Well-rounded Scala data engineer with deep knowledge of the internals of distributed datastores. EU-based, 5 hours overlap with PST. Solid experience working remotely and working with teams that are distributed geographically.
Core Skills:
● Cassandra (Data Modeling, Troubleshooting Performance And Operational Issues)
Location: EU-based, 5 hours overlap with PST
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: Yes
Technologies: Kafka, Flink, Spark, Cassandra, Druid, Scala, Python, Zookeeper, BigQuery, Redshift, Kinesis, Airflow, DBT, Snowflake, PrestoSQL, Stitch, FiveTran, Clickhouse, SQL, Big Data Engineering
Resume: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11vvlo8pmjaM-7tJd9wOJoNsW2qoeJYIt/view
Email: in the profile
I’m pursuing a role in the high-scalability distributed systems space. I’m a well-rounded Scala data engineer with deep knowledge of the internals of distributed datastores.
Core Skills:
● Cassandra (Data Modeling, Troubleshooting Performance And Operational Issues)
“The Big Sunday Show” panelists discussed rampant crime in cities across America this weekend. During the conversation, Fox news contributor Lara Trump emphasized the negative impact the defund the police movement has had on Americans across the country. “Apparently things were so out of control they hired the guards to stop chronic drug dealing, crack … Continue reading Lara Trump on rising crime in Democrat-run cities: 'How do you exist when you don't feel safe?'
Competition for search engine ranking is fierce, with the top three search results owning 55% of all traffic.
And the first result? They take almost 29% of those clicks.
So how do you get your website to that coveted first spot? By understanding how Google works and how to give them exactly what they’re looking for.
A content hub is a great way to show search engines that your site is an authority on a certain topic. Hubs are a collection of all your content on a specific subject, and they’re designed to be a comprehensive resource on that topic.
In this post, I’ll provide answers to questions like “what is a content hub?’ showcase how important content hubs are for SEO, and discuss how to create a content hub for your blog information.
What is a Content Hub?
A content hub is a section of your website that contains all the information related to a specific topic.
The goal of a content hub is twofold:
1) To be an authoritative resource on the chosen topic.
2) To increase traffic and conversions by ranking highly in search engines.
A content hub is different from a blog in that the goal is not to produce new content regularly. Instead, the focus is on curating and organizing all your existing content on a topic in one place. Content hubs are also sometimes called “resource centers” or “information hubs.” In addition, when net new pieces come out after your content hub is created, they can also fall into that space.
What Are the Different Parts of a Content Hub?
When learning how to build a content hub, it’s important to understand that there are three different types of content that should be included in a content hub:
Blog Posts
Videos
Infographics
Blog posts are the bread and butter of a content hub. They provide in-depth information on the chosen topic and can be easily repurposed into other types of content, like infographics or videos.
Videos are a great way to break up long blocks of text and add some visual interest to a content hub. They can be used to introduce the topic, provide step-by-step instructions or give a behind-the-scenes look at your company.
Infographics are a great way to visualize data and complex concepts. They’re also easy to share on social media and are often repinned or shared by other blogs and websites.
Why Are Content Hubs Useful for SEO?
Content hubs are useful for SEO because they show search engines that your website is an authority on a certain topic. When you have a content hub, all of your content on that topic is in one place. This makes it easy for search engines to find and index your content.
Along with this, content hubs provide an easy way for people to navigate your website and find the information they’re looking for. When everything is organized in one place, users are less likely to get frustrated and leave your site.
They also help you prioritize your SEO efforts by giving you the opportunity to include more keywords and phrases related to your topic. This helps you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for those keywords.
How to Create a Content Hub
Now that you know what a content hub is and how to use a content hub for SEO, let’s talk about how to build one.
There are two different ways you can build a content hub:
You can create a new website or section on your existing website specifically for your content hub.
You can create a content hub using an existing piece of content, like a blog post or video.
If you have an existing website, I recommend adjusting your website structure to create a new section for your content hub. This will make it easier for search engines to find and index your content.
Creating a new website or section on your existing website specifically for your content hub has a few benefits:
It keeps your content organized and easy to find.
It helps you rank for long-tail keywords related to your content hub topic.
It establishes you as an authority on that topic.
