On this subreddit, there is often a discussion about what advice to give to someone looking to hire an SEO service. How would you customize this advice for different types of SEO services, if at all? If you've had a negative experience with an SEO provider, what advice would you offer? Should individuals hiring an SEO provider do thorough research? What types of provider should people look for, such as consultants, freelancers, agencies, or white-label services? What are the different business models for SEO services, and what should people look for in terms of deliverables, warning signs, and scams to avoid? Additionally, are there specific considerations or advice for different types of SEO services, such as local SEO, image SEO, video SEO, international SEO, e-commerce, B2B, or B2C?
When hiring an SEO professional, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research and understand the various service models available. Consultants, freelancers, agencies, and white-label services each offer distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Business Models and Deliverables:
- Consultants: Typically offer strategic advice and guidance, often on a project basis. They may not handle the actual implementation.
- Freelancers: Provide a more hands-on approach, often specializing in specific areas of SEO. They may offer packages or hourly rates.
- Agencies: Offer comprehensive SEO solutions, including strategy, implementation, and ongoing management. They typically have a team of experts and may charge monthly retainers.
- White-label services: Re-brand their services under your company’s name, offering a complete solution for clients who prefer to manage the client relationship directly.
Warning Signs and Scams:
Be wary of providers who:
- Guarantee top rankings: SEO is a long-term process, and ranking guarantees are unrealistic.
- Use black-hat techniques: These tactics violate search engine guidelines and can lead to penalties.
- Offer suspiciously low prices: Low prices often indicate low-quality services or hidden fees.
- Lack transparency: Be sure to ask for detailed reports and progress updates.
Customization for Different SEO Services:
- Local SEO: Focus on local keywords, citations, and Google My Business optimization.
- Image SEO: Optimize images with alt text, filenames, and image sitemaps.
- Video SEO: Create engaging videos, optimize titles, descriptions, and transcripts.
- International SEO: Consider language targeting, hreflang tags, and regional website versions.
- E-commerce: Optimize product pages, utilize structured data, and manage schema markup.
- B2B: Focus on industry-specific keywords, thought leadership content, and lead generation.
- B2C: Target consumer keywords, create compelling product descriptions, and utilize social media marketing.
Negative Experiences:
If you’ve had a negative experience, consider:
- Thorough vetting: Check references, testimonials, and online reviews.
- Clear communication: Define expectations, timelines, and deliverables upfront.
- Contractual agreements: Secure written contracts outlining scope of work, payment terms, and termination clauses.
- Regular monitoring: Track progress, review reports, and communicate concerns.