Updated: February 13, 2023.

Discover 23 essential characteristics of a good SEO consultant and 100+ screening questions to find the SEO consultant you are looking for.

If you own a website, you understand the importance of SEO for its success.

But with so many factors to consider, it can be overwhelming to tackle SEO on your own… unless you are an SEO yourself. This is where an SEO consultant comes in.

But with so many options available, how do you know you’re choosing the right consultant for the job?

In this article, I’ll go over what to look for when finding a good SEO consultant.

Finding a good SEO consultant is crucial for the success of your online presence.

Choosing the wrong SEO consultant can result in a painful and costly experience, but by knowing what to look for, you can avoid these problems and find a consultant who will help you achieve your online goals.

Ready? Let’s get started!

How to find a good SEO consultant: 23 characteristics to look for

Here are 23 things to consider when choosing a good SEO consultant.

1. Strong education and certifications in SEO

A good SEO consultant should have strong education and certifications in SEO, showing their commitment to staying current with best practices and providing high-quality work. They should have a thorough understanding of SEO principles and techniques, gained through courses, online training, or industry certifications.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you tell us about your education and training in SEO?
• What certifications do you hold in the field of SEO?

2. In-depth knowledge of SEO best practices

A good SEO consultant should have a deep understanding of SEO best practices and the ability to apply them to their work. This includes understanding the latest updates and changes in the industry, as well as a solid understanding of the fundamentals of SEO.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk us through the latest SEO best practices and why they are important?
• How do you stay up-to-**** with the latest changes in SEO?
• Can you discuss a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding the implementation of a new SEO best practice? How did you handle it?

Check my articlee about: 180+ SEO Best Practices

A good SEO consultant should have an active presence in the SEO community. Whether it’s through attending industry events, participating in online forums and discussions, or contributing to SEO blogs and publications, a consultant who stays engaged in the community shows their commitment to staying current with the latest developments in the field.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you tell us about your involvement in the SEO community and how you stay connected?
• Can you share any SEO events or conferences you have attended recently?
• How do you network with other SEO professionals and share knowledge and information?
• Can you give an example of how you have contributed to the SEO community, such as writing blog posts or speaking at events?

Check these two articles:

4. Several years of experience in the field

A good SEO consultant should have several years of experience in the field, ideally both as an in-house SEO and as an SEO specialist at the SEO agnecy.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through your experience in the SEO industry?
• How long have you been working in SEO?
• Can you describe a challenging SEO project you faced and how you overcame it?

Check this article: How Long Does It Take To Learn SEO?

5. Familiarity with different website platforms and technologies

A good SEO consultant should be familiar with a range of different website platforms and technologies. This includes understanding how to optimize websites built on popular content management systems, such as WordPress and Shopify, as well as familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you describe your experience working with various website platforms, such as WordPress, Shopify, Wix, etc.?
• How do you approach optimizing a website built on a new or unfamiliar platform?
• Have you worked with custom-built websites? If so, how do you approach optimizing them for search engines?

6. A track record of successful SEO campaigns and case studies to back it up

A good SEO consultant should have a track record of successful SEO campaigns and be able to provide case studies to back it up.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you share examples of SEO campaigns you have managed and their results?
• How do you measure the success of an SEO campaign?
• Can you provide case studies or testimonials from previous clients about the success of your SEO work?
• Can you walk me through a recent successful SEO campaign you managed and the strategies you used to achieve the results?

7. A customized approach to SEO that aligns with the client’s goals and objectives

A good SEO consultant should take a customized approach to SEO that aligns with the client’s goals and objectives. They should take the time to understand your business, target audience, and online objectives, and develop a tailored strategy to help you achieve your goals.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through your process for creating a customized SEO strategy for a client?
• How do you ensure that your SEO approach aligns with the client’s specific goals and objectives?
• Can you provide examples of past successful SEO campaigns that you have tailored to a client’s unique needs?
• How do you approach measuring the success of a customized SEO campaign?

8. Ethical and transparent SEO practices

A good SEO consultant should always follow ethical and transparent SEO practices (and work in line with Google spam policies). This means avoiding any shady or manipulative tactics that could negatively impact your website’s ranking or reputation. A consultant who operates transparently and follows best practices can help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your SEO efforts.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you explain your approach to SEO and how you ensure that your methods are in line with search engine guidelines?
• Have you ever faced any penalties or negative consequences from your SEO practices? How did you handle the situation?
• Can you provide examples of how you have used ethical and transparent SEO practices in your past campaigns?

