Today, we’re swamped with options — it’s the “catch-22” part of the digital ecosystem that can give you an insurmountable amount of freedom or leave you frozen in your tracks. What are we talking about? Well, businesses around the country are constantly struggling with discovering the perfect agency fit for their company.
So, it’s no surprise that exploring various SEO agencies leaves many business owners stuck weighing the pros and cons, along with trying to figure out who can make the biggest impact. There are some questions you should certainly be asking yourself to help guide your decision making, for example:
- Who are their current clients?
- What’s their process like?
- What software do they use?
- What’s their strategy?
- What is your budget?
We’re going to go over some of these fundamental questions in-depth, along with some tips and guiding principles to help you pick an SEO agency that works for your business in the long term. The biggest mistake you can make is failing to research your options enough. SEO is a long game, which means you may end up wasting a significant amount of money before you realize they’re not the right fit for your business.
Here are 7 things that should be on your list of considerations while looking for an SEO agency:
Realistic Results
Any company that offers you a deal that is too good to be true probably won’t be able to fulfill it. It’s best to look for a firm that offers you realistic results that they can actually attain. As already mentioned, SEO is a long-term game. If you notice that an agency or SEO consultant is offering instant rankings, you should probably be wary.
It isn’t possible to give a 100% guarantee of a first-page ranking simply because there are so many factors that an agency can’t control. If an agency advertises overnight rankings or guarantees, opt-out.
Extensive Experience
It’s important to look into how long an SEO agency has been in business. This because it suggests how much experience the SEO professionals have. The longer they’ve been in business, the more reputable they are. Agencies that have been around for a longer amount of time have also worked with clients over a broader range of industries and will know what works and what won’t.
Quality Case Studies
Of course, you want an SEO agency with a proven track record. Their case studies are the perfect place to start. If a prospective agency doesn’t have a case study, move on to the next that does. Reputable agencies have studies that they will be more than happy to let you take a look at. Case studies show real results that agencies can offer, so it’s important for you to ensure that you get the chance to take a look at them before making your decision.
Valid Certifications
There isn’t one official SEO certification that you can look for. However, there are a couple of standard certifications that can point to the reputability of a company. Look for certifications on:
- Yahoo
- Bing
By having these PPC certifications, companies can show that they have a good understanding of the respective advertising platform. Obviously, we’d also recommend seeing some of their work — along with analytics and data that shows they’re able to achieve results and success, especially within your specific industry.
Specialization
Speaking of specific industries, finding an SEO agency with some relevant experience gaining success and traction within your niche can be a game-changer. When trying to determine the pros and cons of a specific SEO team, it may be helpful to see if there are any relevant case studies or current clients that fit within your scope. This may give you some insight into their ability to navigate a super-congested market — or even a blossoming industry.
Check Out Their Reviews
Luckily, the modern digital age gives everyone the ability to post about their experiences with certain businesses — SEO agencies included. So, if you’re sifting through various SEO teams, it might be helpful to check out their Google reviews, testimonials, and even their Glassdoor. Not only can you get a snapshot of their star rankings, but you’ll also be able to read what other customers have said about their experiences. This may give you some information as to how well they’ll be able to fulfill your goals — but it can also give you an idea of their team as a whole.
A solid SEO partnership with an agency is about results, but it’s also a relationship. You want to make sure that the SEO agency you choose will have some of the following characteristics:
- Quick and transparent with communication
- Flexible with your business and objectives
- On-par with your company values
- Provide a positive experience for your team
White-Hat Tactics
Finally, look for an agency that uses white-hat tactics. When getting in touch with a prospective firm, ask about the SEO tactics that they use and have them explain it to you in a simple manner. Unethical, or black-hat tactics, should be avoided. Reputable companies are transparent and willing to explain the ins and outs of what they do.
Wrapping Up
SEO can be a little difficult to understand if you’re not familiar with the complex industry yourself. However, it’s a very important part of modern business — as search engines are a primary highway for valuable website traffic. Arm yourself with some basic SEO knowledge in order to choose the best agency to partner with.
When it comes to choosing an SEO agency for your business, it’s all about finding qualified partners who are also a great fit. It’s just like partnering with any other agency; you want them to be an extension of your team and goals — with the expertise and flexibility to get it done right. It’s important to remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, which means if the relationship with your SEO agency is a good fit, it’ll be for years. Make sure that the team you hire is a great fit for your company and employs healthy communication habits as well.
We specialize in local SEO services for SMEs & Enterprises of all kinds, get in touch today to see how we can help.
