If you’re reading this article then there is a chance that you’re looking for a new SEO Agency to help your business. See our top ten tips on how to choose the right partner for you.
Search Engine Optimisation is forever changing and hiring an Agency to naturally grow traffic to your website can be arduous. You may be running a small business or a big brand. Graffiti’s team in our Warrington offices have put together a top ten list of things to look out for when choosing your next SEO agency.
1. Unsolicited emails.
Be wary of those sending spam emails offering SEO or any digital services. Lots of companies using this technique may not be genuine players and you’re most likely to identify this type of activity because of the scripted approach in the email. Throw them back in the bin.
2. There is no magic money tree. Results takes time.
Make sure that you avoid companies that clearly state that they have a special relationship with Google or can guarantee you that top spot. Getting your website ranking is a natural process through a range of different techniques and none of these are guaranteed to get you on to page one. Nobody can guarantee it and if they do, well see the earlier advice about the bin.
3. Avoid non-transparent Agencies.
SEO has some secretive players and you need to be careful of these. Make sure that when you choose your SEO Agency that you understand the strategy being used to achieve your natural growth. Can you visit their head office, do they offer a proposal?
4. Research, research some more and then research again
Spend time understanding the approach that the SEO company takes when attempting to gain you citation links through to your website or optimising the content itself. Make sure that any links gained are done organically or you might receive a harsh penalty coming your way. Even household names have been caught out from recent changes Google have delivered so stay well clear of unnatural approaches to SEO.
5. Ask for their approach.
Make sure that the SEO agency that you use offer a personalised plan for your business based on your business needs and your desired results. If they can’t appreciate or understand your business then how will they market you? Be wary of out of the box plans and packages and square pegs won’t fit a round hole.
6. SEO Reputation
Spend time researching the SEO Agency, what clients do they work with and what are their values. You may work with this agency for a long time so make sure that you will get along.
7. It’s a two way thing.
Make sure that you know what you’re looking for, the better specification of needs that you can provide to your SEO agency, the better chance that they will succeed with your needs. With the right brief a great SEO agency should be able to come up with a pitch that suits your needs.
8. Understand how your budget is being managed.
Get a checklist of work to be carried out each month from your SEO agency. A good agency can prove what they’re doing and when, make sure your budget is being used.
9. Ask for examples of Reporting.
Different SEO agencies report differently to others, get an example report from the agency that you speak with to see if that will work for you.
10. Google Best Practice Guidelines.
The Google Best Practice Guidelines are accessible to anyone online. Make sure that you understand the Best Practices before approaching any Agencies as this will help you to learn the do’s and don’ts and essentially how Google works.
