If you’re running a business and wondering why your website isn’t ranking or pulling in enough organic traffic, you’re not the only one. Being an SEO expert myself, I can tell you that an SEO Strategist is what stands between your business getting found or getting ignored online.
Over 90% of all traffic goes to results on the first page of Google and pages on the second page get less than 1% of clicks.
Source: Backlinko
I’ve seen businesses pour money into SEO services without a clear strategy and get nothing back. What they’re doing wrong is not seeking services from an SEO professional. In this blog, I’ll walk you through what an SEO strategist actually does and why having one can change the way your business performs online.
What is an SEO Strategist?
When I talk about an SEO strategist, I’m not just talking about someone who knows keyword placement or monitors traffic. Hiring a Search Engine Optimization Strategist means letting someone build a clear, data-backed plan to help your business get found on Google. Their job is to boost your online visibility so your pages show up for the searches your customers are actually typing in.
An SEO strategist does this through a combination of on-page and off-page SEO, optimising everything from service pages and blog posts to technical fixes and link building. Their goal is simple: to help potential customers find you when they’re actively searching for what you offer. I’ve seen businesses miss out on real leads just because their content wasn’t aligned with the right keywords or their website had technical issues pulling them down in rankings.
An SEO strategist connects all those parts into a focused plan to make your business visible to potential customers.
Signs That You Need an SEO Strategist
You might be doing everything right for your business success, be it posting content, running ads, updating pages or anything else. However, your website still fails to bring leads. The truth is, without a clear SEO strategy behind it all, those efforts often go to waste. If any of these signs feel familiar, it’s time to bring in an SEO expert or strategist:
1. Your Website Isn’t Showing Up for the Right Searches
When a user types in a specific keyword which of course you’re targeting but your website doesn’t appear. This makes you lose a ton of potential customers to your competitors. You might have a great product or service but if your website doesn’t match what people are searching for, Google won’t prioritise it. An SEO strategist helps bridge that gap so your business shows up where it matters.
2. You’ve Seen a Drop in Traffic but Don’t Know What Caused It
If your organic traffic has taken a hit, it could be anything from a Google algorithm update to broken links or slow load times. Guesswork won’t fix it. An SEO strategist knows how to dig into the data, identify the problem and make the right changes to get your traffic back on track.
3. You’re Relying Too Heavily on Paid Ads to Get Visibility
Paid campaigns might get quick results but they’re not a long-term fix. Once you stop paying, the traffic disappears. An SEO strategist focuses on building long-term visibility through organic search, which means more leads without ongoing ad spend.
4. You Don’t Have Time to Keep Up With SEO Best Practices
Google’s rules change all the time. Between algorithm updates, shifting keyword trends and technical requirements, SEO is a full-time job. If you’re trying to run your business and do SEO at the same time, something will slip. An SEO strategist takes that off your plate and keeps your website competitive.
5. You’re Publishing Content But It’s Not Ranking or Driving Leads
Content without strategy rarely performs and many businesses push out blog after blog with no improvement in traffic. An SEO strategist builds a content plan based on what your customers are actually searching for, making sure each page has a clear purpose and ranking potential.
6. Your Competitors are Outranking You
If your competitors are always ahead in search results, they’re working with someone who understands SEO. Falling behind in rankings means you’re losing visibility, traffic and opportunities. An SEO strategist can analyse what your competitors are doing right and help you outperform them.
If any of these points hit close to home, it’s a sign your business needs more than just content updates or plugins. You need a clear SEO strategy backed by someone who knows how to deliver results or a professional agency that offers SEO services.
What Does an SEO Strategist Do?
Now that you know that you need an SEO strategist for that many conditions faced, you might be wondering what they actually do or what they’ll do when you hire one. Take a look at all the tasks an SEO strategist will do for your business success.
1. Builds a Targeted SEO Strategy
An SEO strategist doesn’t jump straight into content. They look at where your business stands, what your competitors are doing and what keywords your customers are searching for. Then they map out a clear strategy to help your website rank higher and attract qualified leads. Every decision is tied to your business goals, it can be about bringing more traffic, more calls or stronger visibility in your local area.
