When it comes to hiring an SEO consultant, there are many red flags to look out for ahead of time. The entire industry is fraught with companies that either don’t know what they’re doing or are in fact unethical scammers looking to take advantage of businesses who are in the early stages of development and don’t fully understand SEO. While it’s great to save money by doing the work yourself, it’s important not to skimp on quality. When hiring an SEO consultant, there are some red flags to watch out for so that you don’t end up paying for services you don’t need and don’t get what you need out of the deal in return. These factors can save you time and money in the long run and help keep you from falling into a trap that could leave you with an expensive headache down the road when it comes time to expand your SEO program as your business grows.
The most obvious red flag to look out for when hiring an SEO consultant is that they are not qualified to do the job. SEO is a complex and ever-changing science, and it's important to find someone who understands all of the nuances. For example, if you need someone to do on-page SEO, you don’t want to hire an SEO consultant who just knows how to “bid” on keywords. You want to hire someone who understands how to structure content and use the right keywords.
Another red flag to look out for when hiring an SEO consultant is that they don’t have any experience and don’t have any industry certifications. Ideally, you want to hire an SEO consultant who has years of experience and has earned industry certifications in their field. When hiring an SEO consultant, it’s important to do your research and find out if they have any certifications relevant to SEO, as not all SEO consultants are trained and certified in the same way. Make sure you find someone who is experienced in the niche you are in and who is ready to take on the job and commit the time necessary to make the changes you need.
Another red flag to watch out for when hiring an SEO consultant is that they are charging extortionate prices. SEO consultants can make a very good living, but that doesn’t mean they are gouging people who are desperate for help with their online marketing campaign. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous people in the SEO industry who charge extortionate prices, take your money, and don’t deliver anything in return. It’s important to find someone you can trust who is charging a fair rate for their services and who has a proven track record.
A final red flag to watch out for when hiring an SEO consultant is that they aren’t transparent about the services they offer. SEO is a complex and ever-changing science, and there are a lot of moving parts to an effective SEO strategy. It’s important to know what services you need and what it will cost you to get those services from an SEO consultant. SEO consultants who aren’t transparent about their services aren’t being upfront with you and are likely not delivering what you need. It’s important to find someone who is straightforward and upfront about the services they offer and what it will cost you to get those services.
Another red flag to watch out for when hiring an SEO consultant is that they don’t have a proven track record. SEO is a fickle beast and it can take months to see results, and months more to see significant gains. SEO consultants who are new to the field and don’t have a proven track record aren’t likely to see significant results for your business. It’s important to find someone who has proven results and who is ready to commit to your SEO campaign.
There are many red flags to look out for when hiring an SEO consultant. Make sure they have experience, are certified in the field, and have a proven track record. Avoid bogus prices, lack of transparency, and consultants who don’t have a proven track record. Once you find a reputable SEO consultant, you can make sure they get the job done, and you can be confident you are getting the best bang for your buck.