When hiring an SEO expert, it's important to first identify the specific problem you're trying to solve and have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. This could be improving your search engine rankings, increasing traffic to your website, or driving more sales or leads. Knowing the problem you're trying to solve will help you find the right person for the job.
It can be confusing and overwhelming to navigate the process of hiring an SEO expert, especially if you are not familiar with the technical aspects of search engine optimization. That's why it's important to know what to look for and what questions to ask when interviewing potential candidates.
Some key questions to ask when interviewing an SEO expert include:
Can you provide examples of specific results you have achieved for previous clients?
This will give you an idea of the types of results the expert is capable of achieving and how they've helped other businesses in the past. Look for specific examples of improved search engine rankings, increased traffic, and increased sales or leads. A red flag would be if the expert is unable to provide specific examples or if their answers are too vague or generic.
How do you approach keyword research and selection?
A good SEO expert should have a detailed process for identifying the most relevant and valuable keywords for your business. This could include conducting a thorough analysis of your industry and competitors, as well as considering factors such as search volume and competition level. A red flag would be an expert who doesn't understand the importance of keyword research or who uses techniques such as keyword stuffing.
Can you explain your process for on-page optimization?
On-page optimization includes things like title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and other elements that appear on your website. A good SEO expert should have a clear understanding of how these elements can be optimized for search engines. A red flag would be an expert whoan lacks understanding of on-page optimization or who focuses on techniques such as hidden text or keyword stuffing.
How do you approach link building and what types of links do you consider to be the most valuable?
Link building is an important aspect of SEO, but it's important to focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant links from reputable sources. A red flag would be an expert who focuses on acquiring a large quantity of links, rather than the quality of the links.
By asking these types of questions, you can gain a better understanding of the expert's qualifications, experience, and approach to SEO. This will help you make an informed decision and move forward with confidence in your hiring process.
Green lights
When hiring an SEO expert, it's important to consider the green light based on their experience, testimonials, knowledge, and level of interest in your business.
- Experience
It's important to check how long the SEO expert has been in the industry. While a few months of experience doesn't necessarily mean they're not qualified, it's generally better to work with someone who has a long track record of achieving results for clients.
- Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials from previous clients can give you an idea of the expert's level of experience and the results they've been able to achieve. Look for reviews that provide specific examples of how the expert has helped other businesses, and pay attention to how they respond to reviews. A professional and responsive attitude to reviews can be a good indication of the service quality you can expect.
- Knowledge
A true SEO expert will have a good understanding of the various elements that impact search engine rankings, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building. They should be able to explain their approach and strategies in a clear, jargon-free manner.
- Interest
A good SEO expert will ask a lot of questions about your business and your goals. They will want to understand your target market and what you hope to achieve through SEO. This is a good sign that they are taking the time to develop a custom strategy for your business and not just provide you with a cookie-cutter solution.
When looking for an SEO expert, be sure to evaluate the professional's experience, testimonials, knowledge, and the level of interest in your business to make sure they are able to deliver the results that you are looking for.
Red flags
When hiring an SEO expert, it's important to be aware of red flags that can indicate that the expert may not be a good fit for your business.
- Cheap rates
While it may be tempting to hire an SEO expert with rock-bottom fees, keep in mind that you often get what you pay for. Quality SEO services require time and expertise, and a professional who is charging significantly less than the market rate may not have the skills or experience to achieve the results you're looking for.
- Empty promises
Be wary of SEO experts who make unrealistic promises, such as guaranteeing success in a short amount of time. SEO is a long-term process and it is not possible to guarantee rankings. Good SEO experts will be transparent and realistic about the timelines and effort required to achieve results.
- Hiding their process
An SEO expert should be able to clearly explain their process and strategies for achieving results. If an expert is unwilling to share details about their methods or vague about how they will approach your project, it's likely that they're not being entirely transparent.
- Bad communication
Clear and timely communication is important for the success of any project. If you find that an SEO expert is evasive when answering questions or is difficult to get in touch with, it's likely that working together will be a frustrating experience. Additionally, you should also pay attention to how the expert responds to negative feedback or pressing questions, if they are unwilling to give straight answers or disappear at crucial times, it may be better to avoid working with them.
So, if you’re looking and reviewing an SEO expert, be wary of professionals who charge very low rates, make unrealistic promises, hide their process, or have poor communication skills. These red flags can indicate that the expert may not have the expertise or dedication required to achieve the results you're looking for.
