Choosing the right SEO expert can make or break your online presence. For solopreneurs, every marketing dollar needs to work harder. That’s why hiring someone who not only understands search engine optimization but also knows how to apply it to small business settings is so important. The right expert can help move your site up in rankings, get more traffic, and turn interest into income. The wrong one, though, can waste your time, drain your budget, and leave you frustrated with little or nothing to show for it.
There are some warning signs that tell you whether someone knows what they’re doing or just wants to get hired quick. These red flags often show up early in conversations or during the proposal phase, but they’re easy to miss if you don’t know what to watch for. Here’s a breakdown of what to be alert to when you’re trying to choose the right person to handle your SEO as a solopreneur.
Watch Out for Lack of Transparent Communication
Clear, regular communication is one of the first things you should expect from any SEO expert. If they dodge your questions or speak in confusing buzzwords without straight answers, that’s a sign of trouble. You should understand what they’re planning, why they’re doing it, and what results you might expect from their approach. Being left in the dark leads to stress, doubt, and goals getting off track.
You might hear things like:
– “Don’t worry about the details, just trust me.”
– “It’s all very technical, so I’ll handle it.”
– “I can’t share that—it’s proprietary.”
These are red flags. A good SEO expert should take the time to explain what they’re doing in a way that makes sense to you. They should be able to answer your questions clearly and set up regular updates so you’re never wondering what’s going on. If things go quiet after a contract is signed, or you’re only getting vague check-ins without useful updates, that’s a bad sign.
With poor communication, even a decent strategy can fall apart. Projects miss deadlines. You can’t tell what’s working or not. And fixing problems becomes harder because nobody is on the same page. When someone avoids straight answers or doesn’t give you access to reports or results, your project (and money) is at risk.
Beware of Promises That Sound Too Good
If someone guarantees you’ll get to the top spot on Google in just a few days or claims they have a secret trick that works every time, it’s best to walk away. SEO takes time and steady work. Search engines like Google use patterns and data over time to decide which websites to rank higher. No one has the power to jump ahead instantly in a way that lasts.
That doesn’t mean good results can’t come quickly—it’s just that solid gains usually show up after a few months of consistent effort. A trustworthy SEO expert will let you know what’s realistic, point out things that can be improved quickly, and explain the long-term plan to get your rankings up and your visitors converting better.
Here are some common lines that sound impressive but should make you pause:
– “We guarantee number one rankings within a week.”
– “You’ll double your traffic immediately.”
– “Our method always works, no matter the business.”
Those promises might sound exciting, but they often lead to empty results or shortcuts that get flagged later, hurting your site. Some tactics may offer short-term bumps and then crash when algorithms update. Instead of chasing magic solutions, look for someone who’s focused on steady growth and clear strategy.
A good first step with any SEO expert is to ask them how they’d help your business specifically. Then ask what kind of progress you’d likely see at the 30, 60, and 90-day marks. Look for answers that feel grounded, not fantasy.
No Proven Results to Show
Past success is one of the easiest ways to check if an SEO expert can do what they say. If someone avoids showing examples of their work or won’t give you a clear story of how they’ve helped other small businesses, that’s a red flag. Even newer experts should have test runs or practice work they can explain in detail.
Here’s what to ask when checking for proof:
- Can you share any results you’ve achieved for previous clients?
- Do you have case studies or outcome summaries?
- Can I see your work on a site similar to mine?
If you don’t get direct answers or what they show feels generic, move on. Some people may claim results they didn’t actually create. Take a few extra minutes to follow up, check the sites they mention, look for changed rankings on your own, or even ask for a referral contact if you’re still unsure.
A quick example: A solopreneur running a local pet grooming service was told by a so-called expert that their client traffic jumped by hundreds within a week. But when the business owner visited the site mentioned, it hadn’t been updated in months, and it wasn’t even ranking for its main keywords. Always double-check what you’re told. It can help you avoid losing both time and cash.
Generic SEO Plans Don’t Work for Solopreneurs
If an SEO expert presents you with a pre-built plan before learning about your business, that should raise a red flag. SEO isn’t a copy-paste task. What works for an online clothing store won’t work the same for a dog grooming service in Morrow. Every business has different goals, audiences, services, and challenges. If someone doesn’t ask about your customers, your location, your current website, or your short- and long-term goals, they’re not building a plan that fits you.
Watch for signs they’re just offering a template:
– They don’t ask about your audience or local market.
– The proposal or strategy looks very generic, with no mention of your type of business.
– They promise the same results regardless of your goals or industry.
Good SEO requires understanding your niche, especially when you’re running the show as a single-person team. You might need to focus on getting found locally, building up certain pages, or growing a blog section to bring steady traffic. If your expert isn’t customizing their service to match that, it’s like using the wrong tool for the job. You’ll end up spending time and money on broad efforts that don’t bring specific results.
One solopreneur in Morrow who ran a home cleaning service worked with an expert who never asked what neighborhoods she served or what types of cleanings she specialized in. The SEO work mainly targeted broad state-level searches instead of local terms. She got traffic, but not leads, because the content didn’t speak to the people in her actual service area. Customizing matters, even for the smallest businesses.
Falling Behind on Current SEO Trends
Search engines don’t stand still. What worked even a year ago might not be effective now. That’s why you need someone who isn’t just repeating outdated strategies but staying current. If an SEO expert talks about keyword stuffing, spamming links, or only focuses on meta-tags while ignoring how your pages feel to visitors, chances are their approach is from the past.
Pay attention to how they talk about SEO. If they use vague terms or only focus on technical tricks, ask about how they keep their skills fresh. Any mention of tricks or hacks over practical changes to your content or structure is worth questioning. You want someone who understands updates to search algorithms and how people actually use search engines today.
Here’s what to look for instead:
– Do they mention improving user experience on your site?
– Are they focused on useful content creation and website health?
– Do they understand the role of mobile-first design and voice search?
If they never mention these things, you may find yourself stuck with an outdated approach that brings zero long-term results. Good rankings now depend as much on trust and usefulness to the visitor as they do on good site setup. You can’t build that with old-school methods.
Make Smart Choices to Avoid Setbacks
Hiring the wrong solopreneur SEO expert can slow down your progress, eat into your time, and leave you second-guessing your direction. But by knowing what signs to look for, you can protect yourself and make smarter choices. Watch for clear communication, honest timeframes, real results, and tailored strategies. Avoid vague answers, flashy promises, or canned plans.
Your business is unique, and your SEO approach should be too. With a little patience and careful review, you can avoid setbacks and find someone who treats your business with the same care you do. Whether you’re running your entire operation from a laptop in Morrow or managing a local service, the right SEO help can make your efforts count. Just take time to choose wisely up front. That decision can save you headaches and help everything else fall into place.
By making informed choices, you’ll keep your business moving forward. If you’re thinking about hiring solopreneur SEO expert who understands the challenges of running a business on your own, Solopreneur Solutions is here to help with custom strategies that support real growth. Learn how we can improve your visibility and attract the right audience through our hiring solopreneur SEO expert services.