9. Understanding of the client’s budget and ability to offer flexible pricing options

A good SEO consultant should understand the client’s budget and be able to offer flexible pricing options. They should be able to provide a clear breakdown of their services and costs, and be transparent about any additional expenses that may arise.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you provide a breakdown of your pricing options and how they align with a client’s budget?
• Can you walk me through your process for determining a client’s budget and determining the most cost-effective SEO strategies for them?
• How do you approach pricing for larger, more complex SEO projects?
• How do you handle changes in a client’s budget during the course of an SEO project?
• Have you worked with clients in a similar budget range to ours before? Can you provide examples of successful projects within that budget range?

10. Passion for the industry and a desire to continuously learn and improve

A good SEO consultant should have a passion for the industry and a desire to continuously learn and improve. They should be committed to staying current with the latest trends and updates in the field, and be eager to put their knowledge into action for their clients.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you tell us about your involvement in the SEO community and how you stay current with industry updates and changes?
• How do you stay motivated and continue to improve your skills in the field of SEO?
• Can you give an example of a recent SEO project that challenged you and how you approached the challenge to improve your skills?
• How do you approach staying ahead of industry changes and updates in your work?
• Can you share with us a recent industry event or conference you attended and how it impacted your approach to SEO?

11. Ability to explain complex SEO concepts in simple terms

A good SEO consultant should have the ability to explain complex SEO concepts in simple terms. They should be able to communicate their strategy and approach in a way that is easy for you to understand, and be able to answer any questions you have about your website’s optimization.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you give an example of a complex SEO concept you have explained to a client in simple terms?

Check this article: SEO Basics Guide (+ Video)

12. Willingness to educate the client on SEO and its importance

A good SEO consultant should be willing to educate the client on SEO and its importance. They should take the time to explain how SEO works, why it’s important for your business, and what you can expect from their services.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you explain to me in layman’s terms what SEO is and why it’s important for businesses?
• Have you ever conducted training or workshops on SEO for clients or other industry professionals?
• Can you provide an example of how you have helped a previous client understand the value of SEO for their business?
• How do you approach educating your clients on SEO and ensuring they understand its significance for their website’s success?

Check my YouTube SEO channel where I teach SEO.

13. Attention to detail and a commitment to quality work

A good SEO consultant should have a strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality work. They should take pride in their work and be dedicated to delivering the best possible results for their clients.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through a recent SEO project you completed and what steps you took to ensure the highest level of quality was maintained?
• How do you approach quality assurance when it comes to SEO projects?
• Can you provide examples of situations where you had to pay close attention to detail to achieve desired results for a client?
• How do you measure the success of an SEO campaign and what metrics do you use to track progress?

Check my super detailed guide on how to do an SEO audit.

14. Ability to identify and prioritize key SEO tasks

A good SEO consultant should have the ability to identify and prioritize key SEO tasks. They should be able to assess your website’s strengths and weaknesses, and develop a strategy that focuses on the most important and impactful tasks.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through your process for identifying and prioritizing key SEO tasks?
• How do you determine which SEO tasks will have the greatest impact on a client’s website and search engine rankings?
• How do you ensure that all SEO tasks are completed in a timely and effective manner?
• Can you explain your approach to tracking and measuring the success of SEO campaigns?
• How do you stay organized and keep track of all SEO tasks and progress?
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to adjust your SEO strategy due to changes in search engine algorithms or other factors?
• How do you collaborate with other team members, such as web developers or content creators, to ensure the success of SEO campaigns?

Check my article: 99+ SEO Audit Mistakes

15. Good project management and time management skills

A good SEO consultant should have good project management and time management skills. They should be able to organize their work and prioritize tasks in a way that ensures that all deadlines are met and that all deliverables are of the highest quality.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you give me an example of a complex SEO project you managed and how you approached it from start to finish?
• How do you prioritize tasks and ensure deadlines are met in a fast-paced environment?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple projects at the same time?
• How do you keep clients informed of project progress and handle any roadblocks that arise?
• Can you walk me through your process for tracking and reporting on project performance?

16. Ability to work independently or as part of a team

A good SEO consultant should have the ability to work independently or as part of a team. They should be comfortable working on their own, but also able to collaborate with others when necessary.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you give an example of a successful SEO project you have worked on as part of a team?
• How do you approach collaboration with team members and clients on SEO projects?
• How do you handle conflicts or differing opinions within a team setting?
• Can you describe your experience working with remote teams or remote clients?
• How do you ensure effective communication and coordination with team members and clients during an SEO project?

