How To Hire the Right SEO Company for Your Business

You have your hands full managing your optimization in-house, but you don’t want to get wrapped up in the wrong partnership. A bad match can cost you time, money, and energy — and it’s not always easy to tell if an SEO agency will live up to its promises.

Maybe you feel the companies you’ve spoken with have all given you the same spiel. Or maybe you just don’t know where to start. Whatever the case, we’ve got some tips for finding your perfect fit.

Here’s what happens when you work with a properly vetted SEO agency:

?? You can shift your energies to growing other aspects of your business.

?? You won’t have to stay on top of ever-changing SEO trends.

?? You’ll get data-driven solutions.

?? You’ll see an increase in revenue.

Why Hire an SEO Company?

One of the greatest challenges for business owners is juggling multiple hats. Outsourcing your SEO means you have one less thing to be an expert in. When you hire an agency, you get access to a team of people specializing in different aspects of SEO.

You’ll also get access to advanced SEO tools and technologies that are cost-prohibitive for many businesses to purchase on their own. Together, these elements can enhance the strategies implemented for your business.

What Sets a Great SEO Company Apart?

There are certain characteristics that separate a remarkable SEO agency from an average one — the key is knowing what to look for.

?? Thoughtful Collaboration

Top-notch agencies can find the sweet spot at the intersection of search demand, users’ search intent, and SEO content. This approach requires thoughtful collaboration between customers and SEO specialists.

You should be on a first-name basis with a team of specialists who care about getting you the results.?

At Victorious, we give our customers a primary point of contact they can depend on, plus an extended team that’s up to speed on what’s happening with campaigns.

?? Complete Transparency

A great SEO partner is excited to tell you what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. Be on the lookout for an SEO provider who can dig into specific expectations to ensure everyone is on the same page.?

?? Goal-Driven Strategies

The only SEO metrics that matter are the ones connected to your bottom line. Your SEO partner should map every aspect of your campaign to a goal you’ve identified as important to your business.

How To Hire the Right SEO Partner

Once you’ve identified what sets a great SEO company apart, there are a few boxes you’ll want to check before going into your first discovery meeting.

?? Know Your Options

When it comes to outsourcing SEO, there are three basic options to choose from:

1. SEO Consultants: These are solopreneurs who assist businesses with SEO. While they’re sometimes available at a cheaper rate, they often look for ways to achieve “quick wins” for their clients at the expense of long-term, strategic success.
2. Integrated All-in-One Marketing Agencies: These companies are jack-of-all-trades, which can mean they only have a surface-level understanding of SEO.
3. Specialized SEO Agencies: An agency specializing in SEO that can bend and flex to support its customers and has the resources to engage in deep strategic work.

?? Outline Your Needs

Before you can communicate what you’re looking for to a potential SEO partner, build a crystal clear picture of your needs.

Ask yourself:

• What do you hope to achieve through your SEO partnership?
• What existing resources do you already have?
• What is your budget?
• How urgently do you need to improve your search engine rankings?

?? Submit a Request for Proposal

An RFP, or request for proposal, allows you to do a side-by-side comparison of what each agency has to offer for your business. It also increases the likelihood that agencies will tailor their proposals and plans to your specific needs.?

While creating your RFP, be sure to include a comprehensive outline of your needs, goals, roadblocks, and budget. Use our RFP template so you don’t have to build yours from scratch!

?Ask the Right Questions

Having the right questions in your toolbelt can help you properly vet an SEO agency the first time. If you know what to ask, it’s much harder for companies to hide behind smoke and mirrors.

Here are some of our favorite questions to bring up during vetting:

• “How will you align your SEO strategy with our overall marketing objectives?”
• “What innovative SEO strategies are you exploring to keep your clients ahead of the curve?”
• “How does your agency measure the success of your SEO campaigns, and what metrics do you use to track progress?”

You can read our complete list of 22 questions to ask an SEO agency here.

Filter out the noise and find the right SEO partner with our free RFP resources.