Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the most important, yet misunderstood and misused, marketing tools available today.
When done correctly, SEO can help your website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it more visible to potential customers. However, when done incorrectly, SEO can actually hurt your website’s ranking and visibility.
That’s why it’s so important to choose the right SEO consultant for your business.
Not all consultants are created equal, and not all of them will have your best interests at heart.
To help you find the right consultant for your needs, here are 10 questions you should ask before hiring an SEO consultant:
- What is your experience with SEO?
- What is your approach to SEO?
- What are your rates?
- What is included in your services?
- Are you transparent about the work you do?
- Do you guarantee results?
- What are some of your past clients?
- Do you have any case studies or testimonials I can read?
- How do you stay up-to-date with changes to the algorithm?
- Do you have any other tips or advice for me?
Question 1. What is your experience with SEO?
This is perhaps the most important question to ask an SEO consultant. You want to make sure that they have significant experience with SEO and a proven track record of success. The last thing you want is to hire someone who is just winging it and hoping for the best. Ask for specific examples of projects they’ve worked on and what the results were. If they’re worth their salt, they should be able to provide you with concrete evidence of their expertise.
Question 2: What is your approach to SEO?
Every good consultant has a process or methodology that they use when working with clients. This helps ensure that they’re consistently delivering quality work that gets results. Ask them about their approach and see if it aligns with your goals and expectations. If not, move on to someone else who might be a better fit.
Question 3: What are your rates?
This isn’t necessarily the most important question, but it’s still one worth asking nonetheless—especially if you’re working with a limited budget.
Remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t be tempted to go with the cheapest option just because it saves you some money in the short-term. Having said that, there are also consultants out there who will charge you a lot as it makes them appear better than they are. So be mindful.
Focus on finding an affordable option that provides value for money.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, then you can start looking at rates and comparing apples to apples.
Question 4: What is included in your services?
Some consultants will try to upsell you on additional services that may or may not be necessary for your needs – which is why finding an truly independent consultant may be a better option.
That’s why it’s important to ask what’s included in their standard package so that you know exactly what you’re paying for—and more importantly, what you’re not paying for.
If they’re being vague or evasive about what’s included, that’s a huge red flag and a sign that you should move on to someone else who is more forthcoming about their services.
Where’s Question 5-10? I’ll come back and write those soon.
Hiring an SEO consultant can be a very good way to improve your website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, it’s important to choose the right consultant for the job—one who has significant experience and a proven track record of success.
Asking the right questions can help ensure that you find a consultant who is a good fit for your needs and who will deliver quality work that gets results.