In today's digital landscape, a strong online presence is crucial for business success. Technical SEO is the backbone of this presence, ensuring websites are optimized for search engines and user experience. A Level 2 Technical SEO expert plays a pivotal role in identifying and resolving complex technical issues that can hinder a website’s performance.
This guide is designed for professionals seeking to understand the nuances of hiring a Level 2 Technical SEO expert. It provides a comprehensive overview of the hiring process, the essential skills and tools these experts should possess, and the platforms where they can be found. Whether you are a business owner, a marketing manager, or a digital strategist, this article will equip you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your technical SEO team.
Understanding the Role of a Level 2 Technical SEO Expert
A Level 2 Technical SEO expert is typically more experienced than a beginner but not as advanced as a senior-level expert. They play a vital role in addressing mid-level technical issues and optimizing site performance. These professionals are expected to possess a solid understanding of SEO fundamentals and the ability to implement solutions that improve website visibility and user engagement.
Key Responsibilities of a Level 2 Technical SEO Expert
- Site Audits: Conducting regular audits to identify and fix technical issues such as broken links, crawl errors, and site speed problems.
- Page Speed Optimization: Ensuring websites load quickly by optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing code.
- Mobile Optimization: Making sure websites are mobile-friendly and provide a seamless user experience across all devices.
- Structured Data Implementation: Using schema markup to enhance search engine visibility and rich snippets.
- Server and Hosting Optimization: Collaborating with web developers to improve server performance and site architecture.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Tracking SEO performance using tools like Google Search Console and providing actionable insights for improvement.
Why Level 2 Technical SEO Experts Matter
Level 2 experts are the bridge between foundational SEO and advanced technical optimization. They can handle a wide range of tasks, from implementing on-page fixes to coordinating with developers for backend improvements. Their expertise is crucial in maintaining a website’s technical health and ensuring it remains competitive in search engine rankings.
Skills and Tools a Level 2 Technical SEO Expert Should Master
To ensure you hire the right Level 2 Technical SEO expert, it is essential to look for specific skills and tools they should be proficient in. These skills and tools are critical for diagnosing and resolving technical SEO issues effectively.
Essential Skills for Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
Google Search Console: The ability to analyze crawl reports, fix indexing issues, and optimize sitemaps is fundamental. Experts should be able to identify and resolve crawl errors and improve the site's visibility in search results.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: This tool is used for site audits, identifying broken links, and performing on-page analysis. A Level 2 expert should be able to use Screaming Frog to uncover technical issues and provide actionable recommendations.
Core Web Vitals Optimization: Experts should know how to improve metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) to enhance user experience and search rankings.
Structured Data & Schema Markup: Implementing and validating schema markup using Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool is essential for improving search visibility and rich snippets.
Log File Analysis: Understanding how search engines crawl and index a site by analyzing server logs is a key skill. This helps in identifying crawl issues and improving site architecture.
Site Architecture & Internal Linking: Optimizing URL structures and link equity distribution is crucial for ensuring search engines can easily navigate and index a website.
Off-Page SEO: While Level 2 experts may not handle complex link-building strategies, they should understand the basics of off-page SEO, including brand mentions and external signals that impact search rankings.
JavaScript SEO: Handling rendering issues, lazy loading, and dynamic content indexing is important for websites that rely heavily on JavaScript.
CDN & Page Speed Optimization: Experts should be familiar with tools like Cloudflare, image compression techniques, and server-side caching to improve page load times.
Hreflang & International SEO: For businesses targeting international markets, understanding hreflang tags and geo-targeting strategies is essential for optimizing multilingual sites.
Tools for Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
| Tool | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | A free tool by Google for monitoring and maintaining a site's presence in Google Search results | Crawl error monitoring, sitemap submission, performance reports |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | A site crawler that audits websites for technical SEO issues | Broken link detection, on-page SEO analysis, site structure evaluation |
| Google PageSpeed Insights | A tool that analyzes the performance of a web page on both desktop and mobile | Recommendations for improving page speed, core web vitals |
Platforms to Hire Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
Several platforms specialize in connecting businesses with Level 2 Technical SEO experts. These platforms offer a range of services, from freelance marketplaces to recruiting companies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Top Platforms for Hiring Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
| Platform | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vettted | A freelance marketplace that connects you with hand-picked technical SEO experts. Only the top 5% of applicants make it onto the platform. | Highly vetted professionals, specialized hiring for specific SEO tasks | Smaller talent pool, manual comparison required |
| Guru | A freelance marketplace offering access to over 2,400 verified SEO specialists. | Large talent pool, verified professionals, fast hiring process | No hiring assistance, service fees can add up |
| Specialist.PH | A digital marketing recruiting company that matches you with highly vetted professionals from the Philippines. | Rigorous vetting process, ongoing coaching & support | Longer hiring process, only sourcing from the Philippines |
Why These Platforms Stand Out
- Vettted is ideal for businesses looking for highly vetted professionals who can handle specific SEO tasks. The platform's rigorous vetting process ensures that only the most qualified candidates are available for hire.
- Guru is a great choice for businesses that need a large talent pool of verified SEO specialists. The platform's flexible agreements and multiple payment options make the hiring process smooth and efficient.
- Specialist.PH is particularly useful for businesses seeking long-term, high-performing technical SEO experts. The platform's multi-step vetting process and ongoing coaching support ensure that candidates are well-prepared for the job.
