You have just embarked on your SEO journey. Now, it’s time to find the right SEO partner to get your site ranking in the top spots of search engines like Google.
Knowing exactly what needs to be done on the road to SEO success is crucial. And by the looks of it, you are already on the right track. We say this because you are already in search of tips on how to choose an SEO agency. This shows that you already understand that SEO is a full-time job, that it needs to be done right and that it requires a lot of expertise and knowledge.
Anyone can do SEO themselves, and we’ve shared plenty of tips and techniques on this blog if you want to try. However, it’s similar to DIY or home improvements: you can save some money if you do it yourself, but the real craftsman is the guys who do it full-time and dedicate hours and hours to refine their skills each and every day. If you’re a senior person in your organisation, you probably have enough on your hands already. Handing over SEO work to professionals will free you up to focus on the areas that require your skillset, leading to better all-around results in the long run.
How can an SEO agency help companies?
Before we move forward, it’s important to reiterate the many benefits that an SEO company can provide for your brand. By implementing effective SEO strategies, an agency can help your business:
- Get ahead of the competition by improving your search engine rankings and increasing traffic to your site.
- Build brand awareness and credibility, leading to improved user experience and website performance.
- Generate leads and increase sales, becoming a primary source of revenue for your business.
- Sustain a strong market share by consistently implementing SEO strategies that keep your brand visible and competitive.
Overall, SEO is a powerful tool for growing your business and achieving your digital marketing goals. By partnering with an experienced SEO company, you can leverage their expertise and knowledge to improve your search engine rankings, increase traffic to your site, and drive long-term success for your business.
How to Choose The Right SEO Agency for your Business?
Finding the right SEO agency for your business can be a daunting task, as there are many companies on the market that claim to be experts in this field. However, not all of these companies are equal in terms of their knowledge and expertise. To ensure that you partner with a reputable and effective SEO agency, it’s important to do your research and proceed with caution.
Below are some tips to help you choose the right SEO agency for your business (and by all means, put us to the test!).
Define your SEO goals
Before choosing an SEO agency, it’s important to clearly define your SEO goals and determine what services you will need to achieve them. Doing so, this will help you identify the agencies that are best equipped to support your business and its unique needs.
Here are some key factors to consider when defining your SEO goals:
- Determine whether you need a new website or if you can improve your current site’s SEO. If you need a new website, consider an agency that offers both website design and SEO services, as this can save time and money.
- Consider the type of content you will need for your site. If you’re creating a new website, you will likely need to create new content, so look for an agency that offers content creation services.
- Determine whether you need both on-page and off-page SEO. On-page SEO involves optimising your website’s content and structure, while off-page SEO involves building backlinks and improving your site’s reputation and authority. Both are important for a successful SEO campaign.
- Identify any additional services that you may need, such as local SEO, mobile optimisation or conversion rate optimisation and look for an agency that can provide these services.
By defining your SEO goals and considering these factors, you will be better positioned to choose an SEO agency that can fully support your business and help you achieve your goals.
Gather all the relevant information
Once you have defined your SEO goals and identified potential agencies, it’s important to gather all the relevant information about each company to make an informed decision. In today’s digital age, there are many ways to research an agency’s reputation and track record, including online reviews, case studies, and customer testimonials.
Here are some tips for gathering relevant information about an SEO agency:
- Check review platforms and websites that provide unbiased information about the agency. These can include industry-specific forums, review websites, and social media platforms.
- Read the most recent reviews and pay attention to common themes or patterns that emerge. While it’s normal for some customers to be more difficult to please, persistent negative feedback can be a red flag.
- Look for case studies and testimonials that showcase the agency’s success in delivering results for their clients. These can provide valuable insight into the agency’s approach and capabilities.
- Request information from the agency directly. A good SEO agency will be happy to provide you with any additional information you need to make a decision, such as their portfolio, pricing, and services offered.
By gathering all the relevant information about an SEO agency, you can make an informed decision and choose the best partner for your business.
Identify their techniques
Next, after gathering information about an SEO agency, it’s important to identify the techniques and metrics they use to track and measure success. This will help you understand how the agency approaches SEO and ensure that they are focusing on the right things.
Here are some key techniques and metrics to look for when evaluating an SEO agency:
- Ask the agency to provide examples of work they have done for clients in a similar industry or ranking niche. This can give you insight into their approach and the results they have achieved.
- Look for an agency that tracks and measures a wide range of metrics, including keyword rankings, revenue and/or leads, organic traffic, backlinks and their quality, bounce rates, pages per session, and average page loading time.
- Pay attention to metrics that are directly related to your business goals, such as revenue and leads. An agency that only focuses on keyword rankings and traffic may not be as effective at achieving your actual business goals.
- Ask about the agency’s approach to tracking and measuring the success of their work. A good agency will have a thorough and customized approach to tracking and reporting, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
By identifying the techniques and metrics used by an SEO agency, you can make sure you find a partner that’s the best fit for you.
