Hiring a search engine optimization (SEO) agency is a significant decision. The company will pay for the services offered. There should be a guarantee of receiving long-term results. There are several SEO agencies to choose from that are worth partnering with. Consider these guidelines before pursuing the services.
Ask for referrals
It’s better to work with an SEO agency that other small business owners referred. They have already tried the services, and they can attest to them. Most choices might seem credible on the surface. The only way to know if these agencies are worth it is through the perspective of previous clients. It’s even better if they’re from colleagues or friends since their recommendations are more reliable.
Knowledge of SEO processes
Another essential consideration is how much the agency knows about SEO. Work with agencies that can guarantee results. Set up an interview to determine the knowledge of SEO processes. Failure to provide a specific response is a red flag. It’s easy to give generic answers that seem right. When asked more questions, the answers should be satisfactory.
Transparency in reporting the results
Apart from knowing how SEO works, it’s also crucial to provide details on reporting the results. The company should know the progress of the marketing campaign. The lack of transparency makes it harder to work with the agency. Several metrics can track the effectiveness of the campaigns used. It includes the bounce rate, traffic rate, conversion rate, indexed pages, total clicks, and many others.
The agency should give detailed information on various metrics and analyze them. It helps in determining what else the company should do to attract attention. If the goal is to have a long-term partnership, it’s not enough to have one successful campaign. Analyzing the results is critical in maintaining the relationship. The agency should be there to improve the SEO campaigns based on previous performances.
Online reviews
Reviews are useful in getting a glimpse of how the other companies view the agency. Of course, not all reviews are factual and reliable. However, reading several reviews can give a better picture. Read as many reviews as possible before determining which agencies to include on the shortlist. It’s even better if these reviews contain specific evidence and anecdotes. It’s not enough to accuse an SEO agency of being terrible when there’s nothing to back it up. Many business owners believe that positive reviews helped them make up their minds.
Look at the websites of these SEO agencies
Another way to know if the SEO agency can guarantee results is by looking at its website. If these agencies managed to make their way to the top, they could do the same for other companies. However, if the agency doesn’t even appear on the top pages of Google after typing a keyword, it’s a bad sign.
If the company will request other services like web design or content writing, carefully examine these website’s elements. Again, the agency can only guarantee these services if they did a great job for themselves.
Don’t rely on “cheap” agencies
There’s nothing wrong with using the price as a standard in deciding whom to work with. Some agencies are more expensive. For small businesses with a limited profit, being cautious of the overhead expenses is necessary. However, it doesn’t mean that cheap options are the priority. They might offer a lower price, but they couldn’t guarantee quality results. Conversely, other agencies are confident to ask for a higher rate. They know that they can deliver. If the return on investment is significant enough, the company shouldn’t mind paying these agencies. Besides, the rate might include other services.
Local agencies are a good choice, but not the only choice
There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing local SEO agencies. It’s even better to work with them since they have a physical office nearby. They might be open to a face-to-face meeting. Some local agencies have years of experience. They also know how to target local audiences. However, they’re not the only choice. If the company wants to expand and include a bigger market, there are other options. Partnering with agencies that have experience in working with various states can be an advantage. They have more to offer to the company. Some of them might also consider traveling to meet with the business representatives. They won’t mind doing what the clients wish.
It can be challenging to create a shortlist. Don’t rush the process and wait until the perfect option comes along. The best part is there’s no need to have a long-term contract. The company can work on short projects first to determine if the partnership is heading in the right direction. If it did, the SEO agency is the right choice for future campaigns. It will be more comfortable to work with a loyal agency with proven results.