How to Hire an SEO Freelancer and Growth Your Organic Visibility in 2024

Struggling to drive traffic to your site? Or maybe your keywords just aren’t getting the traction you hoped for? With the growing competition and ever-changing search engine algorithms, keeping up with SEO can be a real challenge.

But don’t stress—there’s a simple solution. Hiring an SEO freelancer could be exactly what you need to get back on track.

An SEO freelancer specializes in boosting your site’s visibility on search engines. By using their expertise, you can start ranking for your target keywords and driving loads of traffic to your site.

In this post, we’ll guide you on how to hire an SEO freelancer for your business. From evaluating skills to finding the right platforms and knowing what to look for in their work and references, we’ve got you covered!

By the end of this blog, you’ll be able to hire SEO freelancers to enhance your website’s visibility, drive organic traffic, and improve rankings with tailored strategies designed for your business needs.

Why are SEO Freelancers Valuable?

An SEO freelancer can be a real asset to your business, helping you hit goals like more traffic, better rankings, and building stronger internal links.

Here’s why hiring an SEO freelancer is worth it:

1. Expert Skills You Don’t Have to Learn

Freelancers live and breathe SEO. They bring niche knowledge your team might not have, along with a track record of delivering results. They’re up to date with algorithm changes and know how to make your site more visible and faster. Plus, they can tackle everything from outgoing links to optimizing content—all those details that make your site stand out.

2. More Affordable than an In-House Hire

Full-time SEO staff can be expensive—think six figures when you add up salary, tools, and training. Freelancers? You only pay for the work they do, making it way easier on your budget.

3. Free Up Your Team’s Time

Why is your team spending hours on keyword research or fixing technical SEO issues? Hiring an SEO freelancer means you get all that work done while your team stays focused on growing your business.

How to Hire an SEO Freelancer: Step-by-Step Guide

Hiring an SEO freelancer can be one of the best decisions for your business. But finding the right freelancer is easier said than done. Here is the step-by-step guide that walks you through everything you need to know to hire a freelance seo expert for your business.

Step 1: Know Your Goals First

Before bringing an SEO expert on board, get clear on what you want to achieve. Sure, everyone talks about ranking higher on Google, but what’s your real aim? Break down your problem and set a clear action plan to discuss with the SEO consultant.

Your specific business goals might look something like:

• Getting more people to sign up for your newsletter
• Improving conversion rates on key pages
• Speeding up your homepage for better user experience
• Reducing the bounce rate on your e-commerce checkout
• Boosting online and offline visibility for your local restaurant
• Driving more organic traffic to your blog
• Building up your brand presence overall
• Fine-tuning your social media content strategy

Step 2: Choose the Right SEO Strategy for Your Goals

You might wonder, “Why should I learn about SEO if I’m hiring a pro?” Knowing what your business needs will make sure you only spend on what’s necessary.

But don’t stress—you don’t need to dive deep into SEO to figure out what’s right for you. Let’s break down a few SEO strategies and how they align with specific business goals:

Just starting? It’s best to cover all SEO bases. Getting an SEO audit can help you see where you stand.

• On-Page SEO: Focuses on optimizing each web page to drive traffic and rank higher. This includes tweaking meta tags, headings, and target keywords, and ensuring mobile-friendly design. Many small businesses handle this themselves using SEO plugins or tools.
• Off-Page SEO: Aims to boost your site’s credibility through external factors. Building quality backlinks from reputable sources is key here.
• Technical SEO: Improves the technical side of your site so search engines can easily crawl, index, and rank it. Think of things like improving site speed, creating sitemaps, and optimizing URL structures.

Your business type will heavily influence your SEO approach. For example, D2C brands and eCommerce stores often focus on digital outreach, while local businesses and brick-and-mortar shops concentrate on local SEO and Google Maps optimization.

Step 3: Set Your Budget

The SEO world is projected to reach a whopping $218 billion by 2030. On average, businesses spend anywhere from $50 to $100 an hour for solid SEO services, as noted by WebFX. And according to Ahrefs’ 2023 SEO pricing study, the most common monthly retainer is around $501-$1,000, with hourly rates ranging between $75 and $100.

Your budget will depend on how in-depth your SEO needs are and the level of expertise of the freelancer or agency you choose. Many businesses prefer monthly retainers with freelance SEO experts rather than hiring full-time staff.

Before you dive in, remember that most SEO pros or agencies offer a site audit, and sometimes it’s even free. So, it’s worth exploring this option as you figure out your costs.

Step 4: Find Your SEO Expert

Ready to find the right SEO pro? Here are some options to consider:

• SEO Agencies: A quick online search or a recommendation from a trusted source can lead you to reputable agencies. Don’t forget to browse through client reviews and portfolios to get a sense of their work.
• Freelancers: Tap into online communities or professional networking sites like LinkedIn to find experienced freelance SEO experts who fit your needs.
• Freelance Platforms: Post your job description on freelance marketplaces like KonKer, where you can connect with talented SEO specialists for your project.

