How To Find and Hire the Right Outsourced SEO Specialist for Your Business

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses across industries to succeed today. It drives organic search traffic, improves online visibility, and helps you stand out in a competitive market.

However, building an in-house SEO team from scratch can be costly and time-consuming. This is why many companies choose to outsource SEO services. But how do you find and hire the right outsourced SEO specialist?

From identifying your SEO needs to evaluating the right candidates, finding a specialist who fits your business can seem overwhelming. However, with a clear plan, you can make the smart choice.

This guide will walk you through the steps to hire an SEO expert who will elevate your online presence and deliver real results for your business.

Why Outsource SEO?

Outsourcing makes sense when you want to focus on your core activities while taking advantage of external expertise.

It can be particularly beneficial for improving your online presence without the burden of managing an entire team. Here are some key benefits of hiring an outsourced SEO specialist:

• Access to specialized talent: SEO is a complex field that requires specialized expertise in keyword research, content creation, and analytics. Outsourcing gives you access to these seasoned professionals.
• Cost savings: Building an in-house team involves salaries, training, and benefits. Outsourcing lets you pay for only the services you need without the overhead costs.
• Scalability: As your business grows, so do your SEO needs. Outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale your services up or down as needed.
• Time efficiency: SEO takes time to work, with polls indicating it takes around three to six months to start showing results (with constant attention and updates). Outsourcing spares your internal team from this time investment to focus on more strategic projects rather than day-to-day SEO tasks.
• Access to advanced tools: SEO professionals often use advanced software that may be impractical to purchase on your own.

Leveraging specialized talent through outsourcing can save you more in the long run because you get better results and faster improvements in your online presence, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

How To Find the Right Outsourced SEO Specialist

When you’re hiring an SEO professional, you need to look for more than just technical expertise. You need someone who understands your business objectives, can align their SEO strategies with your needs, and delivers consistent results.

Following these steps will help you hire an SEO service provider who is a good match for your business.

Step 1: Define your SEO goals and needs

Are you looking to increase organic traffic, improve search engine rankings, or target specific keywords? Establishing these goals early on will help you find a specialist whose expertise aligns with your business needs.

Step 2: Research potential SEO outsourcing providers

Once your goals are clear, it’s time to research potential SEO providers. Here are the main options to consider.

• Individual freelance specialists: These are independent professionals who handle SEO on their own. They can offer personalized services but may lack the capacity to handle large-scale SEO projects.
• Agencies with teams of specialists: SEO agencies typically have a team of experts that covers a wide range of specializations. They’re often full-service and can manage larger SEO campaigns, but they’re typically the most expensive option.
• Recruiting firms: These companies specialize in finding and hiring qualified SEO specialists on behalf of businesses. They’re often the most effective choice because they pre-screen candidates and match you with experts who meet your exact criteria.

Each type of SEO outsourcing partner offers its own advantages. The ideal option for you depends on your size, scale, and specific needs.

Step 3: Assess their expertise through case studies and portfolios

Case studies and portfolios allow you to see what potential partners have delivered for other clients in the past. Look for case studies where client companies had needs and goals similar to your own. Seeing real-world examples of success will give you confidence in their ability to achieve measurable results for your business.

Step 4: Evaluate the use of SEO tools and technologies

Your SEO partner should have access to advanced SEO tools and understand how to use them effectively. When you outsource link-building work, for instance, look for someone already familiar with tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz for analyzing backlinks and identifying quality link-building opportunities.

Step 5: Assess communication and transparency

Clear communication and transparency are essential when working with an outsourced SEO specialist. Look for someone who provides regular updates, clearly explains their SEO strategies, and sets realistic expectations about timelines.

Discuss reporting frequency and metrics, and be cautious of anyone promising quick results. Remember that SEO takes time to show progress.

Step 6: Ask for pricing models and contracts

SEO outsourcing services can be billed hourly, on a project basis, or through a retainer model.

Make sure the pricing structure aligns with your budget and business goals. Request a clear contract that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, and timelines. This will help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure both parties are on the same page. 

Step 7: Conduct an initial consultation

An initial consultation is a great way for you to gauge how qualified a specialist is. During this meeting, you can discuss your SEO needs in more detail and get a sense of how the specialist plans to approach your project. 

This consultation also provides you with an opportunity to assess their communication style and whether they’re a good fit for your company culture. 

Step 8: Check client testimonials and references

Positive testimonials suggest that the specialist is reliable and capable of delivering results.

