If you are someone who is looking to grow your own business online, you will find that an SEO consultant (someone who understands search engine optimization and how search engines work), can make an invaluable addition to your website. Making sure that the search engines notice you is part and parcel of getting on top in the world of internet business, so make sure that you follow these basic steps when you are looking to find a good SEO consultant.

1.Get references

Have your friends worked with anyone that they would recommend? What about your business associates? Today, you'll find that even if word of mouth is transmitted by e-mail, it will still go a long way towards getting you the consultant that you need.

2.Hit the directories

Many excellent SEO consultants will make sure that they are listed in the various industry-specific directories on the web, so make sure that you give yourself some time to browse and to find the person who will best suit your needs.

3.Read their testimonials

Many SEO consultants will have a list of testimonials up on their page, talking about what they have done in the past. Read these testimonials and see if you can get a sense from them regarding how the consultant works and what his or her strengths are when it comes to customer service.

4.Speak with them personally

It is increasingly easier to do business without ever meeting anyone face to face, but you'll find that actually getting some information without the benefit of obfuscating text is quite important. Even if it is just a quick phone call, you can learn a great deal just by hearing someone talk and thinking about what you learn.

5.How long does it take to get back to you?

If you have sent them an email, how long does it take for them to return your enquiry? You'll find that if you are waiting more than 24 hours, you might not want to wait any longer. Most SEO consultants will have auto responders, and while this is a good solution, see how long it takes before you get a human to respond to you.

6.Google them

Get on a search engine and try a few searches to see how long it takes for them to show up under terms such as "SEO Consultant" and "SEO Specialist" as if they can't get themselves the top spots you stand less of a chance.

7.Have a few companies in mind

You'll find that plenty of companies will have just one or two different points that will keep them from being perfect, so take some time to make sure that you have a few to choose from.

8.Ask to see their work

What companies have they worked with in the past? How long does it take for you to find them using Google? You can see what kind of work they do best by heading right over to check it out.

9.Are they ethical?

Getting involved with a company that will do anything black hat such as hiding links and using keyword stuffing, will be a mistake that you pay for with very poor rankings and unhappy visitors, you may even get banned!

10.Think about how they make you feel.

At the end of the day, how comfortable do you feel when you work with them? You'll find that because they are connected intimately with your business that you will want to see how comfortably you can work together.

If you are going to get involved in Search Engine Optimisation make sure your get involved with a specialist.