Hire Best SEO Experts Like a Boss: 15 Questions to Choose the Right One
Hiring an SEO Expert
Ahoy, brave captains of the business world!
Navigating the choppy waters of the SEO ocean can be a daunting task, right? That’s where SEO experts like myself come in, with nearly 10 years experience I will guide you through treacherous tides that you could possibly encounter before you find the right one.
The importance of How to Hire a Good SEO Expert for your business is like having a trusted first mate on your ship.
They know the ropes, and they can steer you toward hidden treasures—like high search engine rankings on Google and increased web traffic helping you sell more services.
See this guide like your treasure map to find and hire. We’ll look at the process, arm you with the right questions, and prepare you for success.
Hire Your Next SEO Consultant Using These Questions
1. What is your experience in SEO?
Ask about their years in actually helping people with search engine optimization, the types of clients they’ve worked with, and examples of successful campaigns.
Although more years might seem great it does not guarantee success. SEO changes all the time with new updates so you want a mix of someone with experience of helping businesses exactly like yours or close too and is likely a person who keeps themselves up dated with what is going in the world of SEO.
Real-Life Example: Imagine you own a local skincare business in London.
An experienced local SEO will know already the type of keywords your wanting to target, their profitability for you and the competitiveness of them. He or she might even know the latest treatments which other businesses are starting to target.
2. Can you provide references or case studies?
Alright, they say they’re experienced, but can they prove it?
Request examples of previous work and reference from who they have produced good results for.
If they can show you a detailed case study where they increased a client’s visibility in search engines, you’re looking possibly at your next SEO professional.
Understanding their past successes can give you an idea about the likelihood of success before you start a contract with them.
3. What strategies do you use for keyword research?
Keywords are the foundation from which every website is built from. A skilled SEO expert should have a solid approach to local keyword research.
They’ll have access to the best keyword tools so they can help you maximise your traffic potential for the services you provide.
Real-Life Example: For your local skincare business, a local SEO consultant would look for keywords that are not just industry-specific but also relevant to your local audience.
They might focus on “skincare clinic London” or “lip filler near me” if they are trying to drive buying intent customers to you, or maybe “tear trough filler” if they are targeting people just looking for information about what it is.
4. How do you stay updated with SEO trends and Google algorithm changes?
The world of SEO is vast, ever-changing and full of surprises. Ask your potential SEO expert how they stay afloat with all the monthly changes.
Their answer should involve, following various google social media accounts, industry recognised SEO blogs and influencers.
An SEO who is also testing out their own optimisations shows how keen they are about what they do and could be a golden nugget if you find one.
They don’t need to be the Jack Sparrow of SEO, just someone who wants to be the best they can be.
If they can answer these, it shows they’re not just concerned with today but are planning for your long-term success.
5. Can you explain your link-building practices?
Ah, link-building, the fine art of forging alliances with other bloggers!
What’s their strategy?
A good SEO specialist will focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable sites or link vendors.
Some frown upon using link vendors, others use no other than if it guarantees long-term success and within shorter time-frame.
A link is a link white or black hat, both involve outreach and so are no different to each other.
However, beware of those who promise hundreds of links overnight. Slow and steady wins the race in SEO link building.
Real-Life Example: A local SEO consultant might partner with a local blogger or link vendor with power links to help build authority to your web pages.
6. Can you provide a timeline for when we can expect to see results?
SEO does not happen overnight. It is a long-term investment, so ask your SEO consultant for a realistic timeline once they have carried out a competitor analysis.
Depending on your current website authority this could be anywhere from 2-12month for 1-3 services.
In my experience businesses who have multiple services (7+) can find it harder to rank #1 for all due to the relevance being diluted the more you have.
While no SEO can guarantee exact dates, a rough estimate helps in planning your marketing strategies.
7. How do you handle technical SEO issues on websites?
The structure of your website is like the framework of a ship. If it’s weak, you’ll sink.
Ask how your Google SEO expert addresses a technical SEO audit and the issues it can present, like site speed, mobile optimization, robots.txt and structured data.
If you hear these types of terms, you’re on the right track.
Real-Life Example: For skincare business, mobile optimization is crucial as most people browse on their phones in 2024. You can have over 80% for mobile users in some niches.
A capable SEO consultant would ensure your site looks and performs great on all devices.
8. What is your content optimization strategy?
Content is your ship’s cargo, the goods you’re trading on the internet. How does he/she plan to optimize it?
They should talk about aligning content with keyword intent, and maybe even dabbling in content marketing.
