Is it worth hiring an SEO expert for a one time project?
Should I consider doing this in-house?
I work for a company with under 50 employees, in the Tool and Die Industry. We have been in the business for over 100 years and are almost invisible to Google searches. Our current marketing strategy uses the internet very little, and we have been considering investing in SEO services.
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Sep 30, 2016
Dear Andrew
I like to answer as directly and plainly as you have set your question.
Simple answer is NO.
Here are the reasons:
SEO is part of an ongoing business and marketing process. Just the same as you do not carry out a 1 time product development and then sit back and say “Hey guys we are set for life, we have a product!”. Neither does nobody set up 1 marketing push and then tick the list to say “Marketing for this year is done!”. You cannot achieve anything permanent or lasting by single hit SEO. You never stop marketing, your competitor never stop marketing, and hence your SEO should be part and parcel of your Web Presence Strategy and Marketing Plan.
Here are some basic facts to consider:
1. Page 1 of Google has only 10 slots
2. 60% of searchers do not go beyond page 1
3. Your competitors will not sit idle and let you steal their position on Page 1 or even Page 2 for that matter. They are not going to let you eat their lunch without a fight.
This means without SEO and proper Web Presence strategy, you may hit Page 1 for a short while but will fade away rapidly as your actions become dated and your competitors respond accordingly.
Whilst as a company we offer 1-off SEO, it is not our recommended approach and we are very clear about it when clients ask us for such services. We offer the service if they want as they are the paymasters, but we ensure they enter this with their eyes wide open.
You have to be very clear that SEO (on page or off page) is an ongoing process and is only possible with ongoing collaboration between the client and the supplier of service. This continual feedback loop enables clients and SEO practitioners to take effective actions in promoting client's websites effectively and defend their position when necessary.
I hope this helps.
Sep 29, 2016
Here is where the real problem lies. You need to have a strategy making extensive use of the Internet. Not only do you need to have a good website, but you need to get it out there. SEO is but one part of it. You can create your own email list, blog, use social media to promote yourself. But don't ignore the obvious - put your website address and email address on all pieces of things you hand out - business cards, brochures, mailers, print and broadcast ads. There are so many choices that are cost-effective. But good SEO is a must. Remember that the search engines now emphasize local searches and websites that are mobile-device compatible.
Sep 29, 2016
100 years ? it seems you are in business since quite some time.
If you want to stay in business another 100 years, I would advise you not to consider being visible on the internet as a ONE TIME project !
Good luck
Sep 29, 2016
It obviously depends on your resources. There's a lot of ways you can increase your SEO both organically and paid. You might want to start off hiring a consultant to assess where you're at and what things you need to do. Coming up with a plan, then executing that plan will probably take many resources.
Some things to think about:
1.) Do you have a nice mobile responsive site.
2.) Are there call to actions built onto your website? Forms, downloading information, etc.
3.) Are your webpage optimized with keywords, meta tags, etc?
4.) Do you have a list of your top 50 keywords that are built into your website and PPC campaigns?
5.) Do you write industry articles for your site that include keywords?
6.) Do you have any PPC campaigns setup?
These are all things a consultant would take a look at and create plans for. SEO is definitely not a one-off project, it's a long term strategy and commitment.
Sep 29, 2016
Hi Andrew,
That's true now a days business marketing scenario is change. We should consider online market to increase number of lead, number of sales & enquiries. Most of the populations in the world using social channels and recommendations, prefer reviews about product.
So finally I suggest you should go with online marketing and hire someone who have the good experience in seo and other online marketing practices.
In-house hiring is not worth for one time projects, you can outsource your project and save and cut around 40% cost.
I am digital marketing expert from india. Contact me if you need any further assistance.
Thanks
Rinku chaudhary
Skype- digilandm
Sep 29, 2016
Andrew,
As with most marketing efforts, doing SEO ONE-TIME is probably a WASTE of your money. It's like going to the gym ONCE and expecting to get fit.
You need to sit down and develop an Internet Marketing Plan that will integrate with your current marketing plan. Set some goals and objectives.
Do a survey with your current clients to get an insight into their online behaviour and activities. Are they using social media, do they subscribe to any email newsletters?
Have you claimed your GOOGLE MY BUSINESS page?
To your success,
Kevin Toney
the Marketing Coach.
Sep 29, 2016
No. One off is like making a shop on the high street, with no windows or doors. You need to make the shop, then introduce doors and windows and then change the displays and add new stock.
