Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an SEO Specialist

Over half the world is online today, which means your business has billions of opportunities to attract new customers. SEO is one of the most effective online tactics to improve your brand, and hiring an SEO specialist is key.

These specialists will have the unique know-how to leverage internet trends and enhance your brand’s visibility.

But how do you hire the right specialist?

To get the most out of your SEO experience, you should begin by asking yourself and the specialist a few questions. Here’s a quick list of ten insightful questions to get you started:

1. Do I Understand How SEO Works?

This is a question for you rather than the specialist. Essentially, you need to know how search engine optimization works to avoid any upset or miscommunication down the road. Otherwise, your successes or failures won’t make much sense.

2. What Can SEO Do for My Company?

Here, you have to consider the potential return from more engagement and stronger visibility. SEO helps bring your page higher up on search results and builds online authority.

But what are the end goals for improving your brand? It pays off to scout for a specialist with clear expectations in mind.

3. How Does the SEO Specialist Measure Success?

It’s basically impossible to guarantee which spot (or page) your website will appear on search results. So, how will you know when something is working or not? How will the specialist measure the progress?

4. How Do They Keep Up with Google Updates?

The internet is constantly changing with Google secretly updating their algorithms for improvement. There’s no direct manual. So how does your specialist plan to keep up with changes?

5. What Tools are Used for Keyword Research?

One essential way of weeding out the inexperienced SEO specialist and the actual specialist is by reviewing methods for keyword research. You’re looking for a specialist who understands user intent instead of just pulling from an online list.

6. Does the Specialist do Link-Building?

Link-building is a great way to build authority and increase your presence. This, in turn, can create more organic traffic and drive up sales.

Does the specialist include link-building in their pitch? Are they able to incorporate it?

7. Will They Implement Tactics for Mobile?

Over 75% of Americans own a smartphone, and that’s not counting a single overseas user. With mobile being such a major name in the game, it’s important your specialists consider mobile usage in their efforts.

8. What Does the SEO Specialist Need from Your Company?

In order to market well and get to know the brand, it’s good to supply a specialist with detailed company information. Usually, this can all be found on your website, but you should ask to verify.

9. When Will Your Company See Results?

This is essential. Establishing organic traffic through SEO will take time, but you need to know how long before you see results. Around half a year is about the time you should start to raise an eyebrow.

10. How Does the Specialist Report Progress?

Establish strong KPIs before your specialist begins to work. Set up a progress report and figure out when you’ll need to get updates throughout the project.

Increase Visibility and Expand Your Brand with 904SEO

If you’re on the hunt for an SEO specialist, keep these questions in mind and expand upon them with your team. Boil all your questions and concerns down into a single conversation so you know immediately if you have the right specialist.

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