Search engine visibility is very important. In an increasingly digital world, potential clients can find your law firm through internet research. The problem is that many companies don't have the resources or knowledge to dedicate them to a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. In such cases, it makes sense to hire an experienced, results-driven SEO company in Orlando FL. How can your law firm narrow down the list of potential SEO consultants? Start with these questions.
Questions to ask you when hiring an SEO consultant for your law firm
Do you have a list of your current and past customers?
A reputable law firm SEO consultant has a list of law firms to work with and share. You don't need a complete list of clients, but consultants who get results for their clients have a list of references they'll encourage you to contact - because they know they will recommend them to others. Even if you ask for specific benchmarks, some people may or may not be willing to share the numbers - but they should at least be able to see if their main goal is moving in the right direction.
How will you improve my search engine ranking?
SEO professionals should be able to discuss their methods in detail. They will be able to describe specific strategies they will use to improve their rankings, along with possible programs. Any initial recommendation should include a technical review to find issues that might bother you and hinder your ranking in Google for your target keywords. You should also talk about on-page optimization. You can also learn about off-page SEO optimization methods that will also increase your search engine visibility.
Do you follow the guidelines for search engine webmasters?
It's critical that you base your work on Google's publicly published Webmaster Best Practices, which specifically prohibit 12 popular black hat SEO tricks. Other search engines also publish similar guides. If a potential SEO consultant says he or she is not strictly following these guidelines, you should continue looking for an SEO consultant for your law firm.
Can you guarantee the first place in the search engine ranking of my website?
This is actually a bit of a difficult question as you're looking for the answer to "no". Such a result is not guaranteed and any SEO consultant or legal entity making such a claim is either unethical or inexperienced. Additionally, some companies claim to have "secret" relationships with search engines that can have a positive impact on your rankings - but that doesn't happen either, and if someone tells you, it's a red flag.
What is your experience in improving local search results?
It is especially important for law firms to appear in the results of local search engines. A consultant experienced in local search techniques will be particularly helpful in making your website visible to potential customers in your area.
Can I see the changes you have made to my site?
As SEO evolves, you can expect some changes to be made to your website. It's important that your site administrators know exactly what's going on - what changes are made and how often. Some companies require prior approval of changes. Also, ask about anything redesigned or added.
How do you measure the effectiveness of your SEO strategies?
To truly measure its success, you need to understand traffic levels and channels. Any SEO consultants your law firm works with should have a solid understanding of Google Analytics to monitor changes in your website rankings, the number of links from other websites driving traffic to your website, and the types of keywords your website uses to track searches. Also find out how often and in what format these analytics and other reports are shared with you.
How and when will we communicate?
Communication styles and preferred frequencies vary. You need to find someone whose customer service standards match yours. Prefer to speak by phone, email or in meetings? What updates will be released during these discussions?