Signs Indicating The Need To Hire An SEO Expert
As a business owner, connecting with more customers is essential to selling your product or service. Regardless of your industry, having an online presence is crucial for customers to find you. While paid ads can deliver quick results, achieving stable, long-term growth requires a solid ranking in search engines. SEO plays a crucial role here.
SEO helps your website steadily climb search engine rankings, aiming to land on the coveted first page of the search engine results page (SERP). However, good SEO is not an easy feat. Managing SEO internally can quickly become overwhelming due to the sheer amount of work involved. While a DIY approach may work initially, there comes a point when hiring an SEO expert becomes necessary.
In this guide, we will discuss five unmistakable signs that indicate it’s time to bring in an SEO specialist and provide insights on how to effectively vet and hire the right SEO company for your needs. Taking these steps will ensure your business achieves sustainable online growth and reaches its full potential.
Considering Hiring an SEO Expert? Recognize These 5 Signs.
Hiring an SEO expert is a significant decision that can transform your business. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, it’s probably time to hire an SEO expert.
1. You’ve Never Done It Before: SEO can be very technical. If the information seems confusing, yet you’re eager to improve your Google search ranking, consider hiring an expert. There’s a lot of bad advice on the internet about SEO, so DIY can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. To enhance your rankings organically, follow current white hat SEO practices that comply with search engine guidelines. SEO evolves continuously alongside search engines. A single algorithm update can drastically impact your SERP ranking. If you lack the time or experience to stay updated, consider hiring an SEO expert to navigate these changes effectively. They will not only keep you updated on the latest SEO best practices but also create strategies tailored to your business goals. This ensures that your efforts are effective and sustainable.
2. You Have Resources: Whether you choose to do it in-house or hire an SEO agency, you need a bit of a budget to do SEO right. SEO-focused blog content is one of the wisest things to spend your marketing budget on because it can lead to higher domain authority, brand recognition, organic traffic, new leads, backlinks, and a lot more. If you have the resources and want an expert-level skill set, outsourcing to an SEO specialist can take a lot of work off your plate and help skyrocket your brand. Investing in professional SEO services ensures you get the most out of your marketing budget, with measurable returns on investment.
3. Your Website Isn’t Getting a Lot of Traffic: If your website gets a disappointing 10 visitors per day, it might be time to hire an SEO expert. Low traffic makes it nearly impossible for you to rank well in the SERPs. It tells Google that your content isn’t important or your user experience isn’t interesting, which hurts your ranking opportunities. Plus, SEO can help you source higher-quality leads from your website. SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, while outbound leads have a measly 1.7% close rate. By improving your site’s SEO, you can attract more relevant traffic and enhance your chances of converting visitors into customers. Increased traffic and better leads directly contribute to higher revenue and growth for your business.
4. Your Marketing Team Doesn’t Have Time: It’s going to be nearly impossible to outrank others in your niche who hired their own SEO experts. You can ask your internal marketing folks to tackle SEO, but if they’re already stretched thin, they won’t have time to add SEO to your marketing strategy. Marketing teams are constantly bustling with tasks such as managing socials, creating landing pages, executing email campaigns, generating leads through paid search, and crafting compelling copy. In startups and small businesses, these responsibilities frequently rest on the shoulders of a single individual. We often see that poor SEO performance is the thing holding back all that incredible marketing work from being seen by new customers. Most people come to SEO agencies needing support so they have time for all the other initiatives they’re juggling. Fixing your SEO can supercharge results for all your other efforts. Instead of pushing your marketing person towards burnout, consider bringing in an expert who can immediately step in without requiring ramp-up time or causing delays. It’s the best way to fit SEO into your busy schedule without overwhelming your team. An SEO expert can seamlessly integrate into your operations, ensuring your marketing efforts are amplified without additional strain.
5. You’re Doing a Website Redesign: This one’s simple — are you planning a website refresh soon? When revamping your site, consider hiring an SEO expert. They can assist in optimizing your new website from the outset, improving your chances of achieving high rankings post-redesign. Incorporating SEO into your redesign ensures your new site is optimized from the ground up, preventing the need for extensive adjustments later. This proactive approach can save time and resources while positioning your website for long-term success.
Roles and Responsibilities of SEO Specialists
Improving your SEO rankings typically requires at least six months to show noticeable changes. If you’ve invested effort without seeing improvements, it’s crucial to consider making adjustments. SEO professionals can significantly enhance your search engine rankings by employing advanced strategies and techniques tailored to your specific needs.
Content Creation
SEO providers help you produce high-quality content at scale, covering all aspects of content marketing from blogs to social media. They tailor the content to meet the needs of search engines and your audience, boosting your metrics and driving engagement. Additionally, they ensure your content is relevant and optimized for the latest SEO trends.
Link Building
Effective link-building strategies make your website more authoritative. The right SEO campaign will steadily source backlinks from high-authority domains, enhancing your SEO performance. With 66.31% of web pages having no backlinks, securing quality links can give you a substantial ranking advantage. This not only improves your search rankings but also builds credibility with your audience.
