What's an SEO Consultant?
An SEO consultant is anyone who consults with clients on matters pertaining to search engine optimization.
For example, I am an SEO consultant for companies in the Austin, Texas area. I provide advice, technical guidance, and even hands-on SEO services for clients in the Austin area. I consult with them about matters of search engine optimization, so this makes me their SEO consultant.
With SEO Consultants, Skill Varies
While the definition of "SEO consultant" is fairly straightforward, choosing an SEO consultant is anything but. Search engine optimization is a largely unregulated industry. So just because a person calls himself an SEO consultant, that doesn't tell you much about their actual experience or skill level. There is no certification to become an SEO consultant, though I wish there was!
Finding an SEO Consultant
When you're shopping for an SEO consultant, it's a good idea to have a list of questions for them. For a sample list of questions, see my article on choosing an SEO consultant.
What criteria should you look for in an SEO consultant? Well, that will depend on the projects you have in mind, your personal definition of quality, and other factors. But here's a list of the qualities I think are important in SEO consultants:
- Personal integrity
- A cost-effective approach to SEO
- Comprehensive knowledge of SEO and web publishing
- Good writing skills
- Good customer service skills
- Reliability
- The ability to deliver results in a reasonable timeframe
P.S. - I consider myself well-equipped with the qualities listed above. So if you need an SEO consultant who meets these criteria, give me a call.
Related question: Is search engine optimization hard?
