SEO is one of the most effective ways to amp up web traffic and in turn increase your bottom line. You also know that there are a lot of SEO agencies—some are legit and some are looking to make a quick buck. How can you ensure you hire a legit SEO agency that will get results by using honest and ethical tactics? It’s easy; just ask them these nine questions:
Q1: What’s your take on the latest Google updates?
Google comes out with updates all of the time, and the SEO agency you choose should be up to date on all of them. If they don’t know what’s going on with Google, how can they get you that number one spot on the SERPs? Be the first to know when algorithms change by following us on Twitter.
Q2: How much experience do you have with content marketing?
Speaking of Google updates, content now holds more power than ever before. That’s why many experts refer to content marketing as the new SEO. It’s crucial that the SEO agency you hire works with talented graphic designers, writers, and SEO experts so that you can post high-quality content on a regular basis.
Q3: Do you keep your SEO strategies a secret?
How are you supposed to know if an SEO agency is a good fit if you have no idea what strategies they use? The agency you choose should have an abundance of content published on their site that provides some insight into their methods. This will assure you that they know what they are talking about and they are working ethically.
Q4: How much involvement do you expect from me?
Yes, you are hiring an SEO agency to do your content marketing work for you, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be involved—after all, the SEO agency is an expert at SEO, not whatever your business is. You should always have a say in what is going on, and the SEO agency should give you insights into their methods whenever you ask.
Q5: Who are your clients and how long have they been with you?
If an SEO agency can direct you to several longstanding clients, it’s pretty safe to say they are using ethical techniques that actually get results. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have any clients for longer than a couple months.
Q6: What SEO tools do you use?
For efficient and effective SEO, some tools are necessary, like tools to track your ROI and research your target market. However, automation tools that build links or produce content are a big no-no and should never be used.
Q7: Do you guarantee a certain ranking on the SERPs?
If the answer is anything but no, you are working with a scammer. In fact, any guarantees of natural search rankings go against Google’s guidelines. Here is the quote directly from the horses mouth:
“No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee rankings, allege a “special relationship” with Google, or advertise a “priority submit” to Google. There is no priority submit for Google. In fact, the only way to submit a site to Google directly is through our Add URL page or by submitting a Sitemap and you can do this yourself at no cost whatsoever.” That being said, an SEO agency can guarantee your satisfaction, which is always a good thing to have.”
Q8: Do you know what the future of SEO holds?
While no one can predict the future with 100% certainty, a solid SEO agency should be able to give insight as to where the world of search marketing is going. That way, you can stay ahead of the curve instead of behind it.
Q9: What do you consider a successful campaign?
The world of SEO is all about increasing the natural traffic to your site, which is a slow and steady process. You may not see groundbreaking results overnight because that may not be the point. The SEO agency you choose should measure success by your standards – they should work to achieve specific company goals, instead of just ‘increased web traffic.’
In summary, the SEO agency you choose should be knowledgeable in all things Google related and transparent in their strategies, while allowing you to be involved as much or as little as you want. They should have a proven track record of satisfied clients, and they should be focused on the long-term results of their efforts.
So go ahead and ask us these questions. We think you will be pleased with the answers.