If you want to use an existing piece of content as your content hub, that’s fine, too. Just be sure to include links to other related content on your website so search engines can find it.
Follow these steps on how to create a content hub:
Plan where your hub will sit on your site
Choose a central topic
Choose subtopics
Audit your existing content
Start ideating your content pieces and strategy
Create and implement your content
Implement a measurement strategy and track your success
Let’s take a closer look at these steps.
Plan Where Your Content Hub For SEO Will Sit on Your Site
Your content hub should be easy to find and navigate. I recommend putting it in the main navigation of your website. This will make it easy for both users and search engines to find.
If you have a lot of content on your website, you may want to create multiple content hubs. This is especially useful if you have different products or services that you want to promote.
For example, if you sell both men’s and women’s clothing, you could create a separate content hub for each. This would be a good way to target different keywords and appeal to different audiences.
Choose a Central Topic
Before you start creating content for your hub, you need to choose a central topic. This will be the main focus of your content hub.
To choose a central topic, start by brainstorming a list of potential topics. Then, narrow down your list by choosing a topic that:
Is relevant to your business
Has a lot of search volume
Is something you can write about in-depth
Choose Subtopics
Once you’ve chosen a central topic, it’s time to choose some subtopics. Subtopics are related to your central topic but are narrower in scope. For example, if your central topic is “SEO,” a subtopic could be “link building.”
Your subtopics should be relevant to your central topic, but they should also be something you can write about in-depth. This is important because you want your content hub to be a comprehensive resource on your chosen topic.
To choose subtopics, start by brainstorming a list of potential topics. Then, narrow down your list by choosing topics that:
Are relevant to your central topic
Have a lot of search volume
Are something you can add it naturally
If you’re struggling to get started with topic creation, my tool Ubersuggest is a great way to get a data-backed list of starter topics to start working with for your content hub.
Audit Your Existing Content
Before you start creating new content for your hub, take a look at the content you already have on your website. You may have some articles or blog posts that would be a good fit for your content hub and fit into your topics and overall strategy.
To audit your existing content, start by doing a search on your website for relevant keywords. Then, go through each piece of content and decide if it’s relevant to your content hub.
If it is, add it to your list of potential content for your hub. Even if the piece needs some editing, it will save you the time you would be spending on creating a net-new piece.
Start Ideating Your Content Pieces and Strategy
Once you’ve got a good idea of the content you already have, it’s time to start creating content for your content hub. When you’re planning your content, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Your content should be comprehensive and cover all aspects of your topic.
Your content should be well-researched and accurate.
Your content should be well-written and engaging.
Your content should be visually appealing and easy to read.
You should include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout your content.
When you’re planning your content, it can be helpful to create a content strategy. This will help you map out what content you need to create and how it will all fit together.
To create a content strategy, start by making a list of all the content you want to include in your hub. Then, categorize your content by topic. This will help you see how everything fits together and what topics you need to write about. Keyword research, to an extent, can guide you on some topics to cover, but you want to be careful. Reusing the same keywords across multiple pages can lead to cannibalization, where they start competing with each other for SERP dominance.
Another important thing to consider when creating your content hub is internal linking. For SEO purposes, it’s key to make sure that your related content is interlinking with each other, using strong anchor text.
Create and Implement Your Content Hub For SEO
With your plan in place, it’s time to create the content to add to the hub. Once written, get ready to implement your plan. Your content hub will live on your website, but how you implement it will depend on your website’s structure. It could live on a separate page under a resources section, or it could be directly linked on your homepage.
Once you’ve decided how you want to implement your content hub, it’s time to start publishing your content. When publishing, it’s important to think about your cadence. How often would you like to publish your content and what’s your bandwidth to do so? Ideally, the more content you have, the better. Giving yourself a schedule — whether it’s every Thursday or once a month — will ensure you are growing your content hub and enhancing your website visibility within search pages.
As you add each piece of content, make sure to link to it from your landing page using relevant anchor text. This will help users navigate through your content and find what they’re looking for.
When you have all your content added, it’s time to start promoting it. Share your content on social media, in email newsletters and on other websites. The more people that see your content, the more traffic you’ll get to your site.
