8 Signs you need help with SEO

There’s no doubt that SEO is complex. Some grasp the concepts quickly, while others need more help with their search engine optimization. However, it’s possible to make significant progress on your own with relatively simple means. Anyone who has read the book Guldläge på nätet by Magnus Bråth and Michael Wahlgren knows that you can go quite far just by implementing the SEO basics.

In this article, we’ll explore when, as a website owner or business operator, you might need help with SEO in order to take the next step toward having a well-optimized site.

If your website isn’t being indexed

A website not being indexed is a clear sign that something’s not quite right. This could be due to many reasons, with a common one being the presence of noindex tags telling Google not to index the site. Other, more complex issues may include JavaScript rendering or misalignment between internal linking and canonical tags. Regardless of the cause, it’s a smart move to consult an SEO specialist—because if indexing is a problem, chances are there are other underlying issues waiting to surface once your site is crawled.

If your site gets many warnings in Google Search Console

Not familiar with Google Search Console? That in itself may indicate you need some help optimizing your site. Receiving multiple warnings or errors in Search Console is never fun. Many site owners don’t fully understand what these warnings mean or how to prioritize them. Having someone to monitor and fix these issues is incredibly valuable, especially if you’re not particularly keen on dealing with “critical errors” in structured data.

If your site isn’t generating organic traffic

It might sound obvious, but if your site isn’t attracting organic traffic, you probably need SEO assistance. That said, many websites do generate organic traffic—but nowhere near their full potential. Often, we see sites that are optimized only for major categories or services, missing out on dozens (or hundreds) of smaller keyword opportunities. By targeting these smaller, long-tail keywords, you can significantly boost your traffic. If compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world, long-tail keywords are the ninth.

If your site gets traffic but no conversions

A site that ranks and gets traffic but doesn’t convert may be attracting the wrong kind of traffic. For instance, it’s easier to rank for “how to clean a coffee maker” than for “buy coffee maker.” If your site ranks mainly for informational queries instead of commercial ones, conversions will naturally be lower. Our approach is typically to focus first on commercial keywords, then expand into informational ones. An SEO expert can help evaluate keywords and set the right priorities for your site.

If you’re in a highly competitive industry

Competition in search results varies by industry. There’s a big difference between running a site that sells airline tickets—where large, well-established players dominate—and one offering a niche service with less competition. If you’re in a competitive field, optimizing your title tags and hoping for the best isn’t enough. This is when bringing in a specialist can make a real difference.

If you’re planning a domain or platform migration

Just like moving house, migrating a website is much smoother with professional help. Switching domains or platforms involves significant risk, and it’s crucial that this process is handled properly to minimize potential damage. Since a migration often requires long-term planning, it’s best to contact an SEO agency early in the process. This benefits both you and your SEO partner.

If you want to take your site to the next level

Many site owners do well with basic SEO—things like page titles and meta descriptions. But eventually, growth stalls. That’s when it’s helpful to bring in a fresh set of expert eyes. A specialist or agency can offer new perspectives and ideas to move your SEO forward and get you out of a rut.

If you lack interest or time for SEO

Let’s face it—not everyone finds SEO as exciting as I do. While I’m lucky enough to work in a field I find incredibly fun and challenging, many business owners simply don’t have the time or desire to handle SEO themselves. If that sounds like you, it’s probably time to get help.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you might need SEO support. While it’s tempting to handle everything yourself, sometimes calling in a pro is the smartest move. Much like I could change the tires on my car, I’ve realized it’s a whole lot easier to have someone else do it—especially someone who knows what they’re doing from the start.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you or your company could use a helping hand or simply want some expert advice.