How to Choose an SEO Company
With the incredible amount of spam and disreputable companies circulating online, it can be frustrating and intimidating to find the right SEO agency for you. After all, SEO is a long-term investment and can really make or break your web presence depending on how the strategy is conducted, so do your due diligence before selecting a company to handle your SEO. We’ve outlined five things that you should be on the lookout for when considering SEO companies.
Realistic Offerings – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Look for companies who offer realistic results and don’t use guarantees. SEO is an ongoing process, and no one has the ability to guarantee rankings 100% since the search algorithms are beyond an agency’s control. Any promises for overnight rankings or guaranteed rankings should raise an immediate red flag.
Experience – It’s a good idea to look at how long the company has been in business. The length of time that a company has been up and running is indicative of their level of experience. Companies that have serviced many clients have experience in multiple industries and know what works and what doesn’t.
Case- Studies – Good SEO companies should not only have case studies readily on-hand but should be more than happy to show them to you. The case studies should highlight their work and give concrete examples of their performance, validating their expertise and skill. Case studies are a testament to the company’s ability to provide positive results, so make sure the companies you are considering are able to provide them for you.
Certifications – While there is not an ‘SEO certification’ per say, there are standard certifications that many of the legitimate agencies hold for Analytics and PPC. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all have their own certifications for PPC, and companies who hold these certifications have proven their knowledge of each search engine’s advertising platforms.
White-Hat Practices – Ask your agency what type of strategies they use and have them explain it to you in terms that you understand. Any strategies that seem manipulative or unethical should pose an immediate concern. Ethical companies will have no problem answering your questions and explaining the details of their strategy so that there are no qualms with their practices.
While SEO can be an intimidating subject if it is unfamiliar to you, it’s important to equip yourself with some basic knowledge and research your prospective SEO agencies wisely. If you have any questions about how to choose an SEO company, feel free to contact us.
Submitted by Erica Machin, Titan Growth