As search engines evolve, the demand for skilled technical SEO consultants is skyrocketing. These experts play a crucial role in optimising websites to achieve higher rankings, ensuring your content gets the visibility it deserves.

Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn the ropes or an experienced professional aiming to refine your skills, understanding the ins and outs of technical SEO is essential. Also, knowing what to look for in a top-notch SEO consultant for hiring managers can make all the difference in your digital strategy’s success. Let’s get started.

The Role of a Technical SEO Consultant

A technical SEO consultant performs in-depth audits to identify issues affecting a site’s search engine performance. In this case, this person deals with the site’s foundation and architecture, which may affect its crawlability.

To conduct a comprehensive website audit, the consultant will need access to your Google Search Console or use specialised software like Screaming Frog SEO Spider. These make identifying technical issues that may hinder search engine crawling, indexing, and ranking much easier. They help examine site structure, navigation, URL structure, page speed, and mobile-friendliness.

After identifying issues during the audit, a technical SEO consultant develops strategies and implements them on the site’s content management system (CMS) to enhance site performance.

A consultant is also proficient with website migrations, which involve moving a site from one domain to another. They significantly change a website’s URL structure, impacting search engine rankings. Technical SEO specialists manage these migrations to ensure a smooth transition without negatively affecting your site’s search engine visibility, something a consultant can do.

Given their responsibilities above, a consultant and a technical SEO specialist overlap. However, the main difference between them lies in their focus and level of involvement. Consultants offer strategic guidance and recommendations based on industry experience, while specialists focus on hands-on implementation and continuous optimization of technical SEO strategies.

Benefits of Hiring a Technical SEO Consultant

Hiring a technical SEO consultant can benefit businesses looking to improve their online presence and search engine rankings. Here are some key advantages:

1. In-depth expertise: Technical SEO consultants have specialized knowledge and experience in helping Google crawl and index websites for search engines. They stay up-to-date with best practices related to faster loading times, better user experience, and increased engagement, ensuring your site meets current standards.
2. Competitive advantage: A well-optimized website can outperform competitors who neglect technical SEO. Consultants can help you gain an edge by ensuring your site is technically sound and adheres to industry best practices.
3. Time and resource savings: Optimizing a website’s technical aspects can be time-consuming and complex. Hiring a consultant lets you focus on your core business while leaving the technical SEO work to an expert.
4. Long-term strategy: Technical SEO consultants can help develop a long-term plan for your website, ensuring it remains optimized and performs well as search engine algorithms evolve.

Key Skills and Qualifications of a Technical SEO Consultant

There are lots of technical SEO consultants in the job market, but only a few align with your business goals and objectives. Knowing how to find out who these are helps save time and resources, so you can get your site indexed faster with help from a person who fits your business like a glove.

Below are things to look for in the consultant you plan on hiring:

• Proficiency in SEO tools and software: A technical SEO consultant must master various technical SEO tools like the aforementioned Screaming Frog to assist in auditing and monitoring. Familiarity with these tools enables effective identification and resolution of technical SEO issues.
• Understanding search engine algorithms: Google’s and other search engines’ ever-evolving algorithms dictate how websites rank. Staying updated ensures your strategies remain effective.
• Expertise in site architecture: A consultant optimises site structure to enhance search engine visibility and user experience. This involves effectively structuring URLs, breadcrumb navigation, and internal linking.
• Managing website migrations: Website migrations can negatively affect rankings and organic search performance if done incorrectly. A competent consultant handles migrations seamlessly, mitigating potential negative impacts.
• Proficiency in coding and web development: Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is valuable. It aids in understanding and fixing code-related technical SEO issues. Basic programming skills help implement technical elements efficiently.
• Analytical skills: A consultant analyses data from SEO audits, monitoring tools, and analytics software to derive actionable insights, which guide optimization strategies.
• Collaboration with development and marketing teams: Effective communication ensures that technical SEO strategies align with the overall marketing strategy.
• Experience with CMSs: Familiarity with WordPress, Magento, and Shopify is beneficial. It helps implement technical SEO best practices across various platforms.
• Problem-solving abilities: To maintain or enhance search engine rankings, you must swiftly diagnose and resolve complex technical SEO issues.
• Continuous learning and adaptation: Attending webinars and conferences and reading the latest SEO blogs ensures you remain at the forefront of the field.
• Knowledge of page and site speed optimisation: This involves minimising load times and enhancing overall user experience, directly impacting search engine rankings.

Finding and Hiring a Technical SEO Consultant

Now that you know how to hire the best SEO people, it’s time to go out there and find the best tech SEO consultant for your business. Here are ways to do it:

Identifying Your Specific Technical SEO Needs and Goals

Identify technical SEO issues like slow site speed, poor URL structure, or broken links.

If your website is built on WordPress, ensure the consultant has expertise in technical SEO for WordPress.

Your goals might include improving search engine visibility, enhancing organic search performance, or addressing technical SEO problems.

Researching and Evaluating Potential Consultants

Search for potential technical SEO consultants, technical SEO services, or agencies with a proven track record. Look for consultants who have conducted successful technical SEO audits, demonstrated proficiency in tech SEO tools, and have experience with site architecture optimisation.

Evaluate their past work by reading case studies and client feedback. Compare consultants based on their specialisation in areas relevant to your needs, such as handling website migrations or boosting site speed.

Conducting Interviews and Discussing Project Scope

Discuss the specific technical aspects of your website that need improvement, such as addressing broken links or optimising site speed.

