Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the critical elements of building a thriving online store. Without organic traffic from search engines, even the most well-designed website will struggle to attract visitors and generate sales.
But while you may be great at sourcing products, managing inventory, and delivering excellent customer service, SEO is a whole new ball game. It’s complex, it’s always changing, and it requires a lot of patience.
If you don’t have much experience in-house, outsourcing SEO for e-commerce is a great option. However, choosing the wrong provider can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities and potentially even harm your site’s reputation.
This article will examine the primary benefits of SEO outsourcing, which tasks you can delegate, and tips on how to find a successful partnership.
Benefits of Outsourcing SEO for E-commerce
Did you know that 96.55% of online content gets no traffic from Google? Most e-commerce business owners simply do not have the time, resources, or expertise to deliver successful SEO results.
Here are the key benefits of outsourcing SEO for your e-commerce business.
Cost effectiveness
While hiring an in-house SEO team may seem like a direct approach, it comes with significant costs, including salaries, benefits, and ongoing training.
On the flip side, outsourcing allows you to tap into top-notch expertise at a fraction of the cost. SEO agencies or consultants are often located in regions like Latin America (LatAm), where labor costs are lower, making top talent more affordable.
Access to specialized expertise
SEO is a complex discipline that requires deep knowledge in areas such as:
- Search engine algorithms
- Keyword research
- Content strategy
- Link building
- Technical SEO
Outsourcing to experts in the field gives you access to specialized skills and cutting-edge techniques that your in-house team might not possess. These skilled professionals stay on top of industry trends and algorithm changes, ensuring your e-commerce site remains competitive and compliant with best practices.
Ability to scale quickly
One of the main advantages of outsourcing is the speed and flexibility with which you can scale your digital marketing efforts. Outsourced SEO providers have the resources to ramp up your projects quickly, whether you’re launching a new product line or expanding into new markets.
Unlike an in-house team, which may take months to recruit and train, an outsourced provider can hit the ground running. This agility is crucial for e-commerce businesses that need to adapt quickly to market changes and consumer demands.
Focus on core business activities
Outsourcing SEO frees up valuable time and resources better spent on what you do best—running your business. Whether you’re perfecting your product line, enhancing customer service, or refining your sales strategy, delegating your SEO tasks allows you to concentrate on core activities.
This focus can result in greater overall efficiency and productivity, giving you the competitive edge needed to thrive in the e-commerce industry.
Key SEO Services to Outsource
Here are the key SEO services that can be outsourced to ensure you get the best results.
Keyword research
Keyword research is the foundation of any successful e-commerce SEO strategy. It involves identifying the search terms and phrases potential customers use to find your products or services.
Outsourcing keyword research to an SEO professional ensures you’re targeting the right keywords—those with a high search volume and low competition, which can significantly drive traffic to your e-commerce store.
Content creation
Content creation is an essential SEO task, with 58% of B2B marketers claiming content marketing helped them generate revenue within the past 12 months. From blog posts and product descriptions to landing pages and guides, every piece of content on your website should be optimized for both search engines and users.
Outsourcing content creation to skilled SEO writers ensures that your content is engaging, informative, and strategically aligned with your keywords.
Link building
Link building is one of the more challenging aspects of SEO, with more than half of digital marketers considering it the hardest SEO task. It involves acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites. These backlinks act as endorsements, signaling to search engines that your site is credible and authoritative.
Outsourcing this task to seasoned professionals can save you time and effort while ensuring that you gain valuable backlinks that comply with search engine guidelines.
Technical SEO
Technical SEO involves optimizing the back end of your website to ensure that it meets search engines’ technical requirements. It includes tasks such as:
- Improving site speed
- Ensuring mobile-friendliness
- Fixing broken links
- Optimizing URL structures
- Implementing HTTPS
Technical SEO can be complex, requiring professionals with specialized knowledge and effective SEO strategies to audit your site and identify any issues that could impact your search engine rankings.
How To Choose an SEO Outsourcing Partner
Finding the right SEO outsourcing provider can make or break a successful partnership. Here are some tips to help you choose correctly:
Assess industry experience and expertise
Look for agencies or professionals with a track record of success in delivering tangible results for businesses similar to yours. They should have a deep understanding of e-commerce dynamics and the unique SEO challenges and opportunities in your industry (and case studies to prove it).
Evaluate SEO strategy and transparency
During the vetting process, ask them to explain their approach to keyword research, content creation, link building, and technical SEO. The right partner will have a sound digital marketing strategy and be transparent about their methods.
Avoid those that use black-hat SEO tactics, as these can result in penalties from search engines and damage your site’s reputation.
Review client testimonials
Positive testimonials can indicate reliability, effectiveness, and client satisfaction, giving you greater confidence in your choice. Pay attention to any recurring themes in the reviews, particularly regarding the provider’s strengths and weaknesses.
If possible, reach out to some of their clients directly for an honest assessment of their working experience and the results achieved.
Evaluate communication and collaboration
During your initial interactions, assess the provider’s willingness to listen to your needs, answer your questions, and provide regular updates. A good SEO partner will take the time to understand your company and work collaboratively to achieve your business goals.
They should also be flexible and adaptable, willing to adjust their strategies based on performance data and your evolving needs.
Top 3 Companies for E-commerce SEO Services
Finding the right partner for your e-commerce SEO needs can be challenging. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of top companies known for their exceptional e-commerce SEO outsourcing services.
These recommendations are in no particular order and include both specialized SEO agencies and recruiting companies that can help you hire remote SEO experts.
1. Near
Yep, we’re at the top of the list. At Near, we have a long history of helping companies find, hire, and pay top SEO talent from LatAm.
Just ask R\nd, who hired a Senior SEO Strategist in just two weeks, saving 15 to 20 administrative hours and reducing their overhead by 60% compared with hiring in the US.
2. SEO.com
SEO.com is a full-service digital marketing agency. With years of experience and a team of seasoned experts, it offers a wide range of cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of e-commerce businesses.
3. Upwork
Upwork is a leading freelancing platform that connects businesses with talented freelancers worldwide. It’s an excellent resource for finding remote SEO experts with the right skills and experience for your e-commerce needs.
Best Practices for Successful SEO Outsourcing
Outsourcing SEO can yield numerous benefits for your e-commerce business, but achieving success requires careful planning and management.
Here are some best practices:
Establish clear goals and expectations
Before you even begin searching for a potential outsourcing partner, define clear objectives for what you want to achieve. Be specific about your targets (such as a 20% increase in organic traffic growth within six months) and communicate them clearly to your SEO provider.
Maintain regular communication
Set up weekly or biweekly meetings to review performance data, discuss ongoing tasks, and address any issues or concerns. Ensure you have open lines of communication and encourage your SEO partner to reach out with questions, insights, or suggestions.
Monitor performance analytics and results
Use SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track key metrics like:
- Organic traffic
- Keyword rankings
- Bounce rates
- Conversion rates
Regularly request transparent reports from your SEO partner and compare them against your predefined business objectives.
Final Thoughts
Outsourcing e-commerce SEO can significantly enhance your online visibility and performance, but success hinges on selecting the right partner. Our dedicated team of recruitment experts is here to help you hire talent that understands the complexities of SEO and can create a customized strategy.
Interested in discovering how you can hire a top remote SEO specialist within 21 days? Book a free, no-commitment call with Near and start your journey toward improved search rankings and organic traffic growth today!