What to ask SEO consultants
When businesses grow their online presence, regardless of size or industry, SEO is an essential practice that can help them succeed. An important part of any successful SEO strategy is selecting the right consultant or agency to work with. With so many options available, how do you know which will best fit your needs? Asking smart questions and thoroughly researching each potential partner are excellent starting points – knowing what types of inquiries should be made can ensure a positive working relationship from the outset. In this article, we’ll show you some essential questions to ask when deciding on an SEO consultancy – and provide helpful tips for evaluating and comparing results.
How many clients do they currently have, and what kind of results have they achieved for them
When choosing an SEO consultant or agency, it’s important to know the size and scope of clients they currently work with. Ask for details on their current client base, including how many clients they serve, and what successes they have achieved – either in rankings increases or website traffic.
Do they follow all the necessary guidelines for ethical SEO?
Ethical SEO practices are essential to ensure success without risking penalties from search engines like Google. Ask your potential consultant or agency if they are familiar with and follow all the guidelines for ethical SEO practices. It’s also important to ask what type of content they create – have them give you examples of articles, blog posts, press releases, and other content they’ve written for past clients.
Ask for a portfolio of past work or references to understand their previous successes.
A great way to assess a consultant or agency’s capabilities is to ask for a portfolio of past work. This will give you an idea of the types of sites they have worked with, and the results they have achieved for their clients. You can also ask for references from past clients – this provides further insight into how reliable and effective they are.
Find out what methods and techniques they use to measure success.
It’s important to understand how your SEO consultant or agency will measure their success and the progress of campaigns. Ask them which metrics they use, like organic traffic, rankings, or conversions – and determine how they plan to track performance over time. It’s also a good idea to ask what techniques and strategies they employ for measuring success. This can help you decide if their approach is the right fit for your business.
Ask about their pricing structure, including any additional hidden costs or fees.
Before signing a contract with any consultant or agency, ask about their pricing structure and all associated fees. It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting for the price and to factor in any additional costs for services like keyword research or content creation. You should also ask if any hidden fees could affect your budget in the future.
By asking these essential questions, you can make an informed decision and choose the right consultant or agency to help grow your online presence with SEO. You can maximize ROI and reach your digital marketing goals with a trusted partner’s guidance.
Understand how often you’ll receive reports and updates on the progress.
Finally, ask your consultant or agency what reporting frequency they offer. You’ll want regular updates and insight on how your campaigns are progressing and analysis of the results so far – this will help you stay informed and make adjustments when necessary. It’s also important to understand if the reporting is automated or manual, and how quickly they can provide you with the relevant data.
These are just some of the key questions to ask when selecting an SEO consultant or agency – and by doing your due diligence upfront, you’ll be in a much better position to make the right choice.
FAQS
What is your process for auditing a website?
Processes can vary greatly between SEO consultants and agencies, so it’s important to understand their steps to audit a website. Ask what type of analysis is done – does their approach include technical analysis, content optimization, keyword research, or link building? Ensure they have a comprehensive plan for evaluating your current setup and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Do you offer any other services that would help with our SEO goals?
Ask if the consultant or agency offers additional services that could benefit your overall SEO strategy. This could include content creation, PPC campaigns, social media marketing, and more. Knowing what else is available could help you make the most of your budget and achieve better results quickly.
How will you communicate with us about our campaigns?
It’s important to know how often, and in what format, your consultant or agency plans to communicate with you about your campaigns. Ask for details on their preferred communication methods and how often they will provide updates. This will ensure you’re always in the loop on progress and that any changes or issues can be addressed quickly.
What strategies do they use for link building?
Link building is essential to SEO success, so it’s important to ask your consultant or agency what strategies they employ for building quality links. Ask about the types of websites they target, if they create any content to drive link growth, or what techniques and tactics they use to secure useful backlinks. The specifics can help you assess their knowledge and capabilities in this area.
What are some common on-page SEO optimization techniques?
On-page SEO optimization is vital for improving website visibility and search engine rankings. Ask your consultant or agency what on-page optimization techniques they use, such as title tag optimization, meta description writing, page speed improvements, internal linking strategies, etc. It’s important to know that the company has experience with this type of work and its strategies have proven effective.
Do you offer any resources or tools to help with SEO?
Some consultants and agencies may offer additional resources like guides, templates, or tools to help with SEO efforts. Ask about what type of material they provide and if they make it free. Sometimes access to these resources can be of great value, so make sure you know what’s included in the package before signing any contracts.
What are some catered SEO packages that you offer?
In some cases, it may be helpful to ask about any custom SEO packages they offer. Bundling services together can help you save time and money, so be sure to inquire if your potential partner offers this. Ask which features are included in each package and determine how much discount you get for choosing one of their catered plans.
How do you track performance?
Once a consultant or agency has implemented an SEO campaign, evaluating its success and measuring progress over time is important. Ask your potential partner about the metrics they use to judge performance and how they plan to track performance over time. This will ensure you understand what’s working and what isn’t so that you can adjust your campaigns accordingly.
What are some common technical SEO issues you see?
Technical SEO is a complicated process requiring extensive knowledge and experience to be done properly. Ask your potential consultant or agency what common technical SEO issues they’ve seen, such as indexing problems, poor site structure, duplicate content, and broken links. This will help you get an idea of their level of expertise in this area and determine if they have the skills to tackle any potential issues that may arise.
How do you approach keyword research?
Keyword research is a key part of SEO, and understanding your consultant or agency’s approach can help you assess their capabilities in this area. Ask how they conduct keyword research, if they use additional tools to identify keywords, or how they recommend targeting specific keyword phrases. This will give you an insight into their level of knowledge and help you make an informed decision.
How do you measure the success of an SEO campaign?
It’s important to understand how your consultant or agency plans to measure the success of an SEO campaign. Ask what metrics they use, such as increased ranking positions, website traffic, conversions, etc. This will help you determine if the company is capable of helping you reach your goals and if their services are worth investing in.
What are some common obstacles to successful SEO?
Finally, ask them about common obstacles to successful SEO. This will provide insight into their understanding of the industry and shed light on any areas that can be problematic. Knowing what challenges you may face can help you prepare for them in advance and narrow down your list of potential consultants or agencies.
What are some common trends in SEO?
It’s also important to ask your potential consultant or agency about current trends and changes in the SEO industry. Staying up-to-date with the latest developments is essential for any successful SEO campaign, so be sure to inquire about what techniques they recommend and which strategies should be avoided. This can help you make an informed decision regarding selecting the right partner.
Conclusion
To find the best SEO consultant or agency for your business, it’s important to ask a few key questions. Be sure to inquire about their experience and how they plan to improve your rankings, as well as what strategies they use for link building and on-page optimization. It would help if you also asked about any additional resources or tools available and how they track performance and measure success. Finally, be sure to inquire about any common obstacles or trends in the industry. Answering these questions should help you decide when selecting a consultant or agency for your SEO needs.
Leave a Reply