Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for any business looking to drive online visibility, traffic, leads and sales. But not every company needs to bring in outside SEO expertise right away. Knowing when to hire an SEO expert versus handling it internally can save you time, money and resources.
Here’s a look at what an SEO specialist can help with, signs you need one, and factors to consider when making that investment.
What does an SEO expert help with?
SEO experts optimize websites and content to rank higher in search results for target keywords and topics. Their scope includes:
- Keyword research and strategy
- On-page optimization (titles, tags, content, etc.)
- Technical website optimizations
- Link building and off-site authority
- Local search optimization
- Analytics, testing and refinement
- Keeping up with ever-changing algorithms
This full-funnel approach attracts more of your ideal audience and prospects at every stage of the buyer’s journey.
When does it make sense to hire an SEO expert?
Investing in SEO expertise can pay major dividends if you’re facing situations like:
- New Website Launch: An SEO pro ensures your new site launches with a solid technical foundation and strategy in place.
- Stagnant Traffic/Conversions: If your website is underperforming, an audit can pinpoint issues and get you ranking better.
- Competitive Industry: In crowded verticals, SEO gives you an edge over rivals for lucrative keywords.
- Scalability Needs: As you grow and expand offerings, SEO prevents being outranked by competitors.
- Lack of In-House Skills: When SEO skills are limited internally, hiring a specialist avoids costly rookie mistakes.
When to hold off on hiring an SEO strategist?
Hiring an SEO consultant may not be an urgent priority if:
- You’re Pre-Launch: Focus on building an SEO-friendly site first before optimization.
- Budget is Limited: Start with free SEO basics until you can afford expert-level services.
- Startup Phase: Prioritize other marketing channels until you gain traction to justify SEO investment.
How to find an SEO specialist?
When you’re ready to hire SEO help, vet potential experts by:
- Reviewing case studies and client testimonials
- Checking their own website’s visibility and rankings
- Ensuring they use ethical “white hat” SEO tactics
- Inquiring about their process, tools, and reporting
- Getting pricing quotes to find a good value fit
How to create an SEO-ready website?
While you may not need an SEO pro right away, you should still build an optimized site by:
- Using a responsive, accessible design
- Optimizing title tags, headings, and content
- Improving page speed and Core Web Vitals
- Fixing duplicate content and sitemap issues
- Enabling rich snippets with schema markup
An SEO-ready foundation puts you in a better position to scale optimization efforts later on.
SEO is undoubtedly valuable, but timing the investment is key based on your business goals, resources and maturity stage. Hiring an expert strategist will supercharge your online marketing – as long as you take a calculated approach to maximize ROI.