What is an SEO Specialist?
An SEO specialist, or Search Engine Optimisation Specialist, is a professional who focuses on improving the online visibility of a website. The specialist does this by optimizing the website so that it ranks better in the search results of search engines such as Google.
What does an SEO Specialist do?
An SEO specialist deals with a wide range of tasks that are crucial for improving a website's online visibility.
Keyword Research
Keyword research is one of the fundamentals of SEO. It involves an SEO specialist looking for keywords and phrases that people use in search engines that are relevant to the website or business.
This helps to understand which terms are popular and which can be used in content to rank better in search results. Keyword research also looks at the competition on certain keywords and how specific or broad the terms are.
Technical Optimisation
Technical optimization involves improving various technical aspects of a website. This includes:
Load time: Speeding up the website's load time so that visitors don't click away due to a slow website.
Mobile usability: Making sure the website functions and looks good on mobile devices.
Bug fixing: Identifying and correcting technical errors on the website that may affect the user experience or search engine performance.
Content Optimisation
Content optimization involves improving the content of a website to better suit visitors' needs and perform better in search engines. This includes:
Quality content: Creating informative and valuable content that helps or entertains visitors.
Use of keywords: Integrating relevant keywords naturally into content.
Meta tags: Optimising titles, descriptions, and other meta tags that appear in search results.
Link building
Link building is the process of obtaining links from other websites to one's own. This is important because search engines see links as a sign of trust. The more high-quality links a website has, the better it will perform in search results.
Link building can be done in various ways, such as creating valuable content that people want to share, or partnering with other websites.
The Benefits of an SEO Specialist
Hiring an SEO specialist can have significant benefits for a business or website. These are the listed benefits in more detail:
Improved Visibility
One of the primary goals of SEO is to improve a website's visibility in search engines. By optimizing the website for relevant keywords, and technical aspects and creating valuable content, an SEO specialist can ensure that the website ranks higher in the search results of search engines like Google.
This is crucial, as websites that appear on the first page of search results get significantly more clicks than those that appear on later pages.
More Traffic
When a website ranks higher in search results, this will usually lead to an increase in visitors. This is also known as organic traffic. With more organic traffic, the website gets more exposure and can attract more potential customers or users.
This is especially valuable because organic traffic is often of high quality, meaning that these visitors are actively looking for the products or services offered by the website.
ROI (Return on Investment)
Hiring an SEO specialist can also have financial benefits. By optimizing the website and attracting more traffic, there is a good chance that more conversions will occur, such as purchases, sign-ups, or filling out contact forms. This can lead to increased sales.
The beauty of SEO is that it often has a lasting effect. Unlike paid ads, where traffic stops as soon as you stop paying, a properly optimized website can continue to attract traffic for a longer period of time. This can lead to a positive return on investment (ROI) in the long run.
Additional Benefits
Apart from the above benefits, hiring an SEO specialist also helps build brand authority and trust. A website that ranks high in search results is often seen as more trustworthy and authoritative in its field. Moreover, an SEO specialist can offer insights into the behavior and preferences of the target audience, which can help in making more informed business decisions.
Why hire an SEO specialist
Hiring an SEO specialist offers several benefits for businesses. Here are some reasons why it may be wise to hire an SEO specialist:
Expertise: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a complex field that is constantly evolving. An SEO specialist has the necessary knowledge and experience to apply the best strategies for optimizing websites. They understand how search engines work and what factors affect search results.
Saving time and resources: Optimising a website for search engines requires a lot of time and effort. An SEO specialist can take on this task, allowing the in-house team to concentrate on other important tasks. Moreover, a specialist has specialized tools and resources needed for effective SEO implementation.
Improved search results: By optimizing the website according to SEO best practices, a specialist can improve the site's ranking in search engines. This can lead to higher visibility of the website and more organic traffic from potential customers. A higher ranking in search engines can also increase the company's trust and credibility.
Competitive advantage: In the online world, competition is often fierce. Hiring an SEO specialist can give you an edge over your competitors. A specialist will research the competition and develop strategies to outperform them. This will help your business attract more customers and grow.
ROI (Return on Investment): A well-executed SEO strategy can provide a significant return on investment. By attracting more targeted traffic to your website, you increase your chances of conversions and sales. An SEO specialist can help you measure and analyze the results so you can evaluate the effectiveness of your investment.
How Much Does an SEO Specialist Cost?
When hiring an SEO specialist, there are a number of factors to consider. It is not a one-size-fits-all price tag. The cost depends on the complexity of your site and the goals you have in mind.
The Role of Complexity and Goals
The complexity of your site is a big factor in the cost of an SEO specialist. A simple website with few pages will require less time and expertise than an elaborate e-commerce website with hundreds or even thousands of product pages.
Your goals are also crucial. Do you only want to increase your local visibility? Or do you want to reach a national or even global audience? The more specific and ambitious your goals, the more work and specialist knowledge will be required.
Rates: Hourly Fee versus Monthly Fee
It is also good to know that an SEO specialist's hourly fee can vary depending on the task. For example, developing a strategy or carrying out detailed site analysis and keyword research can be more expensive than content creation.
As an indication, we can say that for strategy, keyword research, and site analysis, at SEO Agency Mindd, an amount of around €3,000 is charged. For content creation, you should think of a rate of €70 per hour or between €300 and €500 for an article of 700 to 1,000 words.
Another option is to agree on a monthly fee. This can be useful if you need a certain amount of content and site maintenance. The costs for this can vary, but for an average site, they are usually between €1,500 and €3,000 per month.
More Complex Sites: A Team of Specialists
More complex sites often require hiring multiple specialists, each with its own discipline. This can ultimately lead to higher costs, but the extra investment may be worth it for achieving your SEO goals.
FQA: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SEO specialist?
An SEO specialist, or Search Engine Optimisation Specialist, is someone who has experience and knowledge in improving the online visibility of a website. This is achieved by optimizing the website so that it ranks higher in the search results of search engines such as Google.
What tasks does an SEO specialist perform?
An SEO specialist performs various tasks, such as:
Keyword Research: Identifying relevant keywords and phrases.
Technical Optimisation: Improving loading time, mobile usability, and fixing technical errors on the website.
Content Optimisation: Creating quality content and integrating keywords.
Link Building: Getting links from other websites to one's own.
Is it difficult to be an SEO specialist?
Being an SEO specialist can be challenging because of the skills required such as analytical thinking, technical knowledge, and creativity. Moreover, search engine algorithms change regularly, which means constant adaptation and learning are required.
What are the benefits of hiring an SEO specialist?
The benefits include improved online visibility, increased traffic to the website, positive ROI, building brand authority, and gaining insights into target audience behavior and preferences.
Why should I hire an SEO specialist?
Hiring an SEO specialist provides expertise in a complex and evolving field, saves time and resources, improves search rankings, gives a competitive advantage, and can provide a significant return on investment.
How much does it cost to hire an SEO specialist?
The cost of hiring an SEO specialist can vary depending on the complexity of the site and the goals set. Rates can be on an hourly basis or as a monthly fee. Strategy and analysis can cost around €3,000, while content creation can cost around €70 an hour or between €300 and €500 for a 700- to 1,000-word article. A monthly fee for an average site is usually between €1,500 and €3,000.
Do I need a team of specialists for a complex website?
Yes, more complex websites may require hiring multiple specialists, each with its own discipline. This may lead to higher costs but may be worth the extra investment to achieve your SEO goals.