Step 5: Dig Into Their Skills & Experience

You need more than just someone who “does SEO.” Make sure they have an experience that matches your goals. Look through their portfolio, case studies, and past projects. If you’re focusing on on-page SEO, see if they know their way around keyword research and content optimization. If it’s off-page work, find someone skilled at link-building and outreach.

Questions to ask:

• What tools do they use? (SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, etc.)
• Have they worked on similar projects or in your industry?
• Can they provide real-life examples of their SEO work?

Step 6: Interview and Shortlist Your SEO Candidates

Evaluate the SEO expert’s background and specific skills. When narrowing down your options, look for someone with experience in your industry. For instance, if you run a restaurant, an SEO pro with experience in the F&B sector could be a better fit. Also, check what platforms they’re familiar with—whether it’s WordPress, Squarespace, or something else that matches your business needs.

Review their portfolio and make sure they have solid references from past clients.

Also, be cautious of any big promises. If they claim they can get you skyrocketing results quickly, it’s worth digging deeper and double-checking those promises.

Here are some questions to help you understand your candidate better:

• What makes you different from other SEO experts?
• What tools do you rely on for your SEO campaigns?
• How would you integrate SEO with our social media marketing and PPC ads?
• How often will you send progress reports?
• What’s your experience with SEO for eCommerce or [insert your industry] sites?
• What metrics do you use to track project success?
• How do you stay updated on the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes?

Green Flags to Look for During the Interview

• Honesty: They’re upfront about their process, setting realistic expectations and timelines.
• Genuine Interest: They dig deep into your business, asking questions like, “What’s your unique selling point? Who’s your target audience? Who are your competitors?”
• Transparency: They openly discuss which SEO tools they’ll use to achieve your goals.
• Proven Credibility: They showcase their past work, whether through case studies, client references, or examples that demonstrate their success.
• Strong Soft Skills: Pay attention to how they communicate, collaborate, and show empathy—these soft skills can be just as important as their SEO expertise.

To verify their credibility, reach out to their past clients or references. Request testimonials, screenshots, or analytics that clearly show how their SEO strategies have delivered long-term results. A reliable SEO expert should have a portfolio centered around revenue growth.

Red Flags to Watch For

When evaluating a freelancer, make sure their methods are ethical. If someone guarantees a #1 ranking for your site, that’s usually a big red flag—it’s an unrealistic and often misleading promise.

Be wary of shady tactics like keyword stuffing, cloaking, or spamming social media with links to artificially boost your site’s traffic. These are known as black hat SEO techniques and can lead to serious consequences, like Google penalties, site suspension, and damage to your credibility.

Ensure the SEO pro you hire sticks to white hat strategies that align with Google’s Webmaster guidelines to avoid getting flagged or penalized. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines so you can ask informed questions and spot any red flags during the interview process.

Step 7: Request an SEO Audit from Potential Candidates

Not ready to commit fully? Give them a smaller task first, like a content audit or keyword research, to see how they perform. This helps gauge their skill level and see if their recommendations match your SEO needs.

For a technical SEO audit, the consultant will assess your site for issues like:

• Redirect errors
• Page loading speed
• Duplicate content problems
• Sitemap errors

If it’s an on-page SEO audit, they’ll look into:

• Keyword research, accuracy, and usage
• Relevance of your site’s content to your target audience
• Meta tag and description lengths
• Missing alt text for images

Requesting an audit gives you a snapshot of how the candidate works and their approach to tackling SEO challenges.

Step 8: Set Clear Expectations from the Start

Once you’ve picked your freelancer, make sure you’re both on the same page. Set clear goals, deadlines, and milestones. Decide how often you’ll get updates and how you’ll measure success. SEO can take time, so knowing what to expect and when will help avoid misunderstandings down the road.

Hire an SEO Freelancer on KonKer for the Best Results

KonKer stands out as a go-to marketplace for SEO freelancers. Loaded with experts in everything from link building to content optimization, you can find exactly what you need without overspending.

Browse through different gigs, check out service details, and read reviews from real clients to ensure you’re picking the right person. The ability to directly chat with freelancers makes it easy to share your goals and make sure they’re the right fit before making a commitment. It’s all about getting quality SEO services without the hassle.

Hire SEO freelancers to handle everything from keyword research to link building and see your online presence soar.

Wrapping It Up: Find the Right Match

Finding and hiring an SEO freelancer doesn’t have to be stressful. By knowing what you need, researching thoroughly, and starting small, you can find the right person to boost your site’s performance. Good communication and a clear plan can make all the difference in turning your SEO dreams into reality.