You can do SEO on your own. Don’t listen to the fearmongers on the web. It can be done.
It’s just that it’s a lot of work, it’s easy to do it wrong (which will hurt rather than help your website), it takes a lot of time, and it’s quite expensive.
So there’s actually a good deal of risk involved in doing it yourself rather than working with a BigCommerce SEO specialist.
With that said, here are the most compelling arguments in favor of hiring an expert rather than just winging it.
1. You don’t know how to manipulate the back end
If you aren’t familiar with the technical operations of the BigCommerce back end, it’s better left to an expert. You will make things worse (or just not better) if you insist on doing it yourself.
2. BigCommerce SEO experts know how analytical tools work
Are you familiar with Google Analytics (GA4)? How about Google Search Console (GSC)? What about BigCommerce Analytics?
If the answer to any of these is no, you might as well let an expert take the reins.
3. A specialist will not target nonsense keywords
Anyone can get a website to rank for something. But the thing is this – is it worth it to get your website to rank on page one in spot one for a keyword that has zero monthly searches.
It would be pretty easy to do – and you’d get zero new site visits. BigCommerce SEO experts use special tools that let them see keyword search volumes, difficulty, and other aspects so they can select keywords that make sense.
4. BigCommerce SEO experts work with content writers
Content is a big part of SEO – like, a big part, the biggest part, perhaps. BigCommerce SEO experts almost always work with content writers that know how to get pages to rank using optimized copy, and many can furnish examples of work.
5. Specialists understand the nuanced differences in search intent
Are you familiar with the difference between informational, navigational, commercial and transactional search intent?
You’d better be if you want to do your own SEO. Customers have a specific goal they want accomplished before they even hit enter on the keyboard. You want to go after keywords associated with intent to purchase, and you need to know what they are. A BigCommerce SEO expert will.
6. Experts work with developers that can perform tech updates
Some of SEO is predicated on technical performance, like site structure, link profile, website code, speed, and security. Developers have those skills, and often work with BigCommerce SEO experts.
7. Outsourcing usually produces a procedural efficiency
It takes a lot of time to do keyword and industry research, and then to actually make all of the updates necessary to improve website performance. Outsourcing will turn the reins over to another team so that you can focus your resources on other areas of business that need your attention.
8. BigCommerce SEO experts also usually have some degree of knowledge of other marketing channels
Lastly, BigCommerce SEO experts don’t often work in a silo. More often than not they work for larger companies or agencies that offer other, supporting marketing services like social media management, CRO services, email marketing, and other services on top of that.
Not Sure Which BigCommerce SEO Expert to Hire? Here’s a Tip
If you know for certain that you want to leverage the expertise of a BigCommerce SEO expert but don’t know where to start, your BigCommerce rep may be able to help. Reach out to your rep and let them know what your goals are. They may be ready with actual recommendations in terms of BigCommerce partners that specialize in SEO.