Implement a Measuring Strategy and Track Your Success
To measure the success of your content hub, track how much traffic it’s getting and how long users are spending on each page. You can also track how many people are subscribing to your email list or following you on social media.
By tracking these metrics, you’ll be able to see how successful your content hub is and how it’s impacting your business.
Some helpful metrics to track include:
Pageviews: Track how many people are viewing your content hub.
Average time on page: Track how long users are spending on each page of your content hub.
Bounce rate: Track how many people are leaving your site after viewing only one page.
Social media followers: Track how many people are following you on social media.
Email subscribers: Track how many people are subscribing to your email list.
Conversion rate: Track how many people are taking the desired action on your site, such as subscribing to your email list or buying a product—converting your blog readers to leads.
If you’re not seeing the results you want, you can make changes to your content or promotion strategy and track how those changes impact your metrics.
To measure your results, consider using an analytics tool like Google Analytics or HubSpot. These tools will help you track your traffic and understand how users are interacting with your content.
How To Create A Content Hub FAQs
How do I internally link in a content hub?
When you’re adding content to your hub, make sure to link to other articles and blog posts on your site. This will help users navigate through your content and find what they’re looking for.
Why should I invest in a content hub?
Content hubs are a great way to improve your SEO and drive traffic to your website. By creating a comprehensive resource, you’ll be able to rank for more keywords and attract more visitors. A content hub can also help you generate leads and build relationships with potential customers. By providing valuable information, you’ll be able to build trust with your audience and position yourself as an expert in your industry.
What are the different types of content hubs?
There are three types of content hubs:
A collection of blog posts on a specific topic
A library of resources such as ebooks, guides, and templates
A directory of businesses or service providers
How often should I update my content hub?
You should aim to update your content hub at least once a month. This will help you keep your content fresh and relevant. If you have any breaking news or new product launches, be sure to update your content hub as soon as possible.
Do I need a content strategy for my content hub?
Yes, it’s important to have a content strategy when creating a content hub. This will help you map out what content you need to create and how it will all fit together. Without a plan, it will be difficult to create a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of your chosen topic.
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How To Create A Content Hub Conclusion
Now that you understand how to create a content hub, it’s time to get started.
Remember those first result clicks I mentioned earlier? You want those clicks to be for your site. And a content hub will help you move up the rankings to do just that.
I don’t expect you to get this done immediately. SEO is a long-game strategy that yields big results.
Continue experimenting with content ideas and adding new pieces to your content hub, and you’ll quickly establish an audience that values your content, helping you move up those search result pages.
Do you have any tips for creating a content hub? Share them in the comments below!
Dak Prescott suffered a thumb injury in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and is expected to be out for multiple weeks.
It will be the second time in his career that Prescott will miss significant time as he suffered a gruesome ankle injury during the 2020 season. After the 19-3 loss, Prescott addressed reporters with a cast on his right hand. He was diagnosed with a fractured right thumb.
“Yeah, it’s very disappointing, but injuries happen. Can’t necessarily control it. Just unfortunate. I’m obviously going to miss some time, not be there for my team. That’s what hurts more than anything, especially after the start that we just put out there,” Prescott said, via Pro Football Talk.
“I wanted to be able to respond and not necessarily having that opportunity for several weeks. Yeah, it’s unfortunate, but I’ll do what I’ve always done anytime adversity comes. Take it on head first, and I’ll give my best, and I’m sure I’ll come out of this better.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the injury was not season-ending, but he’ll miss a few games.
Prescott said he thought he “jammed” the thumb when he suffered the injury with about 6 minutes remaining in the game.
“I mean, I’ve hit on however many bodies, a lot in my career, and never really had anything [except] maybe a jammed finger, and I actually thought that’s what it was,” he said. “The next play I realized I couldn’t grip the ball, let the sideline know. Then, when I got off, I told the trainers the same thing. I said, ‘I can’t grip it. I feel like if you yank it, I’ll be OK,’ and I came in and got X-rays and things were different.”
Dallas was dealing with offensive line issues all night. The Cowboys lost Tyron Smith in training camp and moved rookie Tyler Smith from guard to tackle ahead of the opener.
Most people don’t use a tool without looking at a manual.
But it’s even better if someone can explain it to you.
