SEO Dilemma: Should I Hire an Expert or Train My Virtual Assistant?
Running a small business often comes with a plethora of responsibilities, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is usually one of the more daunting tasks. In my journey to enhance our online presence, I brought on a Virtual Assistant (VA) who presented herself as knowledgeable in SEO, though she humbly referred to herself as a “jack of all trades.” Her versatility has certainly helped with various aspects of our operation, from Web Design to creating engaging social media content.
Despite her efforts, including a thorough revamp of our website, I’ve been left wanting in terms of traffic and lead generation. While I appreciate the hard work she’s put in, the increase in visibility hasn’t met my expectations. This situation has led me to consider whether I should engage a specialized Google SEO expert or an Ads specialist. I realize that hiring experts often comes with a price tag, especially for advertising services, but I’m thinking strategically. My plan is to onboard these specialists on a contract basis, allowing my VA to learn from their expertise and ultimately take over the ongoing upkeep.
I’ve noticed that my VA has been less communicative lately compared to the initial phases of our collaboration. It’s crucial for me to reassess our approach and implement some adjustments to ensure we’re moving in a productive direction. What are your thoughts on this?
EDIT: I want to thank everyone for sharing their insights! Your advice has been invaluable. It seems sensible to first hire a specialist for a few months while simultaneously training my VA through their sessions. After consulting with a few professionals, I’m excited to announce my decision to collaborate with Hatch and Vox moving forward.
2 responses to “Should I employ an SEO expert or train my VA for SEO tasks?”
It’s great that you’re being proactive about enhancing your business’s online visibility! The decision between hiring an SEO specialist or training your Virtual Assistant (VA) involves several considerations related to the skills, needs, and long-term goals of your business.
Understanding the Fundamentals
SEO Complexity: Search Engine Optimization is a multifaceted discipline that requires a deep understanding of current best practices, algorithms, and continually evolving trends. While your VA has improved your website, she may not have the comprehensive skills necessary to tackle all aspects of SEO effectively. A dedicated seo specialist usually has in-depth expertise in Technical SEO, on-page optimization, backlink strategies, and analytics.
Time Investment: Training someone takes time. If your VA’s primary role encompasses many responsibilities, adding seo training could divert her attention from other important tasks. This could lead to a drop in efficiency or quality in areas she’s already managing, like Web Design or content creation.
Benefits of Hiring a Specialist First
Immediate Impact: A seasoned seo specialist can conduct a thorough audit of your current website, identify weaknesses, and implement strategies tailored to your business. They can leverage their experience to produce quicker wins, which can be particularly crucial for businesses needing urgent visibility improvements.
Education Through Observation: Having your VA shadow a specialist not only provides an immediate boost to your SEO strategy but also serves as valuable on-the-job training. This hands-on approach is often more effective than learning from classes or tutorials, as it allows your VA to directly apply new knowledge in real-time scenarios.
Continuous Learning: SEO is not a one-and-done task; it’s a continuous process that involves monitoring, tweaking, and refining strategies. A specialist can establish a strong foundation and then hand over ongoing maintenance tasks to your VA, allowing for long-term growth and improvement.
Long-term Strategy
Google Ads Consideration: If your business is also considering Google Ads, hiring a specialist can be invaluable here too. SEO and PPC (pay-per-click) often work hand-in-hand, and a professional can effectively integrate these strategies to maximize your overall visibility. A properly strategized ad campaign may yield quicker results in traffic and leads, complementing organic SEO efforts.
Maintaining Consistency: With the evolution of search algorithms, strategies that worked six months ago may not be as effective today. Regular check-ins or updates from a specialist can help keep your strategy relevant and effective.
Performance Metrics: Make sure to establish clear performance indicators for both the specialist’s initial work and your VA’s ongoing tasks. Metrics like organic traffic growth, keyword rankings, and lead conversions will help you quantify success.
Additional Practical Advice
Set Clear Expectations: Whether you hire a specialist or train your VA, ensure that expectations are clear and that roles are defined. This clarity will help streamline communication and productivity.
Explore Learning Resources: If your VA is interested in professional development, consider providing her access to online courses or attending workshops that cover advanced SEO topics. This can reinforce her value to your team and alleviate some of the stress of having to find specialized help, should your business expand further.
Regular Check-Ins: Establish a routine for updates from both your VA and any specialists you hire. Keep lines of communication open to discuss challenges, wins, and shifts in strategy.
Your approach seems sound—investing first in professional expertise before transitioning responsibilities to your VA can lay a strategic foundation that benefits your business in the long term. Good luck with your plans, and feel free to reach out for further guidance as you evolve your SEO strategy!
This is a thoughtful post, and I appreciate your candid exploration of the dilemma many small business owners face regarding SEO. It’s clear that you’ve already weighed the pros and cons of bringing in an expert versus training your VA. One additional angle to consider is the concept of blending expertise with continuous education.
While onboarding specialists like Hatch and Vox will certainly accelerate your SEO initiatives, it might be beneficial to outline a structured learning plan for your VA that aligns with these experts’ strategies. This could transform your VA from a ‘jack of all trades’ into a more focused asset capable of handling ongoing SEO tasks post-collaboration.
Moreover, consider setting up regular feedback loops between your VA and the contract seo expert. This can foster a mentorship dynamic that enhances your VA’s skills while ensuring consistent application of best practices tailored to your business needs.
Lastly, as you implement these changes, don’t forget to evaluate metrics beyond just traffic. Look at the quality of leads and engagement as well to ensure you’re building a sustainable online presence. Best of luck on this new chapter!