Creating a test for an SEO expert

I would not waste the time. Any decent SEO is likely to have examples of past work they can show you.

If you suspect the SEO or the agency, don't let them work on your company site. If you've got other less important web properties then that model might work.

I'm doing a trial project as a subcontractor for a ad agency, but it's for building a small website. This is somewhat different so I'm not sure how well it plays out in reality.

Just speaking for myself, I would never accept such an offer unless there was potential for a big contract in the waiting. For example, I have someone right now. Original quote was around $4000/month to work on 3 related sites. They have decided to give me one of the smaller sites to work on for a few months at $1100/month and see how it goes. They have been burnt badly by SEO agencies in the past, so I understand their reluctance.

For the most part though, I'll provide samples. I'll discuss a little bit about what I do. If that's not enough for someone, hey good luck to you.

I'm sure there are plenty of 3rd world SEOs that will jump at such a chance to prove themselves though.

It goes both ways as far as trust.

I got shafted ($$) on a consulting job, I delivered within 2 days & all email contact stopped after the client downloaded the detailed recommendations. Lost 4 hours of work. I checked their site the next few days & they made most of the recommended changes.

Lesson learned, won't happen twice.

If they can't rank their own site for website design or SEO, then you should probably consider someone who does. If they rank for your type of business category for SEO, than that much better.

I've actually had mikelinez2010 as a lead over the last couple of weeks, so I know the market he is in.

(Sorry I missed the hangout it was Valentines and I was in the saddle )

I can tell you straight up that what Mike will find with 99% of SEO here and elsewhere for that matter, will not even scratch the surface of what he needs in terms of results within his market.

Mike is in an overall market that can only be classed as f**k*ng mental in terms of general comp, and the GEO location he is targeting is one of the biggest cities in the world.

The site itself would probably need a huge cleanup of links, as it is most likely under heavy algo penalty already from historical linking done. I'd need to be paid to look at that in more detail.

Mikes market excludes him from getting links from almost any type of free or low priced sources, as the market would be the top end of "bad neighbourhood".

The site would have to have a very high powered PBN built around it, exclusively used for his own properties, or else its high priced paid links all the way. And from what Mike has told me so far, he does not have that sort of outlay for it.

In my personal opinion, I don't even think that ranking the site is the best option for him in terms of ROI. I would suggest an investment in lead gen or paid advertising within related niches. Hard to tell, not knowing his profit margins.

In terms of past performance referencing, in this market you simply won't be given one by anyone in their right mind. Most guys wouldn't even want to use real names, never mind disclose info about who else they have worked for.

My experience in working in similar markets is this.



And that works both ways.

Maybe I get less clients working like that, but in my world of SEO. It's best to keep your mouth shut about who you work for, and what you do for them.