SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimisation is the process of improving your website’s visibility online.
It is tempting to do the SEO yourself, to learn on the job but it sure is costly and time-consuming. You might think that just because you have graduated from Google University you are up for the task but you realise that you need an SEO expert.
Research, research, research
But before you jump into signing a contract, research what you need and aim to achieve. Learn the basics of SEO so when you approach agencies you can identify if they will save your time or waste it. For example, local SEO differs from regular SEO and focuses on improving your visibility in local search rankings. If you want a local SEO service, you might want to google SEO+ location like SEO Essex if you live in Essex.
Realise what your targets are and when you want to reach them. Be specific.
An SEO expert can highlight your problems but it’s up to you to take that step and allow the expert to fix your problems. It is not easy to hear that you need help but without it, you’re risking visibility.
Who is the SEO expert
SEO experts will specialise in making your website rank in search engine pages. They tend to have years of experience and training, knowing how to improve organic search results. SEO specialists are doctors for sick website rankings, so if your website isn’t performing well in search engines then call the expert!
An SEO specialist will audit your website to determine your website’s current SEO performance and will provide you with the right strategies to generate more leads. Your website might need fixing if the Google algorithm affects your website’s search rankings.
SEO specialists must regularly study any changes that Google makes to its algorithm and must advise you to employ SEO best practices.
So many so-called SEO experts will sell you promises and dreams but only believe them if they can deliver you results.
Experience- why you need the expert
You likely have the drive to improve your rankings but lack the experience to. Don’t worry, it’s not that you’re incompetent, it’s just that you’re selling yourself short by not hiring an expert. You’ll do what you know best and the expert will make you look as great as you are.
SEO is a multifaceted marketing approach and your business’s website deserves to be worked on by someone who knows the rules of winning the number one spot on Google.
The fact is just because you know all about your business does not mean you know about business. Yes, you can sell in store and even online, but you are missing out on your potential if you are not using an SEO service. SEO experts will help you choose the right keywords for your website and will help you with content creation.
The cost
It is important to know what your budget is before you set up an appointment with the SEO specialist. According to Bark.com, the average cost of an SEO specialist is between £400 and £1,500 a month. Recognise that the cost of hiring an SEO specialist will depend on the needs of your website. The cost will largely depend on how much work is required and if you have used specialist software.
Understand that the benefits of implementing SEO strategies will outweigh the costs.
Read below for the types of rates.
- Hourly rates – beginner SEO consultants may charge as much as £40 an hour and more senior SEO consultants could charge around £100 per hour.
- Daily rates- daily rates can range from £300 to £800, depending on the complexity of the challenges facing your business and what treatment it needs.
- Monthly retainers- The truth is, most SEO specialists charge a monthly retainer because there is often much more work involved than appears. The backend of a website requires extensive and ongoing effort, far beyond what is visible on the front end. The idea of a monthly SEO retainer is to give you access to a wide range of SEO processes which are used to maintain your website’s optimised state. Monthly retainers can range between £400 and £1,500. They give the SEO expert time to focus on the areas that need ‘fixing’ or ‘tweaking’. The price range may fluctuate per month as the needs of your business will likely differ.
- Project rates- SEO project rates are often used by mid-range and larger agencies. They tend to include hourly or daily rates which will cover operational costs like staff costs as well as their profit margins. A project rate can range from £500 to over £10,000.
Final thoughts
SEO specialists can be worth the investment if you’re looking to have your website rank well on Google. Your business is in safe hands as SEO experts are skilled with years of experience.
