Member Article

Tips for Hiring the Best SEO Firm

When it comes to your business, you’re the expert. Nobody understands your products, services and customers like you do. But does this expertise also apply to your online presence?

In most cases, no. You need search engine optimization (SEO) experts in your corner in order to reach potential customers online. Only a full-time SEO specialist knows which techniques and strategies will work best for your brand.

There’s certainly no shortage of SEO professionals out there, but how do you know which agency will work best for you? Here’s a complete guide to hiring the right SEO experts to achieve your internet goals.

Why Hire an SEO Specialist?

These days, just about anyone can easily get a website up and running, but that’s simply not enough to reach potential customers. You need to optimize your site so search engines will find you. This is called search engine optimization, or SEO.

You want to generate organic traffic directly to your site. If your brand name is generally unknown, people aren’t going to necessarily search for your brand name specifically. Instead, they’re going to search for the product or service you provide, and the goal is for your site to show up at the top of Google when they do so.

SEO is comprised of a series of strategies designed to get your website to the top of the search results. Listings on the first page of results are far more likely to be clicked through. If you’re not on the first page, you’re not going to attract new customers.

There’s no one surefire SEO strategy. Instead, SEO agencies will develop a series of strategies designed around your specific brand. Depending on your product, audience and goals, SEO experts will develop specific campaigns based on thorough research around your website. Selecting the right agency is key to your success.

Here’s what to consider when selecting an SEO firm:

Determine Your Goals

The clearer your goals are, the easier you can measure their success. What do you want to accomplish and when do you want it accomplished by? Some examples include “a 20% sales increase in the next year,” or “a 50% increase in targeted leads during the next six months.”

Your goals can be a more general, too. Maybe you need help removing old links, improving your online reputation or conducting a pay-per-click campaign. When you have specific goals, your SEO agency will be able to deliver specific results. When vetting agencies to determine if they’re the right fit or not, ask for case studies or references of clients they’ve helped achieve similar goals with in the past. If an agency hasn’t been successful in attaining the types of goals you’re seeking, maybe they aren’t the best fit. The strategies some agencies rely on won’t work for some goals, so be picky and advocate for your interests at this phase. But, like we said,step one is going into your first meetings with your own goals in mind.

Shop Around

Almost every SEO firm offers a free consultation. Ideally, you want a firm that has some familiarity with your industry. But you’re also looking for a friendly, knowledgeable team you can reach whenever you need to.

Don’t limit yourself by geography. The right SEO agency for you might be located across the country from your business! This is especially true if your business is entirely virtual. If your website is connected to an online store, an SEO agency that knows the immediate area can be an asset. Just like you would when buying a car or purchasing a home, scoping out many agencies and eventually creating a short list is always a wise idea. Also, when an agency knows it’s competing against a few others on a short list, the more apt it is to show that their proof is in the pudding (as in, they’ve totally knocked similar projects out of the park and they are absolutely the best choice).

Ask for Testimonials and Case Studies

Case studies are a great way to see how an SEO agency makes decisions. Don’t forget to check out testimonials from satisfied customers, too. Most agencies will highlight their past accomplishments on their website and social media pages.

Don’t Focus Too Much on Design

A great looking website is, well, great. But most effective SEO strategies are under the hood. You can’t see them, per se; you can only measure the results. Design is important but technical know-how is what really increases conversions. When it comes to meta descriptions, canonical tags, user experience and more, you want to make sure an agency knows what it’s doing as a slight mess-up with any of those could be detrimental to a successful SEO strategy.

A Medium-sized Agency Is Usually Best

In terms of staff sizes, SEO agencies range from a staff of one to a staff of hundreds. A single-person agency can provide the most personalized attention, but resources are limited and turnaround time can be slow. A larger agency can have the opposite problems: You’ll get quick turnaround but not much personal customization or contact.

A medium-sized agency usually combines the best of both worlds: personalized service, quick turnaround times and creative flexibility. Look for a team of about 12 to 25 people.

The Right SEO Firm Makes All the Difference

Optimizing your website to connect with customers is an ongoing process. You want to develop a long-term relationship with the right SEO agency. Together, you can execute successful strategies for the future. Develop clear goals, compare agencies, and seek out an agency that understands your industry and is committed to your brand.

You understand your business. Working with experts in SEO is the best way to expand your brand’s reach online and start converting like never before. The tips above will help you find the best SEO firm for your needs.

Are you looking for an SEO firm to help your website grow and thrive? If you have any questions about how to find the best SEO agency for your needs, post them below!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Snap Agency .