Hiring an SEO consultant can mean the difference between a 3x increase in revenue from organic search OR a 10x boost in useless keyword rankings.
Which would you prefer?
I’m picking those sweet closed-won deals every day of the week.
SEO consultants bring clarity, expertise, tactical recommendations, and most importantly, let you stay in your zone of genius while they do the heavy lifting in theirs.
When you engage in an SEO consulting engagement, it allows you to focus on the broader marketing strategy while they dive deep into the details.
That allows you to sleep easy, knowing you’re covered without having to spend hours learning, testing, and experimenting on your own or hiring an in-house team before proving out your SEO approach.
When you hire the right SEO consultant for your needs, it’s a complete win win.
What is a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Consultant?
An SEO consultant increases a company’s online visibility by improving its search rankings through keyword strategy, content optimization, backlink acquisition, and user experience improvements. This leads to higher website traffic and more conversions from organic search.
What Does An SEO Consultant Do?
An SEO consultant will do their best to understand your company’s goals, review your existing SEO campaign, examine data available to them in orer to complete a thorough analysis, and create an overarching SEO strategy to help you improve your organic sourced pipeline and revenue.
Here is an overview of the 8 key things that SEO consultants do:
- Analytics setup
- They ensure proper GA4 and GSC tracking so every SEO effort is measurable from day one.
- Opportunity analysis
- They run a competitive and content gap audit to find where you can win quickly and sustainably.
- Intent-based keyword research
- They identify the keywords your ideal buyers are actually searching for, mapped by funnel stage and difficulty.
- Technical SEO foundations
- They audit and fix site architecture, indexing, crawlability, and performance issues that block growth.
- On-page optimization and UX
- They optimize title tags, internal links, CTAs, and page structure to improve rankings and conversions.
- Content research and creation support
- They build briefs, content calendars, and guide writers to publish assets that actually move the needle.
- Digital PR and link building strategy
- They create a repeatable plan to earn backlinks from relevant, trustworthy sources that Google respects.
- Ongoing strategy and reporting
- They meet regularly to adapt the plan based on performance data, algorithm shifts, and business goals.
And here’s more information on exactly how RevenueZen does things for the curious among you.
1. Analytics set up
Before we touch a single keyword, we make sure your data foundation isn’t garbage.
That starts with setting up or auditing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Search Console (GSC) to confirm they’re capturing the right things. Not just visits, but real business actions like demo requests, signups, or qualified lead form fills.
We’ll create goal tracking for those conversions, and set up custom events if we need to track things like scroll depth, key page views, or button clicks.
If you’re using a CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce, we’ll recommend adding UTM tracking so SEO actually gets credit for the leads it’s generating.
Then we build a clean reporting dashboard so your team can monitor performance each week without having to click through ten tabs or pull reports manually.
This way, from day one, we can answer three things:
→ What’s working
→ What’s not
→ What to double down on next
2. Opportunity analysis and strategy development
This is where strategy actually starts. Not with blog titles. Not with plugins. With research.
It kicks off with a competitor gap analysis, but not the generic kind. The goal is to figure out who’s dominating your space for the terms your ideal customers are searching, and more importantly, why they’re winning.
That means breaking down how much content they’ve shipped, which topics they’ve doubled down on, how often they update, and how many backlinks they’ve stacked.
Then the focus shifts to what already exists in your corner and where there’s room to build or improve.
The result is a real strategy based on real data points. Not a 40-page deck collecting dust.
One primary goal, a clear reason that goal matters for your business, and the exact steps to hit it. It covers keyword hubs, timelines, and the mix of content, links, and technical work needed. KPIs, resources, owners. All mapped out.
It also accounts for your current strengths such as existing content, topical authority, team bandwidth, and budget. Because a strategy that ignores those things isn’t a strategy.
It’s a Pinterest board.
The outcome is a roadmap designed for quick wins and compounding growth. No fluff. No guesswork.
Just a plan that works.
3. Intent based keyword research to determine what you have the right to own
Modern SEO is all about understanding and matching search intent. Understanding what the human being the keyword wants to accomplish and the type of solution they need to solve their problem is the entire game.
Your SEO consultant should understand the following when doing effective keyword research:
Intent. The search intent of the keyword – informational, transactional, commercial, and navigational
Difficulty. No, this isn’t simply pulling an arbitrary score from Moz, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. It’s deeper than that.
- They should look at the search results themselves to see what companies are currently owning the terms.
- Have they dedicated a few resources to the content or spent thousands of dollars year after year perfecting the content asset to rank #1.
- Is the page dominated by established brands or a few newcomers?
- How many rare domains are linking to the top results?
All of these questions are simply a starting point to figuring out how difficult a keyword will be to rank for.
Information gain. As they are doing research they should be identifying the angle that your company can take to stand out from the competition. Google states directly in their documentation that users want expert opinions and that they will reward unique and useful information added to their index. Also known as information gain.
