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So, you’ve got a website up and running, and you’ve realised that getting discovered by search engines is no walk in the park.
You’re not alone.
While SEO can be complex, it plays a pivotal role in driving organic traffic, boosting your website’s rankings, and, ultimately, growing your online presence.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the ins and outs of monthly SEO services and why they play a vital role in the ever-changing world of online marketing.
What exactly is SEO management?
When people search for something online, they usually turn to search engines to find the answers they’re looking for.
And that’s where SEO management comes into play.
It involves a range of strategies and techniques to improve your website’s ranking in search engine results.
Why is that important?
Well, studies have shown that most people tend to click on the top few results when they search for something.
So, the higher your website appears in those results, the more likely it is to attract visitors.
Now, if you’re like most business owners, you don’t have time to learn SEO.
So that’s why you hire someone to do it for you.
What do monthly SEO services include?
First, there’s keyword research and analysis
Keyword research involves finding the most relevant and valuable keywords for your business.
By planning your content around these keywords, you can make your website more aligned with what people are searching for.
Next, there’s on-page optimisation
This involves things like:
- Fine-tuning your content
- Writing compelling meta titles and descriptions
- Structure catchy headings for SEO
- And organise your URL structures
These are all things that make your website search-engine-friendly.
Which helps you rank higher in relevant search results.
This can be tracked using SEO tools like SemRush.
But here’s the thing: Google doesn’t just want you to write for the bots.
They want you to write for the readers too.
There’s a big misconception that you should only write content for SEO purposes.
But in reality, no one wants to read boring content stuffed with keywords.
This is why Google monitors how readers engage with websites more than ever.
Then, there’s technical SEO
Think of technical SEO as the plumbing and electrical wiring of your website.
It involves optimising technical aspects such as speed, mobile-friendliness, and how easy it is for bots to crawl and index your website.
I personally use Screaming Frog to help me find any technical issues with my site.
We can’t forget about link building and off-page optimisation
Link building is about forming connections between your website and other (hopefully) reputable websites through high-quality backlinks.
Simply put, a backlink is a link from one website to another.
These backlinks act as a vote of confidence, telling search engines that your website knows what it’s talking about and can be trusted.
But there’s the catch: to earn this trust, you can’t just build a link with anyone.
There is such a thing as low-quality backlinks.
These are links from low-traffic and low-ranking websites that don’t add value to your website.
So when someone offers you cheap “high-quality” SEO link-building services, RUN.
Lastly, there’s performance tracking and analytics
You might wonder, “Why should I bother with all this tracking stuff?”
It’s more important than you think.
Ignoring SEO performance tracking is like trying to drive blindfolded through a maze.
You might stumble upon some success by sheer luck, but more often than not, you’ll waste a lot of time, effort, and money.
Tracking your performance helps you to identify what’s working and what’s not.
It also helps you understand the return on investment (ROI) to allocate your money where it matters most.
I recommend using WhatConverts to track your ROI and SemRush to track your SEO performance.
What’s the difference between one-off and monthly SEO services?
I’m sure we’ve all asked this question at least once.
One-off SEO services are a quick fix or a one-time boost for your website’s SEO performance.
And businesses often fall into the trap of thinking that hiring a one-off SEO guy when you need help every now and then will cost less and achieve the same result.
But soon enough, they realise that’s not the case.
Search engine optimisation is an ongoing process.
If you’re hiring one-off SEO services, you will rack up a big bill with little to show for it.
With monthly SEO, you have an ongoing partnership with an experienced professional who continually monitors and improves your website’s SEO performance.
Search engines continually update their algorithms; competitors evolve, and consumer behaviour changes.
To stay on top, you need consistent SEO services — it’s as simple as that.
Now, let’s talk about the cost
If you’re like me and started your business from the ground up, you’ll know SEO is a long-term investment.
I don’t know one business that got off the ground without investing in their SEO.
But how much do you have to spend to get where you want to be?
Here’s what you need to consider:
Scope of Work:
SEO is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
A small backyard will require less effort to maintain than a sprawling estate.
The more extensive the work needed to enhance your online presence, the higher the cost is likely to be.
Competitiveness of the Industry:
If you’re operating in a niche with only a handful of competitors, the journey to the first page of Google might be much easier.
However, if you’re in a cutthroat industry with fierce competition, SEO experts will need to have more advanced tactics and allocate additional time to getting you to the top.
Pricing Models:
SEO service providers typically offer two main options: hourly or fixed package rates.
With hourly rates, you pay for the time spent on your SEO project.
This can be good or bad.
The number of times I’ve hired someone to help me at an hourly rate, I’ve mostly always regretted my decision.
Hiring someone at an hourly rate asks a lot of trust from you.
And if you’re like me and you expect a certain amount of work done in 8 hours (for example), then you end up disappointed when you only see 3 hours’ worth of work done.
But it’s not always like that.
There are marketplaces where you can hire affordable staff, such as onlinejobs.ph.
These marketplaces vet the staff making sure they fit your needs and keep them accountable for the hours they work for you.
This takes care of the trust aspect a little.
Fixed packages, on the other hand, are more my style.
The packages normally have clearly outlined services you will receive for a set price.
This gives you a better understanding of what you’ll receive for your investment.
Opting in for a package gets you more ‘bang for your buck’ (most of the time) and holds the other party accountable if they don’t deliver.
What to look for in SEO services
When looking for reliable and effective monthly SEO services, consider the following tips:
Look at their past work
Just like finding a reliable mechanic for your car, you want to work with an SEO team that knows their stuff.
Look for providers with a solid track record and a wealth of experience under their belts.
You can tell their experience from customer reviews, case studies and other websites they’ve helped in the past.
Avoid people that offer silver bullets
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint.
Steer clear of providers promising overnight miracles or quick fixes.
Look for a white-hat SEO expert that knows how to tackle every aspect of SEO management and plays by the rules set out by Google.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was sustainable SEO success.
Look for transparency
You deserve to know what’s happening behind the scenes.
Look for SEO consultants that value transparency and provide detailed reporting that even the less tech-savvy people can understand.
Find specialists that offer custom strategies
Just as no two businesses are the same, SEO strategies should be tailored to suit your specific needs and goals.
The best SEO consultants will take the time to understand your business, target audience, and objectives.
They’ll craft a custom strategy that aligns with your brand to get more leads or sales (or whatever your goal is).
Invest in your SEO
Monthly SEO services can be a game-changer.
By opting for ongoing optimisation, you ensure your website stays ahead in search rankings.
Remember, it’s not just about one-time fixes.
Monthly SEO is a long-term investment for your business.
When searching for a service provider, do your research, look for transparency, check their strategies, and ask for proof of success.
Choose wisely, and get ready to achieve your business goals with the help of monthly SEO services.
