Since there are no legitimate titles or universal, industry accreditations for “eCommerce SEO experts,” the term gets thrown around quite a bit. It’s unfortunately not unlike “escape artist” or “magician.” Anyone can be one. It hinges less on what the expert actually knows, and on how little the audience does.
Yet, given the fact that it’s possible to quantify the effects of actual eCommerce SEO activities, this should be the case. Although there are many ranking factors and their gravity shifts in response to search engine updates and user behavior, you can still tell when you’re working with a true eCommerce SEO expert.
Here’s how.
- They have a process, but they ask questions.
An eCommerce SEO expert should have a well-defined process that they should be able to clearly detail for you. It should involve a scope of work or some other detailed plan of action for how they intend to optimize the ranking signals recognized by Google while also updating the user experience of your online store
At the same time, they should ask questions. If the “expert” doesn’t ask questions, that’s a sign of an overly rigid process, which in itself is cause for concern.
- That process should not be too rigid.
As important as a process is, if the eCommerce SEO company’s representative doesn’t ask questions, it means he or she isn’t going to take the unique needs of your eCommerce website into account
A process that’s too rigid and doesn’t account for either industry specifics or the fact that search engines change regularly is going to be out of date within as little as six months, and likely to be obsolete within two years
- An eCommerce SEO expert should have a detailed plan for developing backlinks.
Backlinks indicate authority and are some of the most critical aspects of a well-established eCommerce SEO marketing strategy. Unfortunately, they are the hardest aspect of link building to secure
Developing a sensible internal link strategy is a cakewalk compared to securing backlinks. Specialists used to trade for them, but experts selling eCommerce SEO services simply can’t afford that. They’re vital to success in SEO; as your eCommerce SEO expert about them.
- Experts don’t make hard promises.
It’s well known that SEO is a long-term game, but no true expert would ever make hard promises. There are just too many moving pieces. Instead, they should offer informed estimates, but that’s the keyword: estimate.
- An expert will have served clients in a wide range of industries – although specialty is not a bad thing.
While some eCommerce SEO experts tend to stick to potential customers in a specific industry, it’s a good thing if the expert under scrutiny can point to success in a wide range of industries
Being able to replicate the procedures and tactics that generate organic growth in a wide range of industries is a sure mark of an eCommerce SEO expert that understands site structure, keyword research, on-page optimization, content marketing, eCommerce businesses, and how they fit into the big picture of search engine marketing. Another thing to look for is an expert that is well versed in the back end of your eCommerce platform.
- They avoid the “smoke and mirrors” approach to answering your questions.
We’ve already stated that eCommerce SEO experts should not offer hard promises to any questions; at the same time, they should not take the approach that they can hide in the plausible deniability that is the murk of eCommerce SEO.
Ask a question and expect an answer that you can understand; and if you don’t, ask it again
You need an eCommerce SEO expert that can explain processes, ranking signals, and factors affecting conversion rates in terms that you can understand
If not, how will you know what you’re paying for?
- They should come highly recommended and be able to point to past successes.
Any true eCommerce SEO expert should come with a number of recommendations, be able to point to testimonials and reviews, or maintain a collection of references, case studies, and other hard indicators of success.
Look for a consistent history of customer success and approval. That’s the final failsafe you can lean on before making a choice in a strategic partner.
Now let’s cut out a few steps.
Visit Digital Agency and check off these boxes. Do your own research if you like; they’re the uncontested eCommerce SEO experts.