Existing performance. The best place to start improvements is with existing content assets. Even if they are underperforming, making strategic improvements to them could yield quicker results. Also, knowing you’ve developed significant topical authority in one area over the other should clue the consultant in to starting with your area of strength and building from there versus starting from scratch.
4. Technical SEO foundations
No amount of great content will save a site that Google can’t crawl or understand.
That’s where technical SEO comes in. It’s less glamorous than content creation, but it’s what makes the whole engine run. This involves auditing and fixing the behind-the-scenes stuff that tanks performance without anyone realizing.
First step is a crawlability check. Is Google actually indexing the pages that matter? Or is it wasting time on login pages, duplicate URLs, or old blog tags from 2017?
Then it’s on to site architecture and internal linking. The goal is to make sure search engines (and users) can easily navigate the site and understand the hierarchy of content. That might mean restructuring menus, flattening deep page structures, or improving anchor text across key pages.
Other common issues?
- Slow page speeds
- Missing title or meta description tags
- Bloated JavaScript
- Mobile usability problems
- Broken links
- Missing or duplicate canonical tags
- Weird indexation rules hiding pages that should be visible
Each of these issues gets flagged, prioritized, and fixed based on business impact. No fixing stuff for fun.
Only the stuff that actually affects rankings or conversions.
The end result is a site that’s fast, clean, and primed to rank. The kind of site Google actually wants to send traffic to.
5. On page SEO and user experience
Getting more clicks from Google is great. But if those visitors don’t stick around or take action, it’s a wasted opportunity.
This is where on-page SEO meets real-world buyer behavior. It’s not just about checking boxes like title tags and meta descriptions. The focus is on turning search traffic into sales conversations.
High-impact pages like your homepage, product pages, and demo requests need to be clear, relevant, and built around how your buyers think. That means tightening headlines, clarifying calls to action, and removing anything that creates friction.
Yes, the fundamentals still get covered, they have to. Considerations like H1s, internal linking, image optimization, schema, and all the other usual suspects. But the difference is in the intent.
This isn’t about gaming an algorithm. It’s about making sure every page is built for your best-fit buyer and nudging them toward conversion.
This is how you turn search console clicks into CRM deals. Simple as that.
6. Content research and creation support
Every company says “we’re doing content.” Most of it doesn’t do anything.
This is where an SEO consultant steps in to fix that. The job isn’t just to brainstorm topics. It’s to build a content engine that actually drives revenue.
It starts with a content calendar built around your funnel, your product, and your customer’s search behavior. Not a random list of blog ideas.
A mapped plan that makes sure each piece has a purpose. Some will rank. Others will support rankings. All of them should move someone closer to becoming a customer.
To get there, great content starts with great inputs. That means building high-signal briefs. Each one includes the target keyword, search intent, internal link targets, formatting recommendations, and ideas to add your unique POV.
Writers shouldn’t have to guess what good looks like. A well-written brief makes the end product stronger before the first word is typed.
Once it’s published, nothing goes on autopilot. A consultant should help track how each asset performs, recommend refreshes, and flag what’s worth doubling down on.
No filler. No busywork. Just content that earns its spot on the page (or the right to be the go to response in an AI chatbot)
7. Authority building and digital PR
Link building in competitive industries is non-negotiable, but it has to be quality over quantity.
SEO consultants develop digital PR strategies that get your content in front of industry-relevant audiences.
Through epic content that naturally attracts links, co marketing, targeted outreach, guest posts, and leveraging partnerships, they build high-quality links that boost authority without putting your site at risk.
Each of these areas isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating an organic strategy that fuels a meaningful pipeline and, ultimately, revenue.
SEO advisory can make or break a business, as effective SEO strategies distinguish a visible, easily discoverable company from one lost in the depths of search results — especially since 53% of consumers in the U.S. report researching products on a search engine before making a purchase decision.
By employing a targeted approach, an SEO consulting company can ensure your product is found for relevant keywords and stands out among competitors.
8. Ongoing strategy and reporting
The initial strategy is just the starting point. The real value comes from what happens after it’s live.
A strong SEO consultant doesn’t disappear after month one. They help build out a performance dashboard that cuts through the noise. You’re not getting 37 metrics that don’t matter. You’re seeing the few key indicators tied to your actual goals—qualified traffic, conversions, content engagement, and keyword movement for priority terms.
Every month, there’s a check-in to review those metrics. What’s working? What needs adjusting? What experiments are worth running next?
Every quarter, strategy gets revisited at a higher level. Are the keyword hubs still aligned with the business direction? Are content assets ranking and converting? Is the link building strategy paying off? Should new pages or campaigns be added to the mix?
These sessions aren’t just “reporting.” They’re real conversations about growth, momentum, and where to focus next. Because SEO isn’t static. And the best results come from constant refinement.
With the right consultant, you’re not reacting to change. You’re staying one step ahead of it.
Benefits Of Hiring an SEO Consultant For Your Next SEO Consulting Project
For the right companies who are looking to get a positive return on investment from their SEO efforts, an SEO marketing consultant can be a complete game changer.