I want to make sure you know how to use Google Keyword Planner to its full potential.
Let me give you that insight, starting with the basics.
What is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner (GKP) is an SEO tool designed to find keywords with sufficient search volume. Finding keywords with enough search volume allows a website to be indexed and ranked.
Whether you are in charge of an active website, blog, or e-commerce site, you can use GKP to
generate more traffic, promote apps, and create paid campaigns, among other uses.
Why is Google Keyword Planner Useful?
The main attraction of Google Keyword Planner is that it is developed by Google itself. You can’t get much better than that in the search engine segment.
“But Neil, aren’t there other keyword planners that do the same?”
Of course, and with great features, but not as complete as Keyword Planner.
The more you explore the tool, the more value you find.
Here’s why it’s an above-average tool.
Accessing Google Keyword Planner
What’s great is you don’t have to spend a dime to gain access and get started.
But you do have to create a Google Ads account first.
Even if you’re not planning on exploring ads on Google, you’ll need to create an account to use Keyword Planner.
AdWords just takes a couple minutes to set up. Then, you’re ready to start planning.
Following the ‘Google Ads Account’ prompts, you’ll want to ‘Create a campaign without a goal’s guidance.’
After you confirm your business details, find the ‘Tools & Settings’ icon to reveal the menu for ‘Keyword Planner.’
Now that you’re ready to use the Keyword Planner, let’s put it to work.
How To Use Google Keyword Planner Step-By-Step
You’ll start from this screen and decide if you want to ‘Discover new keywords’ or “Get search volume and forecasts.”
Since I want to show you some new ideas, let’s click ‘Discover new keywords.’
When looking for new opportunities, you can gain insight into what your potential audience or customers are searching for.
Getting specific will help you hit your target audience in a way that feels natural.
These new terms make the start of your campaign.
These new terms will be the basis of your new content.
Step 1: Keyword Discovery
From “Discover new keywords,’ you have the option to ‘start with keywords’ or ‘start with a website.’
Say you’re a sterling silver jewelry brand and want to compete for new keywords. Let’s see what new content you can rank for.
Step 2: Organic Keyword Search
Under ‘Enter products or services closely related to your business,’ let’s play around with keyword possibilities. You can change the language and location or choose not to include brand names in the results.
I would skip ‘Enter a domain to use as a filter’ so we’re not limited in our results.
Let’s test out some broad keywords.
Think of the key products or services in relation to your business. From here, we’ll see if they have some high-yielding opportunities.
Step 3: Analyze Keyword Results
Many keyword results will load. Based on what’s presented, here’s what we have:
Keep note of how being broad yet specific to your business offerings will show users’ search intent. You can even see which factors change over time. Maybe everyone is searching for jewelry near Christmas time. With this information, you can use these keyword variations to meet their needs.
The more insight you have, the more strategic you can be. You will know to order more of a certain item or see where you can expand your product offerings.
This is what everyone loves about GKP.
What To Do With Your Google Keyword Planner Results
How you use the Google Keyword Planner tool will depend on what you need to know.
Based on your inputs, let’s analyze the results together.
We can filter the list now, aiming for keywords best for you from the ‘Keywords Results Page.’
You can break things down like this based on these features: locations, language, search networks, and desired date(s).
What does this mean?
‘Locations’ is easy. This pertains to which country or region(s) you consider your target market.
‘Language’ pertains to the native tongue of that country or region(s) you consider your target market. You’ll need to make sure the language and context you use in your content is accurate to the area.
‘Search networks’ pertains to where you want to have your ads displayed. I think Google is the option that makes the most sense. This also includes Google’s search partners, like YouTube.
‘Desired date(s)’ will depend on the period you want to review. The last 12 months is a good starting point unless you have a special search need.
Once you filter from here, you can analyze keyword ideas.
Using the Google Keyword Planner tool for desired keywords looks like this: keyword (by relevance), average monthly searches, and competition. A bonus is the top of page bid, which assesses that keyword’s potential for monetization. The higher the bid, the more likely heavy traffic it’s driving in.
But let’s break down these points.
Keyword (by relevance) results pertain to what Google says is most relevant in relation to the keyword or URL you input.
