Serious, you're going to try and get me to use an interface by using a website that has justified paragraph text that spans 70% of my 1920 x 1080 21" monitor?
Much like these comments on HN, it's hard to read long, wide paragraphs. It makes me question the usability of a HUD's interface
There's no question that whitehat SEO pays off. And referring to startups, you mention "I struggle to imagine a situation where smart people just can't read up on it themselves and execute it themselves."
It has everything to do with your opening line: "We've spent a lot of time doing whitehat SEO on our website".
It always comes down to TIME. If you're a new startup, you're trying to work on your business, not in it.
Then you need to find someone who can help you with whitehat organic SEO. And as you mentioned, the hard part is navigating your way through the 'quacks'
Much like these comments on HN, it's hard to read long, wide paragraphs. It makes me question the usability of a HUD's interface