WordPress SEO That Actually Moves the Needle
WordPress powers 40%+ of the web. It's the most flexible platform for SEO when set up correctly. Most WordPress sites are held back by plugin bloat, misconfigured SEO tools, and content that isn't built around how people actually search.
Brands I've led SEO for
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Common WordPress SEO problems
WordPress sites typically suffer from a predictable set of issues: too many plugins creating page speed problems, Yoast or RankMath configured with default settings, no content strategy beyond "publish and hope", thin category and tag archives wasting crawl budget, and security vulnerabilities leading to spam injections that quietly destroy rankings.
WordPress performance and ranking problems almost always come down to configuration, not the platform itself.
How I optimise WordPress sites
- Plugin audit. Identifying plugins that hurt performance and replacing them with lighter, faster alternatives
- Technical optimisation. Page speed, Core Web Vitals, server configuration, caching strategy, image optimisation
- Content architecture. Category structure, internal linking, and pillar-cluster content strategy that builds topical authority
- SEO plugin configuration. Proper Yoast or RankMath setup, schema, XML sitemaps, and canonical strategy
- Security hardening. Preventing spam injections that silently tank rankings
- AI search optimisation. Structuring WordPress content to be cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews
"We've worked with more than one SEO agency over the years, and StudioHawk has been very impressive. Incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in our results."
. Christopher Hawes, verified Google review ★★★★★
Why hire me directly?
Most businesses have to choose: hire a consultant and get one brain, or hire an agency and get a machine with no direct access to the person running it. When you work with me, you don't have to choose.
Every strategy call, audit, and recommendation comes from me personally. But backing every decision is the data, systems, and specialist depth of StudioHawk: Australia's, APAC's, and globally recognised #1 SEO and AI Search agency. 120 specialists. 2,000+ campaigns. The most awarded SEO operation in the country. All of it, available to your business as a flexible resource.
A full StudioHawk engagement costs significantly more and locks you into an agency model. A consultant without agency backing gives you one person's perspective. Working with me gives you both: direct access to the person who built the machine, with the ability to flex in specialist support across technical SEO, digital PR, and content exactly when you need it.
I hired the specialists, engineered the culture, and created the systems that produced 45+ industry wins at Australian, APAC, and global level. That pattern recognition, knowing what separates campaigns that compound from ones that plateau, is what I bring directly to your business.
Most agencies are still catching up. I've been building AI visibility strategies since ChatGPT Search launched and it's the primary focus of my consulting work. The businesses getting cited in AI answers right now are pulling ahead fast. That gap is still closeable, but not for much longer.
How I work
Clear from day one. No surprises.
WordPress Audit
Full technical and content audit covering plugins, theme performance, page speed, security, crawl waste, and content gaps.
Technical Cleanup
Fix speed issues, plugin bloat, security vulnerabilities, and SEO plugin configuration. Fast wins that have immediate impact.
Content Strategy
Build topical authority through structured content clusters and a systematic internal linking approach.
Ongoing Growth
Monthly publishing, technical monitoring, content freshness audits, and performance reporting.
Results that speak
Case studies
Delivered by StudioHawk, the agency I built as GM and now lead as Chief of Staff.
What working together looks like
- Strategy session first: I audit your current situation before we agree on scope
- Clear roadmap: prioritised by impact, with honest timelines
- Hands-on execution: I implement, not just advise
- Direct access: email and calls with me, not an account team
- Monthly reporting: tied to business outcomes, not vanity metrics
Investment
Start with a free 30-minute call
I'll review your situation and tell you exactly what I'd prioritise. If we're a fit, we discuss scope and investment from there.
Book Your Free CallConsulting from $156K+GST/year · Project work available
Common questions
Yoast vs RankMath, which is better for SEO?
Both are capable plugins when configured correctly. The plugin matters far less than the configuration. Most WordPress sites have one of these installed and set up with default settings, which is not optimised. I can work with either and will review your current setup and fix what's not configured correctly rather than recommending you switch.
How many plugins is too many?
There's no magic number. It's about what each plugin does and the performance impact. I've seen fast sites with 40 plugins and slow sites with 10. The audit process identifies which plugins are causing performance problems and recommends lighter alternatives where needed.
My WordPress site was hacked and my rankings dropped. Can you fix it?
Yes. Spam injections and malware are a surprisingly common hidden cause of ranking drops. The process: clean the infection, identify and close the vulnerability, submit a reconsideration request if manual action was applied, and monitor recovery. Recovery timelines vary but sites typically start recovering within 4-8 weeks of a clean removal.
Do you work with page builders like Elementor or Divi?
Yes, though heavy page builders are often a significant cause of WordPress speed problems. I'll give you an honest assessment of whether your page builder is the bottleneck and what the options are, including whether switching to a lighter theme is worth the migration effort.
Trusted by Australia's leading brands
Let's unlock your WordPress site's potential
Got a WordPress site that's underperforming? I'll audit it, tell you exactly what's holding it back, and build a plan to fix it.
Book a Free Consultation