Here are the main benefits of getting help from a professional SEO consultant:
- Save time by avoiding the wrong tactics
They help you skip low-impact busywork and focus on what actually drives meaningful results. - Avoid the need to hire new full-time roles
A single consultant can often cover the work of multiple in-house hires without the overhead. - Increase conversions and sales
They align SEO with your highest-value offers and ICPs so growth isn’t just traffic—it’s revenue. - Stay up to date on best practices
Their job is to track algorithm updates, shifting user behavior, and what still works, so you don’t have to.
And here’s more information on exactly how RevenueZen does those things for the curious among you.
1. Save time by avoiding the wrong tactics
Not all SEO efforts are created equal. Spending two weeks hand-rewriting old meta descriptions won’t have the same impact as improving load speeds on your key service pages for mobile.
One of the biggest advantages of working with someone who has real experience is their ability to quickly spot wasted spend and effort. That alone can make the partnership worthwhile.
You’ll also save money by avoiding the need to hire and train two or three full-time roles just to cover what an experienced consultant can do alone.
Full-time employees aren’t cheap, and even an aggressive consultant retainer is typically cheaper than hiring and training internally without a solid SEO strategy.
2. Avoid the need to hire new full time roles
Hiring in-house for SEO usually sounds smart on paper. Until you realize SEO isn’t one job.
To do it right, you’d need a strategist, a content marketer, a technical SEO, maybe a link building or digital PR specialist, and someone who can track it all in GA4 without breaking your attribution. That’s not one role. That’s a team.
And unless your company is already pulling in millions from organic, building that team internally probably doesn’t make sense.
A consultant can step in and fill the gaps fast. No hiring process. No ramp-up time. No internal politics.
Just someone who knows what to look for, what levers to pull, and how to build a strategy that aligns with your goals.
Of course, the consultant is an investment and charges fairly for their work. But compared to the cost of recruiting, salaries, benefits, and the months you’ll waste waiting for someone to get up to speed, it’s often the more cost effective move.
3. Increase conversions and sales
Some companies get tangled up in technical SEO details and lose sight of the main mission: business growth.
SEO consultants are laser-focused on proving their value.
They’ll push back on any tactic that doesn’t align with your key offers or most lucrative customer segments, ensuring your SEO efforts are strategically aligned with your business goals.
Their incentive is to help you grow so you continue wanting to work with them.
Consultants can only work with a limited number of clients, and constant client turnover isn’t something anyone wants.
4. Stay up to date on best practices
Google’s algorithm is constantly changing, and buyer behavior doesn’t stand still either. What worked six months ago in search might be obsolete today. Staying on top of these changes is practically a full-time job.
When you hire a consultant, you’re working with someone whose exact job is not only to keep up with changes but also to proactively plan and future-proof your strategy. This way, your rankings stay strong, and your SEO is built to last.
What Makes a Good SEO Consultant?
Now that we know what a professional SEO consultant is and why you should hire one, how do you find the right consultant for your team?
Look for these traits to choose the right SEO consultant:
- Plenty of SEO experience: Many people work in SEO, but that doesn’t necessarily make them an expert in the field. When looking for a professional SEO consultant, be sure they have several years of experience, a strong track record of past results, and references or testimonials.
- An understanding of the three main SEO aspects: Your consultant should be an expert in on-page, off-page, and technical SEO. They should have a deep understanding of SEO and how to work with everything from keywords and tags to site architecture and page structure.
- Great communication skills: You want a consultant who’s skilled in clearly communicating what changes need to be made, why, and how they will make them.
- Clear reporting and accountability. Transparent and frequent reporting is non negotiatble. Your SEO consultant should be on top of target keyword rankings, clicks from the SERPS, website visitors from organic search, qualified leads, closed won deals, and revenue generated. If they aren’t, or get shy around these topics, keep looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEO consulting?
SEO consulting is the process of an SEO consultant helping a client on figure out the best and most cost effective way to increase their organic search sourced revenue. An SEO consultant steps in to guide clients on best practices, spotting the gaps, and providing clear recommendations to make sure their site isn’t just found but converting.
How much do SEO consultants charge?
SEO consultants all have their own way of charging for their services and differ in how they prefer to get paid. Options include:
- One time projects, like an SEO audit. These can cost anywhere from $850-$2000 depending on your needs and complexity of your website.
- Monthly retainer. This option is for companies that want to turn SEO from a set of tactics into a long term revenue generating strategy and want a partner to build their foundations with over time. These retainers can cost between $3500-$7000 on average
So, Are SEO Consultants Worth It?
Given that 70% of marketers think SEO is more effective at driving sales than PPC, we would dare to say yes: search engine optimization consultants are definitely worth the investment.
The right SEO strategy can drive thousands of qualified leads to your site.
At RevenueZen, we’ve used our SEO expertise to grow organic traffic by 400% and revenue by 300% for our clients. Learn more about what our top SEO consultants can do for you today.