What to Look for When Hiring an SEO Agency for a Small Business
You can grow a small business with the help of the right SEO agency. Choose the wrong one though and you might end up setting things back for months…or years.
Why? Most small business owners don't understand what makes an incredible online marketing agency versus one that will completely waste their money and time. Instead of asking questions and learning how SEO works they get pitched into charismatic sales pitches with fancy reports and promises of unbeatable results. Months later they have nothing to show for it.
The good news is that hiring the right SEO partner can be simple when you know what to look for.
Here's what's covered:
Why small businesses need an SEO agency
Red flags that should send you running
What a great online marketing agency looks like
5 key questions to ask before signing anything
Why Small Businesses Need an SEO Agency
If you're a small business fighting for market share with bigger competitors…you need SEO. Without great SEO on your side… bigger brands with bigger budgets will take over search results every time.
Remember 53% of website traffic is generated from organic search. That's more than half of all Google users looking for products and services online everyday. If your business isn't ranking for relevant search terms with professional SEO behind it… you're literally leaving money on the table.
In big cities like San Jose (or anywhere with competitive local markets) SEO has become the new buying criteria. Ranking well means customers find your business before the competition. And SEO doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and professional know-how to see real results. The right agency will understand this.
What happens if you don't hire an agency? You try to figure it out yourself. Many small businesses end up wasting time trying to understand SEO. They waste money on inexperienced "contractors" and get nowhere. Then they start blaming SEO instead of marketers.
Don't fall into this trap. By hiring a quality SEO agency you're freeing up more time to do what you do best… running your business.
The Red Flags That Should Send You Running
Just like SEO agencies aren't created equal… some will do more harm than good to your rankings and reputation. Before you sign a contract with any SEO agency avoid jumping ship if they:
Guarantee #1 rankings on Google. Nobody can guarantee rankings, period. Search engines constantly update their algorithms so if someone tries selling you "100% guaranteed rankings" run… far away.
Aren't transparent. Willing to show you regular online marketing reports? Have open lines of communication? 48% of clients switch SEO agencies due to poor transparency and lack of reporting. That's red flag number 1 right there.
Charge really low prices. SEO isn't easy and anyone offering super cheap prices probably doesn't know what they're doing. Remember SEO technicians working out of their garage charging $19.95/month aren't your competition. Your competition offers brilliant SEO backed by knowledgeable experts.
Have a vague plan of attack. Gone are the days of one-size fits all SEO. Any decent online marketing agency will tell you exactly why they'll do the things they'll do for your business.
Oh and one more thing…
Avoid agencies that use black hat SEO tricks. Yes they can drive traffic but Google always catches on. Your website could be penalized by Google in weeks and it will have nothing to do with your SEO agency. You.
If they promise quick results with little effort then walk away. Good agencies take pride in playing by the rules.
What a Great Online Marketing Agency Looks Like
Wondering what sets a great SEO agency apart from a mediocre one?
Great online marketing agencies take the time to understand you, your business and the customers you want to reach. They work with you to build a tailored strategy specific to your brands goals. They don't sell cookie cutter SEO packages that look great on paper but don't apply to your business.
Some common things the best SEO agencies will provide:
Comprehensive SEO website audits that dig into your current rankings and spotlight areas for improvement.
Keyword research tailored to your brands industry, location, and market.
On page SEO strategies alongside off page link building tactics.
Monthly SEO reports that show rankings improvements and ROI.
Notice something missing from that list? Bullshit metrics like impressions and pageviews!
What matters to your business are real results. More organic visitors. More qualified leads. More closed sales.
SEO agencies that brag about their SEO audits aren't stuffing websites full of keywords and generating thousands of backlinks in shady forums. A great SEO agency cares about your website the same way you do and will build a customized strategy around YOUR goals.
5 Key Questions to Ask Before Signing Anything
Here are the tough questions you should be asking before signing any contracts with an SEO agency.
If they hesitate or fail to provide satisfactory answers… keep searching.
Can you provide examples from past clients that were similar to my small business?
What will you do specifically for my website?
How are you measuring success and how often will you report back?
What is the minimum contract period?
Who will work on my account?
Nobody likes talking about money but you should also ask about cost up front. Request a quote or price estimate before getting "locked into" any SEO services.
Each of these questions hold much more value than just getting a yes or no response. You should expect full transparency about estimated timelines, costs, and what you can expect from SEO. If they try dodging your questions or provide vague responses…move on to the next agency.
Oh and one more thing…Make sure you choose an agency that specializes in SEO for small businesses.
Some agencies only work with large enterprises. Some agencies focus on local SEO while others specialise in ecommerce stores. Find an agency with real experience in working with small businesses in your industry.
Again, client reviews can tell you a lot about an SEO agency. Take the time to search for their name online. What do clients have to say? Are the reviews legit? It only takes a few minutes and could save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Conclusion
Partnering with an SEO agency can be one of the best investments your growing small business will ever make. But don't trust just anybody.
SEO agencies that care about your brand will drive real organic traffic to your website. More traffic means more qualified leads and more sales. Create genuine brand awareness for years to come.
SEO agencies that don't understand your brand will promise you the world and deliver squat.
Here's the takeaway. Avoid red flags like agencies promising guaranteed rankings and monthly SEO reports full of made up junk metrics.
Talk to agencies that have proven SEO success with similar small businesses. Ask tough questions about timelines, pricing, and expectations before getting locked into any contracts.
Take your time finding the right SEO agency. Your online business depends on it!