5 Reasons To Outsource SEO To A Freelancer

Did you know that there are more than 5 billion Google searches every day? Needless to say, having an online presence can take your business to the next level.

Unfortunately, having a website is just part of the equation. For a business to gain the much-needed traction, your website will need significant traffic and engagement, and the best way to achieve this is by working on search engine optimization or SEO.

Search engine optimization is the process of improving the quality and quantity of web traffic directed to a website via a search engine such as Google.

While SEO can be done in-house, some companies choose to outsource SEO based on several factors.

Why should you outsource SEO and when is the right time to do it? We’re going to answer each of these questions in this blog post.

How To Know When It’s Time To Outsource SEO

While having an in-house SEO is always an option, the decision to outsource is not merely because of personal preference.

There are times when outsourcing SEO becomes necessary especially if the circumstances call for it. One such example is when you’re about to release a new product or service.

You’ll naturally want more people to know about it and since not all companies have in-house SEO experts, outsourcing becomes a very good option.

Another situation that may require you to outsource SEO is if you’re working on a tight budget. Let’s be honest, not every element of SEO requires a full-time employee. By outsourcing SEO to a freelancer, you only get to pay for hours worked, allowing you to save more money in the process.

There are also instances when there’s just too much for everyone to handle which can be detrimental to your in-house staff’s performance. By outsourcing SEO, you’ll be getting the services of someone whose sole focus is working on your SEO needs.

Lastly, it’s probably time to outsource SEO if your website isn’t getting the amount of traffic you expected and your in-house team just couldn’t deliver. You have to keep in mind that every minute spent not attracting traffic costs your business money.

What’s great about outsourcing is it gives you more flexibility in terms of the kind of service you’d get. If you’re on a tight budget, you can choose a package that’s well within your price range while still getting better quality work.

The Benefits of Outsourcing SEO to A Freelancer

Increased Efficiency

One of the biggest reasons for outsourcing SEO to freelancers is the efficiency they bring to the table. Being an expert in their given field, one could expect above-average skills and experience from an SEO freelancer.

They require less supervision because the skills and experience they possess allow them to make sound decisions. They’re highly reliable because they can confidently use the necessary tools that will help your website rank higher.

All of these being said, other related activities such as content development, coding, and link-building becomes easier, making the entire process more efficient as well.

Added Expertise

Let’s face it, experts are hard to come by especially when it comes to SEO. If you’re looking for optimal growth, you can’t simply rely on someone who “knows” SEO or someone knowledgeable in coding or link-building.

An SEO expert or specialist has a lot more to offer. What sets them apart is their ability to make smart and timely decisions relevant to your current situation which can make the process more efficient both logistically and financially.

As experts, a freelance SEO can give you sound recommendations based on where your business sits compared to your competition. They can come up with strategies that will allow you to compete at a higher level. You’re not going to get this from someone who knows SEO or has worked on SEO in a small capacity

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the biggest advantages outsourcing has to offer is the amount of money you get to save. Unlike in-house employees, freelancers do not require office space, laptops, or insurance and other benefits among others.

By working with someone remotely, you’ll also be saving money on electricity and internet connection, both of which the freelancer already covers. This will allow you more financial flexibility so you can allot money in other aspects of the business that requires it more.

More importantly, freelancers are usually paid by the hour which means you only pay for hours worked, unlike a salaried employee which you are obliged to pay whether they work 4 hours or 8 hours a day.

Focus on Priorities

Having an expert on your fold will also allow you more time to focus on the more important aspects of the business. This is especially true if you have another expertise or are more passionate about other tasks like inventory management or graphics design.

This will make you more efficient as well because you don’t have to split your time working on activities you’re not as proficient in.

Such a setup is ideal for small business owners who, like most others, try to wear more hats than they possibly could. It’s undeniable that SEO requires a unique set of skills and while these skills can be learned over time, having an expert do it for you is still the better route.

Make Your Business More Competitive

Last but not least, choosing to outsource SEO will make you more competitive. It’s no secret how big the competition is when it comes to anything online.

With millions of other businesses vying for customers’ attention, it will take more than a fancy website to attract potential clients and/or buyers.

This is where an SEO expert comes in real handy. By optimizing your website, your business becomes more visible and discoverable on search engines.

Why is this important? Because showing up on the first page of a web search puts you in a better position of getting seen over appearing on the second or third page.

Do you still click on the second page when you’re looking for a certain shop or product? Highly unlikely, isn’t it? More often than not, you settle for the search results you get from the first page unless you have the time and patience to look for more which most people don’t.

How to Hire an SEO Freelancer

Now that you’re aware of the benefits of outsourcing SEO, the next step is to learn how to find the best SEO freelancer for your business.

The good news is there are countless freelance marketplaces all over the internet. It’s just a matter of finding which one is best for you.

Before we jump in, however, it’s always important to have a plan in place so below are a couple of recommended steps you may need to consider.

Set Measurable Goals

It’s a good practice to have measurable goals in place before you start spending money on outsourcing so before anything else, try to come up with specific goals.

What are the deliverables you require? Higher Google rankings? More traffic? More Facebook and Instagram followers?

You need to be very specific when it comes to your deliverables because this will play a huge role in the success of the SEO strategies the freelance SEO will craft for you.

Think About Your Requirements

Having an avatar or an ideal freelancer in mind will also help you find the right freelancer for your business.

When it comes to outsourcing, skill and experience are major considerations. Equally important though, is finding the “right fit” which goes beyond the considerations mentioned.

Does the freelancer need to be in the same timezone as you are? Does he or she need to be single or do you prefer parents? Are you open to working with someone from Asia or does he or she have to be a fellow American?

These are important considerations since you’ll be working with this person remotely. Communication will play a big role in the success of such an endeavor which is why being very specific with these things is crucial.

Find a Qualified Freelancer

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re now ready to hire your SEO freelancer. Do take note that every freelance marketplace has its own hiring process.

Some offer pre-vetted freelancers which means they’ve already been filtered and all that’s left for you to do is to find the best candidate that fits your requirements.

Some marketplaces let you take control of the entire hiring process by sending you potential candidates that you will vet on your own.

The choice goes down to which setup you find more convenient. If you don’t have the time to sift through resumes and conduct interviews, the pre-vetted route would be best.

If you like to be on top of things, however, the second option would suit you better. It all goes down to personal preference.

Conclusion

Given the benefits it has to offer, outsourcing SEO is a smart decision and it doesn’t matter whether you are a small company or a large business. Cost-effectiveness and efficiency are keys to success, something you can achieve through outsourcing.

If you’re looking to scale your business by improving your SEO, the steps provided should guide you through the process.

Are you ready to start the hiring process? Sign up for an account with FreeUp today and let us connect you with a talented SEO freelance.