Finding new ways to reach your target audience is essential to growing your brand and improving revenue. Despite the importance of SEO, an eye-opening 37 percent of small businesses in the United States invest in an SEO strategy. It’s the most effective way to gain organic web traffic and convert your audience into loyal and lasting customers.
If you want to rank higher in Google, hiring an SEO specialist is necessary. They’ll use their skills and knowledge to help you produce engaging content with the best keywords to help consumers find your website. More website traffic means more revenue and an expanded business model.
The good news is that you’ve uncovered this helpful guide to help you find and hire the best SEO specialist to help your brand take off. Continue reading to climb Google’s first page today!
Check References
When narrowing your list of options for SEO services, look at their references. You’ll learn much about SEO specialists from what previous and current clients say about them. Ask the specialist for any contacts you can reach out to.
It’s a red flag if an SEO service is unwilling to help you contact past customers. It could indicate that they don’t have a strong track record of providing quality SEO content.
You can also use online reviews to your advantage when finding the best options and trimming your list. Google and Facebook are both excellent locations to read customer reviews. You’ll gain more insight into what you should expect when working with an expert in SEO.
Look for Experience
Experience is another critical factor to consider when hiring an SEO specialist. You’re more likely to get value for your hard-earned money when you hire an SEO specialist with years of experience in the industry. They’ll know the best tips and tricks to improve your website’s Google ranking.
Start by asking for the top search phrases from a campaign they’ve handled for a previous customer. You can use that information to check the SEO rankings for that content and the website. It’s the best way to see where their past websites ranked on Google.
It’s also beneficial to check how effective their keywords are. Refrain from assuming the person is experienced with SEO based on knowing long-tailed keywords.
Understand SEO vs. SMO
Getting search engine optimization and social media optimization mixed up is easy. Both play vital roles in growing your business and building brand awareness, but they do so in different ways. You’ll want to educate yourself on the differences before you prepare to hire an SEO specialist to help you build your company.
Your SEO services aim to work on your website to increase organic web traffic. They shouldn’t be involved in your social media optimization or marketing. You’re not paying the SEO specialist to help you get ads on platforms like Facebook and Reddit, especially when you can work with a High-Quality Local Citation Service.
Do They Report?
Reports are another critical aspect of a strong SEO strategy. You need reports to monitor the progress and changes in your organic web traffic. It’s the most effective way to measure the success of your boosted SEO.
Google Analytics reports are among the most valuable to use when attempting to gain more website traffic. You can measure how much traffic is visiting your website and how long they stay on each page.
Look at Google Analytics for your brand’s website before hiring SEO services. Take notes of where you rank and how much traffic you bring in. You’ll have a baseline to measure against after the SEO specialist implements their ideas and strategies.
Ongoing Optimization
Boosting your SEO strategy isn’t complete after a few blog posts with proper keywords. You should find an SEO expert to continue optimizing your website to ensure you receive plenty of organic traffic.
Algorithms constantly evolve, and you’ll fall in the rankings if you fail to keep up with these changes. Your SEO specialist should be willing and able to visit your website frequently to make updates and evolve with the algorithm.
Depending on your industry, your website could require updates on a weekly or monthly basis. Understand your industry and find an SEO expert willing to help you with the continued evolution of your content and site.
Test Their Knowledge
Do your research before meeting with the SEO specialist to test their knowledge and determine if they fit your brand. It’s easy to fake it until you make it, but calling the specialist out on industry terms and strategies will tell you if they can help your brand grow and thrive.
Assume that you’re hiring SEO services for an ongoing business relationship. A one-time hire will benefit your website less than a lasting relationship with frequent updates. Find a specialist aware of the current SEO trends when hiring SEO services.
You want an SEO specialist who understands the changes to the search engine algorithms. Their understanding of the progress of search engines will help you gain new customers.
Write Everything Down
Getting the contract agreement in writing is essential to protect your brand and its assets. Go over all requirements you’ve agreed upon with the SEO specialist and write them down in the contract.
You’re expecting to get the results the SEO specialist claims they’ll help to get. Having those expectations written down will increase the odds of getting the services you were sold on. Don’t risk losing your hard-earned money when hiring an SEO specialist.
Find the Perfect SEO Specialist for Your Brand
Looking for the perfect SEO specialist is a crucial step in the growth and development of your brand, and it’s critical to find one with the experience necessary to take your company higher. Check their references and read online customer reviews to gain insight into what to expect with SEO services. Prioritize experience, and choose an SEO expert to run reports and optimize your site.
Building your business is challenging for most business owners, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out more of our business and advertising blog content to reach a larger audience and grow your brand today!
