Establishing a robust online image is imperative to succeed in this highly competitive digital era.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial marketing strategy that drives organic traffic and improves visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).
While some businesses attempt to handle their SEO efforts in-house or for small businesses and startups by themselves, there are times when it becomes clear that professional SEO marketing firms are more than necessary.
Let us explore the ten signs that indicate you need to enlist the help of experienced SEO professionals to enhance your online presence and scale your business successfully.
1. You don’t have the time or knowledge about SEO
It is entirely understandable that, as a business owner, you are wearing too many hats.
You could be working on generating leads for your business, preparing content, managing your CRM, preparing your financial statements and your taxes –the list could go on.
You must pat yourself on the back for performing so many roles!
But it does not end there; on the technical side of things, especially in building an online presence, you need to invest time, and SEO is one of them.
To stay on top of SEO updates, it is imperative to make time to learn the latest trends, and because you have a business to run, we suggest keeping it that way instead of adding another task to your plate.
It is worth noting that Google makes several hundred algorithm changes every year. To ensure your business stays above and beyond the competition, it is best to hire an SEO professional.
The goal is to avoid being caught off guard by a significant update. If that does happen, having a reliable SEO company in your corner can provide you peace of mind, knowing that someone is always on the lookout for any changes that may affect your business.
2. You don’t know which keywords to choose
One of the vital skills you need to master when doing search engine optimization is keyword research.
Keyword research involves identifying and analyzing specific words or phrases commonly used to search for information about products or services. It helps you, as a business owner, understand the language that your target audiences use so you can strategically integrate these keywords into your website content, optimizing it for search engines.
Moreover, effective keyword research enables better visibility in search results, driving relevant organic traffic and increasing the probability of you creating a relationship with your potential customers.
Selecting keywords is easy, but finding the right ones is another.
There are various tools that can help you in your keyword research, such as Google AdWords Keyword Planner, Moz, or Semrush. It will present you with an estimate of the number of people using specific search terms.
The tricky part is choosing whether it is worthwhile to include each term or keyword in your SEO strategy. This is where professional SEO services come in. SEO specialists will analyze individual keywords and longer key phrases that users input when searching for products or services in your industry.
Subsequently, they will narrow down a set of targeted keywords to construct your website around. Finally, they will assist in building your website to ensure it is optimized.
3. Your efforts are not giving you results
When running a business, especially if you are still starting or experiencing some down low, you are fully intentional in keeping your operating costs at a minimum.
While you may be already doing SEO, nothing is more frustrating than not seeing the desired results. Here is the fact you need to know: it takes four to six months to see any benefits in implementing SEO.
If you are not getting a positive ROI from your SEO efforts, it may be time to consider hiring an SEO professional to help you. This can take some pressure off your shoulders of researching, learning, and implementing (the rinse and repeat process!) and help increase your brand exposure to new visitors or potential clients.
4. Your website is not responsive
If your website is not showing up among top search engine results, it can be difficult for your intended audience to discover your business.
A non-responsive website can have significant repercussions, starting with poor user experience across various devices, deterring visitors, and eventually increasing bounce rates.
The effect does not stop there; your website would rank lower in search engine results leading to reduced organic traffic and visibility. In addition, a non-mobile-friendly site might not load properly on mobile devices, causing frustration and potential loss of credibility among its users.
Remember, search engines are all about positive user experience, and not having a website optimized for various devices can significantly impact your SEO rankings.
An SEO professional can address these issues by optimizing your website’s design to ensure responsiveness on all screen sizes, improve user experience, and boost search engine ranking. Consequently, this optimization enhances your website’s overall online presence, fosters engagement, and attracts a broader audience.
5. Your site has a poor user experience
Consumers nowadays are more focused on how a brand can immediately respond to their needs.
For example, if a visitor is looking for more information on your products or services and while navigating on your website, it’s taking too long to load or confusing to navigate, this can lead to them feeling frustrated and leaving your website for good.
As we’ve mentioned previously, ensuring your website has a positive user experience is vital to avoid negative consequences like high bounce rates, low user engagement, and decreased conversions.
If your website has a slow loading time, topsy-turvy navigation, or unclear call-to-action, it’s time to call an SEO specialist for help.
An SEO specialist can audit a website to identify usability issues and optimize navigation and layout for user-friendly browsing. They can also enhance the page speed, optimize your web content and create compelling calls to action. This comprehensive approach improves user experience and positively influences search engine performance, leading to higher traffic and better conversion rates.
