Have you ever wondered why your website doesn’t show up on the first pages of Google, even after putting in so much effort?
Most probably, that’s because you are not working with the best SEO expert.
Today, with so many freelancers and agencies, choosing the right person can be hard.
In this blog, we’ll look at why hiring an SEO specialist matters and share five simple but crucial tips to help you find one who can actually help you grow online.
Let’s begin!
Why Do You Need an SEO Expert?
First things first, do you really need an SEO expert?
The truth is, if your business has a website, then yes, you need search engine optimization. And to ensure it works properly, you also need someone who knows how to do it correctly.
Why is SEO so important, you may ask?
That’s because most people begin their search for products or services on Google. And if your website isn’t showing up on the first pages when people search, potential customers will just choose your competitors instead.
For example, if you have a marketing agency, you may want to rank for the keyword “social media marketing services.” The best SEO expert can optimize your content for that keyword so it gets noticed and starts attracting more visitors over time. This way, when people are searching for that service, your website appears on the first page of Google.
But SEO is more than just picking the right keywords. It also involves:
- Fixing technical issues like site speed and mobile-friendliness
- Organizing content and site structure
- Building quality backlinks
- Improving overall user experience
Trying to manage all of this without experience is practically impossible and can even harm your site’s rankings.
Also, SEO takes time and consistent effort. By hiring a specialist, business owners can focus on running other parts of their business while the expert handles the SEO strategy, implementation, and tracking progress.
Now, let’s explore some tips you can use when looking for your best SEO expert!
5 Helpful Tips When Hiring the Best SEO Expert
To make the hiring process easier and increase your chances of success, we’ve broken down some effective tips to guide you.
Define Your Needs
Before you start searching for an SEO expert, it’s important to understand what your business needs are.
Different websites can have different SEO needs, which is why outlining them in the beginning ensures you find someone with the right expertise.
Here are some common SEO needs that you may have:
- Increase website traffic – Improve visibility for relevant keywords.
- Generate leads or sales – Convert visitors into customers.
- Local SEO – Target nearby customers by using local SEO tools and optimization tactics.
- E-commerce SEO – Optimize product and category pages for better sales.
- Technical SEO – Improve site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, and structured data.
- Content strategy – Plan and optimize blog posts, landing pages, or other content.
For example, you are a SaaS company that wants to increase free trial signups. By defining this goal clearly, you can hire the best SEO expert who focuses on high-intent keywords and can optimize landing pages, resulting in more signups.
Next tip!
Research Your Options
When you have your needs and goals all defined, it’s time to look for potential candidates.
Researching your options helps ensure you hire someone trustworthy and experienced.
Here are some ways to find the best SEO expert:
- Use your professional network: Ask colleagues or other businesses for recommendations.
- Check freelance sites: These include platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Search on LinkedIn: Here, you may find groups for SEO professionals.
- Explore review platforms: These can be Clutch, G2, and UpCity for client feedback and portfolios.
Let me bring an example using Clutch. Just go to the website and type the service you are looking for in the search bar, then click “Get Started.”
After that, answer a few simple questions about your business, and Clutch will provide a list of companies just like in the screenshot below.
You can then read reviews, visit their profiles, learn about their services, and check out their websites to see if they are a good fit.
Moving on!
Make Sure They Focus on Ethical Practices
It’s not enough for an SEO specialist to have proper experience; they must also follow ethical SEO, aka white-hat SEO methods.
Here are some preferred practices that every expert should take into account:
- Following Google’s Webmaster Guidelines
- Creating original content
- Avoiding keyword stuffing
- Building natural, relevant backlinks rather than buying low-quality links
- Optimizing site structure and user experience instead of using black hat SEO tricks.
Knowing these yourself can help you choose a specialist who has the right mindset on search engine optimization best practices.
On to the next one!
Check What Tools and Reporting System They Use
The best SEO expert should also use advanced tools and provide clear reports to track progress.
Key points to look for:
- SEO tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, Google Analytics, Google Search Console.
- Regular reporting: Updates on traffic, keyword rankings, backlinks, and conversions.
- Transparent methods: Are they using spreadsheets or other tools so you can easily track what’s being done? Are they regularly keeping in touch with clients to provide updates, share progress reports, and clarify the next steps? If yes, then they are quite transparent about reporting and the services they provide.
For example, if you are a marketing agency, your SEO expert should provide monthly reports using tools like SEMrush and Google Analytics. These reports show top keywords, traffic trends, and conversions, helping both clients and SEO specialists to track progress more effectively, understand what’s working and what should be changed.
And the last tip!
Balance Cost with Value
When it comes to SEO, paying very little usually does not work. Good SEO takes time, skill, and effort. Cheap services may not provide the desired results and could even harm your website with outdated or bad tactics.
A reasonable budget for hiring the best SEO expert is often between $1,000 and $5,000 per month, depending on the work and experience.
It may feel like a lot, but good SEO can increase your website traffic, attract more leads, and bring in more clients, making it worth the investment.
And don’t forget that content is also an important part of SEO.
Some experts include content management and content writing in their services, while others do not. If content is not included, you will need to consider the cost of hiring a writer, which can range from $300 to $1,000 per article, depending on quality.
So, before choosing your SEO expert, ask these questions:
- What exactly is included in the service?
- Is content writing included? How many pieces per month?
- Are technical SEO tasks covered, or are they extra?
The goal is to focus on value, not just the lowest price.
Let’s wrap up!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, having the best SEO expert is important if you want your website to be seen by the right audience. SEO is what attracts visitors who are looking for your services and helps your business grow over time.
Although finding the right expert can take some effort, following the tips we discussed makes the process easier.
So, by defining your goals, researching your options, checking ethical practices, reviewing tools, and considering value, you can choose a specialist who will handle your SEO effectively.
Thus, working with a skilled SEO expert ensures that your website stays visible, improves steadily, and supports your business in reaching more customers online.