Average monthly searches pertain to the range of the search volume. Think of this as a rough estimate until you plan your campaign and review the impressions. Impressions will show you the exact number you will likely yield.
Competition pertains to those bidding on the same keyword(s) as you. Keep this number in mind when analyzing any user search intent. Your potential leads are within these results.
Get your technique together because these results will be how you beat your competition.
Ubersuggest vs Google Keyword Planner
Your SEO keyword planner options only get better.
There are many SEO tools that are just as effective and free like the Google Keyword Planner.
In fact, there are tools like Ubersuggest that have the same features — if not more.
But don’t take my word for it.
Let’s compare the two.
Every tool comes with pros and cons.
Some common downfalls of the GKP include average search volumes. Remember how I told you really have to look close at impressions for the exact number? This confuses users and makes them question the value of these results.
In comparison to the GKP, Ubersuggest is recommended for keyword results when generating content ideas. There’s a wide range of options within the features to find more and more ideas. This is something Google Keyword Planner couldn’t sustain, leading to the removal of the ‘Closely Related Ideas’ feature. Since this feature is no longer available, users are turning to website filtering through GKP. But it is lacking in delivering an array of keywords to create content topics from.
Ubersuggest picks up where GKP lacks — offering keyword ideas. The keywords are formed from similar websites, packaged in content ideas, and even keyword clusters. From clusters of keywords, you can broaden your reach and still stick to one general keyword idea.
I also enjoy the newest keyword feature, ‘Keyword Visualization.’ Meaning you can discover how people word things for their search and stem out to other options.
With Ubersuggest, you don’t have to miss these opportunities (which many have complained about with GKP). This happens because insights aren’t visible at the time of the search, or are based on the ads running.
When you have to make predictions, this isn’t helpful in your planning phase.
While Google Keyword Planner is a great tool, sometimes, you have to use one too many hacks for it to work in your favor.
I want to get you acting on your results faster.
Ubersuggest Free Features
You want a keyword planner that’s going to work with your goals.
It’s even better if the tool can expand on them.
That’s what Ubersuggest does.
These results for ‘sterling silver jewelry’ are immediate and expansive.
GKP, by comparison, takes a little more time for you to get used to the tool in order to yield the information you need.
Use the results from Ubersuggest to generate traffic and ultimately form content strategies.
Use them wisely in headlines and articles and watch your audience grow with quality.
This is what makes Ubersuggest worth it.
Plus, if you need quick and accurate results, this tool gets the job done.
FAQs
Is Google Keyword Planner still free?
Yes, it is still free. All you need is a Google Ads account. If you don’t have one, sign up and follow the on-screen prompts. Go to “Tools” located at the top right of the screen to “Discover new keywords” or “Get search volume forecasts.” Now, you can get to work on your SEO-driven keywords search.
Can you use Google Keyword Planner for SEO?
Yes, under “Discover new keywords,” you can start finding keywords that closely relate to your product or service. You can even enter a domain you want to review. You will then be able to filter and sort through the data you need to analyze which keyword ideas will benefit you.
Conclusion
Google Keyword Planner is a fantastic tool, and it only gets better the more you master it.
Despite being tied to the ad platform, it remains a great choice for top- and middle-funnel content marketing strategies.
Although the tool has its drawbacks, other tools can assist you to get around them. Make sure you have the exact data you need to decide how to proceed with your efforts.
If you’re looking for that supplementary tool, Ubersuggest can help you extract exact data.
I want you to have a leg up on your competition. This will be possible with the new agent to draw the data points you need for success.
So, give Ubersuggest a try against or with Google Keyword Planner and tell me what you think.
What has your experience with Google Keyword Planner been like? Have you tried Ubersuggest’s free capabilities as well? Tell me which one you prefer.
Do you need a little help improving your rankings? Then you could use the services of an SEO consultant.
Chances are you already know the basics of SEO, but are maybe struggling to get the results you want, especially with all the other work you have on your plate.
An SEO consultant could be the answer. These are independent experts who provide a range of services to boost your rankings.
Being an SEO consultant is a multifaceted job that requires a lot of different skills. Unlike an agency, they typically work on their own and thus need to wear many hats. But they can be a perfect fit to businesses that are struggling to rank.
We answer all those questions and more. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to know about what an SEO consultant is and what they do.
