Search engine optimisation (SEO) is one of the key factors in driving traffic to your website and increasing its visibility online. If you’re looking to hire an SEO expert, finding someone who can bring their expertise to your business and ensure your site reaches its full potential is essential.
But with so many people claiming to be SEO experts, how do you know which is the right fit for you?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the top 10 things you should look for when hiring an SEO expert to ensure you have the best possible option working on your business.
Let’s dive into it:
Years Of SEO Experience
When hiring an SEO expert, looking for someone with years of experience in the field is important. An expert with several years of expertise will understand more about the specific challenges and opportunities that you face, as well as be able to look at any website and know exactly what needs to be done for it to gain more search engine traffic.
Moreover, a great SEO specialist should have comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of search engine optimisation, such as keyword research, content optimisation, link building, technical SEO, reporting etc., and stay up-to-date on the latest trends to adapt successfully. Years of experience can also help an expert to demonstrate a proven track record of achieving results for their clients quickly and easily.
Ultimately, having an experienced SEO professional on your team can make all the difference in improving your website’s visibility online.
An Understanding Of All Three SEO Levels
A great SEO expert should have a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of search engine optimisation, such as keyword research, content optimisation, link building, technical SEO, reporting, etc. They should also stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry so that they can adapt accordingly as needed.
A Proven Track Record Of SEO Success
Look for an SEO expert with a successful track record of achieving client results. Ask them to provide evidence of past successes and see if they have any case studies you can review. This will give you some insight into how well they perform and what kind of tactics they use to get results.
Marketing Savvy
“After you get over the technical issues of a website, SEO is very similar to traditional marketing,” Whalen adds. “Content should be crafted in a way that highlights the advantage to the user while guiding them to a sale. And it must all be done in a way that appeals to consumers searching for what your firm has to offer on the other end of a search engine.”
Develop A Lead-Generating Offer
Creating a lead-generating offer is essential for any successful inbound marketing campaign. Your offer should be valuable enough that customers will give up their contact information in exchange for it. To create an effective lead magnet, you need to consider what types of content your target audience would be interested in and how you can provide it in a useful way.
Consider creating a whitepaper, an ebook, or even offering a free trial of your product or services. Additionally, consider how to make the offer more attractive by providing additional resources such as guides or templates. With the right incentive, customers will be more likely to become leads and continue on the journey with your brand!
A Well-rounded Perspective And Knowledge
A great SEO expert should have a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of search engine optimisation, such as keyword research, content optimisation, link building, technical SEO, reporting, etc. They should also stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry so that they can adapt accordingly as needed.
An Understanding Of The Big Picture
Is the SEO focused on conversions (turning a visitor to your site into a customer) or on search engine rankings? “The emphasis of any SEO campaign should be to accomplish a goal (such as increasing conversions), not to obtain a specific rank,” Pratt explains.
The Capability To Fit In With Your Company's Culture
SEO experts must work with the various departments inside a company, including IT, marketing, customer support, analytics, and sales. According to Fishkin, the SEO’s capacity to collaborate with members of these teams is critical. “The SEO’s personality, honesty, and communication style must match the organisation, or growth would be difficult,” he says.
Excellent Communication Skills
Speaking about communication style, Pratt emphasises that an SEO must be able to effectively express why a modification to your website is required in words that everyone understands. “An SEO cannot accomplish anything on their own. As a result, they must be able to articulate why a certain change is required in a language everyone understands. They should be able to communicate with the IT and C-level teams and get their views through.”
A Passion For Execution
An experienced SEO expert should be able to explain their approach and answer any questions you might have about their process. Ensure they’re open and honest about what they do and don’t try to hide anything from you—this is key when trusting someone with your business’s success online.
Curiosity
Speaking of communication methods, Pratt asserts that an SEO must be able to explain in plain terms why a change to your website is necessary. “An SEO cannot possibly handle every task on their own. They must therefore be able to explain in plain terms why a certain change is necessary. They should be able to communicate effectively with both the IT and C-level teams.
Conclusion
Finding the right SEO specialist is essential for getting your website noticed by search engines and driving traffic to it as quickly as possible—so it pays off to take your time when making this decision.
By looking for these 10 qualities in a potential hire, you can find an experienced professional who can help take your business to the next level online.
Do you have any concerns? Let us know!
FAQ
Is it worth hiring an SEO expert?
While investing in Search engine optimisation services isn’t cheap, it can be worthwhile if you want to generate more traffic to your site and raise conversions. If you’re interested in hiring an SEO consultant, ensure you have the budget.
How much does it cost to hire an SEO expert?
Average SEO costs are $100-$250 an hour for US SEO agencies. SEO costs often range from $2,500 – $10,000 per month for US agencies. The average SEO plan costs $2819 per month (per Ahrefs). Overseas SEO companies may charge $10-$50 an hour.
Can a non-IT person learn SEO?
This isn’t true. While there are some architectural strategies and coding tactics that you should employ as part of your strategy, for the most part, modern SEO can be implemented without any prior experience and without any technical knowledge of how websites — or Google’s algorithm — work.