Keyword Research
An SEO expert will assist you in selecting the most effective keywords for on-page SEO, content creation, and PPC ads. They identify long-tail niche keywords that your competitors may overlook, giving you a competitive edge. By focusing on these strategic keywords, you can attract more targeted traffic and improve conversion rates.
Site Audit
During an SEO audit, experts examine your technical SEO, including back-end elements that search engine bots see. They assess on-page factors like usability, content quality, internal links, and image optimization. Off-page, they evaluate backlinks and sometimes social media activity. A comprehensive site audit ensures your website is fully optimized and ready to perform at its best in search engine rankings. Regular audits also help identify and resolve potential issues before they impact your site’s performance.
Tips for Employing an SEO Specialist for Your Small Business
Hiring the right SEO expert is crucial for your small business, but finding someone who truly delivers can be a challenge. Follow these actionable tips to find the best SEO agency for your business and steer clear of the less competent ones.
Know Your Business Goals First
Your business goals directly influence your SEO needs. Before you hire an SEO expert, take the time to sit down and assess why you need SEO. Maybe your goal is:
- Increased website traffic
- More organic search leads
- Improved keyword rankings
- More backlinks
- Higher conversion rate
Every business has unique objectives, so identify what’s most important to you. This clarity will help you hire an SEO professional who can deliver meaningful results. It also helps the SEO agency work more efficiently, as the top agencies will ask about your goals upfront. The best ones will be honest if they’re not the right fit for your needs, saving you time and resources.
Decide Between In-House or Outsourced SEO
When hiring an SEO expert, you have several options. Based on your goals, budget, and needs, choose between these three:
- In-house experts: In-house SEOs have a deep understanding of your business. However, they require time to get up to speed and come with a higher cost due to salary and benefits.
- SEO freelancers: Freelancers are third-party contractors who are usually cheaper than full-time employees. However, they often work solo and may lack the resources to scale quickly or be available daily.
- SEO agency: An SEO agency specializes in SEO and content marketing, handling high volumes of work and typically billing clients on a predictable monthly retainer.
Ask for a Site Audit
Don’t settle for the first SEO specialist you come across. Consider at least three providers to find the best fit for your business. Meet them in person and ask for references, case studies, reviews, and pricing.
It’s also wise to request a site audit before hiring an SEO expert. Many agencies offer complimentary site audits—take advantage of this. The agency will analyze your web pages, social media, and online marketing presence to create a custom strategy tailored to your business.
Review each provider’s site audit. A reputable SEO agency will produce a comprehensive and detailed plan for success. The goal isn’t just to get a free roadmap but to evaluate the strategies each SEO expert proposes. Choose the provider whose plan aligns best with your needs and business objectives.
Employ SEO Specialists for Superior SERP Performance
Digital marketing might appear straightforward, but SEO is a technical and intricate component of online marketing. Rather than attempting a DIY approach to your SEO strategy, hiring an SEO expert can be a more effective solution.
Consider outsourcing your SEO if:
- You have no prior experience
- You have available resources
- Your website has low traffic
- Your marketing team is already stretched thin
- You’re in the process of redesigning your website
However, not every SEO strategist will align with your business needs. To hire the best SEO consultant, you should:
- Define your goals clearly
- Decide between in-house, freelancers, or agencies
- Evaluate each provider’s site audit
When you need to boost traffic, increase conversions, and build your brand authority, content creation is essential for effective SEO. An experienced SEO expert can guide you in developing a robust strategy and implementing best practices to achieve your business objectives. Don’t underestimate the power of professional SEO services to transform your online presence.
Conclusion
Hiring an SEO expert can be a game-changer for your business, ensuring you dominate the SERPs and achieve your online marketing goals. With the right professional by your side, you can navigate the complexities of SEO, optimize your website, and enhance your digital presence. By clearly defining your goals, selecting the right type of SEO service, and thoroughly evaluating potential providers, you can effectively boost traffic, increase conversions, and build your brand authority. Take action now and invest in professional SEO services to drive your business forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I hire an SEO expert instead of doing it myself?
Hiring an SEO expert ensures you benefit from their specialized knowledge and experience. SEO is complex and constantly evolving; professionals stay updated on the latest trends and best practices, saving you time and increasing your chances of success.
2. What are the key benefits of outsourcing SEO services?
Outsourcing SEO allows you to access expertise, save time, and focus on your core business activities. It can also provide fresh perspectives, advanced tools, and tailored strategies to boost your online visibility, traffic, and conversions.
3. How do I choose between in-house SEO, freelancers, and agencies?
Decide based on your budget, needs, and long-term goals. In-house SEO offers dedicated attention, freelancers provide flexibility, and agencies bring a team of experts and comprehensive services. Evaluate your options to find the best fit.
4. What should I look for in an SEO consultant’s site audit?
A thorough site audit should analyze your website’s technical aspects, content quality, user experience, and backlink profile. It should identify issues, provide actionable recommendations, and demonstrate the consultant’s expertise in improving your SEO.
5. How does content creation fit into an effective SEO strategy?
Content creation is crucial for SEO as it drives organic traffic, engages visitors, and builds authority. High-quality, relevant content optimized with target keywords helps improve search engine rankings and supports overall marketing efforts.