How to check an SEO contractor? Checklist of 5 signs of responsibility

In this article, we'll look at how to properly evaluate an SEO contractor to make sure that they do quality work and fulfill their obligations. A check by an SEO specialist can be useful both at the initial stage of cooperation and if the results do not meet expectations.

After reading the article, you will be able to independently assess how qualified your SEO contractor is and what you should pay attention to during the work process.

1. The contractor regularly requests information

At the initial stage of cooperation, an SEO specialist must collect a lot of information. If a contractor is not interested in the details of your business or does not request access to analytical services, this is a reason to think.

What a good SEO contractor should ask for:

• Information about your company, services, products, as well as target audience and competitive advantages.
• Access to analytical systems to monitor site performance. Tools such as Metrica, Webmaster, Analytics and Search Console are necessary for proper analysis.
• Information for compiling content, including the main points for creating texts, descriptions of goods and services, approaches to creating product cards.

If a contractor frequently requests new data, this is a good sign that indicates his responsibility and interest in the project.

2. The contractor makes recommendations for improving the site

A true professional will definitely conduct an audit of your website, compare it with competitors and suggest changes to improve its functionality. This may concern both technical aspects and improvement of usability, introduction of new functions or optimization of commercial factors.

What an experienced contractor can offer:

• Changes to site design and usability to improve user experience.
• Introduction of new functions that are already successfully used by competitors.
• Optimization of commercial factors such as communication methods, improvement of delivery and payment structure.

The more useful suggestions, the more confidence you have in the specialist’s competence.

3. The contractor agrees with you on the changes

Don't expect a good SEO contractor to implement changes without prior approval. If changes to the site occur without your approval, this is a cause for concern.

The best approach is to pre-agreed all texts, page changes and technical improvements. Even if you have agreed on some of the contractor's rights in advance, he must still inform you of his actions.

4. The contractor provides reports

SEO optimization takes time, so it's important to track your progress. Regular reports will help you evaluate what has been done and what results have been achieved. During the reporting period, the SEO specialist must provide information about:

• Works completed;
• Changes in positions in search results;
• Traffic growth;
• Understanding the report - If you have difficulty understanding the report, it may be a sign of lack of qualifications.

Agreement on regular reports is an important part of monitoring the progress of work. It is optimal to request them at least once a month.

5. The contractor can quickly report on the work currently underway

A responsible contractor will always be ready to explain what work is currently being carried out, why it is necessary, and how it relates to the further promotion of the site. Ask the contractor the following questions:

• What work is currently being done?
• Why were these particular works chosen and what is the procedure?
• What tasks will be solved in the coming weeks?

Pay attention not only to the answers, but also to how easy or difficult it was to contact the contractor. Responsible specialists are always in touch and ready to help at any time.

Quick check checklist

Here is a list of questions you need to answer to quickly assess the competence of the selected SEO contractor:

• Did he inquire about various aspects of your business?
• Did he request access to analytics systems?
• Did you suggest improvements to make the site more efficient?
• Does he provide progress reports?
• Are changes to the site approved by you?

If you answered “yes” to all the questions, most likely you have a professional in front of you who will help promote your website and improve your business performance.

If you have questions or want advice on SEO issues, you can contact the SEO studio. Write to us by email info@seo.computer.

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