Tips and Tricks for Finding the Best SEO Company
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical component to the success of your company. But not all SEO providers and services are created equal. It’s important to ensure that your website is handled by experts who can implement top-notch marketing strategies that can drive qualified traffic.
Here at Brown Bag Marketing, we believe that an SEO company should be like an extension of your team. So we suggest that you pick a company that is not only experienced but is also familiar with your line of business—and is good at communication.
When picking an SEO company, don’t be in a hurry. You may end up with a company that’s “green” in your industry. Instead, take your time and compare many companies. This way, you’ll be able to identify the best SEO agency based on your needs and goals.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best SEO company for your business.
1. Get to know the people behind the company
Every SEO company has a team of professionals behind it. It’s a good idea to learn about the qualifications of the company, particularly those who are on the SEO team.
Once you have the names of those on the SEO team, search for them on LinkedIn to get to know them better. Look into their academic and professional qualifications, their employment histories and their years of experience in internet marketing and SEO.
There’s a possibility that you may find someone in their networks who can also provide you with more information about them. If you are not satisfied with their qualifications, you’ll have no reason to hire the company.
2. Learn about services offered and specialties
The best SEO companies specialize in certain industries. Before you hire an SEO company, visit their website to see if they specialize in your line of business. Check if they have any case studies relevant to you.
Also, look at the services they offer. Do they only concentrate on SEO, or are there other services they offer? The leading SEO agencies offer complementary services such as web design, social media management and other digital marketing services. They also are able to provide quality content to generate more leads.
3. Seek company references (client testimonials)
Another way of assessing the capability of an SEO company is to ask for their references. Find out about the websites they are currently working on as well as past references. Do some research to find out how these websites are performing now. Consider contacting the owners of these websites and ask them about their experience with the company you are considering. If the references are honest, they’ll give all the information you need.
You can ask the references what they liked or disliked about the SEO company, what they think the company needs to improve on and whether they would recommend the company to you or if they have better options. This background check will provide you with strong reasons to hire or to reject the company.
4. Look at company reviews
One of the best ways to rate the performance of an SEO company is to look at their reviews. Not all reviews will be positive, but after reading a good sample you should be able to come up with a fair opinion about the company.
Visit review sites like Facebook and Google, or the websites of digital agency portfolios such as UpCity, Clutch and Design Rush. These websites have reviews and detailed information about many SEO companies.
No company is perfect. You may find a few negative reviews here and there, but this should not stop you from picking a company. A company you should avoid is one with many negative reviews and unresolved complaints.
5. Compare packages and fees
An SEO company may have different packages at different price levels. Find out which packages are available, what services are in each package and what you’ll be expected to pay for them. When choosing an SEO company, don’t always go for the cheapest. Remember that you get what you pay for. Likewise, high fees don’t always translate to high-quality service.
What’s important is to get a high-quality service at an affordable price. Ask about the charges before you transact anything with the company. Do they have hidden charges? The best SEO companies are transparent in their pricing and will hide nothing from you.
6. Research the ethics of the company
An SEO company must have professional ethics that guide how they conduct their business. Integrity and ethics are crucial when selecting an SEO company. If the company’s employees seem to be disconnected from its mission and vision, or they lack a strong grasp of the spirit of the company, it will be impossible for them to offer exemplary customer service.
The best SEO companies usually assign specific SEO experts to particular clients. This enhances communication and ensures that each customer is assigned a professional who understands their needs. Find out who will be assigned to you, the core values of the company and their code of ethics.
When you follow the above tips, you’ll increase your odds of finding the right SEO company that will help you achieve your marketing goals.
Once you’ve chosen a company, be sure to schedule a meeting with them to iron out issues before you sign a contract. Also, follow them on social media so you can easily ask them questions.
If you’re looking for a results-driven SEO company that puts their clients first, reach out to our experts at Brown Bag Marketing today.
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