In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, our host Ranmay chats with Chris Brown, Founder & Managing Director at Totalsurf, who’s been working in SEO long before most people even knew what Google was.
Chris talks through his journey from building websites in the early days of the internet to running a results-focused SEO agency that cares more about real business outcomes than vanity rankings. We get into what’s actually changed in SEO over the years (and what hasn’t), why so many websites still get the basics wrong, and how things like schema, E-E-A-T, and search intent now matter more than ever — even in an AI-driven world with tools like ChatGPT.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
- Why rankings don’t mean much if they don’t convert
- The simple technical SEO mistake most sites still make
- How link building has evolved into digital PR
- When it actually makes sense to invest in digital PR
- How AI is affecting search — and why fundamentals still win
- What “good SEO” will really look like in 2026 and beyond
If you’re a founder, marketer, CMO, or agency owner looking to grow through SEO without chasing hacks or shortcuts, this episode is well worth your time.
Takeaways:
- The biggest shift in SEO is focusing on business outcomes rather than just rankings.
- Starting an agency involves wearing many hats and managing client expectations.
- AI has not fundamentally changed SEO but has influenced content creation.
- Technical SEO challenges persist, particularly with schema and content alignment.
- Link building remains important but has evolved into digital PR and quality content creation.
- Digital PR should be implemented once content is ready and technical issues are resolved.
- Future SEO trends will prioritize human-centric content and expertise.
- Aspiring marketers should demonstrate passion and innovative ideas to stand out.
- Building a strong foundation in content and technical SEO is crucial for agency success.