Leveraging solid SEO experience gained on major projects at CGI, Mediative (Yellow Pages Group) (notably for the Bell account), and Desjardins Assurances, my approach as an independent consultant focuses on building lasting, trust-based relationships. This is demonstrated by successful, results-driven collaborations with long-standing clients like Bravo Telecom (since 2013) and Stingray (since 2015).
Welcome! I offer expert SEO consulting services from Montreal, a genuine dynamic hub for businesses targeting North American and international markets. My services specifically cater to clients requiring in-depth SEO expertise in several languages: French, English, Spanish, and Arabic. This multilingual capability ensures your message resonates accurately with an even broader international audience, well beyond Canada's linguistic divide.
I specialize in several key SEO pillars to maximize your visibility:
Competitive Intelligence (competitive digital benchmark), in-depth Technical SEO, engaging Content Strategy, Off-Site SEO (including effective link building strategies), and transparent Performance Reporting.
My expertise also extends to optimization for key Google platforms crucial for specific sectors:
Google Maps (for impactful local SEO), Google Hotels (essential for the hospitality sector), Google for Jobs (to optimize job listings), and Google Shopping (for e-commerce success), as well as for YouTube and image search.
These services cater both to businesses based in Montreal and to my clients across Canada, the United States, and France.
When looking to improve your search engine optimization, a key decision is whether to partner with an independent SEO consultant or a larger SEO agency. Each offers distinct advantages and service models:
SEO Consultants: Typically, an independent SEO consultant like myself offers a highly personalized service. You get direct access to the expert, ensuring a deep understanding of your business and a tailored strategy. The approach is often collaborative, working closely with your existing team to guide implementation or providing specialized expertise for specific challenges. For example, a consultant might help you define the strategy and empower your team to execute certain tasks, or handle critical analyses and strategic direction directly.
SEO Agencies: Agencies often have larger, diverse teams and can offer a broader range of "done-for-you" services, from content creation and technical fixes to large-scale outreach campaigns. They can manage entire SEO projects with their in-house resources if you prefer a more hands-off approach, which can be beneficial if you lack internal resources for execution.
SEO Consultants: Pricing can be more flexible and often reflects lower overheads compared to agencies. Engagements can usually be tailored more precisely to specific needs, potentially offering better cost-effectiveness for targeted expertise or strategic oversight. Common models include project-based fees, hourly rates for consultation, or monthly retainers for ongoing guidance and support.
SEO Agencies: Agency rates are generally higher due to factors like larger staff numbers, office overheads, and often a wider suite of services bundled into their packages. Their pricing typically involves monthly retainers that cover a broader scope of ongoing work and execution by various team members.
SEO Consultants: With a consultant, you benefit from the deep, focused expertise and direct accountability of a seasoned individual. This usually means more strategic input and direct involvement from the lead expert on your project. While a consultant might not have a large internal execution team, they often possess a strong network of trusted specialists (e.g., for content writing, web development) they can recommend or collaborate with, or they focus on empowering your in-house team.
SEO Agencies: Agencies provide access to a team of individuals, potentially covering various specializations like technical SEO, content writing, link building, PPC management, etc., all under one roof. This can be an advantage for businesses needing a large volume of diverse tasks executed quickly and concurrently.
The best choice depends on your specific business needs, your in-house capabilities and resources, your budget, and the level of direct expert involvement and collaboration you prefer. If you require high-level strategic direction, specialized problem-solving, and a collaborative partner to guide and upskill your team, an SEO consultant is often an excellent fit. If you need a full-service, hands-off execution team for a wide array of ongoing tasks and have the budget for a broader team structure, an agency might be more suitable.
Finding the right SEO consultant is crucial for your online success and can significantly impact your digital growth. Here are several effective methods to locate, vet, and connect with experienced professionals:
When you've shortlisted potential consultants, prepare to discuss your business goals, challenges, and expectations clearly to ensure a good fit.
An SEO expert wears multiple hats: analytical, strategic, and technical. Organized and rigorous, with a passion for digital innovation, an effective SEO expert possesses a holistic view of the marketing mix, prioritizing SEO within that broader strategy. My work focuses on tangibly improving your website’s SEO performance and demonstrating clear ROI.
To achieve this, I leverage deep technical SEO knowledge (including crawling, rendering, indexation, and schema markup best practices) and stay ahead of Google's algorithmic shifts, including the increasing role of AI in search. My approach involves regularly monitoring your site’s health, tracking search engine rankings, and transparently reporting on progress and ROI.
The cost of an SEO expert in Montreal depends on the project's scope, scale, and desired outcomes – whether it's for a local Montreal business, a national Canadian campaign, or international SEO for US and French markets. Key factors include whether it's a one-time project (like a focused link cleanup or site audit) or an ongoing strategic engagement.
For instance, a comprehensive strategy aiming for significant gains might span 6-12 months, whereas a targeted Local SEO campaign could see results in a shorter timeframe. I've developed a clear quantification methodology to assess your needs against your challenges and ambitions, allowing us to define the scope, approach, and timeline to accurately determine project costs.
We can agree on a bank of hours for ongoing support or a fixed project fee, with pricing tailored transparently. For example, an in-depth SEO training mandate will differ in cost from an hourly SEO strategy consultation.
I am Mohammed Alami, an SEO Specialist and independent consultant. My unique blend of an engineering background and a Master's degree in E-Commerce provides a robust foundation for data-driven, business-oriented SEO solutions.
Originally from Morocco, I pursued further studies and gained professional experience in France before immigrating to Canada in 2009. In Canada, I completed my Master's in E-Commerce at the University of Montreal. My engineering career, spanning over 20 years in diverse sectors, honed my analytical and problem-solving skills, which I now apply to the complexities of digital marketing and technical SEO. I am passionate about helping businesses navigate their digital challenges with a practical, results-focused approach.
