What Is a Search Engine Optimization Consultant?

The Ultimate Guide to SEO Consulting

Outranking competitors on Google is a goal for many businesses, and it’s certainly achievable with a well-planned and executed SEO strategy. It requires a long-term commitment and consistent effort, but the rewards in terms of traffic, followers, and ultimately, customers, can be substantial.

You don’t have to tackle SEO alone. There are two primary avenues to maximize your SEO results:

  1. Hiring an SEO consulting services agency with a proven track record.
  2. Finding an individual SEO consulting expert who can build your entire SEO strategy.

This discussion focuses on the first option: choosing the best SEO consulting services for your business.

 

Top Options for SEO Consulting

 

While many agencies offer SEO consulting, some stand out for their specific strengths:

  1. NP Digital for Best Blog and Website SEO Consulting:

    NP Digital is a highly recognized and award-winning agency, lauded for its performance marketing, paid search, and B2B SEO services.1 They are known for delivering consistent results and helping clients achieve significant ROI. Their expertise lies in developing proven systems to drive recurring readership and high conversion rates through website and blog optimization.

  2. Louder.Online for Dedicated Sales Funnel SEO Consulting:

    If your focus is on optimizing sales funnels and maintaining high conversion rates, Louder.Online specializes in this niche. Their SEO consulting experts are experienced in delivering trackable results specifically for sales funnels, making them a strong choice for businesses heavily reliant on this marketing approach.

  3. Ecommerce Guide for Dedicated E-commerce SEO Consulting:

    For e-commerce store owners, optimizing every page and product description is crucial for long-term success. Ecommerce Guide is highlighted as a top SEO consulting firm in this niche, offering expertise in navigating the complexities of e-commerce SEO strategy development and providing full SEO audits.

 

How to Know You Need an SEO Consultant

 

An SEO consulting service can be invaluable if you’re experiencing challenges such as:

  • A lack of conversions or traffic to your website.
  • Difficulties keeping up with the newest search engine trends, techniques, and best practices.
  • Challenges ranking for highly competitive keywords.
  • Needing expertise to interpret SEO analytics and make data-driven decisions.
  • Launching a new website, product, or service and targeting a new audience.

Ultimately, the decision to hire an SEO consulting firm depends on your business goals, budget, and existing in-house expertise.

 

SEO Consultants vs. In-House Teams

 

Choosing between an in-house SEO team and an external SEO consulting firm presents distinct pros and cons:

Benefits of an SEO Agency (Outsourcing):

  • Avoids Steep Learning Curve: Agencies have immediate expertise and resources.2

     

  • Diverse Expertise: Access to a broad range of specialists (technical SEO, content, link building, etc.).
  • Broader Industry Experience: Agencies work with multiple clients across various industries, bringing fresh perspectives.3

     

  • Access to Advanced Tools: Agencies typically have subscriptions to expensive, industry-leading SEO software.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Agencies can adapt services to your changing needs as your business grows.
  • External Perspective: Can identify opportunities or issues you might overlook internally.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Often more viable and cost-effective than building and maintaining a full in-house team (salaries, benefits, training, tools).

Benefits of an In-House SEO Team:

  • Complete Control: You have direct oversight and can make immediate changes.
  • Deep Business Understanding: In-house staff intimately understand your brand, customers, and market.
  • Easier Collaboration: More seamless communication and integration with other departments.
  • Data Confidentiality: Your data and strategies remain entirely within your company.
  • Building Internal Expertise: Knowledge stays within the company, fostering long-term development.

For many small to medium-sized businesses, the breadth and depth of knowledge, access to tools, and cost-effectiveness often make an SEO agency the more attractive option.4

 

 

The Process of Selecting an SEO Consultant

 

To find the right SEO consultant for your business, follow these steps:

  1. Research: Look at websites, social media profiles, customer reviews, and testimonials. Ask for recommendations from your network.
  2. Request Case Studies: These demonstrate proven results and expertise with past clients.
  3. Check Certifications (with a caveat): While certifications show foundational knowledge, practical experience is equally, if not more, important in SEO.
  4. Schedule an Appointment: Prepare specific questions and clearly communicate your goals and budget.
  5. Assess Fit: Determine if the agency’s approach, communication style, and team culture align with your business.
  6. Understand Timelines: Get an idea of how long results might take and how they work.

