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How To Hire An SEO Expert In 5 Simple Steps

1 month ago 17 mins read
Vasco Monteiro
Vasco Monteiro

Finding the right SEO expert can be a game changer for your business, but the process can feel overwhelming. You want someone who understands the best SEO content writing tools and has the skills to make your content stand out. After all, good SEO can automate blogging tasks and help you reach your goals. In this , guide we'll cover everything you need to know to hire the best SEO expert for your business. We'll discuss how to assess their skills and experience, as well as how to find the right fit for your team. 

To help you get started, we've included a list of the best SEO content writing tools. These tools can help you automate blogging tasks and improve your content's SEO. One of our favorites is the AI article written by Journalist AI. It's a great way to create high-quality content quickly and easily.

What Is An SEO Expert?

Person Using Laptop - How To Hire An SEO Expert

An SEO expert is your go-to for boosting website traffic through search engines like Google and Bing. Think of them as digital tacticians who enhance the user experience by ensuring that on-page elements produce relevant search results. Their ultimate goal? Drive more site traffic, increase leads, and build brand awareness. Brett Bastello from Inseev Interactive says, “The main job of an SEO specialist is like any marketer: Create more sales for the company.” They achieve this through intelligent on-page tactics and best practices—like using keyword tags, internal linking, and clean URLs—to boost a website’s visibility in search engines, which leads to more traffic and sales.

Beyond the Basics: SEO Duties

SEO specialists have a lot on their plate. They handle title tags, meta tags, and site maps, manage URL redirects, and fix 404 errors. They also monitor competitors' web presence and tools like Google Search Console. Link-building opportunities are essential for off-site optimization, and they often negotiate contracts with agencies and vendors. While many technical skills are involved, many in the SEO field are marketers and content experts at heart. They usually work with team members in marketing and communications to kick off new initiatives, generate inbound traffic through blog posts, and manage social media accounts to boost user engagement. So, communication, business savvy, and strong writing skills are crucial for anyone looking to up their SEO game.

SEO and SEM: More Than Just Keywords

SEO is a big part of search engine marketing (SEM), which includes generating paid traffic. While SEM knowledge is a must for SEO specialists, it’s also useful for marketers and freelance writers. SEM helps gauge keyword competitiveness, as the Cost per Click (CPC) often reflects the difficulty of ranking for a search term. SEO specialist job responsibilities can vary depending on whether someone works for a digital marketing agency, in a company's digital marketing department, or freelance for a client. 

But most SEO specialist job descriptions will have these duties: develop optimization strategies to boost website rankings, execute and analyze paid search campaigns for maximum ROI, manage SEO campaign budgets, collaborate with web developers to ensure SEO best practices, work with editorial and marketing teams on content creation, handle page optimization for search engines, perform keyword research, implement SEO recommendations, build links, and improve website structure and content for target keywords.

How To Hire An SEO Expert In 5 Simple Steps

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1. Hire Journalist AI Instead

Why bother hiring an SEO expert when you can use Journalist AI, the AI SEO writer that auto-publishes your blog? With its AI writing, Google indexing, content syndication, SEO-optimized writing, content publishing features, and tons of automations that save you time, Journalist makes it easy for companies to write high-quality content at scale. It’s the best B2B AI writing tool. Sign up today to get three free articles from our AI article writer.

2. Define Your SEO Goals and KPIs

Step back before checking out SEO providers and determine your goal. Do you want more traffic, better rankings, or more conversions? Decide on your key performance indicators (KPIs) too. This will help you focus on experts who can help you hit those targets.

3. Set Your Budget

You don’t want to spend more than you can afford on SEO. Do some research to find out how much SEO services typically cost. Consider what services you might need and how much you will spend. This will give you a rough idea of what your monthly SEO budget might look like.

4. Create a Shortlist of Candidates

Now, it’s time to put together a list of potential SEO providers. Look for reviews on sites like Clutch and social media. Check out their case studies, certifications, and awards. This will give you a better sense of their capabilities and specialties.

5. Ask the Right Questions

Finally, ask questions to understand better how the SEO experts work. Here are some questions to consider:

  1. What sets you apart from other SEO experts?

  2. Can you summarize your SEO process?

  3. Do you inform clients about technical site changes?

  4. What tools do you use for SEO?

  5. How long will it take to see results?

  6. How do you measure progress?

  7. How often do you report results?

  8. Can I see case studies and references?

  9. What problems do you notice on our site?

  10. Do you stay on top of SEO trends?

  11. What is the price to hire you?

  12. How will my site change after our partnership ends?

These questions will help you gauge their expertise and see if they fit your business well.

