What Makes a Great SEO Consultant Subcontractor (and How to Know You’ve Found One)
For lean startups and solopreneurs, organic traffic is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to grow. But getting found on Google isn’t about luck—it takes strategy, technical know-how, and ongoing effort. That’s where a subcontractor SEO consultant comes in.
The right SEO consultant can help you attract high-intent traffic, increase rankings, and build long-term authority—all without the cost of a full-time hire. But not every SEO “expert” is worth your time or money.
Here’s what makes a great subcontractor SEO consultant, and how to spot one who’ll actually move the needle.
Why Hire an SEO Consultant Subcontractor?
Great SEO takes time, but the payoff is exponential. An experienced subcontractor can help you:
- Improve search visibility without expensive ad spend
- Optimize existing content for more traffic
- Build a sustainable growth engine that compounds over time
- Make smarter decisions about keywords, content, and website structure
- Avoid SEO mistakes that could tank your rankings
And most importantly: free you up to focus on running your business.
What Makes a Great SEO Consultant Subcontractor?
1. They Start with a Strategy, Not Just Tactics
Great SEO consultants don’t just jump into fixing meta tags—they look at the big picture.
They’ll ask questions like:
- Who is your target audience?
- What are your business goals?
- What content do you already have?
- What are your competitors ranking for?
From there, they build a roadmap that aligns SEO with real business outcomes, not just vanity metrics.
2. They Know Technical SEO (But Speak Human)
Crawlability, indexing, site speed, schema markup—great consultants understand all of it, but don’t drown you in jargon.
They’ll:
- Audit your site and prioritize technical issues that actually impact performance
- Explain problems and solutions clearly (with screenshots, Loom videos, or docs)
- Work with your dev or web team—or jump in themselves if needed
You don’t need to be an SEO expert. You just need a partner who communicates clearly and prioritizes what matters.
3. They’re Data-Driven, Not Just Opinionated
Strong SEO consultants base their work on data—not guesses.
They know how to:
- Do keyword research that aligns with search intent and funnel stages
- Analyze performance using tools like Google Search Console, GA4, Ahrefs, or SEMrush
- Report on results and recommend next steps using clear, actionable insights
They focus on high-impact actions that are backed by real numbers.
4. They Help You Build Content That Ranks (and Converts)
SEO is more than meta descriptions—it’s about content strategy. A top-tier subcontractor will help with:
- Topic ideation based on opportunity gaps
- Building content clusters around core themes
- Mapping keywords to buyer intent
- Collaborating with writers or providing briefs and outlines
They understand that content should serve both Google and your audience.
5. They Stay Up-to-Date with Algorithm Changes
Google updates its algorithm hundreds of times a year. The best SEO consultants stay current with:
- Core updates and how they might affect your site
- Changes to SERP features like featured snippets or People Also Ask
- Evolving ranking factors like EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
- AI tools and search interface changes (e.g., Google SGE)
They don’t panic with every update—they assess, test, and adapt.
6. They Customize Their Approach to Your Business
There’s no one-size-fits-all SEO strategy. A great subcontractor will tailor their work to:
- Your niche and target audience
- Your business model (e.g., local service vs SaaS vs ecommerce)
- Your growth stage (early traction vs scaling)
- Your available resources (team, budget, tools)
They won’t overload you with a 60-page audit if all you need is a content roadmap and technical cleanup.
7. They’re Collaborative, Not Just “Hands-Off”
The best SEO consultants work with you, not just for you. They:
- Check in regularly and share updates in plain language
- Ask for context and feedback to refine strategies
- Make it easy to implement changes (or do them directly if you prefer)
- Integrate with your writers, devs, or marketing lead if needed
They become a trusted growth partner, not just a task-checker.
Where to Find Great SEO Consultant Subcontractors
Top places to look:
- Upwork – Search by SEO certifications, niche experience, and rating
- Twitter/X – Follow reputable SEO professionals and check who they recommend
- SEO Slack Communities – Such as Traffic Think Tank or Online Geniuses
- Superpath – Great for SEO content strategists and marketers
- Referrals – Ask other founders or marketers whose traffic is growing organically
What to Ask Before Hiring an SEO Consultant
- Can you share results from a past project (and how you achieved them)?
- What’s your approach to keyword research and content strategy?
- How do you prioritize technical SEO issues?
- What SEO tools do you use regularly?
- How do you communicate progress and measure ROI?
You’re looking for someone who can think strategically, move quickly, and deliver results that align with your long-term vision—not just rankings.
