One quick search on Google for the “best SEO agency,” and you’ll see thousands of results. But don’t take everything at face value.
Only a few live up to such a claim, and only one can probably do the job you want. To discover the right team, you should learn to sift through the noise and identify the qualities that make a great SEO agency.
1. The Right SEO Agency Understands Your Industry
Digital Authority Partners said that the pillars for SEO strategies are similar across agencies: create great content, build links, etc.
However, no industry (or even business) is alike. Therefore, your company doesn’t need a cookie-cutter approach and tactics for online promotion.
The best SEO agency should understand the needs and trends of your industry for many reasons:
- The team can adjust their strategies as your industry changes.
- They can help you target the right keywords to connect with your audience.
- The SEO team can develop content relevant to your industry and market.
- The agency can identify potential obstacles in the industry and use these as opportunities to rank higher in search engines.
But how do you know that the SEO firm knows your industry? Here are some questions you can ask:
- What industries do you have the most experience in?
- How have you helped companies in my sector improve their SEO?
- Can you share any case studies or success stories of working with companies in my niche?
SEO firm Florida teams can better execute their campaigns if they know the niche by heart.
2. They Should Have a Proven Track Record
Every business is different, so what works for others may not happen to yours. But it can give you peace of mind when you know that the team can do the job.
Besides a legitimate company background, a great SEO agency has an excellent success rate—and can prove it. These can include awards, recognition from well-known publications, and positive case studies from past clients.
They have testimonials you can verify and online reviews from actual people or companies. The best SEO firm doesn’t mind giving you referrals that you can check out.
Further, they’re happy to show you their reporting methods and how they measure success. This way, you can understand what goes on behind the scenes.
All these don’t mean you avoid working with new SEO companies. But you may need to look for more proof of their capabilities. For example, you may request a portfolio or a discovery call. You may also need to evaluate their performance after every milestone.
3. The Agency Should Be Up-To-Date with the Latest Trends
The SEO landscape changes rapidly. Google makes over 500 algorithm updates in a year, and new tools and trends are constantly emerging.
A great agency always looks for these changes to continue following best practices and avoid receiving penalties or lower rankings during major search engine changes. It also keeps tabs on new techniques to prevent getting stuck with old ones that only do more harm than good.
To know whether the SEO agency is knowledgeable about industry changes, you can ask:
- What changes in the SEO landscape have you noticed recently?
- How has your team adjusted your strategies because of these changes?
- What new trends are you excited to try out?
4. They Communicate with You Regularly (and Effectively)
Communication is one of the foundations of any online marketing campaign. The best SEO agency knows this by heart.
A great team sends regular updates or progress reports even if you don’t ask for them. They provide detailed information. The agency counts not only the wins but also the challenges because they want to be honest and transparent.
This SEO firm also collaborates with you. As the owner, they want you to take active participation in setting marketing goals and expectations. They want you to understand the strategies they apply so you can make sound decisions.
For this reason, they keep their explanations simple you don’t need a marketing degree to get what they mean. They encourage you to ask questions or share your concerns.
Lastly, the team sits down and discusses only realistic objectives with you. They also don’t make empty promises and guarantees they can’t keep. After all, great agencies know that SEO is an ongoing process with no shortcuts to the top.
5. A Great SEO Agency Offers Comprehensive Services
Ideally, you want to find an agency that offers a one-stop solution for all your SEO needs. This way, you don’t need to look for other vendors for other marketing initiatives.
The agency should at least offer the following services:
- Keyword Research—This service involves finding the best keywords to target for your website. The team will use various tools and methods to develop a list of relevant keywords.
- On-Page Optimization—It is a type of optimization performed on every page. These include optimizing your website’s title tags and meta descriptions, as well as creating informative and keyword-rich content.
- Off-Page Optimization—Sometimes known as link building, this type of optimization helps you get links from high-quality websites. This service is essential because links are one of the significant Google ranking factors.
- Local SEO—This optimization is for businesses that target a local audience. It helps you rank higher in local search results and get found by people in your area.
- Site Audit—It’s a process where the team analyzes your website to identify any issues holding you back. These can be duplicate content, broken links, and pages with thin content.
Some excellent agencies offer conversion rate optimization, voice search optimization, and ecommerce SEO services. Others also provide paid search, social media, and brand building.
Final Words
The right SEO strategies can do wonders for your business. It can help you attract more visitors, generate leads, and boost sales.
But you must partner with a great SEO agency to enjoy these benefits. So keep the criteria we listed in mind when looking for a team. And don’t forget to ask around for referrals.
Remember, the success of your SEO campaign depends on the agency you choose. So take your time and find the best team for the job.