Same as SEO, set it up, then "twiddle it" on a regular basis.
Andrew - email me for a free review - and a chat - no obligation.
Stuart
Sep 26, 2016
Hello Andrew,
According to my point of view if you operate any business and you are not visible on search engine then you didn't receive online benefits.
SEO is the process to improve your business in Google SERP.
SEO is must for all types business. And also SEO is not a one-time investment.
So I highly recommend you to hire a Digital marketing agency that has good knowledge in the digital industry. Every digital agency charge according to their services. It may be $500 to $1000.
If you want to hire digital marketer/agency then read this post before hire: http://bit.ly/11X9HoD
Sep 26, 2016
Hi Andrew,
I am going to start my reply with the quote "Ignoring online marketing/SEO is like opening a business but not telling anyone". This quote is suitable for every kind of business & every business must invest in online marketing/SEO. In online business without SEO/marketing, you never earn with your website. So in my point of view SEO gives exposure to your business through social media & content marketing.
So if you want to succeed in online business you must hire SEO Company for future of your business.
Thanks
Rajnish
Sep 23, 2016
It depends on your market.
If you are a local based business, wanting to be found by those who could benefit from your services in your surrounding region, there are some simple things you can do yourself that will virtually guarantee you appear on page one within a few days. It's all about utilising Google Maps linked to Google My Business, (keyword optimised), and then building reviews, but I won't say any more than this as it will give away some of the secrets my clients pay me for. :)
If you are trying to get found in more of a global market then you will need an ongoing strategy that pushes you ahead of those in the same market who have not invested in SEO. This is where Wordpress plugins and customised URLs work in unison with the right keywords to get you found. Not to mention an ongoing Social Media strategy with link backs to your main site.
Make sure that if you do decide to engage the services of an SEO company that you do not fall for the "we will get you found on page one" story, unless they can continue the sentence to say "... on at least three of your chosen keywords". As anyone can get found by searching their business name. It's getting found for WHAT YOU DO that is far more important, as that is what people will be searching for; not your business name.
In short, to get found on local searches, do it yourself; to get found globally, use the experts.
Sep 23, 2016
Hi Andrew,
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Although you can optimize for SEO as a one-time project, the most effective SEO strategy is long-term since it could take months to show SEO ranking improvement.
The same way you can do accounting or legal in-house, you can definitely do SEO and other marketing in-house, too...as long as you have a specialist who works for you. If you have someone who is inexperienced doing your legal or accounting, you could be in trouble with the law or the IRS, and similarly, if you let an inexperienced person handle your SEO, you could be in trouble with Google.
Hope this helps,
Sharon
Sep 23, 2016
Blogging regularly gives Google the fresh, relevant content it wants. Add to that, sharing your content on social media as well as a properly set-up, optimized website and you'll get on the first page of Google.
It is on-going. Google ignores stagnant websites.
Depends on your budget if you should hire someone, but it can be done in-house with the proper knowledge. Cost can range from $1000-2000/m for an digital marketing expert worth their salt. Be careful and check out the service provider before you hire them.
I've got several SEO articles on my site. Just search for SEO.
Giselle
AZSocialMediaWiz
Sep 23, 2016
Hi Andrew: I am bias but for good reason. If your organization isn't visible on Google, my answer to your questions is absolutely yes!
Although SEO is only one small part of a comprehensive digital marketing plan, it's a good place to start. Realize that if you don't apply a digital marketing plan at all, you will remain invisible and worse, any competition that understands today's marketing climate will rocket ahead of you.
Basic on page SEO will not be a magic wand and change visibility in a dramatic fashion but as I said, it's a starting point and you're either moving forward or moving backwards. I'm sure you want your company to move forward. Once you have SEO applied, you will then be in a position to incorporate other marketing assets and gain some real traction.
I suggest you establish tangible goals. When you have tangible goals you should then find a digital marketing company that can create a marketing plan that illustrates the methodology and components (SEO) to reach those goals. A good digital marketing company will also be able to analyze and account for ROI at every stage of your new marketing plan.
My point here is that SEO is a great way to start and may produce an increase in revenue but if that is the only element of digital marketing you plan to execute, you might be better off saving that investment for a time when you're ready to market online properly. Daniel
Sep 23, 2016
Most definitely hire an expert that also has a team who are also experts in a particular service. Because they will keep up to date about the service how to tweet what is needed to help get the best result.
