If you’re reading this article, you probably already have a basic understanding of search engine optimization. You know SEO is important for your business, but you are unsure if you have the resources to do it in-house. You are thinking about hiring an SEO consultant, but you find yourself wondering what does an SEO consultant do?
First, we’re going to take a look at the daily activities of an SEO consultant. Then we’ll cover some common SEO questions and answers, and conclude with some tips for choosing an SEO consulting firm.
The SEO Consultant Job Description
An SEO consultant crafts and implements a search engine optimization strategy that helps their clients reach one or more of their business objectives. A common SEO misconception is that SEO is a one-and-done effort. Gone are the days when an effective SEO strategy simply meant stuffing mediocre content with keywords at the right frequency. Organic SEO efforts take consistent effort focused towards clearly defined business objectives. A good SEO consultant knows they’re in it for the long haul with their clients.
While SEO consultants conduct major site audits when they first start working with a client, that is only a fraction of their job description. Their daily activities involve implementing the overall SEO strategy they developed as a result of this initial audit.
The day of an SEO consultant starts with a daily audit of their client’s website and social media profiles. They ask questions such as:
- How many shares has our most recent content generated on social media?
- How much search traffic has our most recent content brought in for our keywords?
- What content is performing the best? How can we create more content like this?
- What content is not performing well? Why did it fall short?
- Which publications can we reach out to for linking and guest-blogging opportunities?
- Which social media influencers can we build relationships with to amplify our content?
The rest of an SEO consultant’s day goes off of the results of this daily audit. Sometimes they need to create or tweak content to advance their content strategy. Other times, they’re building relationships with editors and influencers to amplify their content and earn quality backlinks. Any “downtime” is spent doing the research necessary to create quality content and get backlinks from high-authority sites.
Common SEO Questions and Answers
I’m sure you have a ton of questions. Below are the three most common SEO questions and answers.
How Much Does SEO cost?
The cost of SEO depends on the extent of services being provided. A survey by Moz, an SEO industry leader, shows monthly retainer costs for SEO companies range between $750 and $5,000 a month. Individual projects can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $30,000, and SEO consultants charge between $100 and $300 an hour.
Cost depends largely on the size and success level of the agency or consultant. One disadvantage of working with SEO companies who have a national client base is they are expensive for the budget of a small business owner.
If you own a small business in Irvine, for example, then you are better off finding an affordable SEO company in Irvine. You will get more ROI and find they use many of the same strategies as national SEO companies.
How Long Does SEO Take to Work?
The short answer is it takes time. The amount of time depends on the competitiveness of your chosen keywords. For example, it would be quicker to rank on the first page for SEO consultant in Irvine than it would be for SEO consultant.
Beware any SEO company who promises you instant results. There is no ethical way to rank instantly for a keyword. Understand SEO takes time to work and find an SEO consultant you can trust.
How do I Know if SEO is Working?
The easiest way to see the value of SEO is to approach it from a long-term mindset. If you judge its value based on the first few months, you’ll give up just as you should be ramping up your efforts.
Local for steady, incremental growth rather than virality. Constantly search for your targeted keywords in search engines to see how each tweak to your strategy affects your rankings.
What to Look for in an SEO Consulting Firm
Say you’re convinced of the value of an SEO Consultant. Now you need to know how to choose the right SEO consulting firm for your business.
Choose an SEO Consulting Firm Within Your Budget
You have to define a clear budget before you outsource your SEO efforts. SEO consultants who don’t care about your needs will always try to sell you their most expensive package.
A good SEO consultant provides a free consultation and estimate based on your specific needs, and they want you to get the most value for your dollar.
Pick an SEO Consulting Firm With a Proven Track Record
Every company needs to start with a first client, and this company could end up as the best in their industry. With that being said, you want an SEO consulting firm who has already succeeded doing for other clients what they say they can do for you.
Hire an SEO Consulting Firm Within Your Geographic Area
As a small business owner, you rely on local customers to sustain your business. An SEO consulting firm based in your county has experience with the type of people who live in your targeted area. They focus on targeting local keywords that will get these people to discover your business.
If you’re looking for an affordable SEO company in the Irvine area, check out our services page to learn more about what we can do to maximize your business.
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