Time is Running Out: 11 Signs You Need to Hire an SEO Expert Now
2022 is coming to an end, yet many businesses still haven’t developed an effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategy for the new year. In fact, while 82% of marketers invest in content marketing and another 69% invest in SEO, only 43% have a documented content marketing strategy.
Meanwhile, around 60% of the most successful marketers have already crafted a strategy.
Unfortunately, developing an effective strategy can take time and energy that you could be dedicating to your clients. Don’t rush into implementing a DIY SEO process. Instead, keep reading to discover the 11 signs that indicate you need to hire an SEO expert… urgently.
After reading this guide, you can make a more informed decision considering your company’s success for 2023. Keep reading to determine if you need help with SEO today!
1- You’re Not Implementing SEO
One of the biggest signs that you need to hire an SEO expert: you don’t understand the fundamentals of SEO! There’s no shame in that. After all, you’re likely busy trying to build your business and help your clients.
Search engine optimization involves a range of tactics, both on and off your website, to help your content rank higher on Google. When a consumer searches for a relevant keyword, your content could appear. Then, you can use SEO to generate:
- Brand trust and loyalty
- Brand awareness and recognition
- Credibility in your industry
- Website traffic
- Leads and sales
- A higher return on investment
Over 60% of marketers say increasing their organic online presence and SEO rankings are the top priorities of inbound marketing. After all, nearly 70% of online activity starts with a search. If people are searching for your products and services, your content could appear!
If you have no clue what we’re talking about or how to start with your own SEO strategy, hire a professional. You won’t have to spend valuable time and money learning through trial and error. You can also avoid black hat SEO tactics that could get your site blacklisted by Google.
An expert can develop your strategy, allowing you to start reaping the benefits of SEO seamlessly.
2- You Don’t Know Your Customers
Google looks for content that aligns with the user’s search intent. Consumer search intent indicates what they expect and want to find during a search. When your content doesn’t match their intent, it won’t appear on a search engine results page (SERP).
If you don’t bother to gather audience research before creating SEO blog content, you need to hire an SEO expert. Immediately.
Otherwise, you’ll waste time and energy creating content that your customers aren’t interested in. What matters to you may not align with their current needs.
You might also fail to personalize your content. Around 74% of people get annoyed when website content doesn’t match their interests. It’s like seeing an ad in your feed for a product you have no interest in purchasing.
About 52% of consumers might even switch to another brand if you don’t personalize communications.
Meanwhile, 50% of consumers are willing to pay more if you provide personally relevant content.
If you want to attract ideal visitors to your website and convert those visitors into paying customers, you must personalize your SEO strategy as soon as possible.
You Don’t Have a Keyword List
Before you can create personalized content for your blog, you need to gather keyword research. Keyword research can tell you what people are searching for to find your business online. Then, you can start creating content to appear in those search queries.
Without keyword research, you might create content that doesn’t align with the user’s search intent.
Hire an SEO expert if you’re not focused on long-tail keywords as well. These longer phrases are more specific.
For example, let’s say a cupcake bakery is trying to appear for the keyword «cupcake.» Targeting a single short-tail keyword might make them appear in searches like:
- Best cupcake recipe
- Cupcake costume ideas
- Cupcake decoration
- How much is a dozen cupcakes worth
Appearing in more relevant searches, like «cupcake store near me,» can help the business generate more leads and sales.
If you’re only targeting single-word keywords, it’s time to call in a professional.
3- Your Website is Outdated
When was the last time you updated your website?
Around 38% of consumers will leave a website that is disorganized and unappealing. Another 40% will leave if the site is slow. Meanwhile, over 38% will judge your website based on its appearance.
If your site is slow, outdated, and lackluster, talk to an SEO expert who provides web design and development services.
Google prioritizes websites that are fast, user-friendly, and optimized for mobile devices. It first checks the mobile version of your site to determine its ranking as well. If your site is outdated, your ranking will drop. Then, consumers may have difficulty finding your content online.
Chances are, you’re also not generating leads and sales from your lackluster website.
4- You’re Not Creating Fresh Content
Take a look at the latest blog post on your website. If it was published a few months ago (or even over a year ago), it’s time to call in an SEO expert.
It’s okay if you don’t have time to create new content for the website. However, your SEO ranking is likely to start declining if your content isn’t fresh.
There are likely content gaps in your strategy as well, which can further impact your ability to reach customers.
