Despite popular opinion, SEO is more critical than ever for businesses of all sizes. It’s especially vital for small business owners and marketing managers who aim to improve their online visibility and attract more customers. However, a rather distinctive question remains to be answered: Should you hire an SEO freelancer? Better yet, why should you hire SEO freelancers? I will do my best and explain all the pros and cons of hiring an SEO freelancer for your business.
Is SEO important for small businesses?
Before we jump into the specifics of hiring an SEO freelancer, let’s briefly discuss why SEO is essential for your business. Besides the obvious, I will try to mention some less-known benefits of having a single person do your SEO marketing.
Search engine marketing improves your business’ online visibility
SEO will indeed improve your visibility. A well-executed SEO strategy makes it easier for potential customers to find your website via search engines. Keep in mind, that you will not keep your competitors out of business, because they too are most likely using someone to gain marketing leverage over your business. However, it will create a safe balance between local businesses trying to attract more customers. After all, it’s all about an equal share of the business pie, right?
Build credibility with SEO
It doesn’t make much sense, but it’s 100% accurate. In fact, high search rankings often translate to increased trust in your brand. In other words, it means you’ve recently invested in marketing your business. With that being said, search engines will spot this as a big plus for your brand. Moreover, your organic visitors will feel safe knowing Google and other search engines rank you first for a reason.
Cost-effective marketing
This is what I have been talking about for a decade now. Compared to traditional advertising, SEO offers a better return on investment (ROI). Why? Because paid advertising means a recurrent expenditure, with no guarantees of positive ROI. On the other hand, optimizing your website for search engines is an evergreen concept. To simplify, search engine optimization is built to last. You can expect tons of customers within months, and at least a hundred more during the first month or so. This is not a s**tty “I’ll rank you #1 on Google” guarantee. If done right, you will be ranked among the top results after a while.
Pros of Hiring an SEO Freelancer
There are many positives to hiring an SEO freelancer to increase the visibility of your product or service. I’ll try to be as brief as I can and explain only the essential ones. Don’t worry, we’ll also mention the (somewhat) negative traits, too.
It’s a cost-effective solution
Of course, small business owners are tight on cash. Naturally, one of the most significant advantages of hiring an SEO freelancer is cost savings. Unlike SEO agencies, freelancers usually have lower overhead costs, allowing us to offer competitive rates. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses with limited marketing budgets.
They offer specialized expertise
Freelancers often specialize in specific areas of SEO, such as keyword research, link building, or on-page optimization. Their specialized skills can provide targeted solutions for your needs. It’s reassuring to know that every aspect of your SEO strategy is handled by a veteran SEO specialist.
Flexibility
As freelancers, we typically offer more flexibility compared to agencies. We can adapt to your schedule and adjust our strategies quickly based on your business needs. This flexibility makes it easier to implement changes and see improved results. Also, SEO specialists often won’t charge for this.
Personalized service
When you hire a freelancer, you often work directly with the person responsible for your SEO. This direct communication can lead to a more personalized approach, ensuring that your specific requirements are met and there is less room for miscommunication.
Possibility for long-term investment in SEO
If you like what the SEO freelancer has done with the website so far, why not hire them again? Do you see an increase in website visitors? Better yet, are the phones ringing more often than before? With SEO being so underrated nowadays, it can provide ROI of over 400% compared to paid advertising. This means you can safely start scaling your company with increased income and more room to invest in various departments.
Cons of Hiring an SEO Freelancer
Limited resources
Truth be told, some freelancers may lack the resources and tools that larger agencies possess. This limitation could impact the breadth and depth of the SEO services they provide, especially for larger and more complex projects. However, most small businesses have never invested in digital marketing. Thus, creating basic SEO reports is much more realistic and will rather provide keyword opportunities than any technical issues to fix.
Availability issues
Some freelancers juggle multiple clients simultaneously, so their availability can sometimes be limited. If they’re working on several projects at once, you might experience delays in your SEO tasks. On a personal note, I’ve never experienced any dissatisfaction from any of my clients when it comes to availability. I leave this to amateur SEO specialists looking to earn faster, rather than try and build lasting friendships and business relationships with small business owners.
Lack of accountability
Freelancers operate independently, which can sometimes mean they lack the accountability and reliability you’d expect from a more established agency. Without a formal contract or ongoing relationship, there’s a risk that the freelancer might not meet your expectations or deadlines. Here’s a solution. Write an online review. Next, publish it somewhere online, so that others would know what NOT to expect from that person. Finally, wait for the freelancer to see the negative review, and check the offer they’ve sent, for free this time.
Limited scalability
As your business grows, your SEO needs will become more extensive. Freelancers might struggle to scale their services to meet the increasing demands of a growing business. In such cases, you might need to transition to an agency or build an in-house team. Of course, to be able to scale this much, at least 6-12 months will pass. Another good idea is to hire an in-house team of marketers since you can now afford it. On the other hand, you can simultaneously use your SEO freelancer to train your team to get more sales and leads for your business.
When to Consider an SEO Freelancer
Given the pros and cons, how do you know if hiring an SEO freelancer is the right move for your business? Here are some scenarios where a freelancer might be the ideal choice:
- Limited Budget: If you’re a small business with a tight budget, SEO freelancers can provide high-quality SEO services at a more affordable rate.
- Specific Needs: If you require specialized expertise for a particular aspect of SEO, a freelancer with that focus can be highly beneficial.
- Short-Term Projects: For one-off projects or short-term campaigns, SEO consultants offer flexibility and expertise without long-term commitments.
The verdict: Should you hire a freelance SEO specialist?
Hiring an SEO freelancer can be an excellent choice for small business owners and marketing managers looking to improve their online presence without breaking the bank. You should determine if the freelancer aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Some, like myself, offer transparent SEO packages, where you know what you’ll receive for your money. Others will try to upsell and cross-sell with other types of digital marketing. Personally, I have zero respect for those looking to earn more, because it simply MAKES NO SENSE.
If you’re ready to take your SEO efforts to the next level but are unsure where to start, consider consulting with me to get a feel for my approach and expertise. With an SEO freelancer, your small business can benefit from enhanced visibility, increased credibility, and a better ROI.
If you want to hire an SEO freelancer for your business, see my monthly SEO packages or schedule a call. And if you need more convincing, read my complete guide to buying monthly SEO packages.
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