We answer the frequently asked questions that will help you make the right choice when selecting an SEO agency efficiently.
SEO ranking has become a fundamental element for the success of any website or online store, which has led anyone who has a website to be interested in hiring the services of an SEO agency.
SEO is a discipline that improves the positioning of a website in search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing…), so as to appear in the top search positions. This way, the higher you appear, the more chances you'll have of attracting users and increasing your sales or subscribers.
Aware that it's an unknown discipline for many, below we'll explain how to choose an SEO agency properly, answering the main frequently asked questions users have. Take note!
What is SEO ranking?
SEO ranking or search engine positioning is a process through which the visibility of a website is improved, getting it to appear as high as possible in search results.
Better known as SEO, it's based on a practice that encompasses different techniques such as HTML code rewriting, generating valuable content, web architecture, web design and link profiles, linkbuilding techniques among others, with the goal of reaching the top positions in the main search engines.
The two most important factors a search engine relies on to rank a website are the authority and relevance of the page. By popularity we mean website popularity, while relevance is the relationship the page has with a specific search.
Likewise, SEO is divided into two large groups: On-page SEO and Off-page SEO. On page is all SEO actions taken within a website to favor its positioning in search engines.
Factors such as web analytics (Google analytics), optimization, improvement of UIX user experience among others are considered, while Off Page pays attention to factors external to the page, such as backlinks, presence on social media, brand authority, etc.
Why do you need an SEO agency?
Before hiring an SEO ranking agency, you must be clear about the expectations and results you want to achieve.
Keep in mind that SEO is a long-distance race, so if you're looking for immediate results and want to appear in just a few days in the top positions of Google, we're sorry to tell you that you won't find any web positioning agency that fits what you need.
And if you come across an SEO agency that does offer you these results, we recommend you discard it automatically, since that will mean it's not working cleanly (using black hat SEO techniques for example, techniques that work without a doubt but) that could put your website at risk, since the use of this kind of techniques is not recommended by Google.
A good SEO strategy requires time and effort, so when looking for an SEO company, stick with those that are realistic, and that don't offer any expectation without having first analyzed your website thoroughly.
How should an SEO agency's team look?
A quality web positioning agency must have a professional and specialized work team in the different areas to work on. So beyond having SEO specialists, it'll also be essential they have writers specialized in SEO content, web designers, programmers, analysts, CRO specialists, UX specialists, etc.
It's important that before hiring the company's services you look at their team and their way of working. We also recommend you speak directly with SEO specialists and even, if possible, with the head of the department, not with a salesperson. This way it'll be easier for you to know if they convey trust and security.
What's the way of working of a good SEO agency?
Each SEO agency will have its own way of working, but it's true that there are a series of characteristics that will serve to differentiate a serious, quality agency committed to the work.
After the first contact, the web positioning agency should speak to you clearly, explaining in detail each action to be performed so you can understand it correctly.
It'll offer you a personalized quote along with a strategy tailored to your project. A quality SEO agency shouldn't use generalized strategies, but create them based on your needs.
It'll maintain constant and fluid communication, so you can know how they're progressing and be aware of the actions they're carrying out. Likewise, it should issue a monthly report covering all actions performed, results obtained, and the strategy they'll follow during the coming months.
What services should an SEO agency offer?
A good positioning agency should offer you a series of comprehensive positioning services, through which they can improve the different areas of your project.
Below we leave you a list of the minimum services that a quality SEO agency should offer:
- Define company objectives.
- Study of the current situation.
- Keyword research.
- Define proper Information Architecture.
- Online content creation or content marketing
- Web optimization and design.
- SEO audits.
- Monitoring of results.
- Web analytics (Google Analytics).
- Linkbuilding strategy or link construction.
- Link profile analysis.
- Monthly SEO consulting.
- Monthly follow-up and meetings
- Reviews strategy.
What aspects will help you rule out an SEO agency
Once we've seen the points for choosing a quality search engine positioning agency, we'll now focus on the aspects that will help you rule out an SEO agency.
When they guarantee you the top position in search results:
If an SEO agency guarantees you the top position from day one, without even having analyzed your project, doubt it. Not even the best professionals in the sector can guarantee that you'll appear in the top results, since ranking depends on multiple factors, the main one Google.
Until they've studied your site thoroughly, analyzed improvement points and designed a strategy, it's impossible to determine how long they'll need to achieve results.
Lower prices than usual:
We all look for the best possible price, but if you come across an SEO agency that offers you a lower price than normal, doubt it. Cheap SEO doesn't work, and you can't expect good results at an excessively cheap price.
A good SEO strategy requires the work of different specialized professionals in the different areas and tools to carry out the marked actions and constant follow-up.
They charge you per keyword:
No quality SEO strategy will be focused solely on one keyword. Google has a very broad semantic interpretation, so people can reach our website through multiple different searches.
They offer you quality linkbuilding for free:
Offering you quality linkbuilding for free sounds great, but we're sorry to tell you it's not possible. In fact, if they offer you "quality" links for free, run from them! Since it's likely that your website will end up receiving spam links from pages of dubious origin that could lead you to be penalized.
They don't ask for analytics and search console access
You should also doubt those agencies that don't request your access to Google Analytics and Search Console, since these two tools provide a series of data that will be key to the success of the positioning strategy.
Both from Google, Analytics lets you analyze a website completely, checking traffic volume, its origin, conversion rates, etc.
On the other hand, Search Console lets you access very relevant information about a website in search engines, in addition to indicating important information for bot crawling, such as target country or audience type.
Nonexistent team of people
Many companies claim they have wide teams of professionals specialized in web positioning behind them, but then when it comes to working you realize it's not so, and it's the same person who handles the entire project.
As we said before, to rank a project it's key to have the work of specialized professionals in the different areas, and although it's true that the same person could handle it and achieve success, in no case is it the most recommended.
They can't show keywords they're ranking.
The SEO agency will tell you which keywords should be attacked to improve your project's visibility, but it's important that they show you the position of the selected KWs, to verify that they actually have competition in the search results.
Conclusion Choosing an SEO agency may seem complicated, especially if you're not too familiar with the SEO universe. These tips will help you choose and get it right, ruling out those agencies of dubious reputation.
Other aspects such as experience or references from other clients will also help you identify whether or not it's a serious quality SEO agency.
Related reading
- How to index your website on Google
- Ranking on Google: technique, content and authority
- Best SEO agency: real criteria
Shall we work together?
If you want to apply this in your company with a team that combines technical SEO, GEO and paid acquisition measured against the income statement, request a no-commitment audit. You can also check real case studies or read the public GEO baselines that Elevam Labs publishes every quarter.
