Finding a good SEO consultant can be a challenge. It's hard to keep track of all the companies out there, and they seem like they're all the same.
But you know what? There are a few characteristics of a good SEO consultant that separate them from the rest.
As Google continues to be the industry leader, SEO is the ultimate indicator of your website's performance. When you have all the traffic going to your site but ranking below other websites, it's time to hire SEO experts.
So how do you find a good SEO consultant for your business?
This post will show you how to find the right one, along with questions to ask potential consultants to help you choose the right one for your needs.
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Why Should You Hire SEO Experts for Your Business?
Search engine giants release new updates and changes regularly, and with each update comes more traffic— and more money. Studies back this as it was found that organic searches help B2B companies generate twice as much revenue.
The more traffic you get from Google, the more money you make. That's why it's so important that your website is optimized for search engines like Google.
But how do you know if your website is optimized? How do you know if it's even worth it? You can't just log into your browser and see if the site is working—it would take years!
Fortunately, some companies and consultants can help you figure out what needs improving and how to get started.
Here are other reasons you should hire an SEO expert:
You Don't Know What You're Doing
Many business owners think that they can do all the work themselves.
The reality is that many businesses cannot keep up with all of the changes happening in search engine ranking algorithms and Google’s updates.
Even if you have been doing everything right, there are still ways you can improve your rankings, which will help bring more customers online and increase your profits.
There is still a lot of work that needs to be done regarding SEO. Hiring a professional SEO consultant is the best way to ensure your website is ranked well in search engines.
Your Competitors Are Doing It Better Than You, So Why Not?
You may think that all of the best practices are already being implemented by other companies in your industry, but that's not necessarily true!
An experienced consultant will help you identify what works for other companies in your field and how they're doing it. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that experts will address any issues relating to SEO.
You Want to Catch the Attention of Your Potential Customers the Right Way
Hiring an SEO company can help you get noticed by potential customers who may not have previously known about your business.
SEO consultants can help you get started with a digital marketing campaign that increases traffic to your website. They also have experience working with small businesses and can offer advice on ensuring your website is ready for its big break!
What Does an SEO Expert Do?
SEO is the process of optimizing your website for search engines. Your site will be more visible to those searching for your business, like Google or Bing.
SEO consultants are experts in helping businesses increase their online visibility, leading them to more leads, more customers, and increased profits.
These experts will analyze your current SEO practices and recommend changes to increase visibility in the SERPs (search engine results pages).
Things to Look for When Hiring an SEO Specialist
When hiring an SEO specialist, you want to ensure they have the right skills and experience so your investment is worth it.
97% of your customers will look you up on the internet. Make sure you leave an excellent first impression by hiring an SEO expert to do the job for you.
Here are some of the most important traits to look for:
Experience with SEO
If you're hiring an SEO consultant to help your business rank higher in Google, you want to ensure they have experience with Google's or Bing’s ranking algorithm.
SEO specialists should have experience with the kind of website you're working on or be able to tell you about the website's performance data, including traffic, bounce rates, and other metrics that can help you determine if your site needs work.
They should also be able to help you optimize the content on your website so that it's search-friendly.
SEO specialists should be able to explain how they will help your business grow through SEO techniques and which ones will work best for your specific needs based on what exactly you want from SEO services or an SEO company’s products or services.
Passion for SEO
An SEO consultant should love what they do—they should be passionate about helping companies grow their online presence through proper online marketing techniques like link building or content creation.
This can be hard work, but someone who truly loves it will find it easier than someone who doesn't care much about their career choice (which would be bad news).
SEO specialists should also be able to explain what kind of long-term relationship you can expect from them if you hire them for an extended period (e.g., six months or more).
Solid Background in SEO
Your consultant must have a background in marketing or communications, or anything related.
They should understand how these tools work together as part of a cohesive strategy for growing your business' online reputation without needing assistance from outside agencies.
Make sure they also have experience working with companies like yours. A good SEO consultant should be able to provide evidence of the clients they have worked with and the clients' results.
SEO consultants should be able to tell you about their skills and experience in working with various businesses, as well as the particular needs of your business.
How to Find a Good SEO Consultant in 3 Ways
The online world is so vast. With new experts appearing every day, make sure you hire an experienced one who knows what they’re doing and can show you actual results in the form of top rankings on Google, Bing, and other search engines.
Here are ways you can do it:
- Ask for Recommendations from Your Connections
- Browse Through Credible Sites
- Read Testimonials & Check the Portfolio
1. Ask for Recommendations from Your Connections
If you have a professional network filled with co-workers, friends, and family members who have been in your shoes, then you have the help you need.
If someone knows someone who has used an SEO consultant in the past, they'll be happy to share those details with you.
And if they don't know anyone themselves, they can always recommend someone else. All you have to do is ask them about their experience and if they're happy with the results!
2. Browse Through Credible Sites
If you're having trouble finding a good SEO consultant because there are so many out there, don't worry! You can search credible sites to find an expert specializing in search engine optimization and ranking websites.
These sites should offer lists of top-rated SEO consultants based on feedback from clients like yourself who have worked with them before.
You can look at reviews of top-rated SEO consultants on sites like Yelp and Google to see what other clients think about their work.
You can also check out LinkedIn Groups to see if there's a group of people in your area who are looking for an SEO expert.
3. Read Testimonials & Check the Portfolio
Look for testimonials from other clients who have used the consultant in the past. Make sure they have positive reviews and are honest about what they can and cannot do for your business.
Also, check out their portfolio of work and see what projects they've done before so that you know what kind of experience they bring to the table when it comes time to work together!
7 Questions to Ask Your SEO Specialist
Most people don't know what they're looking for, and often, it's the same set of problems that different SEO consultants have.
The more you know about SEO consultants, the more you'll be able to determine who is best for your business. So, here are important questions to ask your SEO expert to ensure they are the right fit.
- Ask about experience level and certifications related to their field of expertise (like being certified by Google). This will give you insight into how much experience they have with SEO and how much training they've received—essential things when picking someone who wants to work with your company!
- Identify if they specialize in certain things like social media or email marketing or if they will provide both services in one package deal.
- Determine how long they have been in business and how long they have worked with clients like yours (this will give you an idea of how long it might take for your project to be completed).
- Ask what they'll need from you, for them to do the job correctly and accurately.
- Know if there's any flexibility with payment schedules or costs. Some consultants may have a more flexible payment schedule than others.
- Find out what kind of strategies they would use for your website specifically.
- It's also important to ask about the consultant's communication style and whether they will be available to answer any questions you have along the way.
How to Hire SEO Experts: Final Thoughts
Finding a good SEO consultant can be tricky, but it's worth investing in someone who can help you improve your website's ranking on search engines. After all, 70% of marketers believe that SEO is better than PPC when boosting sales.
