SEO Consultants - Are they worth it?

Are they number one for any keywords?

If you have found a consultant through another website, or they have contacted you by email, then you have to look them up. Is their website interesting to look at. Are they ranked for any particular keywords? If you do a normal Google search for their keywords, are they on the front page?

The best SEO Consultants will be ranked for keywords that sell, otherwise they would no longer be in business. Ranking for good SEO keywords takes time, and knowledge. If someone has contacted you that claims to be an SEO expert, then their website should back that up.

Do they blog?

Not only is blogging great for SEO, most of the best consultants will blog to stay ahead of the curve. Google recently changed their algorithm, is there any mention of that on their website? The changes impacted a range of websites in an arbitrary way. If they are an SEO expert they would have had to have changed their tactics to improve the way they do business.

Blogging is also a great way to build up a network within the industry. Anyone who works in the industry keeps in touch with other consultants to make sure they are not missing out on anything.

How is their English?

Good SEO is about writing. A lot. So how good is their written word? Can they use language to convey meaning without sounding like they are talking rubbish? If you were to ask them to write 500 words on your industry, do you think they could do it?

How old is their domain?

You can do a search on domaintools.com to see how old their domain is. If it has been constructed in the last year or so, they may still be a little green around the gills. That is not to say new companies are not worth trying out, we were all there once. However look at what they are saying, and if that matches with their length of domain name registration. If they say 10 years in practice, and the domain is only 6 months old, then they may be full of it.

Do they offer other services?

Good SEO is not just about SEO. It is also about a range of other practices such as writing, link building and web design. Do they mention any of these? If they are any good at SEO and have been in business for a while, they will have some experience with these other aspects of the craft. If they just keep going on about building links, and nothing else, they may not be able to offer the full service that you need

Do they guarantee a rank within a specific amount of time?

SEO Guarantees are great, but can they deliver. Also, promising to deliver a particular rank within a short space of time may not be possible at all. Google changes its methods for ranking all the time, and making wild claims about being able to rank for particular keywords may be an indication someone is full of it.

Do they talk about other clients?

Lastly, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Do they list other clients they have successfully ranked? Most SEO companies have a long list of satisfied clients that they get to number one for. If they proudly display at least some of their victories, then they may be genuine.

It is hard to tell who can deliver and who can't. Make sure you check out the credentials of anyone who asks for money up front and promises the world.