How to Find a Good SEO Consultant

by Venchito Tampon Jr | Last Updated on May 4, 2023

As your business grows, you will face new challenges that you may not be able to handle on your own. At this point, it is time to look for an SEO consultant who can help you with the necessary optimization for your website.

According to a survey of small business owners,over 65% had dealt with more than one SEO service provider. On average, small businesses spend around $500 per month on their SEO services. 

Source: https://backlinko.com/seo-services-statistics 

This is not surprising given the ever-changing landscape of SEO. As a result, finding the right consultant can be a difficult and time-consuming task, which leads you to consider the option of hiring an SEO consultant.

 

What is an SEO consultant? 

An SEO consultant (or agency) is a company or individual that provides expert advice and services related to search engine optimization.

The role of an SEO consultant is to help you improve your website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), with the ultimate goal of driving more traffic to your site.

SEO consultants are either hired by an organization to provide in-house services or work with a number of clients as part of an agency.

In-house SEO consultants are usually involved in all aspects of website optimization, from link building and content creation to keyword research and analysis.

SEO agencies, on the other hand, tend to specialize in one or two areas of SEO and usually outsource the rest.

An SEO Consultant usually has the following skillset in order to perform their duties:

• Competitor analysis
• On-page optimization
• Off-page optimization
• Link building
• Keyword research
• Content creation
• Pay per click
• Updated with the latest SEO algorithm updates
• Good understanding of Google penalties

Most importantly, an experienced SEO consultant should be able to interpret data and use it to improve a website’s ranking. They usually use competitive tools such as Ahrefs, Majestic, and Moz to keep track of a website’s progress.

 

Types of SEO Consultants:

There are three main types of SEO consultants: generalists, specialists, and freelancers.

1) Generalists are usually agencies that offer a wide range of services, from link building to content creation. They usually have a team of SEO experts who can handle different aspects of optimization.

2) Specialists are individuals or agencies that focus on one specific area of SEO. For example, there are link-building specialists, keyword research specialists, and on-page optimization specialists.

3) Freelancers are self-employed individuals who usually work with a number of clients. They are often generalists who can handle different aspects of SEO.

 

Why hire an SEO consultant? 

There are many reasons why you might want to hire an SEO consultant.

If you’re not happy with your website’s current position in SERPs, an SEO consultant can help you identify the problem and devise a plan to improve your ranking.

If you’re launching a new website, an SEO consultant can help you ensure that your site is properly optimized from the start. And if you’re planning a redesign of your existing website, an SEO consultant can help you avoid common mistakes that could hurt your ranking.

An SEO consultant can help you keep up with the latest trends and changes in the SEO industry. With an experienced consultant on your side, you can be sure that your website is always up-to-date with the latest best practices.

Another common reason is that businesses want to focus on their core competencies and leave the SEO to experts. This allows businesses to stay focused on what they do best and outsource the rest.

You can do SEO yourself, however, it takes a lot of time and effort to do it correctly. In addition, you need to have a good understanding of how SEO works and how to implement it effectively.

If you don’t have the time or expertise to do SEO yourself, then hiring an SEO consultant is a good option.

On top of these reasons, ROI-wise, having an effective SEO generates more revenue than all other marketing channels combined, averaging 44% of all revenue across all industries.

https://videos.brightedge.com/research-report/BrightEdge_ChannelReport2019_FINAL.pdf 

Lastly, an SEO consultant can save you a lot of time and effort. Optimizing your website for search engines is a complex and time-consuming task. Hiring an experienced consultant means that you can focus on running your business while someone else takes care of your website’s SEO.

 

What does an SEO consultant do?

The specific tasks that an SEO consultant performs will depend on the needs of their client. However, there are some common activities that most consultants undertake:

1. Conducting keyword research.

This involves finding and analyzing the keywords that potential customers are using to search for products or services like yours. On top of this, they usually plan out a calendar of keyword-targeted content to help improve your website’s ranking for these terms.

2. Optimizing website content.

Once the target keywords have been identified, the consultant will help you optimize your website’s title tags, metatags, headings, and other elements to make your site more visible to search engines.

They will help you optimize your website for on-page SEO factors like keyword density, anchor text, and internal linking. On the other hand, if you need help with off-page SEO, the consultant can assist you with link building and social media marketing.

They should be able to provide your high-quality links from authority websites, which will help improve your website’s link popularity and search engine rankings.

3. Analyzing website traffic.

The consultant will use Google Analytics and other tools to track your website’s traffic and performance in SERPs. They will then provide you with detailed reports on your progress and make recommendations for further improvements.

4. Providing consulting and advice.

In addition to the above tasks, the consultant will also provide you with general advice and guidance on how to improve your website’s SEO. This may include recommendations on changes to your website’s design or structure, as well as suggestions for developing better content.

5. Measuring results.

Finally, the consultant will help you measure the results of your SEO efforts. They will track your website’s traffic and rankings over time and provide you with reports on your progress.

6. Providing ongoing support.

The consultant will typically provide you with monthly reports and be available to answer your questions and address any concerns you have.

 

How to Find a Good SEO Consultant

Not all SEO consultants are created equal. When choosing a consultant, it’s important to select someone who has experience in your industry and can offer a tailored solution for your specific needs.

Here are a few tips to help you find a good SEO consultant:

1. Do your research: Before hiring a consultant, take some time to research the individual or agency. Look for online reviews and testimonials from previous clients.
2. Ask for referrals: If you know someone who has used an SEO consultant in the past, ask for a referral.
3. Set up a consultation: Once you’ve narrowed down your options, set up a consultation with each of the consultants you’re considering. This will give you an opportunity to get to know them and ask specific questions about their experience and approach.
4. Get a proposal: Once you’ve selected a consultant, be sure to get a written proposal outlining the specific services they will provide and the costs involved.
5. Check references: Before making your final decision, be sure to check references from past clients. This will give you an idea of what it’s like to work with the consultant and whether they’re likely to deliver on their promises.