Consider taking the time to reach out to past clients and ask them about their experience working with a potential partner. These insights can help you avoid potential issues down the road.

What Services Can an Outsourced SEO Specialist Provide?

The scope of SEO work is broad, meaning you can outsource a wide range of services. Here are some essential SEO services an outsourced SEO specialist can offer:

• Keyword research: Identifying relevant keywords for driving targeted traffic to your site
• Technical SEO: Optimizing your website’s overall structure and performance for fast load times, mobile-friendliness, and proper indexing by search engines
• On-page SEO: Focusing on the individual web pages, including meta tags, headings, and images, to improve search rankings
• Local SEO: Setting up your site to rank for local search terms, helping you attract nearby customers
• Content optimization: Making sure that your website content is up to date, keyword-rich, and engaging while also being optimized for search engine algorithms
• Link building: Creating high-quality backlinks to improve your site’s authority and search visibility
• Reporting and analytics: Providing regular updates and insights into your site’s performance through detailed reports

If you need a more well-rounded approach that goes beyond SEO, consider outsourcing digital marketing services. These services also cover social media, pay-per-click advertising, and content marketing, giving you a complete digital marketing solution.

Costs and ROI of Outsourcing SEO

Outsourced SEO can vary significantly in cost depending on the type of partner you choose. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect to pay.

• Freelance specialists and SEO agencies: Small businesses spend anywhere from $100 to $5,000 a month on SEO services when partnering with freelancers or agencies, with the average being about $500. Typically, you’ll pay more for an agency than a freelancer.
• Recruiting firms: These companies have access to quality remote talent from regions like Latin America (LatAm), where salaries for SEO roles are often over 30% lower than in the US. 

To evaluate the ROI of outsourcing SEO, consider the increase in organic search traffic, improvements in search rankings, and, ultimately, the boost in conversions and revenue. Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and track performance continuously to get accurate results. 

Managing Your SEO Partnership

A strong relationship with your outsourced SEO specialist can lead to better results and a more streamlined workflow. The following strategies will help you maintain a successful partnership:

• Set up regular meetings or check-ins to discuss progress, challenges, and updates so that everyone stays in the loop.
• Work together to identify the KPIs that matter most to your business, such as organic traffic growth, conversion rates, and keyword rankings.
• Ask for full reports that outline performance metrics, ongoing strategies, and any adjustments made for full transparency.
• Encourage your SEO partner to provide insights and suggestions so that you can refine your approach to SEO together and improve results.
• Be prepared to adapt your strategies based on performance data, market changes, or new industry trends to maximize performance.

With these best practices, you can develop a productive and collaborative relationship with your SEO partner. 

Top 3 Outsourcing Partners Who Can Help You Hire an SEO Specialist

There are many excellent outsourcing partners worth considering; the right choice will depend on your specific SEO needs.

The following list of proven providers is not ranked in any specific order and features a mix of options—some that specialize in SEO experts and others that offer full-service digital marketing solutions, including SEO.

1. Near

Yes, we’re putting ourselves on the list because we take pride in helping startups scale their teams efficiently. At Near, we specialize in recruiting highly skilled professionals from LatAm.

Our platform provides a comprehensive solution, handling everything from hiring and onboarding to paying and retaining remote talent. With our deep understanding of your business needs, we’re committed to delivering experienced SEO professionals who can elevate your strategy.

2. WebFX

WebFX is a full-service digital marketing agency with over 25 years of experience. It boasts a team of over 500 experts and has generated over $3 billion in revenue for its clients.

It offers a wide range of services, including SEO, web design, social media marketing, and pay-per-click advertising. Extensive expertise and a proven track record make WebFX a strong partner for businesses seeking both SEO and other digital marketing services.

3. SEO Brand

SEO Brand is a boutique yet international marketing firm based in the US. Known for its holistic approach, it was named the best for SEO in 2024 by Forbes for reputation management services.

With a focus on transparency, integrity, and results-driven strategies, SEO Brand specializes in facilitating digital growth for businesses across multiple industries.

Final Thoughts

Finding and hiring the right outsourced SEO specialist for your business is essential for achieving your digital marketing goals without exhausting your internal resources. It’s important to prioritize communication, transparency, and a clear understanding of your SEO needs when evaluating potential partners.

At Near, we specialize in connecting businesses with top-tier SEO talent. We have a robust vetting process for all professionals in our talent pool, ensuring a seamless hiring process tailored to your requirements. 

You don’t pay if you don’t hire—so why not take the first step toward elevating your online presence? Book your free consultation call with us today.