6. You don’t have a content strategy
When it comes to online presence, content and SEO are not separate entities but rather a dynamic duo.
At its core, the content is what search engines evaluate and index. It is ultimately what visitors see on search engine results pages. Attempting to carry out SEO without a solid content strategy is like building a house without a foundation.
People often undervalue the expertise required to create a content strategy that actually works.
High-quality content is crucial for achieving successful SEO.
If your website lacks engaging and informative content, you might miss valuable traffic and engagement opportunities.
SEO professionals can develop a content strategy that attracts and engages visitors and encourages them to take desired actions.
7. Your website speed is slow
We cannot stress enough how vital positive user experience is in your ranking in search engines.
It is important to note that website speed can significantly impact user experience and SEO.
Slow-loading websites lead to more bounces and lower search engine rankings. Users nowadays have little to no patience in waiting when your website will load the information they need to buy your products or services eventually. They expect fast-loading pages; when they experience delays, they are more likely to abandon your site.
In addition, search engines consider page speed as a ranking factor, so a slow website can negatively impact your organic search visibility.
SEO specialists can conduct a speed analysis to pinpoint performance bottlenecks, optimize images and code, leverage browser caching, and employ content delivery networks (CDNs). These measures enhance website speed, leading to improved and seamless user experience and higher search engine rankings.
8. Your backlink profile is limited
With few or poor quality backlinks, your website may struggle to establish credibility in the standards of the search engines, resulting in lower rankings in the SERPS.
Without external solid linking to your site, you might miss out on referral traffic from reputable sources. Consequently, this hinders your chance to cast your net in a broader audience. In addition, a lack of quality backlinks can limit your site’s indexation and crawlability by search engine bots.
Hiring affordable SEO services for small businesses can remedy this situation by conducting a thorough backlink analysis to identify existing links and their quality. Through this, they can develop a comprehensive link-building strategy and seek opportunities to acquire high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites. This can include the following:
- Guest posting
- Influencer collaborations
- Content outreach
- Direct submissions
Building a diverse and reputable backlink profile can enhance your site’s authority, improve your rankings, attract your target audience, and guarantee a robust position within your industry’s digital landscape.
9. You have high bounce rates
If visitors leave your website shortly after arriving, it indicates that your content or user experience is not meeting their expectations. This could be due to various factors, such as slow loading times, content that does not pique their interest, or poor user experience.
However, working with a reputable SEO agency can effectively address the underlying issues and improve your website’s overall performance, particularly the engagement metrics.
With their expertise, you can optimize your website to meet your target market’s needs better and, eventually, turn them into loyal customers.
10. You have little to no conversions
Are you getting traction on your website but no customer conversions? It might be the perfect time to reassess your conversion optimization strategy.
Working with an SEO marketing agency can help you refine and optimize your website’s design, user flow, and calls-to-action—-the elements that can significantly improve your conversion rates. Investing in these services can ultimately lead to an increased bottom line for your business.
Bonus: Constant changes in the algorithm have impacted your rankings
Search engine algorithms constantly evolve, and keeping up with these changes can be challenging.
Algorithm updates equate to updates or changes in search engines’ criteria to assess and rank websites. These sudden changes can lead to a drop in rankings, decreasing organic traffic and online visibility.
If your website’s rankings have been adversely affected by algorithm updates, it’s a sign that you need to unload this task from your to-do list and work with a professional who can adjust your SEO strategies.
SEO specialists are well-versed in staying updated with algorithm changes, updating content and implementing best strategies, and optimizing the technical aspects to ensure your site aligns with white hat SEO practices. This proactive approach helps mitigate ranking fluctuations, maintain visibility, and secure consistent website organic traffic.
Final Thoughts
All in all, while some businesses may manage their initial SEO efforts independently, there often comes a point where professional SEO services are needed to achieve meaningful and sustainable results.
If you face any of the signs mentioned above, it might be time to consider enlisting the expertise of experienced SEO professionals.
A well-executed SEO strategy can transform your online presence, drive organic traffic, and ultimately contribute to the growth and success of your business in the digital landscape.
If you are looking for the right SEO agency so you won’t miss the prospects coming from organic traffic, then you have come to the right place. Virtual Assistant Talent has a pool of highly qualified SEO experts who can help you scale your business by improving your online presence in the digital landscape of your niche industry.
Book a consultation call with us today!
