So you’ve decided to hire an SEO consultant – great. But remember – there are SEO consultants and then there are SEO consultants. Unfortunately, the SEO industry is flooded with ‘opportunistic’ individuals who prey on unsuspecting, well-intentioned, business owners and marketing managers. Due to the nuanced and technical nature of SEO, it’s easy for scammers to pull the wool over your eyes with a few buzzwords and ‘bit of chat.’
The good news is you can usually spot a scam a mile off. They’ll tell you that they have a ‘special relationship with Google’ or they’ll offer a dubious ‘5 keyword optimisation’ package guaranteeing results.
Don’t fall for it!
When looking to hire an SEO consultant, make sure you ask the right questions to firstly weed out the ‘chancers’ but also so that you’re aligned with the aims of the campaign, understand how you’ll work together and determine whether your chosen SEO consultant can deliver results. I’ve compiled some of the key questions I’m often asked by prospective clients.
What are the main SEO issues on my website?
This question helps you get a sense of what the consultant thinks are the most important issues on your website that need to be addressed. First and foremost, you’ll want to find out if your consultant has done his homework on your website.
Whilst consultants don’t work for free, they should be able to offer some basic initial insight into why your website isn’t ranking. This is often the sign of a good consultant who is passionate about what they do – they tell you exactly what is wrong (probably oversharing) and exactly what they’ll do to fix it. This can help you prioritise what needs to be done in order for your website to rank well in search engines.
What is your experience in the SEO industry?
This is an important question to ask because you want to make sure that the person you’re hiring is well-versed and up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. It takes several years to master SEO, so ensure that they’ve had sufficient experience in running SEO campaigns.
What are your thoughts on how Google ranks websites?
This helps you gauge their knowledge on a specific topic and see if their philosophies align with yours. A good SEO consultant would be able to demonstrate knowledge of how Google ranks websites.
How will you help me improve my search engine rankings?
You should ask your potential consultant what strategies they would use to help improve your website’s ranking in search engines. This question can help you get a sense of what kind of tactics they would use, from content writing to technical analysis. This will also help you to evaluate which skills gaps you’ll need to plug internally.
Who are some of your past/present clients?
Absolutely Vital. It’s always good to ask for references as well as case studies so that you can get an idea of what kind of work the consultant has done in the past and what kind of results they’ve been able to achieve.
What is your process for managing SEO campaigns?
This helps you understand what steps the consultant takes to carry out an SEO campaign, and also allows you to get a sense of their communication style and work ethic.
What are your rates?
Of course, you’ll want to know how much the consultant charges for their services so that you can budget accordingly. A more experienced consultant generally commands a higher price – but remember that SEO is an investment – one that can return many times the initial cost!
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in SEO?
It’s important to make sure that the consultant you’re hiring is keeping up with the latest trends so that they can apply them to your campaign and help you stay ahead of the competition.
What are some of your favourite tools for conducting SEO?
This allows you to get a sense of what resources the consultant uses to do their job and also see if they’re familiar with any tools that you might be using.
How do you communicate with clients about their campaigns?
This helps you understand what kind of communication style the consultant has and how they keep clients updated on the progress of their SEO efforts.
What are your thoughts on link building?
This helps you understand the consultant’s philosophy on link building and how they approach it when working on a campaign. It can often be a topic of contention – so make sure you’re comfortable with the link building tactics proposed.
How often will we communicate?
You should ask how often you can expect to hear from your SEO consultant. This will help ensure that you’re on the same page in terms of communication expectations. A good SEO consultant should be available to answer any questions or concerns you have along the way.
Have you worked with similar clients before?
If your company is in a specific industry, you’ll want to make sure that your consultant has experience with clients in that industry. This will give you peace of mind knowing that they are familiar with the necessary strategies to get you the results you’re looking for.
How do you measure SEO success?
Before hiring an SEO consultant, you should make sure that you’re on the same page in terms of what success looks like. Ask them how they measure success and what kind of metrics they use. This way, you can be sure that you’re both working towards the same goal.
Will I get a monthly report?
Ask your potential consultant if they provide monthly reports. This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of deliverables. A good consultant should be able to provide you with a detailed report of their progress and what they’ve been working on.
How long will it take to see results?
This is an important question to ask so that you can manage your expectations. It’s important to note that SEO is a long-term strategy and it can take months to see results. However, a good consultant should be able to give you an idea of what to expect in terms of timing so you can at least have some idea as to when the campaign will bear fruit.
Will I need to be involved?
You should ask the consultant how much involvement you’ll need to have in the campaign. If you’re looking for a hands-off approach, you’ll want to make sure that the consultant is able to work independently. However, if you’re looking to be more involved in the process, you should make sure that the consultant is open to that level of involvement.
Clients are often shocked at the amount of work they would need to do to sign off deliverables etc, so make sure you’re on the same page.
There is no such thing as a stupid question!
When it comes to hiring an SEO consultant, don’t be afraid to ask any questions that come to mind. Asking the right questions upfront will help you hire the best SEO consultant for your needs. Be sure to ask about their experience, what tools they use, how they measure success, and what their communication style is like. By asking these questions, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible service for your needs.
If you’re looking for a B2B SEO consultant to help you generate highly relevant, ‘business-changing’ leads get in contact with me today on 01622 231644 or tell me about your business here.
