The SEO Consultant is a terminology utilised within the Search Marketing industry. The term would be given to a person who specialises in the management and implementation of Search Engine Optimization.
There are independent freelance SEO Consultants and web design companies that offer SEO as part of their services. There are companies that specialise in search engine marketing and big Internet advertising companies that mix SEO in with their offerings. The prices also vary widely. Although “you get what you pay for” may be true in some cases, more expensive will not always mean better.
Choosing an SEO Consultant could be a daunting task as unfortunately, there is no specific rule as to exactly which strategies work. The world of SEO is in a constant state of change due to the numerous Search Engine Algorithm updates. Optimization processes that have worked for Company A, might not work for Company B.
How to choose your SEO Consultant
Prior to considering the acquisition of SEO Services, I would highly recommend doing some research into the subject. Having a basic understanding of SEO will be an advantage when interviewing potential candidates who are offering the service.
SEO is normally a long process (dependant on keyword requirement) which requires a good level of communication and interaction at a business level, between the Client and the SEO Consultant.
Pre-Tender Stage; Clients should expect their potential SEO Consultant to have an extended conference call with them and their team. Perhaps you will meet with them at their office to go over your Company, products, services and SEO goals. This provides you the Client with a great opportunity to see their office and work environment. If you are not comfortable in their office or, even worse, if they refuse to allow you to come to their building, you should immediately consider going elsewhere.
The SEO Consultant should demonstrate the need to have a very good understanding of your Company’s business offerings in both products and services. They should request information relating to the business sector, competitors, target audience and or customer’s. This knowledge is required mainly to generate the right type of traffic or potential new customers to your website.
Tips.
• At the first meeting, request an outlined overview or methodology on how the SEO Consultant will achieve your required keyword goal. This type of feedback should sound familiar if you’ve done your research first!
• Ask for examples of previous projects that the SEO Consultant has worked on, complemented by a Client Testimonial.
• Quotations should be provided in writing, detailing the understanding of the project and outlining the cost.
Guarantees for Organic SEO Services
Guarantees relating to Organic Search Engine Optimization services should be defined and understood at the early stages of the Project.
As unfortunately No Company can guarantee top search engine placement because there is a 3rd party who has all of the control: The Search Engines.
What should be guaranteed is that the SEO Consultant will assist you with keyword selection, keyword placement, and optimal HTML coding to help make your site more search engine friendly for the current search engine algorithms.
The SEO Consultant should confirm that they have never spammed any Search Engine or Directory and that they DO NOT utilise any Internet marketing or Optimization methodologies that the search engines would consider unethical. (Beware of Black Hat Techniques)
The SEO Consultant should provide Keyword Optimization targeted specifically at Google, Yahoo or MSN aiming for Page 1 or Page 2 visibility in the Natural Listing.
Teamwork = Success
A successful Internet Marketing Campaign is generally the result of excellent teamwork between the Clients Marketing Team and the SEO Consultant. If business knowledge is shared and the SEO Methodology is Correct, the Keyword Goals will be achieved and the Return on Investment will out perform all other methods of traditional Marketing.
