Interview with Jim Liu | CEO of SEO Vendor, an Award-Winning Marketing Platform

Hi, I’m Jim Liu, the CEO of SEO Vendor, an award-winning marketing platform with over 20 years of history in the industry. Over the years, I've developed several patented tools—like SEO AI, SEO GPT, Dynamic Topic Relations, and SEO CORE AI for ChatGPT—which have been featured in Search Engine Land and Martech for their innovative approach to digital marketing.

Growing SEO Vendor from a one-person operation into a full-service platform with a global team of over 55 employees and 25,000 partner agencies has been a rewarding journey. Through our Agency Growth Initiative, I’m focused on providing agencies with the tools, training, and resources to succeed in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

At the heart of what I do is the belief that we can all become better versions of ourselves. Digital marketing is as much an art form as it is a technical performance. I am at my best when I'm able to use both left-brain and right-brain methods to tackle problems and challenges. Likewise, designing tools for marketing requires both technical knowledge and creativity to explore all possibilities.

SEO Vendor is an AI marketing leader in white-label SEO, PPC, and website development services. The company created the SEO Vendor platform, CORE AI, and SEO GPT tools used by over 500,000 users worldwide. Utilizing cutting-edge marketing R&D, SEO Vendor has a proven track record of helping businesses grow their online visibility.

SEO Vendor offers a full suite of agency marketing services, including agency lead generation, marketing funnel development, and professional consultation. The company has developed its own CORE AI analytics engine and data intelligence technology while being heavily invested in AI to develop new ways to help agencies and businesses succeed online.

I'm a big fan of User Interface design. To me, the UI is more than just a design. It is the central connector between people and machines. When you come across an amazing UI, it will empower you, allowing you to intuitively use it, which can be an amazing experience.

Good design is more than aesthetics. Good design comes from understanding functionality, efficiency, and form factors that affect both internal and external factors. A good design can make something that is complex and easy to use.

My design style is characterized by directness and simplicity, ensuring that every element serves a clear purpose without unnecessary complexity. I prioritize ease of use, creating intuitive interfaces that users can navigate effortlessly. Efficiency is central to my approach, as I strive to optimize performance while maintaining high functionality.

We always aim to fully understand the client and their goals, along with any required functionalities. We're always looking to communicate with the client. And we now have an automated process where clients can easily onboard their design requirements.

Once we comprehend the internal and external environmental factors that may affect the design, we determine the scope, while we go through the limitations and challenges involved. Only then, do we begin the design process, ensuring it aligns with the understanding gained from these preliminary steps.

I draw inspiration by reviewing best-practice designs in the industry. I also revisit forms and practices from my past experience as a UI designer. Combining these insights helps me create effective and innovative designs.

I'm always excited about current trends involving AI in digital design. The potential for artificial intelligence to revolutionize the field is immense. I'm particularly enthusiastic about how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency in digital design.

This award means a lot to us. We value Vega's recognition and distinction of our CORE AI technology. It was always our dream to turn something very complex like SEO into a simple-to-use system with an intuitively designed UI so that everyone can level up their marketing. The technology behind CORE AI was also recently awarded a patent by the US patent office.

We have developed a distinct technology that is revolutionary in our industry. By entering it into the 2024 Vega Awards, we aim to gain recognition that will help more people understand its value. We believe the award can amplify its impact and reach a wider audience.

The biggest challenge was dealing with the complexities of artificial intelligence technology and SEO, both of which are not easy. To prove that our technology is sound, we had to sample over 500 campaigns and projects. This extensive process took many years to complete.

Winning an award is a significant honor for us. It affirms that we are on the correct development path with our CORE AI technology. We are committed to continuing its development into the future.

1. Digital has helped to democratize visions and new ideas.

One of my favorite things about the digital industry is how it has democratized visions and new ideas. The digital realm allows people from all walks of life to share their thoughts and innovations freely. This accessibility breaks down barriers and fosters a more inclusive environment for creativity and collaboration.

2. Digital is a very fast and ever-changing world, which I will never get bored of.

I also love how fast-paced and ever-changing the digital industry is. There's always something new to learn or a fresh challenge to tackle, which keeps me constantly engaged. This dynamic nature ensures that I never get bored and continually inspires me to adapt and grow.

3. Digital empowers us to allow us to be the best versions of ourselves.

Finally, the digital industry empowers us to become the best versions of ourselves. It provides tools and platforms that enhance our abilities and expand our possibilities. This empowerment enables us to reach our full potential and make meaningful contributions to the world.

The United States is unique in the digital industry because it is at the forefront of artificial intelligence technology. Especially in the digital marketing space, AI development here has been advancing at light speed. This rapid progress distinguishes the country and contributes significantly to global advancements in the whole industry.

It's hard to imagine where the digital industry will be in 5 to 10 years because it changes so fast. I wouldn't be surprised if we are outnumbered by agents and AI helpers who will help us every day in the future. However, companies like ours are also actively working to ensure that the future still places people first.

Stay focused and keep working on what you do best. There are many distractions out there but ignore those and continue to work on making what you do the best in the world.

Don't worry about obtaining a specific degree or diploma. Instead, focus on acquiring the necessary skills through any medium you're most comfortable with, whether that's school or online resources. Concentrate on learning what you need to excel in the digital industry, regardless of formal credentials.

When we first developed our SEO platform, we had no idea it would one day serve tens of thousands of people. We thought we would be happy if we had just several hundred sign-ups. Our community of members has given us the inspiration to do more with our platform.

People like Steve Jobs have inspired me by showing that we can change an industry. His achievements demonstrate that all it takes is a great idea and the determination to execute it. This inspiration motivates me to pursue innovation and make a significant impact wherever possible.

Don't give up but rather let go of your fears. Even if those fears seem like they could lead to an end, facing them head-on will help you overcome those challenges. By confronting your fears directly, you'll empower yourself to overcome any obstacles.

While AI is a significant part of our business, our mantra is that AI is here to help turn ordinary people into super-humans. We believe AI is meant to give people superpowers rather than to replace them. Because of that, I truly believe AI should empower individuals rather than make them obsolete.