Have a call
After researching potential SEO agencies and identifying the techniques and metrics they use, it’s important to have a call or meeting with agencies on your shortlist to discuss your campaign and goals in more detail. This will give you the opportunity to get to know the team and ask any questions you may have.
Here are some tips for having a successful call or meeting with an SEO agency:
- Prepare a list of questions in advance. This can help you get the most out of the call and ensure that you have all the information you need to make a decision.
- Consider your preferred communication style and format. If you prefer face-to-face meetings, you can schedule a visit to the agency’s office. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a video call may be a safer and more convenient option.
- Be open and honest about your business goals and expectations. This will help the agency understand your needs and tailor their approach to your specific requirements.
- Take notes during the call or meeting to capture key points and information. This can help you refer back to the conversation later and make a more informed decision.
By having a call or meeting with an SEO agency, you can learn more about their approach, meet their team and determine if they are the right fit for your business. After all, SEO is a long-term strategy so you’ll likely be working with this agency for a while!
Be clear about the budget
When choosing an SEO agency, it’s important to be clear about your budget and the level of investment you are willing to make. The more competitive your ranking niche and the more intensive your campaign needs to be, the more budget you will need to achieve your desired results.
Here are some key considerations when it comes to budget and choosing an SEO agency:
- Understand that SEO is a long-term investment. While it’s natural to want quick results, it’s important to remember that SEO is a process that takes time and consistent effort to achieve lasting success.
- Be wary of companies that promise quick and easy results at a low budget. These companies may use unethical or short-term tactics, known as “black hat” techniques, that can actually harm your search engine rankings and lead to penalties or even removal from a search engine’s index.
- Consider the level of competition in your ranking niche. If you are in a highly competitive industry, you may need to invest in a more experienced and specialised SEO agency that has a proven track record of success in difficult campaigns.
- Communicate your budget clearly and openly with the agency. This will help them understand your expectations and tailor their approach to your specific needs and budget.
By being clear about your budget and the level of investment you are willing to make, agencies can, in turn, provide more information about what’s right for your business and its goals.
Watch out for SEO guarantees
When choosing an SEO agency, it’s important to be aware of companies that make unrealistic or impossible promises, such as guarantees of specific rankings or rapid results. While an experienced and reputable SEO agency can provide valuable insights and projections based on their expertise, there is no way to precisely predict organic rankings.
Here are some key reasons why guarantees of specific rankings are not possible:
- Search engine algorithms are constantly changing. Google and other search engines regularly update their algorithms to improve the quality and relevance of search results. This means that the factors that influence your rankings can change over time, making it impossible to guarantee a specific position.
- There are many factors that influence search engine rankings. In addition to on-page and off-page SEO, factors such as user behavior, competition, and the overall search landscape can impact your rankings.
- Guarantees of specific rankings are often used as a marketing tactic to attract customers. However, these guarantees are often impossible to fulfil and can lead to disappointment and frustration.
By being aware of SEO guarantees and the factors that influence rankings, you can avoid companies that make unrealistic promises and choose an SEO agency that is transparent and honest about their approach and expectations.
Think beyond SEO
While improving your search engine rankings is an important goal of SEO, it’s also important to think beyond this and consider the broader benefits and impact of an effective SEO strategy. A good SEO agency will focus on driving revenue and conversions, improving your user experience, and providing value and support to your business.
Here are some key reasons why you should think beyond SEO and consider the broader impact of an effective SEO strategy:
- SEO can drive revenue and conversions. By improving your search engine visibility and ranking, you can attract more potential customers to your website and increase the likelihood of sales and conversions.
- SEO can improve your user experience. By optimizing your website’s content and structure, you can make it easier for users to find the information they need and improve their overall experience on your site.
- SEO can provide value and support to your business. A good SEO agency will work closely with you to understand your business goals and needs and provide expert advice and support to help you achieve your goals.
By considering the broader impact of SEO and choosing an agency that focuses on driving revenue and improving your user experience, you can maximise the benefits of SEO for your business.
Summary
In conclusion, SEO is an essential investment for any online business. By improving your search engine rankings and visibility, you can attract more potential customers and drive revenue and conversions. However, finding the right SEO agency can be challenging, as you want to work with a team of knowledgeable and experienced experts who are committed to your success.
Here’s a summary of the steps we’ve covered when choosing the right SEO agency for your business:
- Define your SEO goals and determine the services you need to achieve them.
- Gather information about potential agencies, including online reviews, case studies, and customer testimonials.
- Identify the techniques and metrics used by the agency to track and measure success.
- Have a call or meeting with the agency to discuss your campaign and goals in more detail.
- Be clear about your budget and the level of investment you are willing to make.
- Avoid companies that make unrealistic or impossible promises, such as guarantees of specific rankings.
- Consider the broader impact of SEO and choose an agency that focuses on driving revenue and improving your user experience.
By following these steps, you will find the right SEO agency for your specific goals, and we’d love you to consider us in your search. So, if you’d like to learn more about our services, give us a call.