How to Choose an SEO Company - 7 Things to Know

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has an important role in online success. It may be overwhelming, requiring the expertise of an experienced SEO company. Choosing the right one can improve your online presence and drive organic traffic to your website. 

However, with the large number of SEO companies competing for your attention, selecting the most suitable one can be a difficult task. 

How to choose the right SEO company? What are the key considerations and steps you should take when selecting an SEO company?

In this article, we will provide you with answers to these questions and help you make an informed decision that will propel your online success.

Now we will outline a few things to take that will help to find a good SEO company.

1. Setting Clear Goals

Firstly you have to define your goals and objectives.

Determine what you want to achieve through SEO:

• increase organic traffic

• improve  search engine rankings

• get more leads or sales

• improve your brand awareness

• increase the domain authority

• get more quality backlinks

Once you have clear goals, you can effectively communicate your requirements to potential SEO companies making the first step in finding a company that aligns with your needs.

2. Check the portfolio of an SEO Company

Look for an SEO company with a proven track record and experience in the industry. 

Check their portfolio and client testimonials to see examples of their work and the results they have achieved for other businesses. 

For example, if you work in the e-commerce sector, ask about their success in optimizing e-commerce websites and generating conversions.

For example, if a company has successfully increased organic traffic by 150% for an eCommerce client in the fashion industry, this will result in a significant increase in online sales and revenue.

Take the time to explore their portfolio seeking evidence of their ability to deliver tangible results. 

A reputable SEO company should have a diverse range of expertise, adaptable to different industries. However, it is important to ensure that they have experience working in your specific industry or niche as well. 

3. Consider the Team's Expertise

As it is known SEO covers different aspects such as:

• technical optimization

• content creation

• link building

• keyword research, and more. 

A competent SEO company should have a team of experts with diverse skills and knowledge in these areas including certified SEO specialists, content writers, and link-building experts, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all SEO aspects. 

Inquire about the qualifications, certifications, and experience of their team members. For instance, if you require content optimization, a team with expertise in content creation, keyword research, and on-page optimization will be invaluable. 

It is recommended to find out examples, case-studies of previous works that demonstrate how they increased organic website traffic, attracted high-quality leads, and achieved higher conversion rates by implementing successful SEO strategies in real-world scenarios.

4. Understand their SEO Approach

When you're considering hiring an SEO company, it's important to find one that values transparency. A good company will openly discuss its SEO strategies and methods with you. Beware of companies that make promises of overnight success or resort to shady tactics like keyword stuffing or buying links. These tactics may offer short-term gains, but they can ultimately damage your website's reputation in the long run.

Instead, look for companies that prioritize ethical SEO practices, often referred to as "white-hat" techniques. These are strategies that align with the guidelines set by search engines. Reputable companies will emphasize a range of important practices, including technical optimization, keyword research, content creation, link building, and analytics.

It's a good idea to ask for a thorough explanation of the company's approach and how they plan to tailor it to meet your specific needs. A reliable SEO company will be happy to provide you with these details and show you how their strategies will benefit your website's visibility and organic growth.

5. Communication and Reporting

Effective communication is very important when working with an SEO company.

It is good when the company:

• maintains open lines of communication

• promptly responds to your inquiries

• provides regular updates on your website's performance.

Ask about the reporting methods they use and how often you can expect to receive reports.

It would be helpful if the explanations provided to your questions were clear and easy to understand. Timely updates and transparent reporting are key indicators of their professionalism and dedication.

Pay attention to how the company communicates during the consultation or meeting. Do they actively listen to your needs and concerns? Are they able to explain their strategies and recommendations clearly? 

It is also important to take into account compatibility and cultural fit. Consider the company's work environment, team dynamics, and how they approach problem-solving. If their work culture is collaborative, adaptable, and aligns with your own, it will be easier to establish a productive working relationship.

Finding the right SEO partner is not just about their technical expertise but also about the synergy and compatibility between your two organizations.

6. Pricing

Cost should not be the only determining factor when selecting an SEO company. Therefore, it is important to consider your budget and the potential return on investment of hiring an SEO company.

It is better to avoid extremely cheap services as they may provide poor results. These companies may not have the expertise, resources, and commitment to deliver effective results. They might resort to questionable tactics or use outdated strategies that can affect your site's ranking in the long run. Investing in such services could end up costing you more in terms of lost opportunities and the need to repair any damage that is caused.

Instead, it is wiser to seek out an SEO company that offers a reasonable and transparent pricing structure. Such a company will be upfront about its costs and the value it can provide. They should be able to explain how their services align with your specific goals and demonstrate how they can contribute to driving positive returns.

To provide insights into the market trends, we conducted an analysis using data from Techbehemoths. Here is a diagram showcasing the percentage distribution of SEO companies worldwide based on their hourly rates.

Here are the findings:

• Companies with hourly rates below $30, make up 12% of the market. These companies provide budget-friendly options, making them suitable for businesses with limited financial resources.

• The majority, accounting for 21.3% of SEO companies, fall within the $30-70 hourly rate range. This range strikes a balance between affordability and quality, offering a reasonable option for businesses.

• The largest segment, comprising 44.2% of SEO companies, falls within the $70-150 hourly rate range. Companies in this range typically offer comprehensive SEO solutions and possess a higher level of expertise.

• For businesses seeking top-tier expertise and a more comprehensive SEO strategy, the $150-250 hourly rate range is relevant. Companies within this bracket represent 12.3% of the market.

• At the premium end, only 1.2% of SEO companies charge hourly rates exceeding $250. These companies cater to large enterprises with extensive SEO requirements.

By understanding the distribution of SEO companies across these hourly rate ranges, businesses can make informed decisions based on their specific needs and budget considerations.

Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring an SEO Agency

This being said let’s highlight questions to ask before you hire an SEO agency.  That will help to find a good SEO company that will get traffic to your site.

• Can you provide an example of a website you improved in terms of SEO, what were the organic traffic improvements? Compare the last six months to the six months before and you can get a clear idea of how much traffic they actually achieved with their SEO.

• Do they specialize in your industry verticals? There are a lot of people specializing in certain things, like SEO for lawyers, SEO for E-commerce, and SEO for real estate. While it's true that the principles of SEO  are basically the same for 85 % of the different verticals out there, it’s always best to deal with somebody who had experience in your particular domain.

• Do they guarantee rankings? The answer you should look for is “No’’. If they say that you are going to rank nr 1, run away from them because Google and the rest of the search engines change their ranking algorithms about 500 times a year. So a guarantee for an Nr 1 position is a bad sign because nobody can really predict it. Sometimes becoming nr 1 takes a lot of effort, but sometimes it might be really easy but it should never be that somebody guarantees you.

• Who is going to be actually on my SEO campaign? It is good to know who is going to handle the day to day your SEO. Is it going to be an Intern or somebody who has experience in that? It's good to know.

• When you are choosing an SEO agency, sit down with them: Do they give you good vibes? Do they seem like somebody that you can trust? If it feels like you can do good work together, then that agency probably should be on your shortlist of ones to consider.

Conclusion

So, choosing the right SEO company can be challenging, but at the same time game-changer for your online success.

By defining your goals, assessing experience, understanding their approach, emphasizing communication, considering expertise, and evaluating pricing, you can make an informed decision. 

If you're in search of a reliable and effective SEO service, Tech Behemoths is worth considering. 

Take the time to research, gather references, and make a choice that will drive your website's visibility, organic traffic, and overall online success.