Ask about their approach to technical SEO strategies, experience with international SEO if applicable, and familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS).

A technical SEO specialist should be able to answer all your questions, paving the way for a clear strategy to achieve your website’s goals.

Negotiating Terms, Deliverables, and Pricing

Before starting the engagement, agree on the scope of work, deliverables, and pricing.

Ensure the terms include detailed actions, such as regular technical SEO audits and the implementation of strategies to improve search engine results pages.

Negotiate a pricing model that aligns with your budget and the tasks’ complexity. Clarify the expected outcomes and timelines to avoid any misunderstandings.

Establishing Clear Communication Channels and Reporting Expectations

Set up regular communication channels to stay informed about the progress. Decide on the frequency of updates, including weekly reports or monthly meetings.

Expect transparency in the work process, including detailed reports on actions taken, site performance metrics, and progress towards your SEO goals.

Working with a Technical SEO Consultant

which is essential for improving your search engine results pages (SERPs) rankings.

Setting Clear Objectives

Define your website’s goals, such as improving search engine visibility or increasing page speed.

With clear objectives, your consultant can devise a customised technical SEO strategy tailored to your needs. If you focus on technical SEO for WordPress, ensure your consultant is proficient with this platform.

Conducting a Technical SEO Audit

This audit helps identify technical SEO issues like broken links, slow site speed, or poor site architecture.

Using tools like Google Search Console and their knowledge and expertise in technical SEO, your consultant can pinpoint problem areas that no one else can spot, bringing your site closer to enhanced overall site performance.

Addressing Technical Elements

Your technical SEO consultant focuses on structured data, canonical tags, and XML sitemaps. Correctly implementing these elements makes your website more accessible to search engine spiders.

Implementing Recommendations

This could involve improving site architecture, enhancing site speed, or fixing broken links. Collaboration speeds up the process, ensuring technical SEO work is performed efficiently and effectively.

Monitoring and Reporting

Your consultant regularly tracks metrics using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. They provide detailed reports on improvements, offering insight into organic search performance and search engine optimisation progress.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance

Search engine algorithms frequently change, making it essential to stay updated. Your technical SEO consultant provides continued oversight and adjusts strategies to optimise your site.

Collaboration with Other Teams

Your technical SEO consultant coordinates with content creators, web developers, and marketing professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that technical aspects of SEO are integrated into your overall marketing strategy, creating a cohesive digital presence.

Common Technical SEO Services and Deliverables

Technical SEO involves services designed to enhance your website’s visibility and performance in search engine results pages (SERPs). Here’s a look at standard technical SEO services and deliverables from technical SEO consultants for their audit and migration services.

Structured Data Implementation

Structured data helps search engines understand the content on your website more clearly. Technical SEO consultants assist in implementing structured data and enhancing your presence in SERPs with rich snippets, which can improve click-through rates. Structured data is crucial for ecommerce websites and content management systems (CMS).

Page Speed Optimization

Technical SEO experts optimise your site speed to improve user experience and search engine rankings. Techniques like image compression, code minification, and leveraging browser caching are commonly employed.

Monitoring and Reporting

Consultants use tools like Google Search Console and analytics platforms to track your website’s performance. These reports highlight areas needing improvement and document the effectiveness of implemented SEO strategies.

International SEO

Technical SEO specialists implement strategies like hreflang tags to handle multilingual content and different search engine preferences. This is crucial for businesses targeting a global audience.

Mobile SEO

Technical SEO services include optimizing mobile usability and ensuring your site meets mobile-first indexing requirements. This focuses on responsive design, mobile site speed, and user-friendly navigation.

Measuring the ROI of Technical SEO Consulting

Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) for technical SEO consulting requires a structured approach. By focusing on specific metrics, you can determine the effectiveness of the technical SEO services implemented.

Key Metrics for Measuring ROI

• Audit and migration implementation: The consultant should resolve the issues picked up in the audit report. Some tools, like Ahrefs Webmaster Tool, allow you to score a site’s health based on its technical factors. Fixing the technical errors found on the site increases the score and shows that they’ve done the job.
• Page Speed Improvements: Faster page load times improve user experience and higher SERP rankings. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to measure changes in site speed before and after implementing technical SEO solutions.
• Organic traffic: How much search engine traffic a website receives is a byproduct of multiple factors like on-page and off-page SEO. However, technical SEO plays a role by making the website easier for search spiders to crawl. As a result, the more pages search engines index, the more organic traffic it can get.

Real-World Application

Technical SEO consultants bring specialised skills to audit and refine websites, focusing on site speed, architecture, and other technical aspects. Practical examples include resolving broken links to enhance user experience and conducting website migrations smoothly to maintain search engine visibility.

Reporting and Analysis

Regular reporting and analysis are crucial. Develop a schedule to review key metrics and generate reports showing the ROI of technical SEO activities. This will help pinpoint areas needing further optimisation and quantify the success of implemented strategies.

Conclusion

Choosing a skilled technical SEO consultant can significantly boost your website’s performance and visibility. Leveraging their expertise in audits, structured data, and page speed optimisation can improve your site’s metrics.

Investing in a technical SEO consultant can lead to sustained growth and a competitive edge in your industry. So, get started by looking for the best possible candidate for SEO.Careers. We also match you with consultants who share your values and goals. This increases the chances of hiring a technical SEO expert that fits your company.

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