Top 10 ways to Finding the Ideal SEO Consultant

An SEO consultant is like a best friend for any online marketer.  Nowadays when you surf the Internet there are many SEO consultants, offering advice on online marketing, SEO, web hosting and other services related to online marketing.  Finding a trusted SEO advisor is not an easy task.  There are several service providers around, but to identify the right consultant is difficult at times.  Here are some points you should consider before selecting a SEO consultant.

1 The lowest bid may mean you are buying painted rust

You can outsource your SEO services and get it done for the lowest price but the quality of these services can vary from provider to provider.  A number of parameters exist such as the track record of the consultant, their reputation, their knowledge, etc.  You must go all-out to determine the quality of a particular service provider.

 2 A “Made to order” SEO strategy is what you should be paying for

An SEO consultant is a very important person in the business of online marketing. They are usually experienced people who have ideas on every aspect of online business, however, not every web site requires the same kind of strategies.

3 You are buying a solution for your websites needs

An experienced professional is someone who has the ability to identify the needs of every website and offer solutions accordingly.

4 Competent research is the key skill of all good SEO consultants

A good SEO consultant must be good at research, because only through research and consulting you can identify gaps in a website and deliver effective solutions.  A good advisor must be aware of the latest market trends so that he/she can provide proven solutions for their customers.

5 You must be able to measure the ROI of their services over the long term

Ask the consultancy firm for a long term strategy and the means to measure the return on investment (ROI) of their services, both in the short term and in the long term.  If they cannot provide you with the means and methods of recording results over the long them, then that means that they are unable to produce returns on investment over the longer term.  In other words, the positive effect of their services will splutter out of existence, shortly after paying them.

6 If they can’t keep to their deadlines then consider going elsewhere

A trusted advisor is also timely and innovative.  They provide services to their clients within the stipulated time frame.  Lack of correct deadline/time keeping should severely shake your trust in any claims they have made.

7. Their ideas should be tailored to you and not from a template

They should be able to come up with innovative ideas and solutions that can actually help increase the efficiency of a particular website.  This can be anything from a massive marketing campaign, to a regular press release writing service.

8. If they are bad at communication then they are bad consultants

Communication is an important virtues when it comes to being a good consultant.  A good SEO professional must also have the ability to negotiate and communicate with their customers properly.

9. Ask for a short term fix AND a long term solution

Only through deep investigation and understanding that can the needs of customer be exposed so that the consultant may develop effective and long-term solution for the site.  Help them out by defining your goals and what you wish to achieve before you meet with them

10. If even part of you feels that you can’t trust them then don’t use them

You should try to build up a trusting relationship with your consultant, and be aware that if you are having trouble creating a trusting relationship, then maybe they are not the company that you require.  Use your best judgement in choosing an SEO consultant, but also rely on your instincts too.  If your questions are not being fully answered, then back out and find another SEO consultant.

So before choosing an SEO consultant, you should be well aware of their experience, ability to research and their knowledge of the contemporary market.

Author Bio

Anna Mathews has been the director of three high flying firms and has had a lot of experience with SEO consultants of all types.  She knows just where to to contact them and has seen many of their press release writing efforts. See here to visit her site.