subject: When to Hire a Local SEO Consultant [print this page] If you are planning a new website or thinking about redesigning your old site; adding a local SEO consultant to your project now is the best time. They can ensure a new site is built properly upon SEOprinciplesor pin point what needs to be done in order to get your old site up to speed.
What to look for?
As you search and interview potential local SEO consultants, you want to review samples and previous clients they've had. Do you offer a unique service? Ask the consultant if they have ever worked with your type of business. Communication is key to the success of your website. Do you prefer emails of status reports, Skype calls or phone calls? If you're more comfortable with face to face meetings than weekly email reports, you should let them know. You will need to go over what work has been done during the week, so you understand the progress of your site.Do they work alone, or do they have a team who specialize in each area to work on your project? If you have working knowledge of SEO yourself it would be help to even ask "How" will a consultant deliver their promises to you. Beware of a consultant that does not want to disclose their practices and offer you overnight success.
Don't be afraid to ask your potential consultant questions, be clear and concise about your needs.Ask them if your expectations are realistic, and what kind of growth you can expect in your business. If you're a three person shop selling fishing gear, you won't be able to handle 5,000 extra customers every day. Ask them if their services are offered as package deals or a la carte.Traditional offline businesses looking to market their services online will find the guidance of a local SEO consultant an asset as they reach audiences they never knew existed.
A few questions to ask a local SEO consultant:
What is your experience as a local SEO consultant?
How long have you been in business?
Do you have client testimonials?
Can you provide me with examples of your work?
Is there a project plan and deliverable dates?
What are your most important SEO techniques?
How can I expect to communicate with you?
Will you share with me all the changes you make to my site, and provide
detailed information about your recommendations and the reasoning behind them?
When will I see results and how are they measured?
