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So for that, you need to hire an SEO professional like SEOLeverage’s Gert Mellak. Gert Mellak is an SEO expert helping online businesses grow using the ERICA framework — an SEO strategy that helped hundreds of clients get the best results in the last few years.
But why exactly would you need an SEO consultant for your business? In this article, we’ll go through the signs that it’s time you need to hire an SEO pro and how you should hire one.
When is the Right Time to Hire an SEO Expert?
When you start a website, there might be other concerns besides SEO. You’re probably just aiming to get your site out there.
Many businesses put off hiring SEO professionals because they feel it’s not yet the right time for them. They would often rather focus on other marketing techniques before diving deep into SEO.
But when does it make sense to finally get an SEO guy for your business?
You’re looking to boost your SEO strategies.
If you’re in the middle of revving up your SEO tactics, getting in touch with a pro can give you a solid roadmap to follow. They’ll also ensure you don’t trip over the usual stuff that could mess up your campaign.
Your site’s not pulling in visitors.
If your website feels like a ghost town, it’s time for some tweaks. If major search engines notice your site’s getting few visitors, your ranking might stay stuck.
To kick up your visitor count and boost organic traffic, it’s wise to connect with SEO experts who can lend a hand.
You’ve got the funds.
According to Backlinko, the going rate for monthly SEO services is around $497. While splurging on SEO isn’t pocket change, it can pay off by driving more folks to your site and boosting conversions. If you’re considering bringing in an SEO guru, double-check that your budget’s up for it.
There’s a broad spectrum of SEO price tags, but remember: you usually get what you pay for. So, ensure you’ve got enough in the coffers to hire top-notch SEO pros who’ll deliver quality search results.
Your team is swamped.
You might have an in-house team handling your online marketing game, but it’s time to call in a pro if they feel like butter scraped over too much bread.
This move lets your team breathe in other areas while giving your SEO efforts the green light for success.
You’re not an SEO specialist.
If diving into Google Search Console and Google Analytics feels like trying to decipher alien hieroglyphics, it’s a sign to dial up the experts.
While you might grasp the ABCs, going head-to-head with the SEO experts might feel like trying to outrun a racecar. To stand a chance, you’ve got to rope in some SEO pros who know the game inside and out.
What Should You Look for in an SEO Expert?
If you’re looking for an SEO professional to help you build your business, you need to take note of the following:
Experience
It takes years to learn what works and what doesn’t to become an SEO expert.
A search engine optimization pro’s experience and SEO knowledge should be easy to show off. Ask them about the keywords they aimed for in a campaign and see where those sites appear on the search engine results pages. You’ll see how the sites they did keyword research for rank on the Google rankings, and that will tell you if they’re the real deal.
Plus, a seasoned SEO consultant will look at any site and know exactly what it needs to get better rankings from search engines.
Expertise
Don’t just think of hiring an SEO service for a single project. Look for one that’s going to keep bringing value to your business.
That’s why you want an SEO expert who’s up-to-date with all the latest SEO developments and knows how to use SEO tools. The algorithms are always shifting, and those ranking rules are in a constant makeover.
Getting an SEO expert who understands the principles behind past and present SEO updates can help you and your business stay on top of the SEO industry.
It’s also important for them to understand technical SEO, on-page optimization, and off-page optimization to have a holistic approach to their SEO campaign. Being a member of SEO groups also contributes to their evolving knowledge in digital marketing.
Social Proof
When you’re checking out an SEO expert, start with their references. Any legit SEO pro should have a list of people they’ve helped.
For instance, Gert Mellak received glowing testimonials from Ezra Firestone, Jim Hacking, and Ryan Spanger, among others.
Watch out for red flags, though. Someone might say all their clients are under wraps with confidentiality agreements. It’s okay if that’s the case, but they should have proof to back it up.
And if they’re hiding behind non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, just ask about their own website. You can also ask them to talk about their successes in general without dropping any names.
12 Questions to Ask Your Potential Search Engine Optimization Consultant
You’d likely want to interview your candidates, so look at the following guide questions to sift through dozens of SEO experts claiming to be the best fit for your business.
- What makes you different from other SEO experts?
- Can you summarize your SEO process?
- Do you inform your clients about technical site changes?
- What tools do you use for SEO campaigns?
- How long will it take to see ranking results in Google and other search engines?
- How do you measure progress?
- How frequently do you send out reports?
- Can you present a list of case studies and references?
- What problems can you spot on our website?
- Do you stay current with SEO trends?
- How much are your SEO services?
- How will my site change after our collaboration ends?
Their answers to the questions above will help you make an informed decision on your next SEO hire.