Are you having a difficult time reaching customers who are remaining home during quarantine? A strong digital marketing strategy that includes search engine optimization could help! Keep reading to learn 7 factors before considering hiring any SEO consultants?
Search engine optimization (SEO) allows your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. When a customer searches for your product or service, your website could appear. Search tactics are actually 300% more effective than social media for driving traffic!
In order to boost your search ranking, you’ll need a smart SEO strategy. Trying to navigate a new form of marketing on your own can get tricky, though.
Instead, consider hiring SEO consultants for the job! They can make sure you use the right tactics to boost your ranking. Otherwise, you might get penalized from by black hat tactics.
Ready to start your search for an SEO expert? Keep these seven factors in mind to find the professional you need!
1. Years of Training and Experience
You can’t become an SEO expert overnight. That’s why it’s important to look for someone who has years of hands-on experience.
As you focus on hiring SEO consultants, interview different SEO experts in the area. Ask how long they’ve worked on search engine optimization. Do they specialize in SEO?
It helps to look for a consultant who dedicates a lot of their time to SEO tactics.
Google’s search algorithm changes throughout the year. If the consultant doesn’t maintain their research and training, they’ll fail to make an effective strategy. Instead, they should adapt their strategy throughout the year based on these algorithm changes.
Ask how they manage to keep their SEO knowledge up-to-date. Do they read blogs from other SEO specialists?
It also helps to know if they’ve helped an SEO client in your industry. Have they worked with a company similar to yours? Choose an SEO consultant with the experience you need could make all the difference.
They’ll know exactly how to develop an SEO strategy designed to help you produce results.
How many clients have they worked with in the past? Try to gauge their experience before you start hiring SEO consultants for your business. Otherwise, they could end up making costly mistakes with your SEO strategy.
2. A Sound Strategy
As you look for an SEO consultant, it helps to know their thought process. How do they plan on developing a customized SEO strategy for your business?
Make sure the SEO consultant doesn’t use a cookie-cutter approach. Your business is unique. With that in mind, your SEO strategy should suit your business.
Look for a company that takes the time to learn about your business. They should ask about your brand, current digital marketing strategy, customers, and competitors.
An SEO company can’t make a strategy based on your business if they don’t understand your business.
It’s important that they take the time to research your customers, too. What demographics do your customers fall under? Your target audience will impact your SEO strategy.
For example, a dentist would post different content for a single mother than they would for a recent college graduate.
Once the SEO consultant determines your target audience, they can develop a list of topics and target keywords for your SEO strategy.
Do they have a link-building strategy? You’ll need links to boost your SEO ranking.
Ask if they plan on integrating your SEO strategy with your existing digital marketing strategy, too. For example, you can post your optimized content in email campaigns and on social media to attract more readers.
3. Access to SEO Tools
When looking for an SEO consultant, it helps to find someone who has experience with SEO tools. Choosing someone who uses the tools you need means you won’t have to pay for those tools yourself. You also won’t have to go through the trouble of learning how to use another platform.
It’s also important to determine if the SEO expert is a whitehat or blackhat SEO expert. Remember, black hat tactics could get your website penalized.
Ask what tools the SEO consultant uses. SEMRush, Google Trends, Ahrefs, and Keyword Planner are popular. If they use SE Nuke or Xrumer, look for someone else.
4. Proof of Success
You don’t have to believe a business when they claim they’re the best in town. Instead, ask for references and reviews. You can find additional reviews on their Google My Business and Better Business Bureau listing.
If the company doesn’t have a Google My Business listing or reviews there, they don’t use local SEO.
You can ask for case studies, too. How do they measure success? How do they plan on confirming your SEO strategy is working?
5. A Range of Services
There are different services you’ll need to enjoy all the benefits of SEO. These can include technical, off-page, on-page, and local SEO. Some of these areas overlap.
Before hiring SEO consultants, ask what SEO services they provide. How do they plan on making sure you have a well-rounded SEO strategy?
It can help to look for someone who offers other services, too. For example, you’ll need unique, high-quality content to build your SEO strategy. Video marketing is a great way to boost your ranking, too.
Look for SEO consulting in Phoenix that provides the services you need.
6. A Communication Plan
Make sure the SEO consultant plans on keeping you apprised of your SEO campaign’s progress. How will they communicate with you? How often?
You’ll want to keep track of what they’re doing to help you boost your rankings.
7. Up-to-Date Knowledge
Remember, Google’s search algorithm changes throughout the year. While looking for SEO consulting in Phoenix, look for a business that knows about the latest trends. These can include:
- Voice search
- Zero click position
- Featured snippets
- Video content
- UX web design
Experts believe voice searches will account for 50% of all searches this year. If you’re not keeping up with these trends, you’re likely falling behind.
The Search is On: 7 Factors to Consider Before Hiring SEO Consultants
Ready to give your business the boost it needs? By hiring SEO consultants you can trust, you can get ahead of the curve. Use these tips to find the best SEO consulting in Phoenix today!
With their help, you can experience all the benefits of SEO, attract new customers, and build your business!
Eager to give your business the boost it needs? Request a free SEO audit from our team today!