 

How to Choose the Best SEO Consulting Firm for You

 

When evaluating SEO consulting agencies, consider these crucial factors:

  1. Detailed SEO Strategy Development:

    A true expert should be able to explain their SEO methodology in simple, results-oriented language, even if you’re new to SEO. They should focus on helping you understand the process and cite examples of their success in developing strategies and achieving results. Beware of agencies that simply recite scripts without demonstrating clear understanding and transparency.

  2. Monthly Content Calendar and Scheduling:

    A reputable SEO firm should offer a structured approach to content planning, typically through a content calendar. This ensures consistency and organization, especially for businesses aiming to scale content production significantly (e.g., 10-20 articles per week). They should also be transparent about how they manage content creation and scheduling, potentially even offering to outsource these tasks.

  3. Clear Expectations for Both Sides:

    The consultant should provide realistic expectations regarding:

    • Time to Rank: SEO is a long-term game; immediate results are rare.5

       

    • Keyword Research Process: How they identify and target keywords.
    • Niche Competitiveness: An analysis of your market and the difficulty of ranking.
    • Domain Rating Improvement: How increased rankings lead to easier future rankings.

      They should also have a clear understanding of your past marketing efforts to set a transparent and trusting relationship based on realistic goals.

  4. SEO Software:

    A serious SEO consulting business will utilize up-to-date, industry-standard SEO tools. Expect them to use software covering:

    • Content marketing
    • Technical SEO
    • Link building
    • Rank tracking
    • Keyword research (Ubersuggest is mentioned as a strong tool).
  5. Reporting/Accountability:

    Regular, clear reporting is vital for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.6 The consultant should provide:

    • Regular Reports: These could be spreadsheets, data pulled from various software, weekly updates/calls, or monthly reports.
    • Key Metrics: Reports should show progress towards your goals, such as keyword rankings, organic traffic growth, conversions, and competitive gaps.7

      This transparency helps manage expectations and confirms they are delivering results.

 

Different Types of SEO Consulting

 

SEO is multifaceted, and consultants can specialize in various areas depending on your business’s needs.8 An easy way to determine your focus is to ask: “Which part of my business brings the most sales?”

 

SEO consulting services can help with:

  • Website Audits: Analyzing technical and structural components to identify areas for improvement.9

     

  • Keyword Research and Optimization: Identifying relevant keywords and optimizing content for their effective use.
  • Backlink Building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks to improve website authority and visibility.
  • Local SEO Optimization: Enhancing visibility in local search results, crucial for brick-and-mortar stores or local services.10

     

Specific areas of SEO optimization include:

  • Company Website SEO Optimization: If your website is your primary sales driver, consultants can help you produce relevant content (product reviews, step-by-step guides, tutorials, “TOP X” lists) to attract traffic and redirect it to your products and services.
  • E-commerce Store SEO Optimization: For e-commerce businesses, this involves optimizing product descriptions and other product-related pages to ensure consistent sales from organic search.11

     

  • Sales Funnel SEO Optimization: This involves optimizing the interconnected pages of your sales funnel to increase conversions, improve targeting, and enhance customer loyalty.12 While many funnels rely on paid ads, SEO provides a sustainable, long-term approach.13 Optimization can include A/B testing, keyword research, internal and external linking, image optimization (alt text), mobile-friendly templates, lead nurturing, content personalization, and analytics review.

     

 

Conclusion

 

Investing in SEO consulting is essential for scaling your business effectively. By understanding how to choose the right agency, setting clear expectations, and recognizing the different types of SEO services available, you can make an informed decision to level up your business’s online presence and achieve your growth goals.