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Benefits of Hiring an SEO Expert

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Boost Your Organic Traffic

Hiring an SEO expert can significantly increase your website's organic traffic. These professionals use their knowledge of search engine algorithms to create content strategies that attract more visitors. For example, The Home Depot worked with SEO experts to develop a comprehensive content plan focused on DIY guides and informative blog posts. By optimizing these resources with targeted keywords and structuring them for featured snippets, they became a go-to online resource for home improvement advice. This drove significant organic traffic and positioned them as an authority in their field, converting visits into loyal customers and in-store sales.

Maximize Conversion Rates

SEO experts understand the user intent behind search queries, which helps businesses attract users who are ready to convert. They drive high-conversion traffic by aligning their SEO efforts with users’ search intent. Booking.com uses SEO insights to create highly optimized landing pages for specific travel searches, ensuring visitors are more likely to make reservations. This targeted approach generates millions of monthly bookings, securing their position as a leader in the travel industry.

Dominate Local Search Results

For businesses with physical locations, local SEO is essential to attract nearby customers. SEO experts ensure the company ranks for local search terms and appears in Google’s Local Pack. Domino’s Pizza optimized its local SEO to ensure that its locations appear in top search results for people searching “pizza near me.” By providing each franchise’s Google My Business profile is optimized with the correct hours, reviews, and contact info, they captured more local traffic and improved order volume directly from search.

Cut Advertising Costs

Investing in SEO can significantly reduce advertising costs over time because organic traffic is complimentary compared to paid ads. Backlinko founder Brian Dean built his website solely on SEO without spending on paid ads. By ranking for competitive keywords, his site became one of the most visited SEO blogs, gaining free traffic from search engines and building a solid reputation in the industry without advertising.

Enhance User Experience

SEO experts often improve a website’s usability, making it easier and faster for visitors to find what they need. Amazon optimizes its site for both SEO and UX by using structured data, clear CTAs, and an easy-to-navigate design. These improvements help Amazon rank higher and enhance the user experience, increasing customer satisfaction and boosting conversion rates.

Stay Ahead of Algorithm Changes

SEO experts monitor search engine algorithm changes and adapt strategies, preventing traffic drops. HubSpot employs an SEO team that consistently updates content based on Google’s algorithm changes, mainly focusing on creating content clusters around critical topics. This keeps HubSpot’s blog at the top of search results, driving consistent organic traffic despite algorithm shifts.

Build Brand Credibility

High search rankings create a perception of trustworthiness, which SEO experts can help build. Moz, an SEO software company, used strategic SEO practices to build a repository of high-quality content and resources on search engine optimization. By ranking for numerous SEO-related keywords, they’ve established themselves as an authoritative voice in the industry, gaining trust and market share.

Journalist AI, the AI SEO writer who auto-publishes your blog, can help you achieve your content marketing goals. With Google indexing, content syndication, SEO-optimized writing, content publishing features, and many automations that save you time, Journalist makes it as easy for companies to write high-quality content at scale. Sign up today to get three free articles from our AI article writer.

When Should You Hire An SEO Expert

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1. Revamping Your SEO Strategy? Get Help!

SEO might be outside your priority when launching your website. Eventually, you'll need to focus on it to drive traffic. Hiring a pro when updating your SEO strategies ensures you're on the right track. They can help you avoid common pitfalls that might otherwise derail your efforts.

2. Website Not Getting Traffic? Time for an SEO Pro

If your site isn’t attracting visitors, it’s time to change. Low traffic can signal search engines that your site lacks engagement, making ranking harder. To boost visibility and get more eyes on your content, consider seeking guidance from SEO experts.

3. Got the Budget? Hire Quality SEO Services

Investing in SEO isn’t cheap, with services averaging $497 monthly. But if you can afford it, it’s a worthwhile investment to drive traffic and boost conversions. Make sure you have enough funds to hire quality experts who will deliver results.

4. Team Overloaded? Let an SEO Specialist Help

Your in-house team might be handling online marketing, but if they’re stretched too thin, it’s smart to bring in an expert. This way, your team can focus on other tasks, and your SEO campaigns can thrive.

5. SEO Knowledge Lacking? Call in the Experts

If you’re not confident handling SEO independently, it’s time to reach out for professional help. Even if you know the basics, competing with top-ranked sites requires expertise. Hire SEO pros with the skills needed to stay competitive.

6. No Time for Algorithm Updates? Leave it to the Pros

SEO is ever-changing, with search engines constantly updating algorithms. You have a lot on your plate and might need more time to keep up. Instead, hire a pro to stay on top of these changes.

7. Redesigning Your Website? Think SEO

Updating your website is the perfect time to make SEO changes. Bring in an expert to ensure your new design doesn’t hinder your visibility and rankings.

