SEO CONSULTANT
No frills, no nonsense, no jargon.
Just results.
What is an SEO consultant?
If your website needs attention then you may require the services of an SEO consultant. Much like your car mechanic, your SEO consultant should be a specialist with a wealth of experience in their particular field, namely search engine optimisation. So, if you’ve heard the term “SEO consultant” but aren’t sure exactly what they do on a daily basis, here’s a brief overview.
What does an SEO consultant do?
As an SEO consultant, my daily duties can most easily be broken down into two main categories. These two very broad ‘on-page’ and ‘off-page’ categories can again be broken down further into numerous sub-categories. But for now, here’s an overview of each:
What is On-page SEO?
The first is what we call the “on-page” stuff (a.k.a. on-page optimisation). This is where I’ll take a good look at everything that’s on your website. As part of an audit, I’ll inspect each page individually and look for topical relevance. In other words, does the content of the page reflect what a potential customer is looking for?
The page must reflect this by having correctly formatted title and meta descriptions as well as relevant headings within the content of the page.
I’ll also conduct keyword research. This means I’ll look at specific words and phrases that people will use when searching for the product or service you offer. For example, if you are a plumber then relevant keywords would be ‘plumber’, ‘plumbing’, ‘taps’, ‘leak’, ‘water’, ‘central heating’ and so on.
I’ll also take a deep dive into the technical aspects of your site and examine the nuts, bolts and cogs that make it tick
What is Off-page SEO?
Now let’s take a quick dive into the ‘off-page’ stuff (a.k.a. off-page optimisation). A pertinent example of off-page optimization is backlinks. Backlinks are links from one website to another. If another website is linking to yours and that website is deemed to have authority, this will benefit your site and is a sign of trust.
Social media activity is another form of off-page SEO. Again, this is a sign of trust if you have a broad, organic following and preferably, an option for clients to leave reviews. This, of course also applies to your Google My Business listing (assuming you have one).
Citations are also incredibly important, for both local and international businesses. Even if there is no backlink to your website, citations (your business details listed on other websites) on websites such as Yell.com are another crucial sign of trust.
Bear in mind that all of this can be tracked and monitored through a variety of tools such as Google’s ‘Search Console’ and ‘Analytics’.
The SEO consultation roadmap
When you make initial contact with me, we will have an SEO consultation, we’ll discuss what it is that you want to achieve. If you already have a website (or sites), I’ll ask for its/their URL(s) (website address) so that I can take a quick look to get an initial impression of your business.
We can then discuss what type of budget you have available for the projection and whether we think we can work together (I think it’s important to have some common ground as I don’t work with absolutely everyone who contacts me).
If all the right boxes are ticked, I’ll then formulate a roadmap for you to take a look at. It’ll be a straightforward plan written in plain English of what I think needs doing, together with a rough timeframe of how long each step will take. If you’re happy to proceed, I’ll then get to straight to work!
FAQs – General SEO questions
What does an SEO consultant or specialist do?
An SEO consultant helps businesses improve their online visibility by optimising their websites to rank higher in search engine results. This includes keyword research, content strategy, technical fixes, link building, and analytics to drive more organic traffic.
What is search engine optimisation, and why is it essential for websites?
Search engine optimisation (SEO) involves improving a website to make it more visible in organic (non-paid) search results. It’s essential because it drives targeted traffic, increases brand awareness, and supports long-term business growth.
How does SEO, or search engine marketing, work?
SEO works by aligning a website’s content and structure with search engine algorithms. This includes using keywords, creating high-quality content, and improving technical aspects of the site to ensure it’s easy to crawl and index.
Why should I invest in SEO services for my business?
Investing in SEO helps increase your online presence, attract potential customers, and outpace competitors. It’s a cost-effective way to generate leads and grow your business over time.
What is the difference between organic search results and paid ads?
Organic search results appear naturally based on their relevance to the search query, while paid ads are sponsored placements. Organic SEO focuses on sustainable traffic, whereas paid ads provide immediate visibility for a cost.
What’s the difference between SEO and SEM (search engine marketing)?
SEO focuses on improving organic search results, while SEM includes both SEO and paid advertising strategies like pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns.
What are Google’s search algorithms, and how do they affect rankings?
Google’s algorithms are complex systems that determine how websites are ranked in search results. They consider factors like relevance, authority, and user experience. Keeping up with algorithm changes is crucial for maintaining rankings.
How can SEO help small businesses or startups grow online?
SEO helps small businesses by increasing visibility, driving targeted traffic, and building credibility. It’s a cost-effective way to compete with larger businesses and grow steadily over time.
FAQs – SEO process and strategies
What’s involved in an SEO audit or website analysis?
An SEO audit evaluates your website’s performance in search engines. It identifies technical issues, content gaps, and opportunities for improvement to create a tailored optimisation plan.
What is keyword research, and why is it critical for SEO?
Keyword research involves finding the terms your target audience uses to search for your products or services. It’s vital because it helps optimise content to attract relevant traffic.
How do you optimise a website for search engines like Google or Bing?
Optimisation includes improving website structure, using relevant keywords, creating quality content, and addressing technical aspects like site speed and mobile-friendliness.
What are meta tags, and how do they impact my website’s ranking?
Meta tags, such as titles and descriptions, provide search engines with information about your page content. Well-optimised meta tags can improve click-through rates and rankings.
What’s link building, and how does it benefit my website?
Link building involves acquiring backlinks from other websites. Quality backlinks improve your site’s authority and help it rank higher in search results.
How do you create content optimised for search engines?
Optimised content is tailored to target keywords while being engaging and informative for users. It balances SEO best practices with readability and value.
What is technical SEO, and why is it important?
Technical SEO focuses on the backend of your website, addressing issues like page speed, mobile optimisation, and crawl errors. It ensures search engines can access and index your content effectively.
How do you fix duplicate content or thin content issues?
Duplicate or thin content can hurt rankings. Fixes include consolidating duplicate pages, rewriting low-quality content, and adding depth to existing content.
What tools do you use for tracking SEO success?
I use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to monitor traffic, rankings, and site performance.
What is the role of UX (user experience) in SEO?
Good UX improves user engagement and satisfaction, which are important ranking factors. A well-designed site keeps visitors longer and encourages conversions.
FAQs – Results and expectations
How long does it take to see results from SEO campaigns?
SEO is a long-term strategy. It usually takes 3-6 months to see significant results, depending on competition and your website’s current state.
Can you guarantee my website will rank first on Google?
No ethical SEO consultant can guarantee a #1 ranking due to constantly changing algorithms. However, I’ll use proven strategies to maximise your visibility.
What metrics do you track to measure the success of SEO?
Key metrics include organic traffic, keyword rankings, click-through rates, bounce rates, and conversion rates. Regular reports keep you informed about progress.
What happens if I stop SEO efforts?
SEO benefits can diminish over time if efforts are stopped. Competitors may overtake your rankings, so ongoing maintenance is recommended to stay competitive.