In a nutshell, when it comes to choosing an SEO consultant, it’s important to select someone who has experience in your industry and can offer a tailored solution for your specific needs.

 

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring an SEO consultant 

Now that you have an idea of what an SEO consultant does, you may be wondering how to select the right one for your needs. Here are 10 questions to ask when hiring an SEO consultant:

1. What is your approach to SEO?

By asking this question, you’ll get an idea of the consultant’s philosophy and approach to SEO. This will help you determine whether they’re a good fit for your needs.

2. What is your experience in my industry?

It’s important to select a consultant who has experience in your industry. This way, they’ll be familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities you face.

3. What is your experience with my type of business?

In addition to industry experience, it’s also important to select a consultant who has experience working with businesses of your size and type. This way, they’ll be familiar with the specific challenges and needs you face.

4. What is your track record of success?

When it comes to SEO, results are everything. Be sure to ask the consultant about their track record of success and request case studies or examples of their work.

5. What services do you offer?

Not all consultants offer the same services. Be sure to ask about the specific services the consultant offers and whether they’re a good fit for your needs.

6. What are your rates?

SEO consulting rates can vary widely, so be sure to ask about the cost of services upfront. In addition, be sure to ask about any additional costs or fees that may be involved.

7. What is your timeline for results?

SEO is a long-term strategy, so don’t expect overnight results. However, it’s important to have an idea of the consultant’s timeline for seeing results. This will help you set expectations and plan accordingly.

8. What are the risks and potential downsides of working with you?

No SEO strategy is without risk. Be sure to ask the consultant about the potential risks and downsides of working with them. This will help you weigh the pros and cons of their services.

9. What are your terms of service?

Before signing on with a consultant, be sure to review their terms of service. This will help you understand the scope of their services and your rights as a client.

10. Do you have any references I can contact?

Before making your final decision, be sure to ask the consultant for references from past clients. This will give you an idea of what it’s like to work with the consultant and whether they’re likely to deliver on their promises.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are SEO services worth it?

The short answer is yes. SEO services can improve your visibility in search engine results, helping you to reach more customers and grow your business.

Depending on your metrics, the ROI of SEO can vary. However, even a small improvement in your search engine ranking can result in a significant increase in traffic and leads.

According to data, over 50% of traffic goes to the first result in Google, and 75% of users never scroll past the first page. So, even a small improvement in your ranking can have a big impact on your traffic levels.

 

How many hours should my SEO consultant spend?

This depends on the scope of your project and the size of your website. Generally speaking, most SEO consultants will spend 10-20 hours per week on a small to a medium-sized website, and 20-40 hours per week on a large website.

Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your consultant may need to spend more or less time depending on the specifics of your project.

 

How much do SEO consultants make?

In 2022, the average salary for an SEO consultant in the United States is around 60,000 a year, which is around $28 an hour. However, this number can vary widely depending on experience, location, and other factors.

The following are the cities with the highest average salary for an SEO Consultant:

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/SEO-Consultant-Salary

 

How do I use SEO to grow my business?

SEO leads to business growth due to a number of factors:

It can help you reach your target audience.

SEO doesn’t only help your audience lead to your website, but a detailed SEO campaign, will help you target the right kind of audience for your products and services.

An SEO will conduct keyword research that will allow you to identify the words and phrases your target market is searching for when they’re looking for businesses like yours.

For example, if you are selling cars, an experienced SEO will target keywords like “buy a car” or “looking for a car dealer near me.”

 

SEO helps build qualified leads

SEO is an inbound marketing strategy, which means it helps you attract customers rather than interrupt them with ads. And, since SEO leads are already interested in what you have to offer, they’re more likely to become paying customers.

Leads that you earned through SEO have 14.6 close rates, compared to other traditional marketing methods averaging 1.7 close rates.

It can help you improve your brand awareness and build trust.

The higher you rank in search engine results, the more visible your brand becomes. And the more visible your brand is, the more likely people are to trust it.

Improved brand awareness and trust can lead to more website visitors, social media followers, and customers.

It can help you generate more revenue.

More website visitors and leads can lead to more sales and revenue for your business. In fact, businesses that use SEO grow at a rate of 20% faster than businesses that don’t.

SEO helps you beat your competition.

If your competitors are using SEO and you’re not, they’re likely to rank higher than you in search engine results. This means they’ll get more website visitors, leads, and customers—while you fall behind.

SEO is a long-term strategy and provides long-term value.

Unlike some marketing strategies, SEO is not a short-term fix. It takes time to see results. However, once you do start seeing results, they tend to be long-lasting. This makes SEO a great investment for your business.

SEO is an ever-changing landscape, which means there’s always something new to learn.

The world of SEO is constantly changing as Google updates its algorithm and new technologies emerge. This can be a challenge for businesses that are trying to keep up with the latest trends. However, it also provides an opportunity for businesses to stay ahead of their competitors by investing in SEO.

SEO is a complex and ever-changing field, but it is an essential part of any business’s growth strategy. An experienced SEO consultant can help you navigate the landscape and make the most of this powerful tool.

 

Getting an SEO consultant is an investment 

With over a billion searches daily, if you’re not using SEO to grow your business, you’re missing out on an essential piece of the puzzle.

SEO will help you reach your target audience, build qualified leads, improve brand awareness and trust, generate more revenue, and beat your competition.

While it takes time to see results, the long-term value of SEO makes it a worthwhile investment for any business.

This means that hiring an SEO consultant can be a great way to boost your business growth. Partnering with an SEO consultant can help you achieve all of the benefits of SEO while freeing up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.