In today’s online business world, owners understand the concept of SEO but not precisely how the mechanics of it work. With online competition rife, it’s best to hire local SEO consultant to help to ensure you take advantage of the upturn in new online searches.
Google now has over 200 ranking factors which makes it almost impossible for a business owner to learn and understand SEO practices whilst running a business. So this article will focus on the benefits of working with an SEO agency.
Google has Raised Standards: If you Don’t, you Will Fail
Google and the other search engines are constantly updating their algorithms and best practices to deliver the best possible service to their users.
There are now over 200 ranking factors, so trying to adhere to the most important ones is no easy task. Business owners are currently dealing with a plethora of factors that can either push your online presence onward and upwards or have the opposite effect, factors such as:
- On-Page SEO
- Titles
- Meta-Descriptions
- Site Architecture
- Layout
- Coding
- Content
- Internal Links
- Branding
- Local Profile
- Off-Page Link Building
- The list goes on…
However, if you do not get your best practices in order, these can be counterproductive, as Google penalties can be just around the corner.
Poor content and link building can have an adverse effect. Bad habits from years ago, such as sub-standard backlinks and keyword stuffing, should be filed away, especially with Google. Their algorithm is a hyper-intelligent system that can detect when you are not playing by their rules.
With these constant updates, you should be looking to hire local SEO consultant help.
Hiring an Expert – The Benefits
Reading a blog, a book, or attending a seminar is not a prerequisite to understanding 2022 and the SERPs. An SEO company will have tools that are way more sophisticated.
Plus, it is a trade that if they were to broadcast precisely how they achieve this, then everyone would follow, so it’s up to you, the beneficiary, to decipher if they are the right fit for you.
They will not tell people their methods, but a solid agency will give you detailed reports of where they are spending your monthly outlay.
Optimise Searches – NOT Keywords
Too many businesses are solely focused on keywords and not the content. Content needs to be informative and engaging that entirely relates to the search term the user has entered.
Understanding the relationship between search queries, keywords and SEO is not as simple as many think. Understanding how to optimise keywords to engage the SERPs is crucial in correlating the user’s search term.
Google’s ethos to their searchers is to provide the most relevant businesses or answers related to their search. Still, they also want content-rich information that includes keywords but is not necessarily the be and end-all.
Trying to rank for a single keyword in 2022 is futile. Linking the word up with other phrases and long-tail keywords is where the internet is moving towards. Hiring a local SEO consultant will push your online marketing in the right direction.
Algorithms are Constantly Changing
Google makes thousands of updates to its algorithm every year. However, most are subtle, and we all get notice before a major update; maybe you are familiar with such updates as:
- Penguin
- Panda
- Hummingbird
- Plus others…
With each update comes new rules and regulations on how they perceive your value to their user. As a business owner, you are highly likely to be too busy to keep abreast of such movements, some of which even SEO experts need time to figure out how to work around them.
In 2022, trying to understand the implications of the advancements in search engines is a job. Research and analysis of your industry and competition are paramount, but finding the time to do so, is difficult.
So hiring the best local SEO consultant is your best move.
Optimal SEO – Understanding the Analytics
Deciphering analytics is the difference between a novice and an SEO expert. Advanced analytics give an expert the tools to enhance, change and optimise what you currently have.
Building a long-term relationship where you are intertwined to get the best results possible is what you should seek to achieve. Finding the right digital marketing partner is not easy, but the initial interview can tell you everything you need to know.
NOTE: If you end up having an interview that lasts less than 20 minutes, you are not entering into a long-term business relationship.
An SEO expert that wants your business will want to know EVERYTHING about you and your business. It is imperative to understand where you have been, what you have done and where you want to go.
You are looking for someone to take on board what you already have and take it to the next level. Blogs, social media, citations, local listings and much more are where you go from a small business in your local area to everyone knowing what you provide.
A Skilled SEO Expert Will Save you Money
Many business owners have made the mistake of thinking SEO is an easy thing to learn, and you’ll pick up a dummy’s guide, and you can do it yourself. Fifteen years ago, you would have been correct with that thought process. However, that is not the case. Analytical studying plus implementation takes a lot of time and costs money. Trying to hire in-house staff is not the best solution as if you are not an SEO expert yourself as a business owner, how can you implement standards of what is to be achieved and in a set timeframe.
SUMMARY
Please leave it to the experts. Google averaged 5.5 billion searches per day back in 2019 before the global pandemic hit. Naturally, internet usage went up with lockdowns, but many expected them to level back down to what we saw in 2019. That has NOT happened. Google is currently maintaining an average of 8.7 billion hits a day, so you don’t need me to tell you there is enormous competition online now, so seek the help of an expert. Good Luck.