17. A proactive approach to SEO and a commitment to continuous improvement.

A good SEO consultant should have a proactive approach to SEO and a commitment to continuous improvement. They should continuously monitor your website’s performance and look for ways to improve it, rather than simply waiting for you to request changes.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you tell me about a time when you proactively identified and implemented a new SEO strategy that led to significant improvement for a client?
• Can you share a success story of a proactive approach you took that resulted in increased organic traffic for a client?

18. Ability to perform keyword research and target the right keywords

A good SEO consultant should have the ability to perform keyword research and target the right keywords. They should be able to identify the keywords and phrases that your target audience is using to find your products or services and ensure that your website is optimized for those keywords.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through your process for conducting keyword research and identifying the best keywords to target for a website?
• What tools do you use to do keyword research?
• Can you provide examples of websites you’ve worked on where you successfully targeted and ranked for specific keywords?
• How do you measure the success of your keyword research and targeting efforts?
• How do you determine the right balance between targeting high-volume keywords and long-tail keywords for a website?

Check this article: How To Use Google Search Console For Keyword Research

19. Experience with website migrations and website redesigns

A good SEO consultant should have experience with website migrations and website redesigns. They should be able to help you manage the transition from an old website to a new one without losing your website’s search engine ranking or traffic.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through a recent website migration or redesign project you’ve worked on?
• How do you approach website migrations to ensure minimal impact on search engine rankings?
• How do you handle website redesigns in terms of preserving existing SEO efforts and implementing new strategies?
• Can you give an example of a website migration or redesign project that had unique challenges and how you overcame them?
• How do you ensure that website migrations and redesigns are seamless for both users and search engines?

Check this: Website Redesign SEO Checklist

20. Ability to perform thorough website audits and analyses

A good SEO consultant should have the ability to perform thorough website audits and analyses. They should be able to identify any technical issues, content-related problems, or other factors that are impacting your website’s performance in search results.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk me through a recent website audit you performed and the steps you took to improve the site’s SEO?
• How do you approach analyzing a website’s technical SEO issues?
• Can you give an example of a complex website issue you encountered during an audit and how you solved it?
• How do you determine which website elements to prioritize in an audit?

Check this article: How To Perform An SEO Audit Using Google Search Console

21. Understanding of Google’s ranking algorithms and search engine updates

A good SEO consultant should have a deep understanding of Google’s ranking algorithms and search engine updates. They should stay up-to-**** with the latest changes in search engine algorithms and understand how these changes impact your website’s ranking in search results.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you describe the latest updates to Google’s ranking algorithms and how they impact SEO?
• How do you stay current with changes and updates in the search engine world?
• Can you give an example of how you have adapted to a recent change in Google’s algorithms?
• How do you keep up with the latest developments in SEO and how do you ensure that your clients are also up-to-****?

Check this article: 15 Ways To Check Why Your Site’s Traffic May Be Down

22. Strong technical SEO knowledge and experience

A good SEO consultant should have strong technical SEO knowledge and experience. They should be able to identify and resolve technical issues that are impacting your website’s performance in search results.

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you walk us through a technical SEO audit you recently conducted?
• How do you stay up to **** with changes in the technical SEO landscape?
• Have you ever dealt with a complex technical SEO issue, and if so, how did you resolve it?
• Can you give an example of a website you worked on that required extensive technical SEO optimization?
• How do you approach fixing technical SEO issues on a website?
• How do you ensure that a website is technically optimized for search engines?

Check this article: 15+ Technical SEO Issues (Examples)

23. Possibility to have a free discovery call

A good SEO consultant should offer the possibility to have a free discovery call. This allows you to discuss your website’s current SEO performance, goals, and challenges with the consultant, and to determine if they are the right fit for your needs. An SEO consultant who offers a free discovery call shows that they are transparent and willing to invest time in understanding your unique needs and goals

Example screening questions you can ask an SEO consultant you consider hiring:

• Can you offer a free consultation or discovery call to discuss my business and SEO goals?
• Do you have a process in place for conducting initial evaluations of a client’s website and SEO needs?
• Can you provide some examples of how you have used discovery calls to better understand a client’s unique needs and develop a customized SEO strategy?
• How do you use the information gathered during a discovery call to inform your approach to SEO for a particular client?
• Are discovery calls a standard part of your process for working with new clients, or are they optional?

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH ME

Final tips on how to choose a good SEO consultant

In conclusion, choosing the right SEO consultant is crucial for the success of your website. By considering the 20 characteristics listed above, you can ensure that you are partnering with a professional who is knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to helping you reach your goals.

So if you’re ready to take your website to the next level, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free discovery call with me today.

Fill out the contact form below to get started and let’s work together to make your website a success!