Google prioritizes new and relevant content. Posting on a schedule can also help you rank for a variety of keywords. Then, you can continue driving traffic to the website throughout the year.
If you’re running out of content ideas or simply don’t have the time, call an SEO expert immediately.
5- You Have No Backlinks
Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for Google. These links appear on other blogs before directing readers to the content on your website. The more backlinks a single page generates, the more traffic that page will also generate.
Backlinks are a signal to Google that you’re doing something right. You can start generating backlinks by writing for someone else’s blog (guest blogging). You can also generate natural backlinks (without asking) by creating amazing content that people want to mention in their own posts.
If you’re not generating backlinks, hire a professional immediately.
6- You’re Not Generating Traffic
Search engines drive 300% more traffic to content than social media platforms.
Take a look at your website analytics. If your pages aren’t generating traffic to the website, you need to reassess your SEO strategy (if you have one).
Perhaps you’re not targeting the right keywords. Maybe you’re not personalizing your content. Maybe you’re attracting traffic, but people are leaving without exploring other pages.
When people leave in a hurry, your bounce rate will start to increase, which can indicate to Google that there’s a problem. Google may decide to lower your ranking as a result.
Before that happens, hire an SEO expert to audit your website, optimize your pages, and create new content for your blog. Even updating your old blog posts with new images and content can help increase traffic by over 110%!
7- Your Google Business Listing Isn’t Optimized
Your Google Business Listing can help consumers find helpful information about your company, including:
- Name
- Business category
- Hours of operation
- Location/address
- Customer ratings
- Phone number
- Website
If you don’t have a Google Business Listing, people may have difficulty finding your store or website. If the information is inaccurate, they might visit the wrong location or call the wrong number.
Optimizing your Google Business Listing can benefit your local SEO strategy.
Don’t forget to ask your customers to post their reviews. Positive reviews can benefit your brand’s reputation. Responding to negative reviews to address the issue can show customers that you care.
8- You’re Not Generating Leads
Without an SEO strategy, you may struggle to generate traffic, which can cost you leads. Your competitors are likely starting to win over those leads.
If you’re not generating leads from your website, talk to an SEO expert. They can help you improve your SEO and content marketing strategy.
Meanwhile, make sure to add a strong call to action at the end of your posts!
9- Your Rankings Aren’t Improving
An SEO expert can help you improve your ranking for specific keywords. If your ranking hasn’t improved in a while, you may need to reassess your SEO strategy. The blog posts targeting those keywords may have also become outdated.
Remember, updating old blog posts can help you generate more traffic.
There’s also a possibility that you’re neglecting the latest SEO trends (more on this below).
10- You’re Not Following the Trends
Google constantly updates its search engine algorithm (around 500 to 600 times per year). Every time there’s an update, new SEO trends emerge. If you haven’t adjusted your SEO strategy accordingly, your ranking could drop.
Talk to an SEO expert who understands the latest SEO trends, including:
- Video content
- Voice search
- Featured snippets
- Core Web Vitals
- EAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
- AI content
- Long-form content
- Schema markup
- User intent
- Image and visual optimization
- IndexNow
- MUM (Multitask Unified Model)
Over 40% of voice search answers come from a Featured snippet. Featured snippets are formatted pieces of content that appear at the top of a SERP. Appearing for a featured snippet and a voice search can help you reach customers ahead of your competitors.
11- You Don’t Understand Your Analytics
Reviewing your website analytics can help you make informed changes to your SEO strategy.
For example, you may recognize that a certain content format (like video content) is more popular than long-form text posts. Perhaps a specific keyword is ranking higher than another. Maybe you’re generating more traffic through a particular backlink.
Every piece of information you gather can help you improve your SEO strategy, allowing you to generate more traffic, leads, and sales.
If you don’t understand your analytics, hire an SEO expert. They will help you decipher the data, adjust your SEO strategy, and help your business grow.
Boost Your Ranking: Hire an SEO Expert and Drive Your Business
Time is running out in 2022! If these SEO issues sound familiar, don’t waste time and energy trying to improve your SEO strategy alone. Instead, hire an SEO expert to kickstart 2023. With their help, you can improve your ranking, reach more customers, and expand your business.
As your ranking increases, so will your business!
At Anagram, we have a team of SEO experts who can take your digital strategy to the next level in 2023. Contact us for a free SEO audit of your website.
