Fractional SEO, reducing SEO cost

It's a question that's cited often in the marketplace, how much should I spend on SEO? with fees ranging from several hundred per month, to thousands per hour - ; if you have an e-com site that's been hit by penalty, you need to address the problem quickly and effectively.

The challenge you and the industry has is how to identify what you need, and finding an appropriate, cost effective solution that fits the bill.

This is where fractional SEO comes in.

The key areas of SEO can be described as:

• On-Page SEO: This involves optimising individual web pages to improve their visibility in search engine results. It includes keyword research, optimising meta tags, headings, content, URLs, and internal linking structure.
• Off-Page SEO: Off-page SEO refers to activities outside of your website that impact its search engine rankings. It includes building high-quality backlinks, social media marketing, online reputation management, influencer outreach, and content promotion.
• Technical SEO: Technical SEO focuses on optimising the technical aspects of your website to enhance its crawlability, indexability, and overall performance. It includes improving site speed, mobile-friendliness, site architecture, URL structure, XML sitemaps, and implementing structured data markup.
• Keyword Research: Keyword research is the process of identifying the specific search terms and phrases that your target audience uses to find relevant information. It involves analysing search volume, competition, and relevance to select appropriate keywords for your website.
• And of course generative experience search, semantic content, especially with the advent of generative text bots like ChatGPT.

In my experience, many organisations over time, and too focussed on content creation and paid activity, and only pay attention to the organic and technical side of the website when something dramatically goes wrong, i.e a large drop in traffic, either overnight, or gradually over time.

This is where having a Fractional SEO is useful. You can benefit from an extensive range of SEO skills from core vitals, site structure, toxicity, reputation management to name but a few, addressing core challenges, while supporting the organisation to grow in house expertise and establish working practices that shore up future defences.

If you're considering hiring a fractional SEO consultant in the UK, here are the steps to take:

1. Define Your Goals: Clearly identify your SEO objectives and what you aim to achieve with the help of a fractional SEO consultant. Whether it's improving organic search rankings, driving targeted traffic, or optimising your website for better visibility, having specific goals will guide your selection process.
2. Research and Shortlist Consultants: Conduct thorough research to find reputable fractional SEO consultants in the UK. Look for professionals with a proven track record, relevant experience in your industry, and positive client testimonials. Shortlist a few consultants who align with your requirements.
3. Assess Expertise and Services: Review the expertise and services offered by each consultant. Ensure they have a comprehensive understanding of on-page and off-page SEO techniques, technical SEO, keyword research, content optimisation, and analytics. Look for additional services like website audits, competitor analysis, and SEO strategy development.
4. Request Proposals: Reach out to the shortlisted consultants and request detailed proposals. Ask for their approach to SEO, project timelines, expected deliverables, and pricing structure. This will help you compare their offerings and choose the consultant that best fits your needs.
5. Evaluate Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication is crucial when working with a fractional SEO consultant. Assess their responsiveness, clarity in explaining complex concepts, and willingness to collaborate with your team. A consultant who can effectively communicate and align with your business goals will yield better results.
6. Review Past Work and Results: Request case studies or examples of past SEO projects handled by the consultant. Review their success stories, improvements in search rankings, and overall client satisfaction. This will give you insights into their capabilities and the potential impact they can have on your SEO efforts.
7. Discuss Contract Terms: Once you've selected a consultant, have detailed discussions about contract terms and agreements. Clarify pricing, payment terms, project milestones, and any specific expectations or deliverables. A well-defined contract will ensure a smooth working relationship.
8. Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) to the fractional SEO consultant. Define measurable targets and establish reporting mechanisms to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts.

By following these steps, you can find and onboard a fractional SEO consultant who can effectively optimise your website, drive organic traffic, and help you achieve your SEO goals