According to Forbes, 46% of all Google searches are local, and 18% of local searches lead to a purchase within 24 hours. This shows the impact of local SEO and why it is essential for your business.
However, implementing local SEO strategies takes time and some expertise you might not have as a business owner. That’s where outsourcing comes in; you don’t have to do it yourself when you could hire an SEO expert or an agency.
This article will reveal what you need to know and the criteria for outsourcing local SEO.
You will learn how to utilize local SEO outsourcing to grow your business, saving time and resources.
Overview
- Benefits of Outsourcing Local SEO
- Understanding Local SEO Outsourcing
- Types Of Local SEO Outsourcing
- Crucial Steps to Follow in Outsourcing Local SEO
- How to Choose the Right Local SEO Service Provider
- Key Local SEO Features
- Common Pitfalls To Avoid When Outsourcing Local SEO
- Parting Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of Outsourcing Local SEO
These are what you gain from letting others manage your local SEO strategy.
1. Access to Expertise
Local SEO requires deep knowledge of search engine algorithms, keyword research, and optimization strategies, which you need to learn.
Outsourcing relieves you of that burden and allows you to access skilled SEO professionals who can help you achieve better results.
2. Time Efficiency
Managing local SEO requires attention and adaptation to changing algorithms, and it can tap into your time.
Outsourcing helps you focus on running your business while letting the experts handle the SEO details.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
While it may seem cheaper to do your local SEO, it is often counterintuitive. Since you are not an expert, your local SEO efforts might not pay off.
Also, it takes time away from when you should be running your business. So, in the end, outsourcing is more cost-effective.
4. Scalability
As your business grows, so will your SEO strategy, and local SEO experts can quickly adapt to your evolving needs.
Whether you are expanding into new markets or launching new products, it won’t matter.
Understanding Local SEO Outsourcing
Local SEO increases your visibility in local search results in a specific location,
It brings your business more brand awareness and sales, which is why you are considering it.
But how can you determine who can get the job done, and what criteria should you look out for? We will answer these questions in a bit.
Get answers to your local SEO questions here.
Types Of Local SEO Outsourcing
First, let’s see the different options of who you can outsource your local SEO to. This will depend on your needs, budget, and preferences,
SEO Freelancers
You can hire an SEO expert for your local SEO needs, which gives you flexibility and saves you costs.
You will easily find them on freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, and many more. Do your due diligence to be sure of the person’s expertise,
SEO Agencies
Hiring an agency specializing in local SEO is a great option. However, this will cost you more than hiring a freelancer.
Using an agency benefits a structured organization and a diverse talent pool.
Hybrid Model
This involves combining internal local SEO efforts with external, outsourced efforts. With this, you enjoy the benefits of external expertise while maintaining control of certain local SEO aspects.
Crucial Steps to Follow in Outsourcing Local SEO
Here are some vital steps to follow when outsourcing your local SEO.
Outline Your Goals
What exactly are your SEO goals? Do you want more leads, sales, and traffic to your store?
This could be determined by what you have assessed that your business needs to improve on. Outlining your goals allows you to measure the effectiveness of your local SEO strategy.
Some important metrics for measuring your SEO performance include:
- Search ranking
- Organic click-through rate (CTR)
- Bounce rate
- Organic traffic
- Conversion rate
Decide on Your Budget
This is vital when deciding on your outsourcing option. You must know how much your business can invest in SEO strategy and optimizations.
This is why budgeting is necessary. Budgeting also helps you maintain the long-term perspective of your SEO strategies.
Meanwhile, being more expensive doesn’t always equal high productivity or results.
Research Local SEO Service Providers
You need to streamline your search because numerous SEO outsourcing companies and freelancers exist.
Outsource your SEO services to a provider familiar with your nature of business and niche because this is critical for SEO.
They should have positive reviews, proven results, and up-to-date knowledge of SEO best practices.
This ensures tailored SEO strategies are implemented for your business to boost your local online visibility and authority.
Ensure Alignment of Local SEO Strategy
You must confirm that your goals and expectations match the local SEO provider’s proposed strategies. There should be a synergy between your business goals and the local SEO plans.
This makes the communication clear about all the details like target audience, traffic, and much more.
Track the Performance of Your Local SEO Campaign
The performance of your local SEO campaign is important. At this stage, compare its success against the metrics you had initially outlined.
You can ask questions about campaign results and resolve concerns with your SEO consultant.
Tracking the progress of your outsourced SEO should be done regularly, according to a well-defined schedule.
More on SEO performance.
How to Choose the Right Local SEO Service Provider
The outcome of your local SEO efforts depends on choosing the right SEO expert. Here are some tips to guide you in making smart outsourcing decisions:
1. Evaluate Expertise
Look for SEO experts with a proven track record in SEO and local SEO. Check their portfolio and case studies for relevant experience, especially for your field and nature of business.
2. Check Reviews
Find out about their reputation; reviews can be helpful here whether you are considering an SEO freelancer or an agency.