And on top of that the expert will give you any support you need. Now you have an expert that will get you best results without you having to pay benefits when they can not come to work.
When that happen the work stops. Not when you have a team of outsource experts. I can't say it loud enough hire an expert.
All the best
William
wesmithllc(at)gmail(dot)com
Sep 23, 2016
Yeah, just hire them temporary part time, pay them like $25/hr max for like 2 days a week for 2 hours, milk them for all their knowledge (maybe take a audio recorder to meetings?), then release them and have your own $12/hr staff take over. You'll be fine for sure. Good Luck!
Sep 23, 2016
If you have capable team in-house then yes you can consider that approach. But we also always recommend businesses to get third party view from an expert agency / consultant even if you have team in-house.
I strongly recommend you to hire an agency and ask for an audit which includes
1. Where your website stands today
2. What is missing and what it requires.
3. What are your hanging fruit opportunities.
4. Provide strategy
5.Provide training material/ support for your in-hosue team
Once you have good understanding of your website performance and strategy, it will help your in-house team to implement this strategy accordingly. You can also ask the agency to oversea the project / team for few months to ensure team Implement the strategy accordingly.
Second Scenario - if you dont have team in-house as yet.
If you dont have team already in place, I suggest that you start SEO / online marketing by using the agency. Use their expertise and let them put your website performance in right shape. During this time you can also ask them to start building the team plan and help you find the right resource.
Hope the above helps but if you have any further question please let me know
All the best.
Qamar Rehman
Managing Director
Q-Online Ltd.
+44 (00)2086842933
Qamar.Rehman(at)q-online.co.uk
q-online.co.uk
Sep 23, 2016
Andrew,
Considering SEO a one-time project is like going to chiropractor for one visit and expecting your back to be perfect or like doing an oil change on your car once and expecting it to run smoothly forever. Staying visible online requires an ongoing digital strategy.
If you're interested in a face-to-face meeting to learn about your options and what would be best for your business, I can connect you with one of our local Ohio or Detroit-based reps. Our head office is based in Granville, OH just outside of Columbus.
We work with many companies like yourselves across the US that have been around for ages but are invisible to the search engines.
I highly recommend you work with a professional. Partnering with a digital marketing professional allows you to use your time is on income generating activities you're an expert in.
Sep 23, 2016
Hi Andrew,
Firstly, I have worked as a Digital Marketer for 11+ years with search marketing (SEO and PPC) as my speciality. In the last 3 years I have run a successful company called Odyssey New Media (odysseynewmedia.com) here in the UK. We've worked with both UK and international clients past and present to help them improve their Search and overall DM marketing strategies.
My answer would be that you need internet presence in this modern age because your new younger customers (myself included at 33) all search for services online and mainly via the Search Engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo.
Be aware, SEO is not a quick strategy and it can take many months to rank for some of your key terms. Most of our clients understand this and invest 6-12 months minimum to really see traction. Very often there is lead time and we are waiting on Google and the engines to reward our efforts over the months of sustained activity. However there are quick-win strategies which can be deployed in the first 3 months of an SEO campaign which can really help to set you up to gain more traffic from both quick-win and longer-win terms.
If you aren't investing in Digital you really could be missing out. There are also a wealth of other channels to consider utilising including Paid Ads (PPC), Remarketing, Display, Email marketing (if not already) and Social Ads.
If you would like to discuss further give me a call on +44 7940420201 or email me rstoubos(at)odysseynewmedia(dot)com.
I'm happy to answer any questions and show you some case studies where we have helped people grow their SEO.
Cheers,
Rob
Founder/CEO of Odyssey New Media Ltd
odysseynewmedia.com
t: +44 7940420201
e: rstoubos(at)odysseynewmedia(dot)com.
Sep 23, 2016
Spending some time on Google search will get you started with basic SEO tasks such as content optimization and off-page tasks such as title, description, and H1 tags. However in my opinion if you're looking for your site to appear on the first page of search results for strategic words/phrases, you should seek the services of a professional.
I agree with Earl that SEO is not a one-time deal. Plus, it shouldn't be your only tool. Sometimes tech folks use a hammer approach where everything looks like a nail. You can see why this is a bad approach.
Any decent online marketing professional can look at your business and its goals, then make some recommendations based on what are the current best options. Developing a long-term process that can grow with your business is, of course, the best approach. But if your budget is limited at the moment, it'll still be worth getting an idea of what is possible.