If you’ve found this article, you’re probably a business owner or professional looking to improve your online presence. You want users to find you and convert them into customers . The most effective way to achieve this is undoubtedly SEO.
- What are the main SEO interventions?
- He who spends… earns!
- So, how much does it cost to hire an SEO expert
For those who don’t remember, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a set of strategies and techniques used to improve the visibility and position of a website on search engines like Google , YouTube, Bing, and Yahoo.
The goal of SEO is to increase a website’s organic traffic, meaning the number of visits obtained through free search results, by improving its relevance and authority for specific keywords or search phrases. SEO techniques include creating quality content, keyword optimization, link management, and technical website optimization.
All of these tasks, if handled by a professional in the sector, come at a cost. In this article, we’ll explore the SEO tasks required and how much they cost , so you can estimate and decide whether to call in a professional.
1. What are the main SEO interventions?
There are various SEO measures that can be implemented to improve a website’s search engine rankings. Each has a specific purpose and must be integrated with the others to achieve profitable results. Let’s explore them together, and if you’d like to delve deeper, check out the other articles on our blog dedicated to each of the points discussed below.
1.1 Keyword research
Keyword research is the foundation of any SEO strategy and consists of identifying the most relevant keywords for your business and using them in your website content .
For example, if someone wants to buy a new pair of sneakers, they might type ” sneakers ” or ” sports shoes ” into a search engine. Therefore, it’s important that your website has relevant content that includes these keywords , otherwise it risks not appearing in search results.
Keyword research helps you identify the most popular words used by users and create targeted content that can appeal to a specific audience. It also helps you identify keywords with less competition , which may be easier to rank for on search engines.
1.2 Website analysis
A website SEO analysis (or SEO audit) is a process used to identify a website’s strengths and weaknesses in terms of its visibility on search engines. The process aims to verify the website’s proper structure and architecture, ensuring it is mobile-friendly and optimized for fast loading.
Website analysis for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) purposes involves several phases, starting with an analysis of the chosen keywords and then moving on to an evaluation of the site’s structure , to verify whether it is well-organized and whether the pages are easily accessible to users and search engines.
Finally, we check the content to ensure it’s unique, relevant, and valuable to users . We also check the website’s internal and external links to ensure they’re of high quality and well-integrated into the site’s structure. Finally, we check the competition to determine the keywords used, the site’s structure, and the quality of the content. This allows us to identify any areas for improvement and adopt industry best practices.
1.3 Creating quality content
For SEO purposes, it is very useful to publish original , useful and relevant content for users, using the keywords identified in the research phase.
In the past, SEO tricks like keyword stuffing and link buying allowed websites with low-quality content to rank high in search results. However, search engine algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated and now favor high-quality content that answers users’ questions and solves their problems.
This means that to improve their content’s ranking in search results, content creators must focus on producing high-quality, relevant content for their target audience. High-quality content must be original, well-written, and provide useful, relevant information. Furthermore, content should be clearly organized and easy to navigate, with a well-structured information architecture.
1.4 Optimizing page titles and descriptions
Page titles and descriptions are the first things users see in search engine results and are crucial for attracting attention and convincing them to click on your website.
Page titles and descriptions should be relevant to the page’s content and user search queries. Using the right keywords in the title and description increases the likelihood of your page appearing in search engine results .
Optimizing your page titles and descriptions can also impact your page’s click-through rate (CTR). When your page title and description are compelling and relevant, users are more likely to click on your website than those of your competitors.
The key is to use a consistent brand message in your page titles and descriptions to improve brand awareness and customer loyalty.
1.5 Link building
The way link building works is quite simple: when a web page contains a link to our website, search engines view this as a vote of confidence in our website. In other words, search engines interpret inbound links as a signal that our website is relevant and useful to users.
An SEO expert’s job is to create a network of internal and external links pointing to their client’s website, thus increasing its authority and search engine rankings.