Websites like Clutch provide insights into service provider’s performance and reviews.
3. Assess Communication Skills
Effective communication is vital to the success of any business relationship, and the same applies to your outsourcing.
Ensure that the partner you choose is responsive and transparent.
4. Check Ethical Practices
Search engines have SEO rules and are penalized for breaking some of them.
Ensure the SEO outsourcing partner follows white-hat practices to avoid penalties from search engines.
Key Local SEO Features
Now that you know the steps to take in outsourcing local SEO, you need to know and consider these key aspects of local SEO.
On-Page Optimization
On-page SEO involves improving the content on your website to appear higher on search engines like Google.
In the case of local SEO, it is to appear high on localized search results.
On-Page Optimization includes:
- Keyword research
- Meta-data optimization
- Content creation
- Voice search optimization
Check out our beginner’s guide on On-page SEO.
Off-Page Optimizations
These are done outside your website to help build your website’s authority and credibility. They include:
- Link building
- Social media marketing
- Local listings
Confused about SEO On-page and Off-page?
Technical SEO
Technical SEO increases the efficiency of your website for your web visitors. It also ensures search engines can properly crawl and index your site belong here.
Technical SEO include:
- Site speed optimization
- Optimization for mobile devices
- Website outlay
- Site security
Local Listings Management
Listing your business on online directories is a vital aspect of local SEO.
These listings include:
- Google My Business (GMB)
- Bing Place for Business
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Other relevant directories in your niche
These listings must be optimized to showcase your business and its offer. Also, the Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) have to be consistent across them all.
Related Post: Optimizing Local Listings
Reputation Management
Your potential clients use your online reputation to decide if your business is worth patronizing.
Besides content marketing, reviews are great for your business reputation. They significantly impact consumer trust and local search rankings.
Requesting and managing your reviews is essential for your local SEO strategy.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid When Outsourcing Local SEO
When outsourcing local SEO, businesses can encounter several pitfalls that may hinder their success.
Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
Using Cost as a Sole Deciding Factor
While cost efficiency is crucial, selecting a provider based on price alone can lead to poor results. What matters more is competence in carrying out successful SEO campaigns.
Instead, prioritize quality and proven results over seeking the cheapest option.
Lack of Clear Local SEO Goals
Without a clear goal of what you want to achieve, it’s easy to get your local SEO outsourcing wrong.
It’s best to outline your desired outcomes, target audience, key performance indicators (KPIs), and specific requirements.
Without this clarity, your SEO efforts will not align with your business goals, resulting in disappointing outcomes.
Chasing Vanity Metrics
All metrics are not the same; some are relevant to your business goals and SEO success.
Vanity metrics include impressions, likes, shares, comments, followers, views, and more. They may all seem impressive but don’t contribute to your business and SEO goals.
Poor Communication
Effective communication is critical for a successful outsourcing relationship. Miscommunication can lead to misaligned priorities and delayed results.
Establish clear communication channels and schedule regular updates or meetings. This will ensure all parties’ strategies, timelines, and expectations are aligned.
Unrealistic Expectations
SEO is a long-term strategy, and patience is key. Expecting to rank fast on local search results in a short while might be unachievable.
Your local SEO campaign will take time and consistent effort to get results and your ROI. Having realistic expectations about SEO will help you maintain a good relationship with your provider.
Not Tracking Results
Regularly monitoring and evaluating your outsourced SEO efforts is important.
By regularly reviewing key metrics like organic traffic and keyword rankings, you can assess progress and make any needed changes.
Parting Thought
Every business needs local SEO, especially with brick-and-mortar stores. However, it might not be possible to implement the strategy as you run your business.
Use this local SEO guide to find the right provider for your business for more visibility on local online search and sales.
Be productive, save time and resources, and let the SEO expert boost your brand and success.
If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it with your network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Local SEO Outsourcing?
Local SEO outsourcing involves your local SEO strategy to SEO experts to improve your visibility in your location.
Is Paying Someone to Do SEO Worth It?
It is worth it. Outsourcing your SEO campaign enables you to focus on running your business. You also don’t need to learn and master SEO practices.
How Do You Outsource Local SEO?
You outsource your local SEO campaign by hiring an SEO freelancer, agency, or a hybrid model to handle your business SEO responsibilities.
How Do I Choose the Right SEO Outsourcing Company?
Evaluate their expertise, read client reviews, assess communication skills, define clear goals, and ensure they follow ethical SEO practices.
Should I Outsource Local SEO Services to a Specialized Agency?
An SEO agency is excellent for local SEO outsourcing; they provide a structure and a team of experts.
However, this option is more expensive, and you must consider the scope of your local SEO needs.
Can I Still Manage My Local SEO while Outsourcing?
Yes, many businesses adopt a hybrid approach to local SEO; they handle specific tasks while outsourcing others for efficiency.
How Much Does Local SEO Outsourcing Typically Cost?
The cost of local SEO solutions varies. It depends on the type of services offered, the size of the business, and the level of competition in the local market.
