You realize that your site is not showing up in the search engines for your top keywords, and your competition is stealing your sales. It’s time to hire a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist to help you rank higher online.
But before you hand out your hard-earned cash for SEO services, beware! There are many scam artists out there preying on entrepreneurs just like you.
To help you choose the right person for your goals and budget, here are some questions to ask a potential, SEO specialist:
1. Are you a trained copywriter?
If you are hiring a company that specializes in technology only, you will be in trouble. The search engines are looking for content that provides value.
Sure, you need the right keywords and codes in the right place, but you also want to provide information that makes sense to your customers.
With this in mind, look for an experienced, SEO copywriter who can optimize your site for the search engines AND provide valuable content too!
2. Can I see samples of your work?
Any, experienced SEO copywriter can show you results from previous work he or she has done. If not, look for someone who can!
3. What do your fees include?
Get specifics on exactly what you’ll be receiving for your money. Basically, you’ll want the database of keywords your specialist will create after extensive research, the coding he or she adds to each page of your site and estimates for updating each page of your site (or creating new pages). Communicate with any potential, SEO specialist to make sure he or she is a good fit for your business.
4. Do you have a standard contract?
Once you know what you’re paying for, get it in writing! Make sure you both know what is expected in the working relationship and what happens if you are not satisfied with the results. This way, you’ll have some legal paperwork in place in case you are dissatisfied and your SEO company runs off with your money!
5. Can you provide references?
Check references, information online and The Better Business Bureau for notes about the company or person you plan to hire. If you see a lot of complaints from disgruntled customers, you’ll know it’s time to look elsewhere for SEO help.
Also, be weary if an SEO copywriter guarantees a number-one ranking on Google or other, search engines. It’s impossible to do this because the final ranking is out of his or her control!
Research is Important.
You don’t need to know the intricacies of search engine optimization in order to hire someone to help you. However, you do need to take the time to conduct research first so before you pay a big-name SEO firm to help you, because it’s the easy thing to do, stop!
Get some references for SEO copywriters from business associates, ask questions so you know what you will get for your money, look at samples, call references, and create an appropriate contract.
Consider your SEO copywriter a member of your team who can adequately share your message and communicate with your target market.
After all, you want to hire someone who can provide value to your business, your customers and the search engines… not just a techie who will add some mumbo-jumbo coding to your site that you don’t understand.
