There is no denying that SEO is an absolute necessity for businesses to succeed in the modern world. With over 80% of all clicks going to the organic search results and trillions of searches being done each year SEO is highly competitive.
As an SEO consultant with over 10 years experience working at some of the top SEO agencies in the world, here is some advice for what to look for when choosing an SEO agency. Here are 6 questions to consider when picking an SEO agency.
- Do they practice what the preach?
- Do they have experience in your industry?
- Do they already have multiple clients in your industry?
- Don’t get fooled by the logos in their sales pitch
- Don’t sign a 12 month contract or pay up front
- Great Employee to client ratio
What SEO related keywords does the SEO agency rank for?
I recommend using a tool like SEMrush or AHREFS to check on the SEO agencies SEO related keyword rankings. If the SEO agency has keywords that show big swings month in and month out that is concerning. Ideally, they would have a keyword portfolio that remains consistent and slowly grows each month. If they can’t rank for keywords themselves, why should you believe they can do it for you?
Here is a test you can use: The SEO agency will likely point out a few issues they discovered on your website. This is helpful. However, I recommend checking their website for the same or similar issues. Again, if they don’t optimize their own website, why would you believe they can do it for you?
Do they have experience in your industry?
If you’re looking to hire an SEO agency, it’s important to make sure that they have experience in your industry. This will ensure that they’re familiar with the latest trends and best practices for your particular industry, and that they can help you achieve your desired results.
When evaluating an SEO agency, be sure to ask about their experience in your industry. Find out how long they’ve been working in it, and what kinds of results they’ve been able to achieve for their clients. This will give you a good sense of whether they’re a good fit for your needs.
Does the SEO agency have a conflict of interest?
From that same perspective, you want to make sure the SEO agency doesn’t have a conflict of interest. Do they already have multiple businesses in your industry? Are they targeting the same keywords in the same markets?
Experience is great but make sure the SEO agency you pick has your website as a priority. You can also ask for a exclusivity clause.
Why the Logos they work with can be misleading
Almost every digital marketing agency in the world will have some pretty recognizable logos and brands in their portfolios but be sure to ask what they did specifically for those brands. Often times, they might not have actually done SEO for those agencies but did do some other sort of project. Pick an SEO agency that is transparent with you!
Avoid Long Term Commitments
Do not enter into a long term commitment with an SEO agency. Yes, SEO does take time to see the results you want but too many SEO agencies end up hiding behind a contract rather than doing the work month in and month out like you’d expect them too.
A truly great agency will not be afraid to work on smaller commitments and will enjoy earning your trust and therefore your business month in and month out.
Great Employee To Client Ratio
Communication is the #1 reason SEO campaigns take “longer than expected”. Communication break down can happen on the SEO agency or clients side but who’s at fault is the least of the issues. Find an SEO agency that communicates at the cadence that works best for you. In the same light, pick an SEO agency who will communicate in a way that you prefer whether that’s video call, phone call, email or a project management system.
To avoid communication break down, find an SEO agency that has a great employee to client ratio. The more eyes on your account the least likely something will get lost in communication.
If you’d like help in vetting an SEO vendor or agency please contact me, i’d love to help.
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