5 Signs It’s Time to Hire an SEO Professional

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably thinking of hiring someone to help you with SEO and need to decide if it makes sense. In this article, we’ll look at five signs that you may be ready to hire an SEO expert and why I generally recommend it sooner than later.

What is SEO and why is it so important?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Essentially, SEO is the process of improving your website’s visibility in search engine results. This means making it easier for search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo to find your website when people search for terms related to your business or the products/services you offer.

Think of it like this: imagine you’re trying to find a specific book in a huge library. SEO is all about making sure that your book is easy to find. So how do we do that? We give your book a clear title, write a great summary on the cover, and make sure it’s shelved in the right section.

Well, when your website ranks higher in search results, more people will see it. This means more potential customers will visit your site. Plus, appearing at the top of search results builds trust and credibility. People see you as a reliable source and often click the first few results.

When (and why) it’s time to hire an SEO expert

1. You’re not getting the results you want.

Not getting results is arguably the most important reason you should hire an SEO expert. That is because most if not all, businesses are in it to make money or achieve a desired outcome. If you are not performing or achieving results that you or a client have set, you will soon find yourself out of business, without clients, or both. It’s a hard reality for any marketer, whether he/she is a new or an experienced marketer.

Hiring an SEO expert allows you to get results faster and, in many cases, helps your business grow. They know how to make your website appear higher in search results so more people can find you online, translating to more visitors and possibly more customers. An SEO professional can also make your website easier to use so people can quickly find what they’re looking for.

2. You’re ready to quit.

Usually, when people are ready to quit, it’s a good sign to pause and reset. For whatever reason, something isn’t working or happening as planned. And as a result, you’re in a vulnerable state and ready to tear the whole entire house down. Generally, I advised bringing in another pair of eyes at this time. That’s because you leave with nothing when you quit, especially under duress.

Now imagine this: you spent years building your online business or blog and have spent hundreds and thousands of dollars, ready to throw it all away without clarity or understanding. But what if your business simply needed a website redesign or an adjustment to your marketing strategy? In cases like this, I recommend taking a step back and asking an SEO expert (and a mentor) if your business has the potential to meet the goals and results you set for the business.

3. You want to focus on the content and strategy.

I can’t tell you how often I’ve come across bloggers who are writers at heart. What I mean by this is that they’re not accustomed to the technical side of the house or lack the minimal skills to make it work. Many writers will tell you they want to write and share their work with the world.

That is why I recommend many new writers start on ready-made communities or sites like Medium and Substack that manage most of the elements associated with site maintenance. Both are great platforms to start blogging because of their built-in audience.

The platforms are easy to use, so you can quickly share your thoughts and expertise. This can help you build your reputation and attract more people to your website or social media. You can also connect with other writers and explore different writing styles. While you can earn money on Medium and similar sites, the platforms are for sharing your ideas and growing your online presence.

4. You realize you can’t do it alone.

The point of realizing that you cannot do it alone is perhaps one of the heaviest realizations for anyone who considers him or herself somewhat self-efficient. When I began blogging, I had an inward view of my business. I used the words “me” and “my” so often that I started forgetting why I wanted to write in the first place.

This attitude was noticeable in my writing as well. I didn’t engage the audience and did not produce my best work. Until one day, I realized I couldn’t do it alone. This was one of the best realizations for me as a business owner and reminded me about who I wanted to serve.

I’m not saying you’re in this position, but no business is done alone. Quoting a famous African proverb that has left a lasting impression on me, “If you want to go fast, go alone if you want to go far, go together’.

5. You figured out a way to pay for the help.

This last reason may shock you. It’s a brutal truth about discomfort and change. Earlier on in my writing career, I was broke. I lived paycheck to paycheck, and any extra money I made was unexpected. I remember wanting to make this blogging endeavor work so bad that I began brainstorming new ways to earn money.

Realizing I needed help running a business, I started working more to pay for specialized services. It made more sense to hire someone who can focus on one end of the business, freeing me up to do more strategic work to advance the business.

At that point in my career, I learned the power of discomfort and how to turn it into a solution-based activity. You will figure it out when your current situation is unbearable to stay in. That is for sure.

What do SEO experts do?

Wizardry, sheer wizardry, I tell you. I still don’t fully understand every nook and cranny, but it works!

On a more serious note, SEO experts are the magicians behind the curtain, making websites appear higher in search engine results. They can jump into the minds of your target audience and help find keywords to find products or services like yours.

Now, this is not the only thing they do. SEO experts meticulously optimize your website’s structure and make recommendations on the backend as needed. They also build valuable relationships with other websites, earning coveted backlinks that signal your website’s authority and trustworthiness to search engines. That relationship is one caveat that goes unmentioned a lot. However, it’s gold.

Where to hire SEO experts and professionals

Finding an SEO expert is actually very easy to do. Many sites like Fiverr and Upwork offer freelance services specializing in SEO, with some tailoring to additional services and perks that you may find valuable. Another platform to consider is Guru, which focuses on finding skilled professionals. Our recommendation would be to start with Upwork.

Upwork can be a better choice than Fiverr for SEO projects in some situations, particularly when you need a higher level of expertise, have complex projects and prefer long-term relationships with skilled freelancers for ongoing SEO work.

However, Fiverr can be a good option if you’re new to outsourcing SEO and testing the waters. You can find an affordable freelancer that fits your needs and budget. And if you need a quick fix or a specific, one-time service, I highly recommend Fiverr as a great option.

Conclusion

Hiring an SEO expert can make a big difference for your online site. If you’re struggling to reach your desired results, feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up, or need specialized expertise, investing in SEO can significantly boost your visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately drive business growth.

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