11 Overlooked Mistakes When Hiring a WordPress Consultant

With the right consultant, your website can thrive, perform well in search engines, and stay secure. But with so many options available for professional WordPress services, it's easy to overlook critical factors that could lead to poor results, delays, and unnecessary costs. 

In this blog, we’ll guide you through 11 overlooked mistakes many businesses make when hiring a WordPress consultant.

1. Not Defining Your Goals Clearly

One of the most overlooked mistakes businesses make is not clearly defining their goals when hiring a WordPress consultant. Without clear goals, it becomes challenging for both you and the consultant to measure success. 

Do you want to improve site speed, enhance user experience, increase traffic, or perhaps migrate a WordPress site to a new host? Before reaching out to a consultant, be sure to have a list of objectives. This will help you find a WordPress consultant who specializes in your needs and can deliver real results.

If you're working with a WordPress SEO consultant, for example, your goals may revolve around improving your website's search engine ranking and driving more organic traffic. However, if you're looking for professional services to migrate your site, the consultant's expertise in site migration should be the focus.

2. Choosing the Affordable Option

While it can be tempting to opt for the cheapest WordPress consultant, this decision can come back to haunt you. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. A budget consultant may lack the experience or skills needed to build a high-quality website or provide ongoing support. This could result in problems down the road, including slow website performance, security issues, and poor user experience.

Investing in a professional like Strugbits who has proven success with WordPress will save you time and money in the long run. A consultant with expertise in your specific needs, such as a WordPress SEO consultant or someone experienced in migrating WordPress sites, can help avoid potential issues and set your website up for success.

3. Ignoring WordPress SEO Expertise

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial for any website’s visibility. A website that isn’t optimized for search engines won’t be easily found by potential customers, regardless of how great the design is. 

Hiring a WordPress SEO consultant should be a priority if increasing your site’s visibility is a goal. An SEO consultant will ensure that your site is optimized for Google and other search engines, from on-page SEO to link building and content strategy.

Make sure to ask about their approach to SEO, whether they’re familiar with technical SEO, keyword research, and optimization best practices. It's also important to check if they stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates, as SEO is an ever-evolving field.

4. Lack of Communication and Expectations

Clear communication is essential when working with any consultant, but especially when it comes to a complex platform like WordPress. If you’re unclear about your expectations, the consultant may struggle to understand your vision. Always be upfront about what you want and need from the project.

Set clear milestones, timelines, and deliverables for your consultant. This way, both you and the consultant are on the same page throughout the entire process. If your consultant is working remotely, establish clear communication channels like email, project management tools, or weekly check-ins to avoid any misunderstandings.

5. Overlooking Experience with WordPress Migration

If you’re planning to migrate your WordPress site, make sure to hire a consultant who has experience in this area. Migrating a WordPress site can be a complex task, especially if you're dealing with large amounts of content or specific hosting configurations. If not done correctly, it can lead to broken links, lost content, and downtime.

Consultants who specialize in WordPress migrations can ensure a smooth transition from one host to another without disruptions. Look for a consultant who has a proven track record of successful migrations and ask for references or case studies to verify their expertise.

6. Not Vetting Past Work or Portfolio

One of the best ways to assess a WordPress consultant’s capabilities is by looking at their past work. Reviewing their portfolio or case studies will give you an idea of the quality of their work, their design style, and whether they can meet your needs.

If possible, reach out to previous clients and ask about their experience working with the consultant. Were they satisfied with the results? Did the consultant meet deadlines and respond promptly to inquiries? This insight can be invaluable in helping you make an informed decision.

7. Disregarding Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Many businesses make the mistake of hiring a WordPress consultant to launch their site but neglect to discuss post-launch support. A website requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it stays up-to-date, secure, and functional. Without a proper maintenance plan, you may face issues like outdated plugins, security vulnerabilities, and slow site performance.

Ask the consultant about their ongoing maintenance and support options. A reliable WordPress consultant will offer regular updates and backups, monitor site security, and help you troubleshoot any issues that arise after launch. This will save you time and hassle in the long run.

8. Failing to Ask About Security Practices

WordPress sites are frequent targets for hackers due to their popularity. As a result, it's essential to hire a consultant who takes security seriously. Ask about their security practices and whether they implement basic security measures like regular updates, backups, and strong passwords. A WordPress consultant should also be familiar with security plugins and best practices for protecting your site from malicious attacks.

If you're planning to store sensitive customer data or run an eCommerce site, security becomes even more critical. Make sure your consultant is experienced in securing WordPress sites that handle personal or financial data.

9. Not Discussing Project Timelines

A common mistake when hiring a WordPress consultant is not discussing project timelines in detail. Be realistic about how long the project will take and set expectations from the beginning. If you need the website ready for a product launch or event, make sure the consultant is aware of your deadline and can commit to meeting it.

Delays can occur for various reasons, so it’s essential to have a buffer built into the timeline. Also, ensure that you and the consultant agree on key milestones, such as design approval, functionality testing, and final launch dates.

10. Ignoring Mobile Optimization

With mobile traffic accounting for a significant portion of internet usage, ensuring that your WordPress site is mobile-friendly is a must. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you risk losing potential customers or visitors.

Ask your consultant about their approach to mobile optimization. A responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes is essential. The consultant should also be aware of mobile-specific design features, like faster loading times and user-friendly navigation.

11. Not Checking for Compatibility with Other Services

Finally, when hiring a WordPress consultant, you should ensure that their work will be compatible with other services or tools you plan to use, such as email marketing platforms, payment gateways, or third-party APIs. 

Always ask about their experience with integrating third-party tools and services into WordPress. Compatibility is key to ensuring your site functions smoothly without technical issues.

Conclusion

In the end, hiring the right WordPress consultant can make or break your website’s success. By avoiding these 11 common mistakes, you’ll ensure your site meets and exceeds your expectations. From clear goal-setting and communication to prioritizing security and mobile optimization, the right approach is key to your site’s long-term success. 

Looking to migrate your WordPress site, boost SEO, or create a stunning online presence? Get in touch with Strugbits now for expert WordPress services that deliver real results!

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

1. How do I find a reliable WordPress consultant?

Look for a consultant with a proven track record, positive reviews, and experience in the areas that matter most to your business, such as SEO, migration, or design.

2. What should I expect to pay for a WordPress consultant?

The cost can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the consultant's experience. Make sure to set clear expectations upfront to avoid surprises.

3. Can a WordPress consultant help with website security?

Yes, a good consultant will implement security measures, recommend security plugins, and provide ongoing support to protect your site from threats.

4. How do I know if my WordPress consultant understands SEO?

Ask about their SEO strategies, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and past successes with improving website rankings.

5. Is it important to choose a consultant who offers ongoing support?

Yes, ongoing maintenance and support are crucial for keeping your site secure, updated, and running smoothly over time. Make sure to discuss this with your consultant.