There are many different link building techniques, some of which include creating high-quality content, participating in online discussions, sponsoring events, and collaborating with other websites. However, it’s important to note that not all links are created equal . Low-quality links, such as those from spammy or low-reputation sites, can actually harm your website’s search rankings.
1.6 Social media optimization
This activity involves integrating social media into your website , publishing shareable content, and encouraging user engagement. Content shared on social media can drive traffic to your company’s website and increase brand visibility.
Additionally, a strong social media presence can increase a company’s authority and reputation, which could lead to increased attention from the media and influencers .
1.7 Monitoring and analysis of results
We come to the last, but perhaps most important, task of an SEO specialist: using analysis tools to monitor the website’s positioning on search engines and the effectiveness of SEO strategies, in order to make any corrections or improvements.
Analyzing SEO results allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of your SEO strategies and make any necessary adjustments to improve your website’s performance . For example, if your website isn’t receiving enough traffic or if the bounce rate is too high, you may need to make changes to your website, content structure, or online marketing strategies.
If an SEO expert doesn’t perform this analysis, it’s best not to trust them. This means they’re simply implementing “academic” SEO strategies, then sticking to their guns and failing to experiment with potentially more effective solutions.
2. He who spends… earns!
Clients who pay more for SEO services report higher satisfaction rates, according to a study by Search Engine Journal. In fact, when SEO investments exceed €500 per month , the ROI exceeds 100%.
Many companies don’t understand this concept. SEO can be a technical and specialized field that requires specific skills , and not everyone is knowledgeable enough to understand the importance of optimizing their online content.
Some companies, moreover, may not have enough time or dedicated staff to manage SEO internally. They often turn to external agencies that, however, offer cheap and poorly customized packages. Generally, if one of them offers a service for less than €500, it’s best to walk away quickly .
SEO experts have extensive knowledge of search engines and best practices for improving a website’s ranking in search results. This specialized knowledge can make the difference between a website that ranks well and one that doesn’t. That’s why investing in a professional SEO agency can really make a difference for an online business.
3. So, how much does it cost to hire an SEO expert?
Monthly costs for professional SEO can vary depending on the level of service requested and the size of the website. SEO agencies typically offer service packages that may include activities such as keyword research, website optimization, content creation , link management, and reporting.
Prices for these packages can range from €850 to €5,000 or more per month , depending on the complexity of the website and the amount of work required. At Moonify, we also offer customized SEO services , which can be more expensive but can deliver more effective results.
To this cost, however, we must always add the value of advertising campaigns, which vary according to individual needs and objectives.
On the other hand, the cost of doing it all yourself depends on your knowledge and available resources. There are many free or low-cost resources available online for learning basic SEO techniques, but it’s important to note that SEO optimization requires time and consistent effort to produce lasting results.
If you have in-depth SEO skills and enough time to dedicate to optimizing your website, you can achieve positive results doing SEO yourself for just a few hundred euros a month . There’s no shortage of software that’s open to even non-professional users, such as SEOzoom or SEMrush.
Doing SEO for your business yourself can be a cost-effective option, but it can require a lot of knowledge and time to achieve good results . If you have little experience in this field, you may face several challenges that could lead to suboptimal results or even search engine penalties.
On the other hand, if you have no SEO experience and want quick and effective results, it’s advisable to rely on a professional . SEO specialists have the skills, tools, and techniques needed to effectively optimize your website and improve your search engine rankings.
Additionally, SEO professionals can provide targeted advice based on your website’s specific needs, ensuring results tailored to your business. While the cost of professional SEO may be higher than doing it yourself, the added value and quality of the work performed can far outweigh the initial cost .
While knowing the price of professional SEO is very important, the metric you should pay most attention to is ROI . Always keep this percentage in mind, and if it’s not very high, change your strategy. Suboptimal SEO, carried out by an inexperienced person, could significantly damage your business and lower your ROI .
Think carefully about how you want to manage your online business and evaluate your resources, request a quote .
SEO & GEO specialist.
