In the ever-evolving digital world, the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is undeniable. Learning how to outsource SEO is the game-changer businesses like yours have been looking for to improve their online presence without overstretching internal resources.
Let’s get into the intricacies of SEO outsourcing so you can make an informed decision about who to hire.
Understanding the Basics of SEO Outsourcing
Outsourcing SEO refers to the practice of hiring external agencies or professionals (like New Hill Marketing) to manage SEO tasks. This includes everything from content writing, keyword research, image optimization and in-depth reporting.
SEO aims to improve your website’s ranking on search engines, such as Google. By outsourcing to a professional, you’re saving time by not having to spend hours learning about search engines and get to benefit from the years of experience we have in ranking well.
The Rise of SEO Outsourcing
Due to SEO’s complex and dynamic nature, outsourcing has gained immense popularity. As algorithms evolve, maintaining an in-house team capable of handling all aspects of SEO can be challenging and costly, paving the way for the emergence of specialized SEO outsourcing services.
By outsourcing to an agency that specializes in search engine optimization, you don’t have to worry about keeping your team up to date with the latest changes. You can relax knowing your agency is handling everything for you.
Why Outsource SEO?
Outsourcing SEO comes with several advantages that help your business grow without too much extra work on your end.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the best benefits of outsourcing is saving money in the long run. Hiring an in-house team involves significant expenses like salaries, training, and tools, whereas outsourcing allows you to pay only for the services you need.
Access to Expertise
SEO outsourcing companies bring a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge to the table. We stay on top of the latest trends and algorithm updates, ensuring your SEO strategy remains effective and up-to-date.
Focus on Core Business Activities
Outsourcing SEO frees up your internal resources, allowing you to concentrate on core business activities. This strategic division of labor can lead to better efficiency and productivity.
Choosing the Right SEO Outsourcing Partner
Finding the right SEO outsourcing partner is crucial for the success of your SEO efforts. That’s why we put together some tips to help you choose the right SEO partner.
Selection Criteria
When selecting an SEO outsourcing company, consider factors like their track record, expertise, communication style, and transparency in reporting. Ask how they’ve helped other websites rank on search engines and what that means for the bottom line.
Here at New Hill Marketing, we have this information on our portfolio, and you can see how we’ve helped companies increase their website traffic by an average of 50% year over year.
Red Flags to Avoid
Be wary of companies promising instant results or using black-hat SEO techniques.
If a company tells you they can guarantee to get your website in the first spot on search engines within thirty days, run as fast as you can. Not only does it take up to thirty days for search engines to crawl and notice changes on your site (this is called indexing), but you won’t automatically win the first spot just because you have the content. A good, strong SEO strategy takes time to reach results and stick there.
Another red flag is if they’re going to do any black-hat SEO techniques, which are tactics that go directly against search engine guidelines. While you can sometimes get away with imploring these tactics, once search engines catch on, you’ll spend a lot of time trying to recoup if you’re not entirely blacklisted for it.
Read Their Content
Not every writer will resonate with your brand or business, and that’s okay. That’s why you should read plenty of their writing samples and ensure their style matches yours.
You should also note how they write their content. Are the keywords naturally included in the content, or are they thrown in just to have them?
Ask What SEO Software They Use
SEO has come a long way, and so has the software to go with it. There are many SEO software out there, and I’m not here to tell you that one is better than the other. However, something all software companies can agree on is that you need to use some type of software.
Some of the most popular software out there that tell you your SEO company knows what they’re doing are:
- SEMRush
- Moz
- Screaming Frog
- Ahrefs
This is not by any means a comprehensive list, just an idea of what’s out there so you can keep an eye on them.
Understanding SEO Services
Different businesses have different SEO needs, and it’s important for you to understand what these offerings are when you go to work with them.
Outsourced SEO services can include on-page optimization, off-page optimization, technical SEO, keyword research, content creation, and more. Understanding what each service entails and how it aligns with your business goals is essential.
Ask your potential SEO company what tactics they plan to use and what their plan is to help drive more traffic to your site.
What to Expect
When outsourcing SEO, expect regular communication, detailed reports, and a collaborative approach to strategy development.
You’ll most likely be reading a ton of content, and they may ask you to approve all content before it goes out. Plan to be responsive while working with your SEO expert so content can go out in a timely manner and help your business.
The Process of SEO Outsourcing
The process typically involves an initial consultation, strategy development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and adjustments.
Initial Consultation and Strategy Development
This stage involves understanding your business objectives, target audience, and market competition to develop a tailored SEO strategy.
During this time, we’ll discuss your business needs and goals. Do you want more foot traffic to your store, or are you looking to increase your online sales? Maybe you want more leads to fill out forms or call to make an appointment.
Don’t be shy during this time. Let your SEO partner know what you expect from working with them, and ask all your questions so you feel confident moving forward.
Implementation and Monitoring
After the strategy is in place, the SEO outsourcing company will implement the plan and continuously monitor its performance, making adjustments as needed.
We always review the strategy with you to ensure that it aligns with your goals and that you’re happy with the direction we’re taking.
Evaluating SEO Efforts
It can take three to six months to start seeing results with SEO, and your partner should be upfront with you about that. Here at New Hill Marketing, we create a dashboard using Google Looker Studio so you can always see how our efforts are driving results.
FAQs
As SEO experts, we receive many questions about SEO. Here are some of the most common questions.
What is the average cost of SEO outsourcing?
This greatly depends on what you’re specifically looking for. If you already have an optimized website, it’ll cost less than if your SEO company needs to redo your site completely. If you’re looking for specific cost information to outsource SEO, reach out to us today, and we’ll happily discuss the prices with you.
How long does it take to see results from outsourced SEO?
It can take three to six months to start seeing positive results from SEO. As you continue to work with an expert, it will take less time to start showing up for keywords, but there’s definitely a ramp up period to get to that point.
Can small businesses benefit from SEO outsourcing?
Absolutely! Businesses of all sizes can benefit from SEO and should take advantage of it! As long as your goals are to bring more awareness to your business, increase leads, and improve sales, you can benefit from a strong SEO strategy.
How do I measure the effectiveness of outsourced SEO?
Depending on your KPIs, there are many ways to measure how effective your SEO campaigns are. If you’re looking for more traffic to your site, you should see your sessions steadily increase inside your analytics account.
If sales are your goal, then you should see your sales increase for the type of content you’re creating. Be sure to ask your SEO partner how they plan to measure success before you start working with them.
Start Outsourcing Your Business’s SEO Needs Today
Now that you know how to outsource SEO, it’s time for you to find the right partner! Outsourcing SEO can be a highly effective strategy to enhance your online visibility and help to drive business growth. By choosing the right partner and staying informed about best practices and trends, you can leverage the full potential of SEO outsourcing.
Have more questions about outsourcing SEO? Ask them in the comments below!