How to Choose an SEO Company That Delivers Results

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Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for every business. Search engine optimization is the process of organically improving your website’s positioning in online search results. If you’re unsure of how to fully utilize SEO, or just want a professional opinion on your SEO practices, there are plenty of companies that specialize in implementing SEO strategies you could partner with. 

It’s important to know what to look for when choosing an SEO company to work with. You want a company that will deliver results, but how can you guarantee that? If you’re interested in learning more about how to choose an SEO company that delivers results, here are six tips that will help ensure the company you pick works for and with your company. 

Focus on Agencies That Specialize in Your Niche

Working with an agency that specializes in your niche will make your partnership worthwhile. Your niche is the portion of the market your company caters to. “You want to work with an SEO company that understands what SEO strategies work within your niche and what doesn’t,” says Sachs Marketing Group, a company that specializes in addiction treatment marketing

SEO professionals that work in a niche market will understand what will make your company stand out from the competition. By working with an SEO company that also has an active interest in your company’s niche offering, you’ll be ensuring a personalized experience rather than a cookie-cutter one. 

Research The Market 

You should always do market research before choosing an SEO company to work with. You’ll want to know the baseline cost of SEO services provided by the top companies within your niche. This will give you an estimate of the price of doing business with an SEO company and you can use it during negotiations. Try to work with a local SEO company if you can. You can meet with them in person and, if you run a local business, they’ll be more in tune with your geographic market. Meeting virtually is always an option of course; it depends on your team’s preference. 

Interview Multiple SEO Companies 

Interviewing multiple SEO companies is recommended before signing any contracts. Through these interviews, you’ll be able to ask questions that will help verify if your business and the SEO company will work well together. Some examples of questions to ask are, “How long have you been in business?” and “What’s your typical growth rate with companies you work with?” 

You’ll want to know the clients of your SEO company and what changed when they started working together. Ask to see their portfolios. Have a clear outline of what you’ll need from them during your time working together. The more questions, the better, as you’ll get more information to base your final decision upon. 

Look Into SEO Companies Reviews 

While some reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, if an SEO company has more negative reviews than positive you should be cautious about doing business with them. If there are only a few negative reviews, it’s smart to take note of them and bring them up during your interview process. Looking into an SEO company’s reviews can also give you insight into the positives of working with an SEO company. You can gain greater insight into their work and strategies. 

Understand Budget Restrictions

Your budget will dictate how long you can work with an SEO company and how much work you can expect from them. In the United States, on average SEO companies charge between $100 and $250. That means per month you could be spending between $2,500 and $10,000. 

Overseas companies tend to charge much less, averaging between $10 to $50 an hour, however they typically outsource their work to agents with limited SEO knowledge. You get what you pay for; it’s worth it to find a way to make your budget fit around working with a stellar SEO company. 

Suggest Running a Trial Period 

Some SEO companies offer trial periods within their contracts. In these cases, typically the first 14 days of service are free or at a discounted rate than their normal services. A trial period allows you to see the SEO company in action. During this period you can see how the SEO company plans to work for you and if their services are valuable to your company.

If the company you’re interested in doesn’t offer free trials, you could always suggest trying one out. They may be persuaded as it does show genuine interest in the company, as well as knowledge of the industry because you’re aware enough of other companies’ trial offers to ask for one of your own. 

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