Best platforms to hire SEO freelancers and key things to look for?

This is not a job offer. I’m seeking advice from SEO professionals to improve my process as a Creative Director.

If a company needs to hire an SEO freelancer for a 3-month or year-long contract, we’ve been using Upwork. Are there better platforms?

Additionally, how do you determine if someone is serious about SEO?

To Answer My Own Questions:

Where: Currently, we use Upwork. I’m not sure if professionals also use platforms like Dribbble, Behance, or others.

What: I look for:

  • Technical SEO skills (HTML schema, accessibility, image optimization, sitemaps)
  • Keyword and ranking tracking
  • Competitor analysis and keyword attainability
  • Backlink analysis
  • Content creation (writing articles targeting keywords, guest posts, evergreen updates)
  • Backlink generation strategy

How off-base am I? Also, what would these services typically cost ($2,000/month? $4,000/month)? All work would be remote. Thanks in advance!

Referrals from similar companies are your best bet. Solid professionals rarely stick to platforms like Upwork, which are more for basic or commodity work.

Sage said:
Referrals from similar companies are your best bet. Solid professionals rarely stick to platforms like Upwork, which are more for basic or commodity work.

Would reaching out to a freelancer’s clients through Upwork to verify their work be a good idea?

@Frankie
I wouldn’t recommend that. Instead, look for referrals or recommendations from your professional network.

Freelance platforms are generally low quality, so I avoid them. As for what you mentioned, it’s solid, but avoid people who focus on vanity metrics (like a ton of low-quality backlinks or irrelevant traffic). Pricing varies. I don’t charge as much yet since I’m transitioning from agency work to freelancing.

@collins
If someone wanted to hire you, how would they find you? Are you relying on SEO for your own services?

Frankie said:
@collins
If someone wanted to hire you, how would they find you? Are you relying on SEO for your own services?

Yes, I use SEO to attract clients by targeting phrases like ‘SEO agency for X industry.’

Upwork is a starting point, but I’d also explore LinkedIn, Reddit communities, and local search. Costs depend on your site’s size, niche, and competitiveness. Something like ‘backlink generation strategy’ could be a $50,000/year role depending on the industry.

@Jess
Do you usually separate SEO, content creation, and backlink strategies, or are they bundled together?

Frankie said:
@Jess
Do you usually separate SEO, content creation, and backlink strategies, or are they bundled together?

They’re often bundled, but backlinks can require a separate budget depending on the industry. For example, outreach for medical or legal industries takes more resources and time.

  1. Referrals are key. Ask similar companies or marketers in your industry.

  2. Look for SEO professionals with proven results, not just audits or vanity metrics. Strategy is different from tactics, and they should show clear progress toward your goals.

  3. Avoid anyone focused solely on technical fixes like HTML errors or page titles. That’s not going to move you from page 124 to page 1.

Focus on relevance (topics) and PageRank (links). If someone talks mostly about technical SEO, that’s just a small part of the equation. A serious SEO professional will prioritize building quality links and targeting high-intent keywords.

I’ve had poor experiences with Upwork lately. Many freelancers demand upfront payment and can’t prove their results. I had better luck posting on LinkedIn and getting referrals.

  1. Never let a freelancer register your domain—do it yourself.

  2. Avoid Fiverr or Upwork for backlinks. They often provide spammy, low-quality links.

  3. Request sample SEO audits to ensure they’re not just automated reports from tools like SEMrush.

  4. Search locally for someone with good reviews. You’ll get better results and accountability.