What to Ask SEO Consultants

Choosing the right SEO consultant can make a huge difference when optimizing your website for search engines. Asking the right questions ensures you hire someone who is not only competent but also reliable. From understanding their methods to discussing your goals and expectations, there are several key questions you should ask before hiring an SEO agency.  In this post, we will cover the various aspects of SEO and what to ask SEO consultants to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding SEO Strategies

You should understand the SEO consultant’s methods and techniques. It is crucial to learn what questions ask an SEO agency to learn the strategies they use to optimize websites. Let’s explore some of the questions to ask an SEO agency during your consultation. 

What SEO Techniques Do You Use?

This question is essential as it will give you an idea of the strategist’s approach and methods. Ethical and white-hat SEO techniques, such as creating quality content, utilizing keywords, and building backlinks, are important for long-term success. Avoid companies that use black-hat techniques, such as keyword stuffing or buying links, as they can hurt your website’s ranking in the long run. 

How Do You Stay Updated With the Latest SEO Trends?

An SEO expert should be able to adapt and adjust their strategies as search engines constantly update their algorithms. Ask the consultant about their sources of information, such as industry blogs, conferences, or online courses.

Additionally, inquire about how often they attend training or SEO workshops to stay up to date with the latest techniques and trends. This also shows their commitment to continuously improving their skills and staying ahead of their competition.

Can You Share Examples of Successful SEO Campaigns?

Looking at an SEO specialist’s previous successful campaigns is essential for evaluating their effectiveness. This will give you a better idea of their experience and the results you can expect from working with them.

Look for case studies or specific examples that show rankings and website traffic improvements. You can request references from their previous customers to better understand their work and reputation.

Be wary of strategists who promise immediate or guaranteed results. SEO is a constantly evolving process that takes time to see significant improvements.

Assessing Experience and Expertise 

It is essential to evaluate the experience and expertise of an SEO specialist before hiring them. These are some questions to ask an SEO agency to assess their background and track record:

How Long Have You Been Working in SEO?

Ideally, you should look for experts with at least three to five years of experience in the field. The more experienced they are, the better equipped they will be to handle different SEO challenges.

However, experience is not the only indicator of success. Consider other factors, such as their qualifications, track record, and client testimonials.

Do You Have Experience in My Industry?

Working with an SEO agency with experience in your industry can be beneficial. Because of this, they will have a better understanding of your target audience and competition. They may also have insights on specific keywords or strategies that work well for businesses in your niche.

What Certifications or Qualifications Do You Have?

Look for certifications such as Google Analytics Certified, Google AdWords Certified, or Bing Ads Accredited Professional. These certifications show that the advisor has undergone training and passed tests to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of search engine marketing.

Understanding Reporting and Communication 

It can be frustrating to invest time and money into an SEO strategist and not be regularly updated on progress or results. Clear communication and regular reporting are crucial for a successful partnership. Ask the following questions to make sure you will receive timely updates.

How Do You Measure and Report on Progress?

A dedicated SEO professional should use a combination of tools and metrics to measure progress and report on the success of their strategies. Some common metrics to look for include:

• Keyword rankings: This shows how well your website is ranking for targeted keywords.
• Organic traffic: This measures the amount of visitors from search engines to your website.
• Conversion rate: This tracks the percentage of visitors who take an action, such as purchasing or filling out a contact form.
• Backlinks: This is the number and quality of backlinks indicating the authority and credibility of your website.
• On-page optimization: This includes factors like meta tags, page titles, and internal link structure, which can affect search engine rankings.

It’s important to clearly understand the metrics used to measure progress and their significance in achieving your business goals.

How Often Will We Communicate?

Communication is key in any business partnership, and the same applies to working with an SEO consultant. Inquire about their preferred communication methods, such as email, phone calls, or in-person meetings.

It’s also essential to establish a schedule for updates and progress reports. Depending on your needs and the project’s complexity, this could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Additionally, make sure the strategist is responsive to your inquiries and concerns. A timely response shows their dedication and commitment to your project.

Can You Provide a Sample Report?

A good SEO report should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should include a summary of key metrics, an analysis of progress and results, and actionable recommendations for improvement.

