SEO professionals are coming out of the woodwork since COVID-19 started spreading globally. Your inbox probably has a few creeping in every few days with a generic mass email message “Your website isn’t ranking for the keywords it could be.”
Web designers have become SEO professionals overnight since there is such a big demand for a stronger online presence.
With so many options to choose from, how do choose an SEO company that’s right for your business?
The decision to invest in SEO services is undoubtedly a smart move when you’re interested in the growth of your company. It’s common for business owners to have some skepticism about hiring an SEO company.
If you aren’t familiar with a company’s work or they don’t have a lot of great reviews how can you really know whether your website is in good hands?
Here are a few pointers to get you in the know and put your mind at ease when seeking the help of an SEO professional.
Learn the basics
It’s difficult to feel good about making an investment in SEO services if you don’t quite grasp what is being done for you.
Ultimately you’re paying to have your site generate more leads and ultimately more revenue for your business. How do you compare companies without understanding how to evaluate their process?
It’s important for your SEO company to understand your audience in order to create an effective SEO strategy. In the same respect, it’s important for you to understand how your SEO is planning on expanding that audience.
Learn the different ways that traffic is generated. Make sure you know the difference between paid and organic traffic. You should also have a clear understanding of the significance of local SEO and how that plays into your strategy.
If you don’t see the return immediately does that mean your SEO company isn’t doing the right things for your site?
It’s generally understood that SEO is a long-term strategy. The content that is published needs to educate, convince and convert visitors into clients. This process of guiding a visitor from learning about your company to making a purchase can sometimes be a long cycle.
Have a realistic expectation of the time it takes to optimize your site, publish content and build an audience. The general timeline to realize the full effects of SEO is approximately six to nine months. Some sites might be less time and some might take more depending on their current stage of development
The truth is that you should be aware of what the goals are for your site and how they will improve your business. Have a general idea of what is needed for your site and how it needs to be developed.
When you talk to an SEO company you can get a feel for whether they are offering you an SEO strategy that makes sense for your business.
Speak to a few consultants
Investing in the future of your business is an important decision that requires some research to find the best fit for your company. Every SEO Consultant will be glad to talk to you about your site and what they can do for your business.
Get a second and third opinion to make sure you’re getting an accurate evaluation on your website. Talking to a few SEO professionals will help you understand more about the recommended strategy-which should fairly similar if you’re talking to the right people.
A few consultations will also help you get a feel for whom you would be working with and how they are able to break down your strategy.
If you ever have questions, you want to be sure that the person you’re working with has the ability to help you understand what’s happening with your site.
Ask other businesses for a referral
It goes without saying that a referral can be the most valuable insight you have into an SEO company. Ask someone who has experienced success with SEO services for the name of their provider.
If a business owner is able to confidently recommend their SEO, it’s a great sign that the company benign referred to is reputable.
Shop the top-ranked companies on Google
If you’re looking for a company that can get you to the top of Google, why not shop for companies that already rank for top SEO keywords. If the company is ranking on the first page for terms that include SEO, it’s obvious they are able to get the job done.
Read through top-ranked websites to understand each companies process. Many times companies will offer case studies as an insight into how they achieved specific goals for a client.
Finding a company that is well versed in your industry could be the key ingredient for a perfect match.
Research specialized directories and review sites
Clutch.co is an example of a directory and review site that analyses and reviews many different digital marketing companies. Find out which companies have the most reviews as well as what people are saying about each company.
Many companies specialize in specific areas that may or may not apply to your business. Take your research to another level by targeting the SEO companies that fit the needs of your business.
Don’t limit yourself by distance
SEO is not bound by any borders or city limits. Whether your business is a few miles from your SEO company or a few thousand has no impact on the quality of work that is done to your website.
If you limit yourself by distance, you limit the number of companies that you could possibly work with.
If one of your competitors hires a highly SEO consultant Toronto and you’ve gone with a less effective Dallas SEO company, you’re going to lose in the long run.
SEO companies can overcome issues with distances by holding videoconferences. Zoom has become widely popular since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Some SEO consultants will even make a trip out to your business when necessary.
The truth is there isn’t any need for face-to-face interaction for a company to be highly effective in achieving results for your business.
Avoid cheap SEO companies
One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is hiring a cheap SEO company. SEO companies that are unrealistically inexpensive are most likely to under-deliver or worse, do damage to your website.
To get quality SEO results, you will need to pay someone who is qualified to get the work done. Small businesses can realistically expect to pay an average from $800-$2500 a month in SEO services.
The investment in a quality SEO company is always worth the return when your site is optimized to perform. The results are long-lasting and generate new clients and increased revenue.
Select the SEO Company that suits your needs
Find an SEO company that understands your business and makes a clear and understandable SEO strategy you can get behind. It may take a few tries but there are many reputable SEO companies to take your business to the next level.
Put in the time to research the industry and learn about the companies you’re considering for SEO services. With the right choice, the growth of your company is limitless.
