Attributes Of An Effective Search Engine Optimisation Consultant

Search engine optimisation remains an essential part of your marketing strategy. It is the method by which your website is found, that allows you to convert a fleeting visitor into a paying customer, and sets you apart as an expert in your field. Given the importance of search engine optimisation, it is crucial that it is completed properly and this means finding a suitable search engine optimisation consultant.

There is a plethora of search engine optimisation consultants available, including those that work alone and those who are part of a wider agency or company. There are those who focus on multiple national companies, while others choose to focus on smaller start-ups and local businesses. Choosing the right consultant or search engine optimisation agency starts by ensuring that they know and understand your business sector, but there is much more to it than that. In terms of attributes, the first thing to look for is a consultant that listens. While they are an expert in their field, you know your business better than anyone else, and this should be recognised by them. They should want to know everything, from your short, medium and long-term goals, to your customer base, product selection and staffing. But, listening is only part of it. They should also have good verbal and written communication skills. They need to be able to explain what it is they are going to do to achieve SEO optimisation, how they are going to do it and just as importantly why they are going to take that action. If they cannot explain this clearly to you, it does not bode well for the content that will be produced for your site, or the communication between them and their team.

Your chosen search engine optimisation consultant also needs to count organisational skills amongst their attributes. It is unlikely that you will be the only project they are working on at any given time, therefore you need to know that they can manage their workload and meet deadline. Simple things such as being on time for meetings, whether in person, over the phone, or via video messaging give an indication as to what you can expect. Timely responses to written communications and enquiries is another sign of how well they manage time. If it takes weeks for the search engine consultant to get back to you after your initial enquiry, then either they are swamped with work, or anything they do for you will be a low priority on their list. People skills are often overlooked when searching for a website optimisation consultant, but that does not diminish their importance. The work they do for you does not happen in a vacuum. It involves people, including their team, your team and your potential customers. If you hire someone with poor interpersonal skills, it is going to show in the finished product.

While these are all personal attributes that should be present in any search engine optimisation consultant, it is also imperative not to overlook the importance of experience and specific SEO skills. One thing your consultant must do, for example, is understand the algorithms used by the most popular search engine and be up to date with how these affect the work that they do. They must be able to translate all of this, and more into value for money for your business.