You have finally realized that SEO is the holy grail for your website to not end in the deepest pit of online oblivion. Now, you’re fully convinced that you need more eyes on your website, and SEO is going to get you there. Since you are clearly a novice, you’re lost in a sea of SEO jargon. The question of how to choose a company for SEO feels like a howling choice, one that you can’t make no matter how hard you try. Yes, we have all been there; some decades ago (who stumbled upon SEO when things were simple), others are now starting. Since we have been there, let’s make this choice easier for you.
One thing you’d understand is that the days of shady backlink schemes and ineffective keyword stuffing are over. Any company that offers you this first up, that company’s name should be crossed with as much brute force as you might have.
With this piece of advice, let’s go through the process of how to come up with a company that would be a perfect fit for your SEO goals – your kryptonite-busting Robin, your SEO-powered Batmobile, your very own Justice League of online visibility.
Determine your goals before you choose a company for SEO
Yes, the first step in this process has to be taken by you, not the company. Your SEO goals could be anything between a full range of digital marketing services or just SEO. Knowing what you need from your SEO provider can help narrow down the options and make your search easier.
Generally, it is always a good idea to narrow down to the exact SEO problem which you need to address. For example, is your issue SERP visibility? Are you stuck on page 5 of Google? Is your website traffic as dry as the deserts in Nevada? Or you are getting a lot of visitors, but they are not buying anything. Maybe you are a local service provider and want to spread the word in the community.
All these issues have different solutions and require a different type of expertise. This nuanced analysis can help you find a company that has specific solutions, tailored to the issues you are facing.
What to look for when hiring an SEO company?
The search for the right company
Once you have identified the pain points, now is the time to look for solutions. But here’s a caveat: Don’t fall for empty promises and flashy websites. I mean, they are running a digital marketing company, so curating a flashy website isn’t really tough for them. But you must dig deeper. Check their case studies, client testimonials, and industry awards. Look for experience in your niche and a proven track record of success. You can read reviews on social media about them. If they have listed a client, reach out to them and ask about the service and results. A reliable agency should have no issues showing you their previous work and connecting you with their existing clients.
Arrange a consultation
The next part is to meet those to whom you are going to hand over the reins of your digital image. This is your chance to really gauge them to get peace of mind on whether they actually understand your issues and present viable solutions or not. In the consultation, you should ask them tough questions like their approach, target audience analysis, and the next part, reporting methods.
Here are a few points that should be thoroughly examined and clearly communicated during the consultation:
Experience: Ask the company about their track record in working with businesses similar to yours, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the outcomes they’ve achieved. This insight provides a glimpse into their industry expertise.
Strategy: Ask them about the strategy they would deploy to fix your SEO-related issue. Talk to them about the tools they use. Do they prioritize on-page optimization, link building, or technical SEO? Can they translate data into actionable insights? How do they identify relevant keywords? Do they use specialized tools or rely on intuition? Whatever strategy they propose, ensure that it adheres to ethical practices. Black-hat techniques may yield quick results, but they can lead to search engine penalties and a damaged online reputation.
Cost: Transparency about service costs is fundamental. Discuss pricing structures, potential additional costs, and the overall investment required. A clear understanding of the financial aspect helps avoid surprises down the road.
Timeline: Clearly set up a timeline for the project and desired results. Understanding when you can anticipate results is crucial for managing expectations and aligning your business goals with the proposed strategies.
One important aspect, which is rather intangible but must be considered, is the vibe factor. This is a professional agreement where one side is paying the other side for their services. But a big part of this transaction is communication and understanding each other. So, during the consultation, get a feel for the company’s communication style: Do they listen actively and answer your questions clearly? Do they communicate regularly and proactively? Are they incorporating your feedback or not? This is important if you’re wondering what to look for in an SEO company.
This consultation process is not about finding flaws but about assessing compatibility. The right SEO company should feel like a natural extension of your team, a partner in your quest for online dominance.
Pay attention to your gut feeling during interactions with potential SEO companies. If something feels off or if promises seem too good to be true, it’s crucial to trust your instincts.
Inquire about customization
Here is what Chuck Price, the Founder of Measurable SEO, has to say about SEO not being a one-size-fits-all all strategy:
Every business is unique, so your SEO strategy should be tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re focused on brand awareness, lead generation, e-commerce sales, or another goal, a customized SEO strategy can be designed to align with and support your specific business objectives. Say you want improvements to your e-commerce site; you’d know how to find an SEO company for website. For small businesses, this question boils down to how to select the best SEO company for small business.
So, customization and tailored solutions are key here. The level of competition in every industry varies, and your SEO strategy needs to be tailored accordingly. A customized approach considers the competitive landscape and identifies unique opportunities and challenges specific to your business.
Getting an answer to this question also solves budget issues since finance is a key factor in shaping your SEO strategy. A customized plan takes into account your budget constraints and allocates resources strategically to maximize the impact on the areas that matter most to your business goals.
Finally, a customized SEO strategy will align with and complement your overall marketing efforts. It will integrate seamlessly with other marketing channels, creating a cohesive and effective marketing strategy.
Ask about ongoing support
SEO is a journey, not a destination. Choose a partner who will walk beside you, celebrate your wins, and help you overcome any challenges along the way.
It is an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and adaptation to changing search engine algorithms, industry trends, and the competitive landscape. Continuous support is essential for maintaining visibility and achieving lasting results.
Understand how the company monitors the performance of your SEO campaign. Regular reporting and analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates are crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the strategy. Ask about the frequency and format of these reports.
Also, ask the company how they would respond to technical glitches like issues with website structure, mobile optimization, and page speed. These things require ongoing attention, and by clarifying these aspects, you ensure that the SEO company you choose is committed to the long-term success of your online presence and is equipped to adapt to the dynamic nature of the digital landscape.
Get multiple quotes
It might sound tedious, but you should not stop at doing this entire process once. You should carry out consultations with more than one company to really make an informed decision. The idea here is to reach out to multiple SEO companies and request detailed proposals. Ask for information about their services, strategies, timelines, and pricing structures. This will give you a clear overview of what each company is offering and do the cost and benefit analysis.
Once you have the details, compare the services offered by each company. Look for a comprehensive package that aligns with your goals. Since SEO companies may have different pricing models, such as hourly rates, monthly rates, or project-based pricing, understanding how each company charges for their services will determine which pricing model best fits your budget and needs.
Final Thoughts
This is pretty much all that’s there to help you find the perfect company to take away all your SEO woes. While the blog is about how to choose a company for SEO, here’s a word of advice for what comes next. Once you have entered an agreement, don’t be fidgety. Give the company ample time to implement its strategy. The goal here is to stay involved in the process and indulge in regular communication so that you know what is being done.
