Do you find yourself staring enviously at your competitors’ high search engine rankings and wondering how they do it? Well, don’t worry, my friend – you’re not alone! Many website owners feel the same way, and they’re faced with the big question: should they attempt to do their own SEO, or should they hire an expert to do it for them? We’re here to help you make the right decision. So, let’s dive in and figure out whether DIY SEO or hiring an expert is the best choice for you!
What to consider when doing DIY SEO
Whether you should do your own SEO or hire an expert depends on a few factors, including your available time, expertise, and budget. Here are some things to consider:
Time
SEO requires ongoing effort to be effective, and it can be time-consuming to stay up to date with the latest best practices, research keywords, create content, and track your results.
Expertise
SEO can be complex and technical, so it’s important to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals.
Budget
Hiring an SEO expert can be expensive, especially if you’re just starting out. On the other hand, your own time IS your money. So consider the balance.
Results
Ultimately, the most important factor is results. Consider how you will track the results you want or how you are going to measure your success.
Benefits of DIY SEO
Cost-effective
One of the biggest benefits of doing your own SEO is that it can be a cost-effective way to improve your website’s visibility and drive traffic. Instead of paying for an expert, you can invest your own time and effort, using your expert-level knowledge, into improving your website’s SEO.
Control
When you do your own SEO, you have complete control over the process. You can choose the keywords you want to target, create content that reflects your brand’s voice and values, and change your website as needed.
Learning
You can learn a lot about how search engines work and what you can do to improve your website’s ranking. This knowledge can be useful for other aspects of your business, such as digital marketing or content creation.
Flexibility
SEO is an ongoing process and doing it yourself gives you the flexibility to make changes as needed. You can experiment with different tactics, track your results, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Personalization
When you do your own SEO, you can personalize your approach to your specific business needs. You know your industry, customers, and goals better than anyone else, so you can tailor your SEO strategy to meet those needs.
Cons of DIY SEO
DIY SEO is Time-consuming
SEO is a time-consuming process; doing it yourself means taking time away from other aspects of your business. Depending on your available time, doing your own SEO may not be the most efficient use of your resources.
Steep learning curve
SEO can be complex and technical, and there is a lot to learn to do it effectively. If you’re not familiar with SEO best practices, you may need to spend a significant amount of time researching and learning before you can start implementing a strategy.
Risk of mistakes
If you’re not an SEO expert, there is a risk of making mistakes that could harm your website’s ranking. For example, you may accidentally use black hat tactics that result in a penalty from search engines.
Limited resources
Without the resources of an SEO agency, you may not have access to the latest SEO tools or industry insights. This could limit your ability to stay current with the latest best practices and strategies.
DIY SEO can give uncertain results
SEO is a long-term strategy that can take time to see results. Without the expertise of an SEO professional, it may be difficult to measure your progress and determine if your efforts are paying off.
Benefits of hiring an SEO expert
Expertise
An SEO expert has the knowledge and experience to develop a comprehensive and effective SEO strategy for your website. They are up to date on the latest best practices and industry trends and can apply that knowledge to your website to improve its visibility and search engine ranking.
Time-saving
Hiring an SEO expert frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business. An expert can quickly identify and address SEO issues, perform keyword research, and optimize your website content, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
Results-driven
An SEO expert has a track record of achieving results for their clients. By analyzing data and metrics, they can measure the success of their strategy and make adjustments to improve your website’s ranking and performance continually.
Scalability
As your business grows, your SEO needs will also evolve. An SEO expert can scale their strategy to meet your changing needs and goals, ensuring your website’s SEO always aligns with your business objectives.
Risk mitigation
An SEO expert understands the risks of using black hat tactics and can help you avoid penalties or a decline in your website’s ranking. By adhering to ethical and sustainable SEO practices, they can protect your website’s reputation and ensure long-term success.
Conclusion
Whether you decide to tackle your SEO on your own or bring in an expert, the key is to take action and improve your website’s visibility. Doing your own SEO can be a cost-effective way to improve your website’s visibility and drive traffic, but it requires a significant investment of time and expertise. Hiring an expert may be the way to go if you have the budget and want to ensure the best possible results.
Looking to Hire an SEO Expert?
Shanty Town is chock-full of SEO experts and we’d love to help you get your website at the top of the search results page.
