How to Choose an SEO Company
There are so many companies offering search engine optimization (SEO) services today that it can be daunting to pick the right one for your needs. As you may know, SEO is a long-term investment that can considerably impact your web presence in a positive or negative way, so you have to be careful with your choice.
Make sure to look into these five crucial points before hiring a particular SEO company:
Honesty
If a company is making fantastic promises, that’s a red flag. You want your SEO provider to be as honest and realistic as possible when discussing results. As SEO is an ongoing process, no one can guarantee high rankings since search algorithms being changed every now and then.
Experience
It’s wise to look at a company’s history when assessing its value. You will find lots of new and promising agencies that will eagerly take you business, but there’s no denying the advantage of working with seasoned experts. The more clients and industries they have worked with, the more knowledge and skills they have acquired in crafting and implementing the most effective SEO strategies.
Case Studies
Don’t be happy when an SEO agency tells you they have case studies – they should be more than glad to give you a look. These are proof of how they work and what they’re capable of, so be sure to go over them before proceeding.
Certifications
While SEO certifications do not exist per se, most reputable agencies do have standard Analytics and PPC certifications. The big three – Google, Yahoo and Bing – issue their own PPC certifications, which mainly prove that an SEO company has in-depth knowledge of their advertising platforms.
White Hat Only!
When considering a specific agency, let them explain the details of their strategy using common terminology. With an ethical company, you can expect satisfying and timely answers or responses to any questions or concerns you might have.
Good Reviews and Client References
The closest you can get to having an actual experience with an SEO company is reading reviews about it and talking to client references. When reading reviews though, stick to popular third-party websites (Angie’s List, Yelp, etc. And it the company refused to provide client references, be doubtful.
SEO is typically complex for people with limited know-how on the subject, but finding the right SEO company does get easier with a bit of research. Finally, make it a point to consider at least two or three different agencies and compare them so you can make a more informed choice. However, don’t just focus on pricing as there are many other important factors at play, including track record, customer support, and more.