The function of an SEO consultant incorporates a wide subject area, from resolving coding issues within a website that are stopping it from ranking well through to building the required links to promote your popularity with search engines. Because Search Engine Optimisation is a relatively new industry, SEO Consultants come from a range of different backgrounds. Each individuals background and route into SEO will have an impact on their preferred mode of optimisation technique The main role of the SEO Consultant is to elevate and optimise your ranking on Google and similar search engines.
Google, Yahoo and Bing are now hugely adept at identifying any websites that have been manipulating their search engine rankings by utilising underhand SEO techniques. Commonly, penalties for this type of poor practice will result in a temporary ranking drop until they display a change in optimisation techniques, however in the worst case scenario a site can be totally de-listed from a search engine. As with all other industries there are good and bad consultants so the following pointers will assist you to choose a good SEO consultant and avoid being penalised.
So how do you know if the SEO consultant follows best practices? Search engine companies issue guidelines regarding the way websites should be built and marketed. They also produce a comprehensive list of practices that are not considered acceptable and will attract penalties. Be certain that the person you select to look after your SEO practices 'White Hat' SEO that follows search engine guidelines and steers well clear of anything that could cause your site reputation permanent damage.
Ensure that your brand will be in safe hands and that the optimisation method is capable of providing consistent results in the long term. You would be devastated if a month or two after hiring an SEO consultant your ranking with the search engines began to fluctuate in an unstable way and your site was compromised. Your business could be hindered and customers could get a negative impression which could cause lasting damage. Questioning your consultant about their optimisation tactics will encourage them to take a methodical approach to the SEO of your site.
Are their chosen strategies likely to appeal to web users? Websites should be optimised with web users enjoyment prioritised rather than concentrating solely on the search engine rankings. All of the major search engine companies have stated that websites should be created to give a visitor the most positive experience possible with well written, relevant content and straightforward navigation. An SEO consultant will give great advice on how to improve the relevance of your websites content. Whilst it is important that this job is carried out, it is also vital to remember that your website is primarily for site visitors and not simply there to rank as highly as possible. Request to see examples of websites that a consultant has previously optimised and assess your experience.
Quality is surely of more importance than quantity? If you are in the sales business then a good SEO consultant is fully aware of the fact that the quantity of site visitors you get is not nearly as important as their quality. You will profit more from 100 visitors who make 10 sales than 1000 visitors who make no purchases. This is all down to the keywords you select to target for your SEO campaign. Lets say for instance you are selling blue Widgets. In successfully optimising your site for 'Widgets' you could get a high number of site visitors but a low number of sales, your site visitors might have been looking only for red coloured Widgets. You would have much more potential to benefit from increased sales by optimising the website for 'Blue Widgets' or 'Buy Blue Widgets'.
What services does the SEO consultant offer? It is vital to know exactly what services they are going to carry out. There are many consultants who offer clients an advisory role and will write a detailed report telling you exactly what you need to do to make your site rank well. If you have your own in-house development team on hand that service is great. Other consultants however will apply the work for you having taken care of the strategy work.
What amount will you be paying for this service? This is the most obvious question of all but one that is not easy to understand. Carry out price comparisons between various consultants and compare like for like. What is the customary going rate to optimise a site similar to your own? You may want to avoid a consultant promising to get your site to a number one position as it is not possible to guarantee this.
Do you get on well with the consultant? Of course you do not need to become best mates but it is will help to have a good working relationship with your SEO consultant. In every aspect of SEO there will be times when a consultant can either just do enough to fulfil their contract or go al out to achieve great results. If you are amiable with your consultant then you are likely to get a few more miles out of your drive.
Google, Yahoo and Bing are now hugely adept at identifying any websites that have been manipulating their search engine rankings by utilising underhand SEO techniques. Commonly, penalties for this type of poor practice will result in a temporary ranking drop until they display a change in optimisation techniques, however in the worst case scenario a site can be totally de-listed from a search engine. As with all other industries there are good and bad consultants so the following pointers will assist you to choose a good SEO consultant and avoid being penalised.
So how do you know if the SEO consultant follows best practices? Search engine companies issue guidelines regarding the way websites should be built and marketed. They also produce a comprehensive list of practices that are not considered acceptable and will attract penalties. Be certain that the person you select to look after your SEO practices 'White Hat' SEO that follows search engine guidelines and steers well clear of anything that could cause your site reputation permanent damage.
Ensure that your brand will be in safe hands and that the optimisation method is capable of providing consistent results in the long term. You would be devastated if a month or two after hiring an SEO consultant your ranking with the search engines began to fluctuate in an unstable way and your site was compromised. Your business could be hindered and customers could get a negative impression which could cause lasting damage. Questioning your consultant about their optimisation tactics will encourage them to take a methodical approach to the SEO of your site.
Are their chosen strategies likely to appeal to web users? Websites should be optimised with web users enjoyment prioritised rather than concentrating solely on the search engine rankings. All of the major search engine companies have stated that websites should be created to give a visitor the most positive experience possible with well written, relevant content and straightforward navigation. An SEO consultant will give great advice on how to improve the relevance of your websites content. Whilst it is important that this job is carried out, it is also vital to remember that your website is primarily for site visitors and not simply there to rank as highly as possible. Request to see examples of websites that a consultant has previously optimised and assess your experience.
Quality is surely of more importance than quantity? If you are in the sales business then a good SEO consultant is fully aware of the fact that the quantity of site visitors you get is not nearly as important as their quality. You will profit more from 100 visitors who make 10 sales than 1000 visitors who make no purchases. This is all down to the keywords you select to target for your SEO campaign. Lets say for instance you are selling blue Widgets. In successfully optimising your site for 'Widgets' you could get a high number of site visitors but a low number of sales, your site visitors might have been looking only for red coloured Widgets. You would have much more potential to benefit from increased sales by optimising the website for 'Blue Widgets' or 'Buy Blue Widgets'.
What services does the SEO consultant offer? It is vital to know exactly what services they are going to carry out. There are many consultants who offer clients an advisory role and will write a detailed report telling you exactly what you need to do to make your site rank well. If you have your own in-house development team on hand that service is great. Other consultants however will apply the work for you having taken care of the strategy work.
What amount will you be paying for this service? This is the most obvious question of all but one that is not easy to understand. Carry out price comparisons between various consultants and compare like for like. What is the customary going rate to optimise a site similar to your own? You may want to avoid a consultant promising to get your site to a number one position as it is not possible to guarantee this.
Do you get on well with the consultant? Of course you do not need to become best mates but it is will help to have a good working relationship with your SEO consultant. In every aspect of SEO there will be times when a consultant can either just do enough to fulfil their contract or go al out to achieve great results. If you are amiable with your consultant then you are likely to get a few more miles out of your drive.
About the Author:
My name is Ade Lewis and I am an SEO Consultant providing a wide range of SEO services from fixed price SEO packages through to high level SEO consultant services. I can offer you help and advice to get your website ranking in the top Google organic search engine listings. I can help you succeed in gaining higher search engine rankings. SEO Expert
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