What to Expect Working with an SEO Consultant

Is hiring an SEO consultant really worth it? Can they actually grow your business beyond just moving some rankings around?

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: Google is responsible for 63.41% of all website referral traffic in the US, according to a 2024 study by Datos and SparkToro. That’s nearly 10 times more than the second-largest referrer! 

If that doesn’t highlight the importance of organic search, consider this: managing SEO effectively can easily consume 10, 20, or even more hours per month, especially if you’re doing it yourself. That’s time you could spend running your business instead.

If you’re a small business owner drowning in DIY SEO tutorials or an in-house marketer feeling overwhelmed by the constantly changing landscape, this guide will show you exactly what to expect when working with an SEO consultant. We’ll cover what they actually do, what your first 90 days look like, and why the ROI goes far beyond just better rankings.

What Does an SEO Consultant Actually Do?

Think of an SEO consultant as your website’s personal trainer and strategic advisor rolled into one. They don’t just tweak a few keywords and call it a day. Here’s what you’re really getting:

Comprehensive SEO Audits

Your consultant will dig deep into your website to uncover hidden problems that are killing your rankings. They’ll spot technical issues you didn’t even know existed and identify untapped content opportunities for growth. 

Targeted Keyword Research

What terms are your audience actually searching for? A good consultant doesn’t just guess. They use professional tools and data analysis to find keywords that drive traffic that converts, not just vanity metrics.

Competitive Research

Your consultant will utilize the tools they have available to share gaps in your SEO strategy by taking a peek at what your competitors are doing to drive traffic, build links, and convert their customers.

Technical SEO Fixes

From page speed optimization to mobile-friendliness and site structure, these behind-the-scenes improvements make your site both user-friendly and Google-friendly. Most business owners don’t even know these issues exist until they’re fixed.

On-Page Optimization

This involves strategically tweaking your headings, meta descriptions, internal links, and content structure to improve rankings while maintaining readability for your actual customers.

Strategic Backlink Building

Building high-quality links from reputable websites to boost your site’s authority and help you outrank competitors. But this isn’t about buying cheap links, rather earning credible mentions.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment

SEO isn’t a “set it and forget it” strategy. Your consultant continuously monitors performance, tracks algorithm changes, and adjusts tactics to keep you ahead of the competition.

An SEO consultant doesn’t just optimize your website for today. They stay ahead of algorithm updates and adapt to key shifts in the search landscape. With AI and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT reshaping how users find information, SEO is evolving into Search Everywhere Optimization. 

A skilled consultant evaluates these changes to help you make educated decisions about whether to hold steady on your strategy or pivot for long-term success.

The First 90 Days: Why You’ll Have Homework (And Why That’s Good)

Here’s a reality check many of my clients have come to learn: working with an SEO company isn’t completely hands-off. The first 90 days require some collaboration from you, but think of it as an investment in long-term success.

Here’s what those early days typically look like:

Setup and Onboarding

• Give access to essential tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and your website’s content management system
• Share your business intel: Who are your customers? What are your main goals? Who do you consider your biggest competitors?
• Review the initial audit: Your consultant will present findings about your current SEO health and biggest opportunities

Strategy Development & Foundational Optimizations

• Collaborate on keyword targeting: Which products/services are most profitable? What terms do your customers use?
• Approve the SEO roadmap: Understand the prioritized action plan for the next 3-6 months
• Implement initial quick wins: Often these are technical fixes or low hanging fruit that can show immediate improvements

Execute and Refine

• Content strategy alignment: Work together on content ideas that serve both SEO and your business goals
• Content development alignment: Refine and understand nuances within content so that it’s on-brand
• Review early results: Understand what’s working and what needs adjustment
• Establish ongoing communication rhythm: Set expectations for regular reporting and check-ins

This “homework” isn’t busywork.  Instead, think of it as empowering collaboration that ensures your SEO strategy and content aligns perfectly with your business objectives.

While homework can lessen after the first 90-days, the best performing campaigns are usually those where you and your SEO professional communicate on a regular basis.  Often this is a monthly call to review results and opportunities, and to discuss upcoming initiatives that your SEO consultant might need to be aware of for upcoming SEO strategies.

In the first 90 days of a 10 hour per month campaign, estimate about 1 hour per week in communication and/or reviews & edits.  This can vary depending on how niche or unique your business is.  

If your industry requires careful usage or avoidance of terms, like medical and or mental health practitioners, sharing these specific nuances up front can reduce the amount of time in back and forth.

But no matter how much we prepare, we always find that things arise.

Why ROI Isn’t Just About Rankings

Here’s where many business owners get it wrong: they think SEO success only means ranking #1 for their target keywords. The real ROI goes much deeper.

Time Savings = Money Saved

Business owners trying to DIY their SEO typically spend 10+ hours monthly learning, implementing, and troubleshooting. At your hourly rate, hiring a consultant often pays for itself just in time savings alone.

The Compound Effect

Unlike paid ads that stop working the moment you stop paying, organic SEO traffic compounds over time. The work your consultant does today continues driving traffic and leads months or even years later.

Measurable Business Benefits

Beyond rankings, expect to see:

• Increased engagement rates as your site becomes more user-friendly
• More qualified leads from targeted keyword optimization
• Enhanced brand visibility across search results
• Improved conversion rates from better user experience
• Competitive advantage as you outrank competitors for valuable terms

Imagine freeing up 10+ hours a month while simultaneously growing your most valuable traffic source. That’s the real ROI of working with an SEO consultant.