When to Wait on Hiring an SEO Strategist

If funds are tight, it might be wise to wait on hiring an SEO strategist. While you might find cheaper options, they may not deliver the desired results. Save your money until you can afford to hire skilled experts who can make a difference.

DIY SEO For Your Website In 11 Easy Steps

Person Typing on Laptop - How To Hire An SEO Expert

1. Get Started with Journalist AI

Journalist AI is your go-to tool for streamlined content creation. The AI writer doesn’t just write but also auto-publishes your blog. With features like Google indexing, content syndication, SEO-optimized writing, and automated publishing, it’s designed to make high-quality content production as easy as possible. Especially for B2B companies, it’s a game-changer. Sign up and get three free articles to see what it’s capable of.

2. Build a Quality Website

Your website is your digital storefront, and its quality matters. Ensure it’s clear, functional, and easy to navigate. From an SEO standpoint, it should provide the information or solutions your potential customers seek. A well-structured website helps search engines understand your business better, improving your chances of ranking higher.

3. Establish Your Search Baseline

Understanding where you currently stand on search engine results is crucial. Set up tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and Bing Webmaster Tools to benchmark your organic search performance. These platforms will give you insights into impressions, clicks, and more, helping you measure progress as you optimize your site.

4. Dive into Keyword Research

Keywords are the bridge between your content and your audience. Use tools like Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool to find keywords that align with your content and audience needs. Enter a primary keyword, your domain, and your target country to start uncovering valuable search terms you can target.

5. Optimize Meta Titles and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions are your first impression in search engine results. They should accurately summarize your page’s content while enticing users to click through. Well-crafted meta tags can improve your click-through rate and help search engines understand your content better.

6. Publish Content That’s Optimized

Craft high-quality content around the keywords you’ve identified. Naturally, include your primary keyword in the text, title tag, and H1 tag. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can negatively impact your SEO. Develop content for secondary keywords that complement your main topic. If updating content, modify existing pages instead of creating new ones to avoid duplicate content issues.

7. Set Up Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile is crucial for local businesses. It influences how your business appears on Google Search and Maps, helping users find you easily. Share essential information like your phone number, email, and business hours. You can also gain insights from analytics to optimize your profile better.

8. Optimize On-Page Elements

On-page SEO involves optimizing URLs, titles, headers, and alt text. URLs should be simple and keyword-rich. Titles and headers should indicate the page’s content and include keywords. Alt text aids search engines in understanding images. Meta descriptions should be engaging and keyword-rich.

9. Craft High-Quality Content

Search engines value expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. To demonstrate these qualities, incorporate credentials, real-life examples, backlinks, and accurate information. Break up text with headers and use sections and lists for readability.

10. Analyze Your Backlinks

Backlinks are indicators of your content’s value. Use tools like Semrush’s Backlink Analytics to track your backlinks. Look for links from high-authority, high-traffic sites. These are the most valuable and can significantly boost your SEO.

11. Tackle Technical Issues

Technical SEO issues can hinder your site’s performance. Use tools like Site Audit to identify and fix your site’s infrastructure issues. This will help search engines discover, crawl, and index your pages effectively.

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Get 3 Free Articles from Journalist AI's AI Article Writer Today

Looking to scale your content with precision and ease? Meet Journalist AI, the tool that takes SEO content writing to a new level. Consider crafting high-quality articles that automatically publish to your blog. Journalist AI doesn’t just write; it integrates with Google for indexing, ensuring your content is seen. The platform offers content syndication and SEO-optimized writing, so your articles don’t just exist—they thrive. This tool is a dream come true for B2B companies looking to expand their digital footprint. Oh, and you can try it out with three free articles. Not a bad deal, right?

Automate for Efficiency: Save Time with Journalist AI

Time is money, especially in the business world. Journalist AI gets that. With various automations in place, you can focus on other priorities while your content strategy runs smoothly in the background. These features, from SEO writing to content publishing, are designed to make your life easier. This isn’t just about saving time; it’s about making your whole process more efficient. Curious about how it can work for you? Sign up and start experiencing the benefits firsthand.

Why Journalist AI Excels in B2B Writing

B2B content has unique challenges; only some tools are up to the task. Journalist AI, however, stands out as the best AI writing tool for this niche. Its robust features and smooth integrations make it ideal for companies looking to produce high-quality content at scale. Whether you need to generate technical articles or thought leadership pieces, Journalist AI has you covered. It’s like having a whole team of expert writers without the overhead.

The Future of SEO Content Writing Is Here

SEO is constantly changing, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Journalist AI is designed to adapt to these changes, helping you maintain a competitive edge. With features like Google indexing and content syndication, your articles are set up for success. This is the tool you’ve been waiting for to stay relevant in the ever-shifting landscape of SEO.

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