6 questions to hire the best Search Engine Optimization (SEO) expert

Davy is the owner of an online grocery business. Over the last few months, his company’s website has been steadily slipping in search-engine rankings. This affected the business profoundly, with sales reducing by over 50%. Davy realized specialist advice was needed immediately to improve the website’s ranking. However, he wasn’t sure how he could hire the right expert.

Does this story appear familiar? Many business owners face a similar predicament. Here are 6 questions you need to ask prospective hires to find the best fit.

1. Can you present at least 3 case studies that showcase your work?

   The case studies enable you to assess how a candidate analyzes an SEO problem. They help you know the strategies and tools employed by him to improve the website’s profile. The potential recruit may not be able to divulge specific data pertaining to an SEO-improvement initiative. However, you will be able to clearly understand his methods and evaluate them.

2. Can you identify the keywords pertaining to my business?

   A seasoned SEO specialist can provide a list of the right keywords that drive targeted traffic to your website. He can also determine whether the keywords are used in the right numbers in the right places. Ask each potential recruit to document the process he follows to identify the keywords. This will help you clearly know how he performs his research to map the search intent with appropriate keywords.

3. Will you provide detailed reports of technical modifications to my website?

   An SEO-enhancement initiative often involves technical changes to a website. The website’s code is modified and its design altered. Your SEO specialist must make you fully aware about these changes and their implications. You should get the changes documented and older versions of the website archived, to avoid problems later.

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   How will you integrate social media with SEO-improvement activities?

   Search engines love websites social media love. Find out how the prospective hire plans to promote your website’s content through social media. Ask him how he intends to build links to your website through social networking channels. Request him to suggest ways to use social media to improve awareness about your brand. Increased awareness results in more searches about the brand, enhancing your business’ SEO profile.

5. What are your plans in the first and second quarters after getting hired?

   While you shouldn’t expect results overnight, you must have a time-bound plan for your SEO initiative. Ask your expert to clearly indicate the timeframe in which all the objectives of the program will be realized. It certainly helps to ask the SEO specialist to list the objectives that will be achieved at the end of the third and sixth months.

6. How will you measure the success of the SEO-enhancement program?

   There are different ways to measure the performance of an SEO initiative. You can use various metrics such as website visits, keyword ranking, Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and so on. Get total clarity on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) proposed by the SEO expert. Ensure the KPIs are in tandem with your desired objectives. For instance, your website is currently displayed at the 9^th position on the first Search Engine Results Page (SERP). You aim to move it to the 2^nd position. The ideal KPI for this objective is to increase the website’s position by seven places.

You now know the questions to ask. What’s next? 

Know how you can terminate the hiring contract with your SEO expert, if required. Ensure there are no hidden costs if you part ways sooner than agreed. Furthermore, include a clause that gives you absolute control of the optimized website.

Use this information to hire the best specialist to enhance your website and get the desired results.