SEO Outsourcing Strategies for Maximum Effectiveness
Are you struggling to find time for essential SEO tasks? If so, outsourcing SEO might be the solution you need. By leveraging expert knowledge and freeing up time for other critical aspects of your business, outsourcing can help you maximize the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. In this guide, we will explore the strategies for easy and effective implementation of SEO outsourcing based on industry experience.
What is SEO Outsourcing and Why Should You Consider It?
SEO outsourcing involves hiring an external agency or freelancers to handle various SEO tasks. Whether you need assistance with keyword research, content creation, link building, or technical SEO, outsourcing can be tailored to meet your specific needs. The flexibility of outsourcing allows you to delegate specific tasks or entire SEO campaigns to experts in the field.
There are two main reasons to consider outsourcing SEO: urgency and budget. If you require a project to be delivered within a short timeframe, outsourcing SEO is often the best option as it allows you to access specialized expertise quickly. Additionally, outsourcing SEO is usually more cost-effective than hiring a full-time employee, as you can hire freelancers for specific tasks without incurring the costs of benefits or a salary.
Specific scenarios where SEO outsourcing can be beneficial include the need for very specific SEO expertise, reducing the workload for in-house teams quickly, requiring speed and efficiency of delivery, having a new client without the time to hire a full-time employee, desiring a hands-off approach to SEO, or wanting to focus on areas of SEO that align with your strengths.
Agencies vs. Freelancers: Which Should You Choose?
When deciding between outsourcing to an agency or a freelancer, consider the scope of your SEO needs, your desired level of involvement, and your budget. Agencies are ideal for businesses with a hands-off approach or a larger budget, as they provide access to account managers, teams of SEO experts, and the best tools in the industry. Although agency fees may be higher than those of freelancers, the expertise and resources they offer can be invaluable in achieving your SEO goals.
On the other hand, freelancers are more cost-effective and often faster to work with, making them a suitable option for outsourcing specific tasks such as content creation, keyword research, or link building. Freelancers can provide specialized knowledge within a tighter budget, making them a practical choice for businesses looking to outsource individual aspects of their SEO strategy.
SEO Services You Can Outsource
Outsourcing SEO allows you to delegate time-consuming or complex tasks to experts without overburdening your team. Some key services that are commonly outsourced in SEO include content creation, link building, technical SEO, and keyword research. By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on other essential aspects of your business while ensuring that your SEO strategy is effectively implemented by skilled professionals.
Content Creation
Outsourcing content creation can help ease the workload and ensure that your website has high-quality, engaging content. When outsourcing content, consider factors such as cost, what to look for in a content creator, and potential risks associated with outsourcing. The cost of outsourcing content can vary, with rates typically ranging from a few dollars to thousands of dollars per article. It is essential to invest in quality content to avoid the need for extensive editing or revisions.
When hiring content writers, look for individuals who understand the content brief, are native language speakers, have proven experience in writing about the topic, and are responsive to feedback. Be aware of potential risks such as AI or automation, lack of personality in the content, and over-optimized SEO content when outsourcing content creation.
Link Building
Link building is another SEO task that is often outsourced due to its time-consuming nature. When outsourcing link building, consider factors such as cost, what to look for in a link builder, and potential risks associated with outsourcing. While it may be tempting to purchase cheap links, it is essential to invest in high-quality links that will improve your website’s rankings in the long term.
When hiring link builders, look for individuals who can build high-quality links, have a reputation for ranking websites in your industry, understand what a high-quality backlink looks like, and create the links themselves in-house. Be cautious of risks such as low-quality links, illegitimate websites, and sites that appear to be selling links when outsourcing link building.
Technical SEO
When your website experiences technical issues that impact performance and organic traffic, outsourcing technical SEO can help address these issues efficiently. Consider factors such as cost, what to look for in a technical SEO expert, and potential risks associated with outsourcing technical SEO. The cost of hiring a technical SEO freelancer can vary depending on the complexity of the issues and the level of experience required.
When hiring a technical SEO expert, look for individuals with significant proven experience in technical SEO and knowledge of your specific area of search. Be aware of risks such as receiving incorrect advice, wrong prioritization of issues, and communication breakdown when outsourcing technical SEO.
Keyword Research
Effective keyword research is essential for improving your website’s visibility and attracting targeted traffic. Outsourcing keyword research can help you identify relevant keywords and optimize your content for search engines. Consider factors such as cost, what to look for in a keyword research expert, and potential risks associated with outsourcing keyword research.
When hiring a keyword research expert, ensure they use a trusted keyword research tool, go beyond search volume to consider metrics like Traffic Potential and Keyword Difficulty, and provide comprehensive insights to inform your SEO strategy. Be cautious of risks such as targeting the wrong keywords, inaccurate data, and oversimplified keyword research when outsourcing this task.
Best Practices for Outsourcing SEO
To ensure successful implementation of SEO outsourcing, follow these best practices:
1. Request SEO proposals, references, and video call interviews from potential outsource partners to assess their expertise and compatibility with your business.
2. Use Kanban boards to track progress on tasks and projects, ensuring clear communication and accountability.
3. Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) to define tasks and expectations for outsourced work, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and errors.
4. Set clear goals and monitor progress using tools like Ahrefs to track the impact of outsourced SEO efforts on your website’s performance.
By following these best practices and implementing effective SEO outsourcing strategies, you can maximize the effectiveness of your SEO campaigns and achieve your business goals more efficiently.
Conclusion
Outsourcing SEO can be a valuable investment for businesses looking to optimize their online presence and attract more organic traffic. By leveraging expert knowledge, freeing up time for other critical tasks, and outsourcing specific aspects of your SEO strategy to skilled professionals, you can enhance the effectiveness of your SEO efforts and achieve better results. Whether you choose to outsource to an agency or a freelancer, ensure that you vet your outsource partners thoroughly, set clear expectations and goals, and monitor progress to ensure the successful implementation of your SEO strategy. With the right approach to SEO outsourcing, you can take your online presence to the next level and drive sustainable growth for your business.