In the U.S, businesses spend over $47 billion on SEO every year, which shows how crucial having an ironclad strategy is.
Hiring an SEO agency is essential for raising brand awareness and driving sales. But with so many agencies out there, it’s difficult knowing how to differentiate between good and bad companies. Perhaps that’s why you’ve stumbled across this post; you want to know how to choose the best SEO agency for your business and need guidance.
Sounds like you? Luckily, we’re here to help you. Read on to learn how businesses can pick SEO providers.
Outline Your Needs
Before browsing SEO provider options, it’s important to understand your needs.
Instead of having a generic idea, such as ranking at the top, find a metric that’s easier to achieve. For instance, it could drive web traffic or properly optimize your product images. Also, you shouldn’t expect results instantly, as there isn’t a specific answer to “how long does it take for SEO to work?”
Know Your Budget
Make sure you outline your budget for SEO and social media to avoid disappointment. You don’t want to waste weeks hunting down the ultimate agency, only to discover that they’re outside your price range. Instead, check out each candidate’s website and note their package offers to speed up the process.
Do Your Research
Research is essential, whether you’re comparing SEO service costs or finding the right package for your needs. Spend time browsing the prospect’s website to learn about their services, approach, and past work. This will give you valuable insight into their processes and determine whether they’ll be a good fit for your business.
Also, only choose SEO agencies that specialize in where you want to improve. For instance, if you struggle with finding relevant keywords, search for one that excels with SEO and keywords, as that covers the foundation of every strategy.
Further, spend time checking out each company’s ethics. You want to work with people who are honest and are connected with their mission statement as it shows dedication.
Ask for Recommendations
Ask your network whether they have recommendations for SEO agencies. The beauty of word-of-mouth is you’ll get a list of businesses that are experts in your industry with minimal effort. Plus, your network is more likely to give you an honest review of the services, so you can make an informed decision.
Read Online Reviews
Regardless of whether you’re buying a product or service, reading online reviews is essential. Make sure you read through everyone and take note of any recurring negative comments, as it could be a red flag. And don’t be afraid to reach out to past customers directly to learn more about how the SEO agency works.
Choose a Company That Prioritizes Communication
Only choose SEO agencies that prioritize communication. You don’t want to hire one that ignores your calls and takes weeks to reply. It’s important to note that SEO is an ongoing practice, so you want a company you can work with for years to come.
Find a Company With the Right Analytics
Make sure your chosen SEO agency knows how to track your marketing campaigns. Know, that using KPIs can determine whether you need to adapt your strategy or continue with your current efforts. At the minimum, you want an agency that regularly monitors keyword rankings, rate-of-conversion, and your site’s bounce rate.
Book a Consultation
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, book a free consultation with each candidate.
Although a phone call would suffice, it’s wiser to arrange an in-person meeting, so you can see whether you have chemistry and see if a working relationship is possible. You should also be mindful of the prospect’s body language and whether they’re engaged with the conversation.
If you feel like they don’t have adequate experience in your industry or aren’t interested, continue your search until you find someone who meets your standards.
Ask the Right Questions
During your consultation, feel free to ask a range of questions to determine whether they’re a good fit. You should deep dive into different areas of SEO, such as building your site’s backlinks and how they’ll optimize your content. And, if you’re working with an entire team, ask about how each one has the right experience for the role, especially if you’re not sold during the consultation.
Avoid the Common Red Flags
Unfortunately, many businesses make common errors when searching for an SEO agency.
For instance, don’t be fooled by SEO presentations, especially if there is little substance, as it shows they’re merely trying to wow you. You should also avoid choosing the cheapest option because it shows that they’re either cutting corners or don’t have the right expertise for the job.
Plus, never choose a company that claims they can give you fast results in a short amount of time, as that’s a major red flag.
Compare Your Options
Regardless of how stressful searching is, don’t choose the first one you come across. Instead, spend time shopping around and getting multiple opinions, so you can find the right fit for your situation. Know, that the winner should be an agency that understands your industry inside-out and can give you proof that they can deliver results.
How Businesses Can Pick SEO Providers
Hopefully, you’re now ready to pick SEO providers that will give you desired results.
During your search, make sure you understand your needs and thoroughly research each candidate to learn more about how they work. You should also avoid the common red flags and book a consultation before signing a contract. Good luck with your search!
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