I work as an SEO consultant in Phoenix, AZ and I can prove it. I have consulting references (on request only); I can show anyone sites that I currently own and that are ranked highly in Google; and finally, I went to school for Management Information Systems, with a concentration in web development.
That's a quick resume of my SEO background, if somebody wants more detail, I will show them a client list after they sign a letter of confidentiality.
I know this sounds like bragging, but it's not. I'm trying to make a point.
At this time, I cannot take on a single new client for SEO consulting in Phoenix, or anywhere else in the world for that matter. I have five clients right now and I work 50-60 hours per week on them, plus whatever time I can find to work on my own site, which is still not finished after five months.
But if I'm not available (at this time), and you want to hire somebody to help you, please let me give you a couple tips. There are way more con-artists calling themselves "SEO" then there are experienced web developers.
The irony is that the really good developers don't have a lot of time to take new clients. Right now, I am starting a waiting list.
How To Hire An SEO Consultant: Three Easy Steps
You've probably all received SPAM from so-called real estate SEO companies. If your number is not on the "Do Not Call" list, you may even receive telephone calls.
Even as a paid SEO consultant, if another consultant calls or emails me, I will always listen to the pitch. It's hard enough making cold calls, but when people hang up on you, it's just demeaning. Of course, they don't call me knowing that I am a full time SEO myself, but they usually call me on one of my other sites. (I own and operate over a dozen myself, and only one of them is about the topic of search engine optimization.)
So I listen to the pitch and then I ask these questions:
1. Where do you (or your company) rank in the search engines?
Admittedly, the conversation usually stops here. I mean, if you are an SEO expert, you certainly rate number one in Google for something, anything... Just tell me what that thing is. Please!
"Well sir, we don't actually optimize our own site..."
Then I ask to be removed from the list and after they say "okay" I just hang up on them. I no longer care if I demean them. Now I'm ticked off that they made me listen to a pitch about how they were going to make me the best omelette in the world, but they themselves have never made an omelette.
2. Do you have a client blacklist?
I'm not sure blacklist is the correct term. But I won't take a client who competes with another client for at least one year after I stop doing business with client #1. I have a list of people that I will not work with- that I cannot work with. This includes mortgage brokers in five states, Realtors in a few scattered cities across the country, and attorneys throughout Arizona and Michigan.
If someone tells you that they are going to make you number one for "Your City Name - Realtor", what do they tell the next Realtor they call in Phoenix?
The same thing right?
There are many speciality SEO companies out there. For attorneys, for example, the biggest law firm online marketing company- FindLaw- makes 80% of the attorney websites on the net. (That number is a guess; it could be higher.)
FindLaw will promise you the world with SEO, right before your sales rep asks if you have any referrals for him or her.
Huh?
You can't tell two different people, in the same business, in the same city, that you are going to help them be number one in Google. You are lying to one of those people. I'm not saying all "specialty SEO" companies operate like this, but many certainly do.
Ask your SEO company or SEO consultant if they will help other Realtors in your area. A tricky way to do this is to say:
"I have a friend who is also a Realtor in this city; can you help her too?"
When they leap at the chance for a referral, you've found a bad SEO company. It's your first date and they already want to cheat on you.
3. How much does it cost?
SEO is a lot of work. Trust me. It's Friday morning and I've put in fifty hours this week. I'll stop working at 4:00PM today, putting me at 54 hours.
Tomorrow, I have to work at least six hours- putting me at 60 or more for the week.
This is because I very carefully optimize every client's site. I don't build fake links, but I try to earn them. I work meticulously and thoughtfully. There are no short cuts.
Yet, if you search for "cheap SEO" in Google, you will find companies advertising that very thing. If it's cheap...well, it's cheap. Much like you wouldn't buy a rusted-out used Ford Pinto just because it was $300, you shouldn't pay for SEO that is "cheap" either.
If someone tells you the price of their SEO service and you gasp at the expense, you might be talking to a real pro. (See numbers 1 & 2)
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