What Does an SEO Consultant Do For Their Clients?
SEO consultants provide a range of services to their clients to help them get better rankings. They will implement a variety of strategies and best practices, including the following:
Conduct an SEO audit. An SEO audit is an in-depth analysis of a website’s ability to rank in search engines. It will look at your site’s content, technical SEO, backlinks, competitors, and more. An SEO audit will highlight ways a site can improve its SEO and a strategy for how to achieve those improvements.
Keyword research. Keyword research is the practice of finding relevant keywords that a website should aim to rank for. If a business hasn’t done any SEO before, it may not be targeting any keywords. Even if they have worked with an SEO agency in the past, it may not be targeting the best keywords.
On-page SEO. On-page SEO is the process of optimizing the technical aspects of a website to meet Google’s best practices. This can include improving the site’s content, optimizing tags and metadata, improving site speed, and making the site more secure.
Link building. The more and better quality links a website has, the easier it will be to rank for high competition keywords. If a site’s authority is low, an SEO consultant may create one or more link building campaigns to improve the site’s backlink profile.
An SEO consultant will also provide a monthly reporting service to clients. The report will cover current rankings, work completed by the consultant, and any subsequent improvements.
Signs You Need An SEO Consultant
It’s usually pretty obvious when you need an SEO consultant. If your website isn’t generating leads or conversions from organic traffic — and you consider Google and other search engines to be an important part of your marketing strategy — then it’s a good idea to work with an SEO consultant.
Here are some other signs it’s time to consult a professional:
Your Website Traffic is Flatlining
Traffic from search engines is the most basic indicator of whether an SEO strategy is working or not. If your traffic isn’t increasing over time (or it’s decreasing), then you either need to work with an SEO consultant or replace your existing one.
Search traffic won’t be important to some businesses. But those businesses are very rare. Even if you don’t think search traffic is important for your business, it probably is. Did you know that 51% of shoppers use Google to research an online purchase they will make? That’s a huge audience you are missing out on if you don’t rank in Google.
You’ve Been Penalized by Google
Have your rankings tanked after a Google core update? Google has likely penalized you for breaking its best practices. Google penalties are notoriously difficult to overcome without the help of a search professional, and there’s a risk you could do even more damage trying to fix the problem yourself.
If you get an email like the one below, hiring an SEO consultant may be your best bet.
As well as helping your site recover from a penalty, an SEO consultant can help you avoid getting hit with additional penalties in the future by abiding by Google’s webmaster guidelines.
Your In-House Team Isn’t Working
Some businesses try to build their own SEO team in-house or hire a marketing manager with experience in several areas of digital marketing. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work out. Not only will an SEO consultant be more experienced than an in-house team, but they will also be cheaper — even if your SEO department is just a single person.
You’re Too Busy to Do SEO
Even if you or your marketing manager are SEO experts, there’s no guarantee you’re going to have time to implement strategies to improve your rankings.
SEO is an important marketing channel, but other tasks take precedence. If you’re rushed off your feet dealing with customers, suppliers, and shareholders, then outsourcing the work to an SEO consultant is a smart move.
How To Find An SEO Consultant
Finding an SEO consultant isn’t hard. But finding a good one is. First, let’s look at some of the most common ways to find an SEO consultant:
Ask your network. Speaking to people you know and trust is one of the best ways to find an SEO consultant. If a fellow business owner or manager knows of a great SEO consultant, they’re usually happy to recommend them. As an added bonus, you’ll know they can deliver.
Run a Google search. Unsurprisingly, Google is a great source for finding an SEO consultant. A quick search for “SEO consultant” serves up over 45 million results. If a consultant is ranking well on Google, there’s a good chance they know what they’re doing. This shouldn’t be the only factor you use in your decision, however. Just because they rank high on Google doesn’t mean they’ll be able to do the same for your business.
Use online directories. There are several online directories that collect reviews about SEO professionals. Clutch, UpCity, and G2 are great places to start. Once again, take these reviews with a pinch of salt. Just because a consultant is topping the rankings doesn’t mean they are the best for you. Like Google, they are a great way to get a shortlist of suitable candidates rather than pinpoint one.