I have also developed and delivered presentations at the University of Montreal on advanced SEO topics and emerging technologies like WEB 3.0, with materials available on platforms such as YouTube and Slideshare.
As an independent SEO consultant, I conduct comprehensive site audits (technical, on-page, off-page including backlink analysis and E-A-T alignment), develop data-driven SEO strategies to identify growth opportunities, and create actionable roadmaps with detailed tactics. My expertise has supported businesses across Montreal, Canada, the US, and France.
The field of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is both dynamic and rewarding, offering diverse career opportunities and requiring a unique blend of skills. Understanding the typical journey, essential competencies, and development path of an SEO specialist can be insightful, whether you're considering entering the field or engaging an expert for your business.
While a dedicated "SEO degree" is uncommon, successful SEO specialists often emerge from varied educational backgrounds, including marketing, communications, computer science, journalism, business analytics, or even engineering, as in my own case (Engineering degree coupled with a Master's in E-Commerce). More critical than a specific degree are core competencies such as:
Many professionals enhance their foundational knowledge and stay current through specialized SEO certification courses (from industry bodies or tool providers like Google, SEMrush Academy, Moz Academy, HubSpot Academy), dedicated online training, and by deeply immersing themselves in reputable industry blogs, forums, and conferences.
The career path for an SEO specialist can be quite varied and lead to numerous roles with increasing responsibility and specialization. Common trajectories include:
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of a career in SEO is the absolute necessity for continuous learning and adaptation. The digital landscape is in constant flux: search engine algorithms (particularly Google's) are updated hundreds, even thousands, of times per year; new technologies like AI-driven search experiences and voice search continually reshape user behavior and SERP features; and best practices evolve accordingly. An effective SEO specialist knows that staying "on their toes," diligently studying algorithm revisions, understanding emerging technologies, and adjusting strategies based on data and industry trends is paramount to driving sustainable organic traffic and maintaining their effectiveness. This commitment to lifelong learning is a hallmark of a true SEO professional.
To empower your in-house marketing teams, I offer customized Montreal SEO training programs, available remotely or on-site. This training ensures your team stays updated on the latest techniques for natural traffic acquisition via search engines like Google and Bing, covering everything from foundational principles to advanced SEO strategies.
I am a certified SEO trainer with an approval certificate (agrément) issued by the Quebec government (Emploi-Québec) in communication and documentation, which can be beneficial for businesses eligible for government-funded training programs.
The success of your e-commerce website hinges on robust Ecommerce SEO. Effective optimization for search engines like Google and Bing drives qualified traffic, which typically yields higher conversion rates.
Website Planning & Architecture: Strategic keyword integration begins with solid website planning. I advise on developing a clear information architecture—the foundation of e-commerce SEO—by mapping target keywords to the relevant sections and pages of your site (e.g., category pages, product pages, blog content).
Optimizing for Sales: This includes optimizing product pages, ensuring effective use of structured data for products, and advising on user experience (UX) elements that contribute to SEO and conversion rate optimization (CRO). As an E-commerce SEO expert with a Master's in E-Commerce, I understand the full sales funnel.
As an experienced E-commerce SEO specialist, I can help grow your online store's success by optimizing your e-commerce website. I offer tailored SEO consulting focused on driving relevant traffic, improving product visibility, and increasing sales.
For any business targeting nearby customers, whether in Montreal or elsewhere, an In-Depth Local SEO strategy is absolutely crucial. It's no longer just about being found; it's about becoming the preferred choice for local customers precisely when they're searching for your products or services.
My Local SEO expertise is deeply rooted, even predating the current ubiquity of Google Maps. I had the distinct opportunity to work at Yellow Pages Canada during a pivotal era when Google Maps in Canada (maps.google.ca) directly utilized YP.ca's API and prominently displayed "Powered by Yellow Pages Canada." This experience provided me with a rare, foundational understanding of the local data ecosystem and how businesses were (and still are) discovered by local consumers—an invaluable perspective for optimizing your presence today.
Leveraging this background and continuous learning, my approach to Local SEO is both strategic and meticulous. Here are the core pillars we can focus on to significantly boost your local visibility:
Comprehensive Google Business Profile (GBP) Optimization: Your GBP listing is often a customer's first interaction with your business. I ensure it's perfectly optimized—accurate and complete information, relevant categories, high-quality photos, engaging Google Posts, Q&A management—to maximize your impact in the Local Pack and on Google Maps.
Local Citation & NAP Consistency Strategy: The presence of your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) information, consistently and accurately across relevant local directories and data platforms, is a major trust signal for Google. I work to clean up incorrect listings and build a strong citation profile.
Hyper-Localized Content Development: We create content that specifically resonates with your local audience: service pages optimized for specific geographic areas, blog posts on local topics, and highlighting community involvement. The goal is to position you as the relevant authority in your sector and region.
Strategic Online Review Management (E-reputation): Customer reviews are a critical ranking and conversion factor in Local SEO. I advise on best practices to encourage positive reviews, respond constructively to all feedback (positive and negative), and proactively manage your online reputation.
Technical Local SEO Optimizations: This includes implementing structured data (Schema.org) for local businesses (LocalBusiness, Service, etc.), and optimizing your site for mobile search and loading speed, which are crucial for on-the-go users.
Whether you're a brick-and-mortar store, a Service Area Business (SAB), or a multi-location franchise, I can help you develop and implement a tailored Local SEO strategy that drives tangible results: more calls, more direction requests, and ultimately, more customers. Contact me to discuss how we can enhance your local presence.