2. Conducts In-Depth Keyword Research
This goes far beyond looking up high-volume keywords. A search engine optimisation strategist looks at search intent, long-tail variations and how people phrase their queries when they’re ready to buy. They find the exact terms that bring in the right kind of traffic that is the people who are ready to engage with your business.
3. Works on On-Page Optimisation
An SEO strategist optimises everything on your website pages. They work on headings, images, meta titles, internal linking, structure and a lot of elements. These might seem like small things to you but they play a big role in how search engines read and rank your content. I’ve seen pages jump several spots in search rankings with just the right on-page updates. So why don’t you let an SEO strategist handle On-Page SEO?
4. Fixes Technical SEO Issues
Your website might look fine on the surface, but technical problems in the background can quietly hurt your rankings. A strategist audits your site for issues like broken links, slow page speed, mobile usability and indexing errors. These things stop search engines from crawling your content properly. Fixing them can make a bigger difference than any blog post.
5. Develops a Strong Content Strategy
Content without strategy doesn’t work. An SEO expert identifies what content your business needs, what’s missing and what should be updated. They focus on creating valuable pages that target real search terms and drive long-term results. It can be through service pages, blog posts or local landing pages.
6. Builds Link Authority
Search engines look at backlinks to decide how credible your business is. An SEO strategist helps build that authority by finding opportunities to earn high-quality links from trusted sources. Remember, an SEO expert will never depend on spammy link blasts, instead focus on real connections that grow your online reputation.
7. Tracks Performance and Adjusts the Plan
SEO isn’t a one-time job. A good SEO strategist constantly checks what’s working and what’s not. They track your rankings, traffic and conversions. Then, adjust the approach if something shifts. They always keep their heads up for a Google algorithm update or even if they see a new competitor popping up.
At the end of the day, an SEO strategist helps you stop wasting time and start seeing real movement in search. They connect the dots, make the right decisions and give your website the push it needs to compete.
Benefits of Hiring an SEO Strategist for Website Ranking
If you’re about to start your business or want to keep growing or generating leads like it has been, an SEO expert is all you need. The reason why hiring an SEO strategist can be the turning point for your business success is backed by these benefits:
1. Higher Search Engine Rankings
An SEO strategist knows what search engines look for. They align your content, structure and technical setup with ranking factors that actually matter. It’s not about shortcuts but more about making your website work the way Google expects. The result? Higher positions for the right search terms, where your potential customers are looking.
2. Consistent Growth in Organic Traffic
It’s one thing to get a spike in traffic and a completely different thing to build steady growth over time. An SEO professional sets up long-term strategies that bring qualified visitors to your website without paid ads. They focus on keywords that match your business and deliver traffic that’s more likely to convert.
3. Better User Experience
Google tracks how people use your website. If they leave quickly, it’s a sign something’s off. A good SEO strategist improves user experience by simplifying navigation, fixing broken elements and making content easy to read. These changes keep visitors on your page longer and help boost rankings.
4. Smarter Content That Actually Ranks
Publishing random blog posts won’t help if they don’t target the right keywords or answer what people are searching for. An SEO strategist builds a content plan based on real search data so that each piece of content has a purpose and the potential to rank.
5. Competitive Advantage
If your competitors are ranking above you, they’re working with someone who understands SEO. A strategist looks at what they’re doing, finds gaps and helps you move ahead. They can use better keywords, stronger links or faster load times to give your business a competitive edge.
Hiring an SEO strategist isn’t just about rankings, it’s about creating the required connections for customers to find your business. When you stop guessing and follow a clear plan, that’s when growth happens.
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Case Study: The Impact of SEO Expert on Employee Benefits Consulting Firm
The company Employee Benefits Consulting Firm suffered due to poor search visibility in a highly competitive space. Despite offering strong services, their website wasn’t ranking and they were losing leads to better-positioned competitors. After hiring an SEO expert, they started with a detailed keyword strategy backed by a full competitive analysis. The strategist focused on optimising service pages, improving technical SEO and building a solid content plan.
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SEO Strategist vs SEO Consultant – What’s the Difference?
