If you want to succeed in the online world, a solid SEO strategy is essential. Building search engine optimized content to attract new customers organically, however, takes a lot of time and effort. That’s why so many businesses are outsourcing to SEO agencies. With a huge number of SEO companies claiming they hold the secret to make you trend #1 in the google search results, how do you choose the right firm for you? Here’s the inside scoop on how to pick a good SEO company that will get you great results.
ClickGiant is a leading SEO agency serving clients nationwide. Get in touch today to request a free site audit.
Preparation is the Key to Success
When looking for a reliable SEO company, our number one tip is to do your research. Now, this doesn’t mean typing “best SEO companies,” “top-performing SEO companies,” or even “local SEO company” into the Google search bar. Instead, you should approach your search with a strategy. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start your search:
Define Your Business Goals
Determining your business goals before reaching out to an SEO company is essential. It’s like writing the outline for a research paper. The extra prep will set you up for success and make the overall process smoother in the long run.
What measurable results are you hoping to achieve by outsourcing your SEO? Some questions you should ask yourself during prep:
- Why do you want to pursue SEO over other growth tactics, such as paid ads?
- What areas of priority do you have from a business perspective?
What to Look for in a Good SEO Company
Identifying your business goals is the first step to building successful relationships. The next step is knowing what qualities to look for in a good SEO company. Here are some things to consider:
What Is Their Strategy?
An essential question you need to have answered is what strategy the agency is using. They shouldn’t have any issues walking you through it, providing data, portfolios, testimonials, or awards. After all, you should know what you’re paying for, and transparency is a good business practice. If they hesitate to discuss any strategy at all, that should be a concern.
You want an agency that focuses on “White-Hat” techniques. The foundation of their strategy should be on identifying the most valuable and viable keywords for your niche based on search volume and competition levels—then building out high quality content to target those keywords.
Have They Had Previous Successes?
Does the company showcase a portfolio of past projects on their website? Can they show you any real results? The best SEO companies will be able to walk you through some case studies and show you real results from real clients.
Add-On Services
What services does the agency provide? Will they only be updating meta information, or will they be drafting quality content as well? Can they help you to publish content to your site? Do they offer additional digital marketing services, like PPC, social media management, etc.?
Red Flags to Watch For
Now that you know what to look for, these are the red flags to watch for when choosing an SEO company:
Be Wary of Google Searches & Compiled Lists
Most of the companies competing for keywords involving “SEO company” or “SEO agency” are not going to be the best match. Additionally, many of the seeming “objective” lists are actually paid affiliate sites. SEO agencies pay to get those #1 spots on “best SEO company” lists. The truly successful SEO companies out there don’t need to rank for these keywords. They’ve earned their clientele through their reputation and performance.
Lack of Transparency and Clear Communication
If you’re unsure of who you’ll be working with, their pricing, or their SEO practices and strategy, then run for hills. These things should be considered common courtesy.
Avoid Black Hat SEO
If you’re unfamiliar with Black Hat SEO, it’s when companies execute practices that manipulate search engines into ranking your site’s content at an unnaturally rapid pace. It’s unethical and violates the search engine’s terms of service.
Common black hat practices to look out for include:
- Keyword Stuffing
- Paid Links
- Cloaking
- Link Farms or Private Blog Networks
- Poor Quality Content
- Sneaky Redirects
- Blog Comment Spam
Be Wary of Budget
If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Most businesses spend an average of $750-$2,000 per month on SEO services. More or less, and you may want to question what the company is actually providing.
The Perfect Match Is Out There
It’s common knowledge that search engines are competitive. With top ranked sites on google getting 95% of the clicks, you need to find a good SEO company that will work hard for you and get you results.
ClickGiant is a leading SEO agency serving clients nationwide. Get in touch today to request a free site audit.
