With more and more people buying online, having a strong digital presence is paramount. If your company isn’t showing up on search engines, that’s a huge percentage of business you’re missing out on!
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) works with keywords, algorithms and target audiences to generate traffic for your website. It increases your chances of showing up in an online search and bolsters your customer prospect base in the process!
If you want to boost your web traffic, you need SEO. Before you hit the search engines yourself, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for.
Sure, you could type in ‘Best Australian SEO agency’, but remember: these agencies are experts at getting noticed. Just because they’ve managed to optimize their own online presence, doesn’t mean they can do the same for yours.
Finding a local or national SEO company that suits your business doesn’t have to be exhausting. It’s just a question of compatibility. And like any compatibility test, it requires a series of questions!
Five questions you need to ask yourself
1. Can they meet my digital needs?
Think about it. Do you only need SEO? Or are you after a complete digital makeover?
SEO will usually focus on improving your ranking on search engines. However, generating hits won’t do much good if your website is uninviting. After all, you want them to come back!
Before focusing purely on SEOl, consider a digital marketing agency first. They’ll be able to assess which aspects of your online business need revamping.
2. Do they offer data tracking?
In order to meet your business’ unique needs, SEO companies must track and measure all its data. This helps them determine where you’re currently at, so they know which areas to focus on.
This includes:
- Phone calls
- Contact forms
- Site visit
- Click-through rates
A good SEO company will be able to walk you through this process without any stress involved!
3. How’s their feedback?
If you’ve found an SEO company and are considering enlisting their services, hit the search button! Websites like Facebook, Google and Yelp are a goldmine of reviews.
Also, ask the agency to provide you with case studies. They should refer you to current or former clients, so you can discuss their experience with them directly.
4. Do they offer consultations?
Transparency is crucial when it comes to business dealings. Before committing, you need a clear picture of what they can do for you – and how they plan on doing it. Are they able to answer your questions clearly and honestly, without confusing you or overselling their services?
A no-strings consultation will help you get to grips with the agency’s methods and business model.
If they aren’t offering in-person consultations, they should do so online or via a phone call.
5. What’s my budget?
Be sure to tackle this at the earliest possible opportunity. Knowing exactly how much money you have to invest in SEO before you start enquiring will save you time and money.
You could stumble across the most brilliant company around, plunge headfirst into proceedings…and get stuck with a bill you can’t afford to pay!
Most SEO companies will have a range of packages to choose from. If you’re upfront about your budget, they’ll be able to offer you a range of options.
In Conclusion
Hiring an SEO agency is a fantastic investment – but not necessarily a simple one. Finding the right fit for your business is the key to success.
The good news is: it doesn’t have to be difficult. Reputable companies (like Pearl Lemon for example) are usually happy to point you in the right direction – even if they can’t help themselves!