If you’re an e-commerce or marketing manager, chances are you’ve faced the frustrating “black box” nature of working with SEO freelancers. You’re not alone in wondering where your money is going and what exactly they’re doing. To help you navigate this murky territory, we’ve put together this no-nonsense guide, including the use of jikko.co software and other practical tips for better collaboration with SEO freelancers.
The “Black Box” Concept
The term “black box” refers to the lack of transparency in the work done by SEO freelancers. It’s often hard to pinpoint what they’ve been working on and how their efforts translate into results. This lack of clarity leaves e-commerce and marketing managers scratching their heads, wondering if they’re getting the most bang for their buck.
Common Challenges
E-commerce and marketing managers often face numerous challenges when working with SEO freelancers due to the lack of transparency in their work. Some of the most common issues that arise include:
Unclear Work Processes
One of the primary concerns is not knowing what’s being done or where the money is going. SEO freelancers might not provide a detailed breakdown of their work or regular progress reports, leaving clients unsure about the specifics of their efforts and the results achieved. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction, as clients may feel like they are investing in a service without fully understanding its value.
Inadequate Communication
Poor communication can exacerbate the “black box” nature of SEO freelancing. Freelancers might not take the time to explain their strategies or discuss their progress with clients, making it difficult for e-commerce and marketing managers to evaluate the effectiveness of their work. Additionally, a lack of open dialogue may hinder the ability to address any concerns or make adjustments to the strategy as needed.
Underwhelming Results
Clients sometimes experience underwhelming results despite significant investments in SEO services. In some cases, this may be due to the SEO freelancer’s lack of expertise or failure to employ effective strategies. In other instances, it could result from a misalignment of expectations or a misunderstanding of the client’s goals.
Inconsistency in Quality
Another challenge is the potential inconsistency in the quality of work delivered by different SEO freelancers. Some may excel in certain areas, such as on-page optimization, while lacking in others, like content creation or link building. This variability can make it challenging to find a reliable freelancer who can meet all of a client’s SEO needs.
By recognizing and addressing these challenges, e-commerce and marketing managers can take steps to improve their collaboration with SEO freelancers and better manage their SEO investments.
Understanding SEO Interventions
Understanding the work of SEO freelancers and evaluating their impact involves familiarizing yourself with the various interventions they commonly perform for e-commerce businesses. Here’s a breakdown of key areas that most SEO freelancers focus on:
On-Page Optimization
On-page optimization involves improving individual web pages to rank higher in search engines. Key elements include optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, keywords, page load speed, and user experience.
Content Creation
Quality content plays a significant role in attracting organic traffic. SEO freelancers typically create engaging, informative, and keyword-optimized content, such as blog posts and product descriptions, and develop content strategies that target relevant keywords.
Link Building
High-quality backlinks are essential for improving your website’s search engine rankings. SEO freelancers work on various link-building strategies, including identifying relevant websites, creating share-worthy content, guest posting, and analyzing competitors’ backlink profiles.
Technical SEO
Technical SEO involves optimizing your website’s infrastructure for search engine crawling, indexing, and ranking. Key technical aspects include proper site structure, clean URLs, XML sitemaps, robots.txt files, schema markup, fixing broken links, and addressing duplicate content issues.
By familiarizing yourself with these interventions, you can better assess the work and impact of SEO freelancers, empowering you to ask the right questions and make more informed decisions when collaborating with them.
Real-life Examples
Many clients have complained about their previous SEO freelancers’ poor communication and lackluster results. One e-commerce manager shared their frustration about paying thousands of dollars without seeing any noticeable improvements in search rankings.
Jikko.co Software: A Solution to the “Black Box”
Jikko.co is a tool designed to help e-commerce and marketing managers monitor the work of SEO freelancers. Its features include granular time tracking, built-in growth marketing, and agile principles. By using jikko.co, clients can benefit from increased transparency and better collaboration with their SEO freelancers.
Tips for Selecting the Right SEO Freelancer or Agency:
- Look for a proven track record and client testimonials
- Prioritize clear communication and regular reporting
- Ensure they have experience in your industry or niche
- Check if they’re up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and best practices
- Other Tools and Best Practices for Better Collaboration:
- Establish clear expectations and goals at the outset
- Schedule regular check-ins and progress updates
- Use project management tools, such as Trello or Asana, to track tasks and deadlines
- Share access to analytics and other relevant data to keep everyone informed
Working with SEO freelancers doesn’t have to be a “black box” experience. By understanding common interventions, using tools like jikko.co, and following best practices for collaboration, e-commerce and marketing managers can take charge of their SEO investments and build successful, transparent relationships with freelancers.