To understand the differences between an SEO consultant and SEO strategist you can refer to this table:
| Aspect | SEO Strategist | SEO Consultant |
| Main Focus | Builds and manages a full SEO strategy to grow your website’s performance | Reviews your current setup and gives advice but doesn’t usually implement it |
| Approach | Works hands-on with your business to create long-term SEO results | Offers high-level guidance but you’ll need someone else to carry it out |
| Involvement | Actively manages keyword research, on-page optimisation, technical fixes and more | Steps in when you need direction or help troubleshooting specific SEO issues |
| Ideal For | You want consistent growth and someone to handle all moving parts of SEO | You have a team but need outside expertise to steer them in the right direction |
| Support Level | Works closely with your business, tracks progress and adapts the strategy | Offers insight but leaves day-to-day execution to your internal team |
| Outcome | Delivers an ongoing SEO campaign aimed at ranking, traffic and conversions | Helps you identify problems or missed opportunities but doesn’t manage results |
How to Hire an SEO Strategist for Your Business?
Hiring an SEO Strategist is not that difficult. The issue is having a lot of options and not being able to pick one from the lot. Here’s what to look for when finding an SEO strategist and how to go about it:
1. Start with Research
First, you need to search the internet and any other sources to find SEO professionals with proven results. Platforms like LinkedIn and Clutch can be a good option for this or you can try agency websites. Once you get some options,
- Check their case studies.
- Go through testimonials.
- Check their previous work.
2. Review Their Experience
Based on your search, shortlist a few names and start digging into their background. Find out if they have worked with businesses similar to yours and if so, what kind of growth have they delivered?
3. Book a Discovery Call
This is where you get a real feel for how they work. Ask these questions for surety:
- How do you approach keyword research for a business like mine?
- What tools do you use to track rankings, traffic and performance?
- What steps do you take for on-page and technical SEO improvements?
- How often will I get updates or reports from you?
- How do you adapt when Google rolls out an algorithm update?
4. Check Their Reporting Style
Ask for a sample report. You need clear updates on keyword rankings, traffic, conversions and actions taken. A good SEO strategist keeps you in the loop and uses data to guide every move.
5. Start with a Short-Term Plan
Before locking into a long contract, start with a 3-month plan. This gives them time to show progress and gives you time to evaluate their work. SEO takes time, but you should still see early signs of movement.
6. Keep Communication Open
Once you start working with the SEO expert, make sure the communication with them is easy. The professional you’ve hired must be easily available and provide all updates regularly. Regular check-ins help make sure the strategy stays aligned with your goals.
Common Questions Asked About SEO Strategists
1. How to create an effective SEO content strategy?
Start by understanding what your customers are searching for. An effective strategy begins with keyword research that targets real search terms people use when they’re ready to take action. From there, plan content around those keywords, service pages, blog posts, FAQs or location pages, all are built to answer questions and guide visitors to take the next step.
2. How to measure the success of an SEO campaign?
To measure the success of your SEO campaign, an SEO strategist uses tools that show exactly what’s helping or holding you back.
- Google Analytics tracks how people move through your pages.
- Google Search Console picks up issues like indexing or broken links.
- SEMrush or Ahrefs uncover keyword gaps and backlink opportunities.
With these insights, SEO experts take clear action that drives better results for your business.
3. How can local SEO help businesses attract more customers?
Local SEO puts your business in front of people nearby who are actively looking for what you offer. When someone searches “near me” or adds a suburb or city to their search, local SEO helps your business show up in the top results, especially in the Google Map pack.
This means more calls, visits and enquiries from customers who are ready to act. With the right local SEO strategy, your business becomes the clear choice in your area and not just another name in the list.
Why PrintVideoWeb Should Be Your Next SEO Strategist?
You’ve seen what an SEO strategist does and why it matters but choosing the right one makes all the difference. At PrintVideoWeb, we don’t guess, follow trends or rely on generic strategies. What we actually do is focus on what works for your business because rankings mean nothing if they’re not bringing in leads, calls or customers.
When you work with us, you’re not handed a one-size-fits-all package. You get a partner who digs deep, tracks performance and adapts based on what your business needs to grow.
Ready to take control of your rankings? Let’s talk.
