When choosing an SEO service provider, you have various options, including freelancers, consultants, agencies, and in-house teams. With numerous SEO services available, here are our recommendations based on 25+ years of experience:
Define Your SEO Goals Before committing to an SEO team, take time to clarify:
What your business aims to achieve
Your budget for SEO
Your level of involvement in managing SEO
By understanding your goals, budget, and responsibilities, you can create a list of criteria for selecting an SEO agency. This will streamline your search process, saving you time.
Look for Providers with Transparent Pricing, Deliverables, and Reporting Professional service providers should be transparent about their pricing, deliverables, and reporting. If a provider is reluctant to share this information, consider it a warning sign. Ensure they outline what they will do, when, and the associated costs.
Evaluate Providers with Case Studies, Reviews, and Certifications To avoid working with unverified SEO providers, focus on those with established track records. Look for case studies demonstrating their expertise and results, and check for certifications like being a Google Premier Partner, which signifies top performance.
Future-Proof Your Strategy with Comprehensive Marketing Solutions Most businesses use a variety of digital marketing strategies, including SEO, PPC, and social media. Choose SEO solutions that can integrate with or manage your broader marketing strategy. For example, BillboardOnline uses organic search traffic to support PPC remarketing campaigns and offers full-funnel marketing solutions.
Meet with Potential SEO Providers Arrange a meeting—whether via video call, phone call, or in person—to discuss with potential SEO providers. This will help you assess their communication style, SEO approach, and client experience. If a provider is unwilling to meet, reconsider working with them.