Real-Life Example: For your local skincare business, a local SEO consultant might recommend creating informative blog posts about skincare help.
9. How do you measure the success of an SEO campaign?
Success is measured with ROI. In SEO that means clients through the door.
You will discuss this with them at the time of hiring. You want high traffic keywords not search volume, and top visibility in search engine results.
This should see you good as long as your CTA’s are set up right.
Testing will be important to make sure nobody is bouncing from your pages resulting in low conversions.
These questions can help you gauge whether the investment in SEO will yield enough returns for your business.
10. What is your approach to local SEO, if applicable?
You need an SEO expert familiar with local SEO. Ask about their expertise in this area. Not all SEO’s know much about it.
Do they offer Google My Business management services to optimise your listing and look after your reputation online?
This is crucial if you’re looking to dominate a specific geographical area.
Real-Life Example: For your skincare business, local SEO might include getting you a GBP, listed in local directories like Yell, and encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews in Trustpilot to showcase your business.
11. How do you handle SEO for mobile devices?
Ask your SEO consultant about their mobile optimization strategies. The answer should include mobile-responsive design, fast loading times, and mobile-first indexing.
Knowing this can help you understand the level of expertise you’re getting, and whether doing it yourself or investing in a professional is more worthwhile.
12. What is your process for monitoring and improving website rankings?
Ask how your SEO expert plans to keep your ship afloat.
Do they perform regular audits, adapt to new updates, and tweak tactics based on performance metrics?
A good SEO agency will not just set and forget they’ll continually steer you towards success making sure that nobody is coming to take your #1 spot and if they do, how and what are they doing?
Real-Life Example: Your skincare business might see seasonal trends. A proactive SEO strategy would adapt to these trends, optimizing for info keywords like “winter skincare tips” during colder months to keep traffic coming to your website.
13. What tools do you use for SEO analysis and reporting?
Ask about their weapons of choice.
Do they use Ahref’s, SEMrush, SEO Power Suite or other specialized SEO tools for tracking and reporting? If they mention any one of these tools you know you have somebody who wants to mix it with the best out there.
Knowing the tools they use can give you insights into their expertise and the depth of their analysis.
14. How often will you provide reports and updates on the progress of the SEO campaign?
Communication is key. How often will your SEO expert send you updates? Monthly, weekly?
Knowing the frequency and the type of information in these reports can help you track your own ROI effectively.
Real-Life Example: Your skincare business might prefer monthly updates to align with your internal performance reviews. Make sure your SEO consultant can accommodate this.
15. What is your pricing structure for SEO services?
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about pricing. Is it hourly, project-based, or a retainer?
Are there any hidden fees like Davy Jones’ locker? Make sure everything is laid out clearly to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line.
Understanding the pricing structure will help you assess the long-term costs of your SEO campaign.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’re now armed with a compass, a map, and a list of questions to help you hire the best local SEO expert for your business.
May your voyage be full of high rankings, increased traffic, and most importantly conversions!
If you want to get in touch with me for a chat on how I can help your business contact 0808 164 1014
Extra Questions to Hire SEO Expert
Can I do SEO on my own?
The short answer is yes, you can attempt SEO on your own.
There are plenty of resources, blogs, and tools available to help you get started.
But the complexity of SEO is there for all to see. it’s not just about setting the sails but also understanding the winds, tides, and potential obstacles.
If you’re not well-versed in things like keyword research, content optimization, and link building, you may find yourself lost.
Is SEO worth it for small business?
It can be incredibly valuable, especially when you’re competing against other competitors who are doing it.
SEO helps level the playing field, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Is SEO still relevant in 2024?
SEO is just as relevant in 2024 as it was a decade ago.
With the increasing number of websites and the constant updates to search engine algorithms, the need for effective SEO strategies has only grown.
How much should I budget for SEO for small business?
Costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per month, depending on your goals, competition, and the area you serve.
For small businesses, who are looking to just maintain a few ranking positions in a low competition area, a good starting budget, might be around £500 to £600 per month, but this can increase widely based on individual needs and goals.
Why is SEO so expensive?
SEO is not a labour-intensive process, however the years of skill that an SEO has to develop from on-page SEO, content creation, keyword research, technical optimization and link building equates.
How much does it cost to do on-page SEO?
The costs can vary depending on the depth of optimization needed, but you might expect to spend between £50 – £200 per page.
Does SEO have a cost per click?
Unlike paid advertising, where you pay for each click to your website, SEO aims to improve your organic rankings so that you don’t have to pay for clicks.