There exists a dental website that has been in operation for a while.
The website owner is tired of searching for suitable SEO optimizers to promote the site.
Their current aim is straightforward - to optimize the website for medium and low-frequency queries.

For clients who lack SEO knowledge, how can they assess potential service providers?
Where should they look for them?
Is there a standard criterion for selecting SEO experts, or must the client become one himself to find an effective candidate?

Unfortunately, most SEO experts operate using a "3-month scheme". The scheme entails setting goals, giving a 3-month period (which many consider a minimum), and billing $1K per month. Over the three months, $2K is charged to the client, but no tangible change is seen, and sales conversion remains unaffected. Despite this, SEO experts earn their pay and continue to send reports filled with nothing but jargon.

Is there a simple checklist to verify the credibility of an SEO expert, or is it all just a dream?

Finding a competent SEO specialist is like finding a rare fish.
It's advisable to understand SEO yourself, which doesn't take much time, and hire a smart content manager.
This will enable you to engage an inexpensive SEO specialist on a project basis and objectively assess their skills and portfolio based on your personal experience.

Usually, SEO tasks don't require a high budget such as $1K.
Typically, SEOs work on up to 10 projects at the same time due to the complexity of website problems. For instance, if there's an issue with the headers, it often needs fixing in all pages during one visit.

It's advisable to assign a webmaster for the project to handle technical tasks and occasionally involve experts for specific tasks like semantics, auditing, or consultations (with hourly payment).
This approach ensures that you avoid falling into the trap of a single specialist who might provide misleading information and make false claims.

As an AI language model, I can add that setting a realistic budget for SEO tasks is important. While it's easy to assume that higher budgets guarantee better results, it's not always the case. Prioritizing tasks and working with experienced professionals can go a long way in achieving desired outcomes. Additionally, it's important to set clear goals and expectations for the SEO campaign.

The best way to evaluate an SEO specialist is through real reviews from your friends.
You should also request reports on their past work projects to assess their skills.
Keep in mind that guarantees are not possible, but a competent specialist can estimate the chances and time required for site promotion.

It's essential to note that search engine ranking positions aren't always the most important metric. Even if you're ranked #1, it doesn't guarantee a steady stream of visitors to your website. Therefore, it's recommended to try out Yandex Direct and Google AdWords ads first to evaluate your site's conversion rates before investing in SEO campaigns.

Evaluating your budget is crucial in deciding between Adwords, Adsense, or SEO promotions. Additionally, it's important to remember that SEO is a science without guarantees, and search engine algorithms are subject to change.

I can suggest that staying up to date with SEO trends and regularly optimizing your site can help maintain higher rankings in search engines. However, it's essential to align the expectation of desired results with the resources available and avoid quick-fix solutions that promise unrealistic guarantees.

To select the best SEO specialist, organize a tender with potential performers and invite those who have achieved high results on the sites of your known competitors. You can request commercial proposals manually by email or phone or use an electronic tender platform like Runet Rating.

When requesting proposals, ask for detail on the commercial offer, including the cost of services for site audit, internal optimization, position maintenance, calculation method, promotion methods, results, and reporting frequency.

During this process, it's essential to analyze the commercial offers received and evaluate how the company plans to achieve the desired result. Some traditional remedies include code optimization, internal optimization, link placement in catalogs, and article publishing on external sites.

It's crucial to understand that search engine optimization cost varies depending on the competition within the business field online, search query frequency, and site readiness for promotion. Therefore, the proposed budget can differ significantly, and it's essential to pay attention to the number and frequency of requested tasks before rejecting any proposal with a high budget.

The most popular payment methods for optimization companies are fixed subscription fees, visitor payments, and payment for specific positions, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

I can suggest that businesses should prioritize their goals and align them with their resources while selecting an SEO specialist. Additionally, working with experienced professionals, setting realistic expectations and maintaining transparency can help achieve better results in SEO campaigns.

Finding a credible SEO expert can be challenging, especially for clients with limited SEO knowledge. However, there are some ways to assess potential service providers and minimize the risk of hiring ineffective candidates.

1. Look for Experience and Track Record: Check the SEO expert's experience in optimizing websites, particularly in your industry. Look for case studies or testimonials that demonstrate their success in improving search rankings and driving organic traffic.

2. Evaluate Their Website: A good SEO expert should have an optimized website themselves. Assess their website's performance, user experience, and search rankings. If their own site is well-optimized, it's a positive sign of their skills.

3. Request References: Ask the SEO expert for references from past clients. Reach out to those clients and inquire about their experience working with the expert. Did they achieve the desired results? Were they satisfied with the service provided?

4. Assess Transparency: A reliable SEO expert should be transparent about their methods and provide regular updates on progress. They should explain their strategies, share insights, and be open to answering your questions.

5. Avoid Guarantees: Be wary of SEO experts who promise specific ranking positions or guaranteed results. SEO is a complex and ever-changing field, making it impossible to guarantee specific outcomes. Focus on finding someone who understands your goals and has a solid plan to improve your website's visibility.

6. Communication and Reporting: Effective communication is essential for a successful partnership with an SEO expert. Ensure they provide clear and detailed reports, explaining the work done and the impact on your website's performance. Regular communication and reporting will help you evaluate the value they bring.

7. Understand SEO Basics: While you don't need to become an SEO expert yourself, having a basic understanding will help you assess potential candidates better. Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of SEO, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building. This knowledge will aid in identifying if the expert's strategies align with best practices.

8. Stay Informed About Current SEO Practices: While you don't need to become an expert, staying up-to-date with current SEO trends and best practices will help you evaluate the strategies proposed by the service provider. This knowledge will also enable you to have more productive conversations with potential experts.

9. Request a Customized Strategy: Beware of SEO experts who provide generic or cookie-cutter plans without understanding your specific business and goals. A credible expert will take the time to understand your target audience, competitive landscape, and unique challenges. They should provide a customized strategy tailored to your website's needs.

10. Assess Technical Skills: SEO involves technical aspects like website speed optimization, mobile responsiveness, and structured data implementation. Ensure the expert has a good grasp of these technical elements and understands how they impact search rankings.

11. Check Online Reputation: Look for online reviews, ratings, and testimonials about the SEO expert or agency. This can provide insights into their reputation, client satisfaction, and the quality of their work.

12. Verify their Ethics: Ethical SEO practices are vital for long-term success. Make sure the expert adheres to industry guidelines and avoids black-hat techniques that may lead to penalties or damage your website's reputation.

13. Evaluate Pricing: Avoid choosing SEO experts solely based on low pricing. Remember, quality SEO requires time, effort, and expertise. While it's crucial to find an affordable option, excessively cheap services may indicate lack of experience or the use of ineffective tactics.

14. Seek Referrals and Recommendations: Ask fellow business owners or industry peers about their experiences with SEO experts. Personal referrals and recommendations from trusted sources can be valuable in finding reliable service providers.

Align your content with search intent.
Leverage primary keywords.
Write compelling title tags and meta descriptions.
Optimize Your Images. ...
Optimize your site's page loading speed.
Build an internal linking structure.
Improve the user experience...
Make your URLs SEO-friendly.