Look out for the following elements in a sample report:

• Executive summary: This should provide a high-level report of the campaign’s performance, including any significant changes or achievements.
• Metrics dashboard: A visual representation of key metrics such as keyword rankings, organic traffic, and conversion rates can help you understand progress at a glance.
• Analysis and insights: The advisor should provide an in-depth data analysis, explaining any trends or patterns seen in the results. They should also offer insights and recommendations for future strategy adjustments.
• Next steps: A comprehensive report should end with a clear action plan and next steps for improving your website’s SEO performance.

Understanding how the consultant presents data and insights in their reports will give you an idea of their communication style and the level of detail you can expect from them.

Discussing Costs and ROI 

Hiring an SEO expert is an intelligent investment in your business’s online presence and success. However, it’s essential to comprehend the costs and the potential return on investment (ROI). Here are some questions to help evaluate the financial aspect of hiring an SEO professional:

What Is Your Pricing Structure?

Some agencies may charge a flat fee for specific services, while others may have a monthly retainer for ongoing work. It’s essential to understand what services are included in the fees and if there are any extra costs that you should be aware of, such as ad spend or content creation.

Additionally, inquiring about their payment terms and if there are any discounts for long-term contracts or bundled services.

Be wary of specialists who offer significantly lower prices than others. This may indicate low-quality work or the use of unethical SEO tactics.

Can You Provide an Estimated Timeline for Results?

A knowledgeable SEO consultant should be able to provide an estimated timeline for when you will see results from their strategies. It’s important to note that SEO is not a short-term strategy, and it takes time to see significant improvements in rankings and traffic.

Be cautious of strategists who promise instant success, as this may indicate the use of black hat tactics that are a short-term solution but could ultimately harm your website’s reputation with search engines. Depending on the competitiveness of your industry and targeted keywords, a realistic timeline for seeing results can range from 4 to 6 months.

How Do You Calculate ROI From SEO Efforts?

One way to measure ROI from SEO efforts is to track the increase in website traffic and conversions over time. By analyzing this data, you can determine if the investment in SEO is resulting in a positive impact on your business’s bottom line.

Another metric to consider is the cost per acquisition (CPA), which calculates the amount of money spent on SEO divided by the number of new customers gained through organic search. This can give you a better understanding of how much it costs to acquire new customers through SEO compared to other marketing channels.

Evaluating Risks and Challenges 

While SEO strategies can be a highly effective way to market your business, it has risks and challenges. As a business owner, it is important to discuss these potential issues with your consultant and ensure they are prepared to handle them effectively.

What Are the Risks of Your SEO Strategies?

Some potential risks associated with SEO strategies include using black-hat tactics such as keyword stuffing or buying backlinks, which can result in search engine penalties. It’s important to ensure that your advisor follows trustworthy and industry-standard practices to avoid any negative consequences for your website’s rankings and reputation. Additionally, discuss the measures they have in place to address any algorithm updates or changes that may affect your SEO efforts.

How Do You Handle Algorithm Updates?

The right SEO strategist should stay updated on any changes to search engine algorithms and proactively adjust their methods to ensure your website maintains its rankings. Here are some key points to look for in their response:

• Regular monitoring: To stay informed, your specialists must regularly monitor your website’s performance and identify any potential problems that may arise from algorithm updates.
• Adaptation strategies: They should have specific strategies in place, such as modifying keyword targeting or updating content.
• Communication with clients: It’s important that the expert promptly and transparently communicates any significant algorithm updates or strategy adjustments with you.

Learning what to ask SEO consultants will help you better understand the risks and how your strategist plans to mitigate them.

What if We Don’t See the Expected Results?

If your website does not see the anticipated outcomes from the SEO efforts, it is essential to have a contingency plan in place. This includes continuous monitoring and adjustments to improve performance. Discussing this with your SEO advisor before signing any contracts or agreements is crucial.

Additionally, review what happens if there are no improvements after a certain period of time, such as six months. Will the specialist continue working on optimizing your website? Will there be additional fees involved? Having these discussions upfront can prevent any misunderstandings or frustrations in the future.

Find the Right SEO Consultant Today 

At Oyova, we offer a range of SEO services custom-tailored to your specific business needs and goals. Our team of experienced SEO professionals stays up-to-date on the latest industry trends and updates to ensure your website remains competitive in search rankings.Don’t settle for mediocre results or unethical practices when optimizing your website for search engines. Contact us today for more information on our services and how we can help take your online presence to the next level.