You’ll need to take some particular preliminary actions to ensure you have the correct individuals working on your website to drive quality leads and adopt a smart marketing plan if you want to ensure your company’s success.
Think of an SEO firm as an extension of your own staff. You’ll want to make sure they’re a good fit not only because of their experience, but also because you’ll be communicating with them on a daily basis, and you’ll want to locate a team with whom you get along.
Let’s take a look at each of these points and provide you with questions to ask during your initial meetings with SEO firm contenders.
1. Examine the firm’s specializations and services
Look at an SEO company’s website to determine whether they specialize in any particular sector, area, or service line. They may discuss what to expect from each service as well as case studies.
The question you can Ask:
- Do you have any specialties in terms of services, locations, or industries?
- Do you provide services other than SEO?
2. Look up references and testimonials.
It’s crucial to look into what an SEO business has done in the past because, because SEO is such a subjective service, a customer can be dissatisfied if they don’t.
Collecting references is an important part of the research process when looking for an SEO firm. Inquire about the websites for which they have previously worked, and keep track of them. Make sure you do your homework and call a few former clients to ensure you’re getting the correct information.
The question you can Ask:
- What do you appreciate the best about this SEO firm?
- What is one area where you believe this SEO firm could improve?
- Have you previously dealt with any other SEO firms?
3. Examine their work and case studies.
Examine the specifics of what an SEO business has done for other clients before choosing them. You may get a basic sense of their style and the types of results their clients achieve by looking at their portfolio and case studies. You can also find out how they combine SEO with other services like pay-per-click (PPC), social media, and web design.
If the SEO company’s portfolio isn’t easily available on their website, you can consider asking them for one. This allows you to flip through the pages and see a real-life representation of what you’re getting. It will provide you with a concrete and visual representation of what an SEO strategy will include.
The question you can Ask:
- Could you perhaps offer us a few case studies that demonstrate your services, especially for a company like ours?
- What if, in a few months, I want to add PPC or social media services?
4. Look at the team’s and company’s ethics.
When it comes to choosing an SEO company, this may be one of the most significant elements to consider.
While LinkedIn may be your one-stop-shop for this information, it’s also a good idea to check their leadership team and SEO team members to learn more about their credentials. You may be connected to someone who works there, and you may contact them for further information about the company.
It’s worth noting that SEO firms can be organized in a variety of ways. For example, at Thrive, we allocate one SEO professional to each customer, who serves as both the project manager and the SEO specialist, to eliminate any miscommunication or confusion caused by having many primary contacts within the organization.
You may be more likely to work with a team that is engaged in the community and gives back, based on your basic values. You could like a management team that promotes a healthy work-life balance for its people. Whatever the case may be, it’s critical that the individuals at this SEO firm are a good fit for you and your organization.
SEO is also a service that may be approached in a variety of ways. You’ve probably heard of the terms “white hat” and “black hat,” right?
Make sure your SEO business adheres to a strict code of ethics because if they take shortcuts in order to rank your website higher, your website and online reputation could be jeopardized.
The question you can Ask:
- On my account, who will be working?
- What are your company’s core values?
- Do you adhere to an SEO code of conduct?
5. Read their blog and follow them on social media.
Take a look at their Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Read a few of their blog posts and sign up for their email newsletter. Because blogs and social media generally bring out the less formal tone of the business, this will give you an idea of their tone.
You may also gain insight into their knowledge and priorities by looking at the stuff they produce.
One thing to keep in mind is that an agency’s audience or followers are usually other people in the advertising and marketing profession. So don’t be surprised if the content doesn’t seem to be tailored to you.
6. Inquire about their rates and agreements.
Some agencies work on an hourly basis, while others will lock you into a 6-month contract.
Inquire about their rates and the expected deliverables for that price, just as you would with other sorts of contractors. You can check the pricing of other SEO firms to ensure that they are delivering a fair price.
You’d want to shop around to make sure you’re getting the greatest bargain for your money if you were getting landscaping done for your home or purchasing new technology equipment, right?
Similarly, when looking for digital marketing services, you should make some comparisons. Because pricing is such a crucial part of your decision-making process, it should be one of the first topics you ask during the first meeting.
However, you usually get what you pay for, so choosing the cheapest choice might not be the greatest decision for you. Consider organizations that will pay attention to and listen to your aims and ambitions. This is the type of information you’ll likely receive from other clients and staff during your talks.
Invest in an SEO firm that can provide you with a tailored service.
The question you can Ask:
- How much do you charge?
- Do I have to pay on a monthly basis or do I have to commit to a set number of months?
- What’s the procedure for terminating services?
If you’re looking for the best SEO company to assist you to achieve your online marketing goals, give Sotavento Medios a call.
