SEO is a massive part of any company’s digital marketing campaigns. Many big companies have in-house teams to support their SEO efforts. However, more Shopify brands outsource their SEO needs to an external agency. This article will discuss the best ways to find the right SEO agency for your needs. Read on!
Define Your Goals
Be clear about your goals before searching for the best SEO company. This helps narrow down the list of companies you can consider.
Think of your online presence. Which areas need work? How does your website perform in terms of SEO? Are you looking for a new strategy or simply want to consult and tweak your current strategy? These questions will help you understand what type of SEO agency suits your needs.
Gather References and Interview Past Clients
Once you have a shortlist of companies, check their past performance. Look into companies that have worked for businesses with similar needs to yours. Check their portfolio, case studies, awards, and client testimonials.
If you want, interview their past and current clients about their experience with the agency. Read in-depth reviews and testimonials to better understand your possible relationship with the vendor.
While at it, learn as much as possible about their SEO process, how their teams are managed, and how they report progress and results. Things such as how quickly they respond to calls or emails matter. The same is true for whether or not they assign a dedicated point of contact to their clients.
Determine Their SEO Techniques
To know if the company is as effective in SEO as they claim to be, ask them about the techniques they often use with its clients. If you can, ask for proof that those techniques are effective. Key SEO success metrics include:
- Rankings
- Leads and sales
- Organic traffic
- Keyword rankings
- Bounce rate
- Backlinks
- Pages per session
- Average page loading times
- Organic click-through rates (CTRs)
While the agency may not be able to provide all details because of confidentiality rules, you can ask for case studies that incorporate the metrics above in their results.
Visit the Company
When you’re almost sure about the vendor you want to pick, it’s time to visit the SEO agency’s office — if you can. Most SEO agencies these days have staff that operates remotely, but if you get the chance, it’s wise to meet them in person to gauge their company culture.
Virtual meetings are also viable. Work with your team and leaders and brainstorm questions you can ask the agency. You can ask them about their business experience in your industry. Request a timeline of results, and ask for a breakdown of their SEO costs.
You can use the visit to forge connections with the entire team. If the agency is a good fit, you should be able to relate to and understand one another from the get-go. Successfully doing this puts your teams on the same page, saving you time and resources in the longer run.
Clarify Your Budget
SEO budgets vary, and they depend on your campaigns’ aggressiveness. Local SEO campaigns often cost hundreds of dollars, while national product campaigns cost thousands. The agency should come up with a strategy that not only fits your needs but also your budget.
It’s also best to determine whether you have the firepower to support your SEO campaigns in the long haul. Inquire about SEO packages that fit your budget. Remember, though, that SEO agencies that promise good results for ultra-cheap rates tend to be misleading in their strategies.
