With today’s digital competition, we are all aware that your organization’s online presence can impact the overall success of your business. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is one of the best ways to be visible, get in front of the right audience, and improve your ranking on Google and other search engines. 

The difficulty is, SEO is no easy feat. It takes an understanding of technical aspects, creativity, and you’re always changing your habits as algorithms change. Because SEO can be so complex, it is often easier for businesses to find, and then hire an SEO and online marketing expert to take the guesswork out of the equation and actually deliver results.

What you will find below is a helpful guide with everything you need at your disposal to hire the best expert for your organization’s needs.

Understanding the Role of an SEO Specialist

An SEO Specialist is meant to help improve your website’s performance in search results. They try to gain maximum organic traffic by adjusting your SEO strategy according to search engine ranking factors.

  • On-page SEO: Working to improve elements of a website, such as titles, meta descriptions, headers, and content, to align with best SEO practices.
  • Off-page SEO: Enhancing a site’s authority from the outside, such as obtaining high-quality backlinks and using social media channels.
  • Technical SEO: Improving behind-the-scenes technical aspects of your website, such as architecture optimization, page load speed, and mobile compatibility.

Why Hiring an SEO Specialist is Important

You might wonder if you can learn SEO yourself. It is possible, but the learning curve is very steep, and the rules change constantly. An experienced SEO professional:

  • Knows better ways to get traffic without shortcuts
  • Helps your site rank well and stay there
  • Helps improve user experience for visitors (faster pages and better navigation)
  • Develops long-term strategies that will multiply over years
  • Stays up to date in Google algorithm changes so you will not be behind

In short, a good SEO professional will see your business grow while saving you time and costly errors.

Steps to Hiring the Right SEO Specialist

1. Set Up SEO Goals

Before starting your search, make sure you understand what you want to accomplish by means of SEO. Whether it is to generate more traffic for your website, rank for particular keywords, or increase conversion percentage, definite goals should direct your selection process.

2. Check Experience and Specialist Skills

Look for candidates who have a history of successful SEO. Consider the following:

  • Years of Experience: These professionals would have faced a variety of challenges and found ways around them.
  • SEO Understanding: They need to have a good knowledge of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO.
  • Industry Knowledge: Some knowledge of your industry helps develop more tailored strategies.

3. Evaluate Their Skill Set

A capable SEO expert should have these skills:

  • Keyword Research. The ability to identify pertinent keywords through the lens of your business goals.
  • Technical Skills. An understanding of HTML, CSS, and a variety of content management systems (CMS) so as to implement SEO.
  • Content Optimization. Ability to create and modify content that appeals to search engines and users, too.
  • Analytical Thinking. An ability to “read” incoming data to derive sound conclusions.

4. Review Past Performance

Request case studies or references from previous client engagements to determine if they supported those clients with improved search rankings and organic website traffic. This can provide insight into whether they are capable of providing results for you. 

5. Conduct Interviews

Involve candidates in conversations as a way to assess their communication methods, and how they engage with SEO problems. What business criteria does each candidate prioritize to achieve your specific goals? And how do they maintain current knowledge of digital marketing possibilities? 

6. Consider a Trial Project

Prior to paying for a long-term contract, test out the candidate by giving them a small project. You will gauge both skill and whether they are a good fit for your company. 

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Be cautious of candidates who:

  • Guarantee to Deliver Results ASAP- SEO is a long-term game! So a guarantee to get results is not realistic. 
  • Won’t or Can’ t Comprehensively Explain: If the individual is unwilling to fully explain their methodology or give update reports, it may be a red flag for a potentially unethical practice!
  • Uses Black Hat Strategies or Practices: be cautious of SEO strategies that violate search engine guidelines. Participating in this strategy could result in a penalization against your website and/or a loss of reputation in your field.

Partnering with Gemsdevs for Your SEO Needs

Gemsdevs is here to help you connect with top-tier remote developers of all kinds, including SEO specialists. When you register on the platform, you will get: 

  • Global Talent Pool: You will have access to a global talent network of professionals with specialists from a variety of industries. 
  •  Flexible Hiring Models: Depending on your project needs, you’ll be able to either hire hourly or full-time and build your team around that. 
  •  Peace of Mind: The right-fit specialist is ensured by the screening process put in place.

By selecting Gemsdevs, you can make the hiring process easier and put focus on achieving your business goals. 

Conclusion

Hiring an SEO specialist can be a game changer for you and your business. Increase your suspect visibility and drive organic traffic to your site. By following this guide, you should feel capable of confidently hiring an SEO specialist who can help you accomplish your SEO goals.

If you are looking for some great SEO specialists, please check out Gemsdevs for trusted, and less-experienced (in most cases), with SEO Professionals.

Start optimizing your website and stay ahead of competition!