Published on August 6, 2021
Often many businesses wonder who to hire to do search engine optimization for a website. Since statistics show that SEO drives 10 times more search traffic than organic social media, investing in a well-structured SEO campaign can get you the professional results you’re after. By improving your search rankings, you’ll be more visible to potential customers.
However, finding a reputable business that offers expertise and comprehensive SEO services can be a challenging task. This guide will show you how to find a good SEO consultant to work with and explore what questions you should ask as you’re doing your research.
The question of who to hire to do search engine optimization for a website is a rather broad one. However, it can be narrowed down with a few steps. Before you get started, it helps to learn about the basics of search engine optimization and how it can help build greater brand awareness over time.
When you’re thinking about how to hire an SEO expert, the first step is to think about how much you’re willing to invest in a content marketing plan and work within this price point. To improve your search rankings on a national or international level, it usually costs around $2,000 dollars a month at the bare minimum.
A local SEO campaign to improve local search results is more affordable at around $500 to $2,500 per month.
Another important thing to learn about is how to interview search engine optimization companies. By asking the right questions, you’ll be able to narrow down your options and see if they have the expertise you’re looking for to create a well-tailored SEO campaign.
Although looking at their website is a good starting point for your business, you can also see if they specialize in a specific location, industry, or service to really give you a visible improvement in terms of search results. Certifications, awards, and case studies can help you make up your mind.
Apart from client testimonials on their website, you should also ask around when deciding how to hire an SEO expert. Getting in touch with previous clients they’ve worked with can give you a better idea of their business practices and level of expertise when it comes to building your content marketing plan.
Check places like Google, Facebook, or call them up directly to check on whether customers are satisfied with their performance in terms of search rankings and brand awareness generated by an SEO campaign.
Although it might be tempting to cut corners and work with a shoestring budget, cheaper is not always better. In the process of researching how to hire an SEO expert, you’ll probably come across extremely cheap rates that can sound appealing. However, search engine optimization is a complex task and comes with a price tag to match.
While some companies might create an SEO campaign on an hourly fee, others may have monthly or yearly contracts. Comparing different quotes and what deliverables come with it can help you find the best option for your content marketing plan to boost brand awareness.
All good things take time. The process of how to find a good SEO consultant can take longer than you’re comfortable with, but making improvements to your website is a gradual process. Finding the right fit can make or break your brand presence in terms of search rankings, especially if you work with a company that employs unapproved practices.
Make sure you’re on the same page in terms of business goals, metrics, costs, and communication so that you end up with an SEO campaign that you’re happy with. This way, you’ll eventually see the improvements in search rankings and search results that you’re after.
To increase brand awareness, you’ll need to learn how to interview search engine optimization companies and gauge their level of expertise. By asking the right set of questions, you can launch an SEO campaign that improves your search results and drive qualified leads.
Typically, search engine optimization takes a minimum of 4 to 6 months before you start seeing any measurable improvements in terms of search rankings. Firms that promise too-quick results should make you feel a bit suspicious of their tactics when it comes to crafting an SEO campaign.
Personalization is key to a successful SEO campaign. As you do your research, ask companies how they plan on creating a unique content marketing plan for your business. Those with sufficient expertise should give you a comprehensive strategy, incorporating on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and technical SEO.
Investing money towards an SEO campaign is futile unless you see a discernable increase in search results and brand awareness. As you look at how to find a good SEO consultant, understanding metrics and how to measure success is essential.
Some popular metrics include conversion rate, time on page, bounce rate, scroll depth, and pages per visit.
Black-hat tactics can damage the reputation of your business and lead to your website being blacklisted by search engines like Google. Violating the rules through unethical practices like keyword stuffing can give you rapid short-term growth but damage brand awareness in the long run.
Working with a reputable search engine optimization team can ensure that your content marketing plan is sound and abides by these rules.
Lastly, you should always double-check the fine print to see if there are any contract termination clauses in the event you need to break the contract. If your chosen search engine optimization team isn’t performing to your expectations or you need to divert funds elsewhere, this can help you in the future.
The answer to this question ultimately depends on your budget and needs. SEO consultants may offer lower fees, but you’ll have to keep in mind that you’re dealing with a one-person team that is likely juggling different clients. SEO agencies will cost more, but you can feel at peace knowing that you will get a dedicated accounts team that can address all your SEO concerns in a timely manner.
The total cost of SEO services varies depending on what is included. Most projects in 2021 range between $750-$2,000 per month, based on the scope and size of the project.
One-time jobs can be priced anywhere from $5,000 to more than $30,000 but hourly rates for consultants fall between $80 to $200 dollars an hour.
You can learn the basics of SEO in less than 3 months, but it will take you anywhere from 6 to 18 months to understand advanced concepts.
It is no secret that a keen eye for research and data analytics is important for any SEO professional. These skills have to be complemented with high levels of adaptability to anticipate any SEO trends.
Outside of the research realm, SEO professionals also need to be successful communicators in order to build lasting relationships with clients. They have to be able to listen to what the client actually wants.
The importance of being an SEO professional who can do their own keyword research and author content that includes it is often overlooked, but this type of person has become incredibly more valuable.
What’s more, SEO professionals are used to adapting quickly to new research and optimization trends. This adaptability is especially useful as the world of digital marketing is ever-evolving.
At the end of the day, when you’re considering who to hire to do search engine optimization for a website, it’s worth remembering that SEO is a long-term investment for your website. Expertise doesn’t come cheap, especially if you’re aiming for higher search rankings on search results pages.
Now that you’re ready to get started with an SEO campaign, read on to learn more about our SEO company and discover why we have the necessary skills and experience to build a personalized content marketing plan for your business.