Look through SEO blogs. Popular SEO blogs like Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal and The Moz Blog can be a great source of potential SEO consultants. They don’t just host the opinions of journalists; SEO professionals routinely write how-tos and thought pieces on these sites.
Post on job boards. Job boards like Upwork, AngelList, and Dynamite Jobs are great places to post an ad. The beauty of this method is that SEO consultants will come to you, meaning all you have to do is interview them. What’s more, many of these job boards vet applicants before they can even apply.
Traits of A Good SEO Consultant
There are several traits that set great SEO consultants apart from the rest. I recommend you look for the following attributes when interviewing potential candidates.
Several years of experience. You don’t want a rookie SEO as your consultant. The longer an SEO consultant has been working in the industry, the better. They’ll have worked on more sites, have a better understanding of what works and have more case studies to back up their success.
Proven results. Any SEO consultant worth their salt will have a string of case studies to back up their work. They should be able to show exactly what they did to improve a previous client’s rankings and the impact they had. They should also be happy to put you in contact with previous clients.
A long-term vision. You want an SEO consultant that’s in it for the long haul, not someone who is going to leave you for a new client after a couple of months. So choose a consultant who explains the long-term benefits of SEO to your business and has a roadmap of how you can achieve them.
Sees the bigger picture. SEO is just one part of a holistic marketing strategy, and a good SEO consultant will appreciate that. As such, they should help you fold your SEO strategy into other marketing initiatives and be willing to work with other team members and departments in your company to improve your broader marketing goals.
SEO Consultants vs. SEO Agencies
SEO consultants aren’t the only professionals you can hire to improve your rankings. You can also work with an SEO agency. While SEO consultants are usually one-person companies, SEO agencies can have five, ten, or even hundreds of employees.
While there are similarities in the services both an SEO consultant and an SEO agency can offer clients, there are also some pretty big differences between the two.
SEO Consultants May Require Your Help, SEO Agencies Won’t
If you choose to work with an SEO consultant, then you’re probably looking for a personal, one-to-one service. What you might not realize is that they will probably need your help to improve your rankings, too. Because SEO consultants work on their own, they typically don’t have the resources to provide a done-for-you service. That means they could ask your team to write additional content, change your website or perform other SEO-related tasks.
That’s very different from an SEO agency that has the capacity to perform every SEO task in-house.
Agencies Cost More, But You Get More For Your Money
Agencies will usually charge more for their time than SEO consultants. That’s because they have staff to pay and overheads to cover, whereas SEO consultants typically work from home. For smaller businesses, that may mean an SEO consultant is the way to go.
But other businesses may want to pay more for an agency because they know they’ll get more bang for their buck. That’s because an agency gives you access to dozens of experts rather than just one. Having more people working on your project also means you get work delivered quicker. There’s a good chance you’ll see results faster, too.
Both Agencies and Consultants Offer Great Advice
At the end of the day, if you choose a good SEO consultant or SEO agency, you’ll still be receiving excellent advice. Most consultants and agencies are dedicated to their craft, go to the right conferences and test cutting-edge tactics. You may get access to a few more experts when you work with an SEO agency, but that doesn’t make an SEO consultant any less professional.
FAQs
What is an SEO consultant?
An SEO consultant is an independent professional who helps businesses rank better on search engines.
What does an SEO consultant do?
An SEO consultant provides a range of services to improve the search rankings of Google. This includes an SEO audit, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO.
What skills should an SEO consultant have?
An SEO consultant needs a range of skills. They must have technical skills to improve on-page SEO, be able to create great content, and be a good communicator.
How can I find a good SEO consultant?
You can find a good SEO consultant by searching review sites, running a Google search, asking your network, and posting on job sites.
Conclusion
SEO consultants can deliver incredible results to small businesses, helping them to improve every facet of SEO. From link building to on-site optimization, a good SEO consultant can do it all.
But they aren’t always the right choice for everyone. For some businesses, working with an SEO agency is a better choice. If you have the budget, an SEO agency will help you get more done in less time, supercharging your results in the process.
Whether you’re hiring an SEO consultant or an SEO agency, you can look in many of the same places and search for similar traits. Or you can ask my agency for help.
So what’s right for your business? An SEO consultant or an SEO agency?
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