The time savings is probably the most overlooked, but immediate value we can offer our clients.  Whether it’s time saved doing SEO work, or the years it takes to learn SEO, we take more off your plate to get the ball rolling faster.

Understanding the 80/20 Rule of SEO

Professional SEO consultants understand the Pareto Principle: 20% of efforts typically drive 80% of results. This is why they don’t try to optimize everything at once.

Here’s how smart consultants prioritize:

High-Impact Activities First:

• Target your most profitable keywords before going after every possible variation
• Fix critical technical issues like non-indexable pages that can affect your entire site
• Optimize the top pages that drive the most business value
• Focus on content that serves both search engines and your actual customers

Example: Instead of trying to rank for 100 different keywords, your consultant might identify that 20 strategic keywords could drive 80% of your potential organic traffic. They’ll go deep on those first.

This focused approach means you see meaningful results faster, rather than spreading efforts too thin across dozens of minor optimizations.

Keep in mind that every SEO campaign should be customized with your business goals in mind, so the example provided above likely won’t be right for your business.

How to Choose the Right SEO Consultant

Not all SEO consultants are created equal. Here’s how to spot the good ones:

Smart Questions to Ask:

• Do they have experience with businesses similar to yours in size and industry?
• Can they provide case studies with actual results (not just rankings)?
• What’s their reporting frequency and what metrics do they track?
• How do they stay updated with algorithm changes?

Red Flags to Avoid:

• “Guaranteed #1 rankings in 30 days!” – Legitimate consultants know SEO doesn’t work this way
• Secretive about their methods – Good consultants explain their strategies clearly
• Focus only on rankings – Quality consultants care about business metrics, not just search positions
• Cheap prices that seem too good to be true – Effective SEO requires significant time and expertise
• Only tells you the positive – Even with years of experience, we can’t get it right all the time

The right consultant will ask YOU questions about your business, goals, and challenges before proposing any solutions. 

Great SEO professionals understand that while rankings are important, reporting on them and vanity metrics like “X% increase in organic traffic” don’t tell the whole story.  If you’re ranking for the wrong keywords and driving traffic that doesn’t convert, does it really matter how high you’re ranking?

You’re really going to want to hire an SEO expert who cares about the success of your business, and that means finding someone who, like me, will share the good and the bad.  When things are going great, your SEO consultant will celebrate with you, but when things aren’t going well, they’ll bring opportunities to improve.

The Role of Ongoing Communication

SEO success depends on transparent, regular communication between you and your consultant. Here’s what healthy collaboration looks like:

Regular Reporting

Expect monthly reports that go beyond just ranking updates. Quality reports include:

• Organic traffic growth and trends
• Keyword performance and new opportunities
• Technical improvements implemented
• Content performance and engagement metrics
• Conversion changes

Strategic Check-ins

Regular consultation calls (monthly or quarterly) help ensure your SEO strategy evolves with your business. Whether you’re launching new products, expanding to new markets, or shifting your focus, your SEO should adapt accordingly.

At Full Throttle SEO, monthly reporting calls are what we rely on to deliver results that matter to your business.  Our brainstorming and collaborative sessions ensure we’re on track and preparing for upcoming shifts in your business goals, rather than playing catch up.

Long-term Partnership Mindset

Remember: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. The best consultants think in terms of 6 to 12 month growth strategies, not quick fixes. They’ll help you understand that while some improvements happen quickly, the most valuable results build over time.

Look for a consultant who views themselves as a long-term partner in your business growth, not just a vendor completing a project.

What Success Really Looks Like

After working with a quality SEO consultant for 6-12 months, most businesses experience:

• Increased organic traffic that converts better than other sources
• Higher search visibility for terms that matter to their business
• Improved website performance that benefits their bottom line
• Better understanding of their customers’ search behavior
• Competitive advantages in their local or industry market
• Systems and processes that support continued SEO growth

Success also comes in the form of saving hours each week not doing (or pretending to understand) SEO. 

The most successful client relationships happen when business owners understand that SEO is an investment in long-term growth, not an expense for quick fixes.

Ready to Transform Your Online Presence?

Have you ever felt frustrated with your current SEO agency’s lack of results or transparency? 

You’re not alone. 

According to 2024 data from Setup, 48% of businesses are considering ending their relationships with their SEO agencies due to dissatisfaction with delivery and performance. This highlights how crucial it is to find the right partner; one who provides clear communication, tailored strategies, and measurable results.

The right consultant will save you countless hours, provide professional insight you can’t get from YouTube tutorials, and help you compete against competitors in the areas they know you have a chance to move the needle.

Want to see how an SEO consultant can transform your business? Contact Full Throttle SEO for a free 15-minute initial call where we’ll discuss your business needs and goals.

Not ready to talk yet? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive SEO tips and strategies you can start implementing right away to grow your business.

While many businesses are struggling to see value from their current agencies or unclear strategies, you could be taking the lead in your industry with professional and forward-thinking SEO guidance.

Think you can’t afford to hire an SEO consultant?  Ask yourself if you can afford not to.

Most SEO companies throw out buzzwords and reports to look busy. This guide cuts through the noise and shows you what a real local SEO strategy actually includes.

What you’ll learn:
✅ 8 core elements of effective local SEO (with zero fluff)
✅ The red flags that scream “you’re wasting money”
✅ How to spot what your current provider is missing
✅ What it actually takes to rank locally – and convert

Grab the Guide:
What a Real Local SEO Strategy Looks Like
(That Your Current Company Probably Isn’t Doing)