The Hiring Process for Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
Hiring a Level 2 Technical SEO expert involves several steps, from identifying your needs to evaluating candidates and negotiating terms. The process should be thorough to ensure you find the right expert for your business.
Steps to Hire a Level 2 Technical SEO Expert
Define Your Needs: Start by identifying the specific technical SEO issues your website faces. This will help you determine the type of expert you need and the tasks they should be able to handle.
Choose a Platform: Based on your requirements, choose a platform that best suits your needs. Consider factors such as the size of the talent pool, the level of vetting, and the engagement model.
Review Profiles: Carefully review the profiles of potential candidates. Look for experience in areas that align with your needs, such as site speed optimization, mobile optimization, and structured data implementation.
Conduct Interviews: Schedule interviews with shortlisted candidates to assess their technical skills and understanding of SEO best practices. Ask about their experience with tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and Core Web Vitals.
Negotiate Terms: Once you’ve identified the right candidate, negotiate the terms of engagement, including pricing, deliverables, and timelines. Ensure that the terms are clear and mutually beneficial.
Monitor Performance: After hiring, monitor the expert’s performance regularly. Use tools like Google Search Console and Screaming Frog to track improvements and address any issues that arise.
Common Issues Faced by Level 2 Technical SEO Experts
Level 2 Technical SEO experts often encounter a range of challenges while optimizing websites. Some of the most common issues include:
- Slow Page Load Times: Websites that load slowly can lead to higher bounce rates and lower search rankings. Level 2 experts must identify and resolve issues such as large image files, unoptimized code, and lack of caching.
- Broken Links: Broken links can negatively impact user experience and search engine rankings. Experts should regularly audit and fix broken links to ensure a smooth user journey.
- Crawl Errors: Crawl errors occur when search engines cannot access or index certain pages on a website. Level 2 experts must identify and resolve these errors to improve site visibility.
- Poor Mobile Usability: With the increasing use of mobile devices, ensuring a website is mobile-friendly is crucial. Experts should optimize for mobile usability, including responsive design and mobile speed.
- Duplicate Content: Duplicate content can confuse search engines and lead to lower rankings. Level 2 experts must identify and resolve duplicate content issues, often through proper URL structure and canonical tags.
How to Address Common Technical SEO Issues
| Issue | Solution | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Page Load Times | Optimize images, leverage browser caching, minimize code | Google PageSpeed Insights, Cloudflare |
| Broken Links | Conduct regular site audits and fix broken links | Screaming Frog SEO Spider, Google Search Console |
| Crawl Errors | Identify and fix crawl errors in Google Search Console | Google Search Console, Screaming Frog |
| Poor Mobile Usability | Implement responsive design and optimize for mobile speed | Google Mobile-Friendly Test, Google PageSpeed Insights |
| Duplicate Content | Use canonical tags and ensure proper URL structure | Screaming Frog, Google Search Console |
The Impact of Level 2 Technical SEO on Business Performance
Hiring a Level 2 Technical SEO expert can have a significant impact on a business’s online performance. These experts can improve website visibility, increase organic traffic, and enhance user experience, leading to higher conversion rates and revenue.
Benefits of Hiring a Level 2 Technical SEO Expert
- Improved Search Engine Rankings: By addressing technical issues and optimizing site performance, Level 2 experts can improve a website’s visibility in search engine results.
- Increased Organic Traffic: A well-optimized website is more likely to attract organic traffic, which can lead to higher conversion rates and revenue.
- Enhanced User Experience: Optimizing page speed, mobile usability, and site structure can improve the overall user experience, leading to higher engagement and lower bounce rates.
- Better Brand Visibility: A strong online presence can enhance brand visibility and credibility, making it easier to attract and retain customers.
- Long-Term Growth: Level 2 experts focus on long-term growth strategies, ensuring that a website remains competitive and continues to perform well in search engine rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is technical SEO and why is it important?
Technical SEO involves optimizing a website to ensure it can be easily crawled and indexed by search engines. It is important because it helps improve website performance, user experience, and search engine rankings. Key aspects of technical SEO include site speed optimization, mobile optimization, and crawlability.
2. How do I choose the best technical SEO expert for my website?
To choose the best technical SEO expert, consider their experience, skills, and understanding of SEO best practices. Look for experts who are proficient in tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and Core Web Vitals. Also, consider their track record and the ability to provide actionable insights for improvement.
3. What services do technical SEO experts typically offer?
Technical SEO experts offer a range of services, including site audits, page speed optimization, mobile optimization, fixing crawl errors, implementing structured data, and enhancing site architecture. They also address issues like duplicate content, broken links, and security vulnerabilities to ensure a website is fully optimized for search engines.
4. How can technical SEO improvements impact my website’s performance?
Technical SEO improvements can significantly enhance a website’s performance by increasing page load speed, improving mobile usability, and ensuring better indexing by search engines. These enhancements lead to higher search rankings, increased organic traffic, better user experience, and ultimately higher conversion rates and revenue.
5. What are some common technical SEO issues to watch out for?
Common technical SEO issues include slow page load times, broken links, duplicate content, poor mobile usability, missing alt tags, and improper use of redirects. Regular site audits can help identify and address these issues, ensuring a website remains optimized and performs well in search engine rankings.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a Level 2 Technical SEO expert is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your website’s performance and online presence. By understanding the key skills and tools these experts should possess, and the platforms where they can be found, you can make informed decisions that lead to long-term success. Whether you are addressing technical issues, optimizing for mobile, or improving site speed, a Level 2 expert is the right choice to ensure your website remains competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.