Led Content Strategy:
   
   • Instead of just writing generic blog posts, I align content with product features and use real-world use cases to drive conversions.
   • Created pillar content clusters that boost topical authority and drive targeted traffic.
     
2. Technical SEO for SaaS:
   
   • Optimized Core Web Vitals, improved site speed, and implemented schema markup for rich results.
   • Structured site architecture for better internal linking and seamless user navigation.
     
3. Programmatic SEO for Scalable Growth:
   
   • Leveraged data-driven landing pages to rank for thousands of long-tail keywords at scale.
   • Used AI tools to automate content generation, keyword clustering, and internal linking.
     
4. SaaS-Focused Link-Building & Digital PR:
   
   • Earned links from high-authority SaaS directories, industry blogs, and thought leadership pieces.
   • Developed a strategic guest posting roadmap to boost referral traffic and domain authority.

There’s more…

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Lessons from My SaaS SEO Journey

Here are some key takeaways that have shaped my approach:

1. SEO for SaaS is a long-term investment. Unlike eCommerce, where quick wins are possible, SaaS SEO requires time to build authority.
   
2. Content strategy must align with the buyer journey. From awareness-stage blog posts to bottom-of-funnel comparison pages, every piece of content should drive users closer to conversion.
   
3. Technical SEO is a growth lever. Without optimized website speed, structured data, and clean architecture, even the best content won’t rank.
   
4. Link-building in SaaS is about authority, not quantity. Getting 5 high-quality backlinks from SaaS industry leaders is far more valuable than 50 low-quality links.
   
5. Data and automation are game-changers. AI-driven keyword research, internal linking automation, and SERP analysis can significantly speed up execution.

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3

My SaaS SEO Tech Stack

To drive SaaS SEO success, I rely on:

• Ahrefs & SEMrush (Keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking)
• Google Search Console & Google Analytics (Performance tracking, technical audits)
• SurferSEO & Clearscope (Content optimization for NLP-driven search engines)
• Screaming Frog & Sitebulb (Crawling, log file analysis, and structured data audits)
• Jasper AI & ChatGPT (AI-powered content ideation and automation)

My SaaS SEO Learning Hub

1. The SEO Community and Its Leaders

SEO professionals share a common goal: deciphering Google’s search algorithm to rank higher. Since Google’s exact formula remains a mystery, SEO strategies rely on experimentation and shared insights, often leading to debates.

John Müller, a key figure from Google, serves as the community’s guide, offering advice that significantly influences SEO practices. 

Barry Schwartz plays a vital role by curating daily SEO news, ensuring professionals stay updated on industry changes.

2. Engaging with the SEO Community

Beyond blogs and YouTube, private SEO groups like SEO Signal Labs on Facebook provide valuable real-world insights. While daily SEO news often repeats similar themes, these communities discuss unique challenges and strategies that aren’t widely shared elsewhere. Engaging in SEO conversations on platforms like Twitter can also lead to heated debates, making it a dynamic space for learning and networking.

The Future of My SaaS SEO Journey

Looking ahead, I’m excited about:

• Experimenting with AI & machine learning in SEO: How automation can scale SaaS content production and link-building.
• Refining the CureMD SEO strategy: Expanding organic reach through programmatic SEO, AI-powered content recommendations, and advanced technical optimizations.
• Speaking & sharing insights: Helping early-stage SaaS startups navigate SEO challenges through webinars, LinkedIn posts, and guest articles.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a B2B SaaS founder, marketer, or SEO professional, my advice is simple: Think long-term, stay consistent, and leverage data-driven decisions.

SEO for SaaS isn’t just about rankings—it’s about scaling organic growth, generating qualified leads, and establishing thought leadership in your industry.

Let’s connect and discuss SaaS SEO growth strategies! 

📢 Where to Find Me:

• LinkedIn: Ishaq Shakoor
• CureMD Website: www.curemd.com

🚀 Let’s scale SaaS growth together!