How can I validate the technical SEO recommendations made by an external partner?

To validate the technical SEO recommendations from an external partner, first ensure they align with your business goals and industry standards. Cross-check their suggestions using reliable SEO tools and consult with an independent SEO expert for a second opinion. This approach helps confirm the validity and relevance of the recommendations.

Why Validation Matters

Imagine this: You’ve hired an external partner to boost your website’s SEO. They hand over a list of technical recommendations, promising to skyrocket your rankings. Sounds great, right? But how do you know if these suggestions are genuinely beneficial or just smoke and mirrors?

Validating technical SEO recommendations is vital for two reasons. First, it safeguards your investment. You don’t want to pour money and time into strategies that lead nowhere. Second, it ensures that your SEO efforts align with the latest best practices. Search engines like Google frequently update their algorithms, and outdated tactics can harm your site more than help it.

Consider a B2B SaaS company that received a recommendation to implement keyword stuffing. A quick check would reveal that this tactic is outdated and penalised by search engines. Without validation, they could have wasted resources on a strategy that actually hurts their rankings.

Steps to Validate Recommendations

So, how do you go about validating these recommendations? Here’s a straightforward approach:

• Use SEO Tools: Leverage tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to verify the recommendations. These tools can help you see if the suggested changes align with current SEO metrics and trends.

• Consult an Independent SEO Expert: Sometimes, a second opinion can be invaluable. Consulting an independent seo optimisation expert can confirm whether the recommendations are sound.

• Check Industry Standards: Compare the recommendations against industry standards and best practices. This ensures that the advice is not only up-to-date but also widely accepted.

• Analyse Competitor Strategies: Look at what successful competitors are doing. If the recommendations vastly differ from industry leaders, it might be worth reconsidering them.

• Align with Business Goals: Ensure that the recommendations align with your broader business objectives. Technical SEO should support your overall marketing strategy, not work against it.

Once you’ve gone through these steps, you’ll have a clearer picture of which recommendations are worth pursuing. This process might seem tedious, but it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and effective SEO.

Trust Your Instincts

Here’s the thing. Trust your gut. If something sounds off, it probably is. SEO isn’t magic. It’s a set of strategies grounded in data and best practices. If an external partner promises overnight success or uses jargon that feels like fluff, dig deeper.

You know your business better than anyone. If a recommendation doesn’t sit right with you, question it. Ask for clarifications. A reputable SEO partner should be able to explain their suggestions clearly and logically. Don’t hesitate to push back if something doesn’t add up.

Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, patience, and a lot of tweaking. So, take the time to validate those recommendations. It’s worth it in the long run.