Search engine optimization (SEO) is an integral part of any online business marketing strategy. High ranking on search engine result pages (SERPs) determines the conversion rate on your website. If your target audience can’t find you on the first page of a search engine result page, they are most likely to go with the competition.
In fact, a survey published by the Entrepreneurshows that 90% of internet users don’t go beyond the first page of such results. Another study by imFORZA shows that search is the key driver of internet traffic to websites, beating social media by over 300%.
To leverage the power of Google, Bing and Yahoo, you need an SEO expert to work on your website. These experts have the skills and resources to raise the ranking of your website. But there is a catch; how do you hire the best? If you go online, there are millions of people calling themselves SEO gurus.
To make the hiring process easier, here are some questions to pose to potential candidates:
- What is your experience and is it possible to check your track record? Nothing beats experience when it comes to search engine optimization. It is true all strategies used in SEO are available online, but only the innovative thinking of an experienced SEO consultant can help you implement them. Always go for an SEO consultant who has worked for years and make sure you look at their track record.
- What is your modus operandi? Most SEO consultants will give lofty promises which turn out to be false. If the expert is promising to get your website to the top within hours, ask them how they will work such magic. SEO is a long process and the consultant must provide a roadmap on how it will be done. The ideal strategy starts with review of your website, identification of weak areas, listing of SEO techniques to be used, communication model and evaluation processes. Do you guarantee first ranking on Google? Search engine strategies are not a magic bullet and if an expert promises you they can achieve top ranking for your target keyword, you should be wary. Black hat techniques might improve your ranking for a few hours but the devastating penalties you suffer when Google catches up with you are not worth it.
The quality of your SEO consultant will determine how well your site ranks. Make sure you take your time to seek referrals, read reviews and fully understand the strategies the consultant seeks to implement.
