When choosing an SEO agency, you want to ensure that you’re making a smart investment in your business’s digital presence. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways to enhance your website’s visibility, drive traffic, and ultimately increase revenue. However, not all SEO agencies are created equal. With so many agencies vying for your attention, how can you be sure you’re hiring the right one? Verifying the credibility of an SEO expert is crucial. It all begins with asking the right questions.
Below are 15 essential questions to ask an SEO agency before committing to work with them. These will help you assess their expertise, approach, and whether they’re a good fit for your business.
1. What is Your Approach to SEO?
SEO is a multifaceted field that encompasses various strategies and techniques. Some agencies may specialize in content-driven SEO, while others may focus heavily on technical aspects or link-building. It’s essential to ask the agency how they approach SEO and whether their philosophy aligns with your business goals. Additionally, having an SEO professional who stays updated with the latest industry trends and algorithm changes is crucial for adapting to the evolving SEO landscape.
A strong SEO strategy should address multiple dimensions, including:
- Technical SEO: Ensuring your site is well-structured for both users and search engines. This involves optimizing site speed, fixing crawl issues, and making sure your website is mobile-friendly.
- On-page SEO: Optimizing content, using appropriate keywords, refining meta tags, and ensuring a logical internal linking structure.
- Off-page SEO: Building high-quality backlinks and creating relationships with influencers or bloggers in your industry.
- Local SEO: If your business serves a local audience, it’s important that the agency understands how to optimize for local searches, including creating and optimizing Google My Business profiles.
- Content creation and optimization: Generating and enhancing content that ranks well and meets the needs of your target audience.
Ensure the agency takes a comprehensive approach that includes all these aspects, as focusing on just one or two may leave gaps in your overall strategy.
2. Can You Provide Case Studies or Client Success Stories?
One of the best ways to evaluate an SEO marketing company is by reviewing its track record. Client success stories and case studies can offer concrete proof of the agency’s effectiveness. Ask for examples of clients they have worked with, particularly in industries similar to yours, and inquire about the results the SEO team achieved.
A quality case study will showcase specific, measurable outcomes like:
- Increased organic traffic: How much has the client’s site traffic improved?
- Better keyword rankings: Did the agency help the client rank for competitive keywords?
- Conversions and revenue growth: Ultimately, has the SEO work translated into more leads, sales, or revenue?
Be wary of agencies that provide vague examples or can’t offer real data to back up their claims. Detailed case studies should include figures and timelines that show how their SEO strategies directly impacted the client’s bottom line.
3. How Do You Keep Up with Algorithm Changes?
Google and other search engines frequently update their algorithms, making it necessary for SEO agencies to stay updated on the latest changes. Ask the agency how they keep informed about algorithm updates and how they adapt their strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Search engines like Google change their algorithms frequently—sometimes multiple times per year. Agencies must stay informed about these updates to ensure their strategies are up-to-date. Look for an SEO agency that:
- Monitors industry-leading blogs: Sites like Search Engine Journal, Moz, and Google’s own webmaster blog are key sources for updates.
- Conducts ongoing research: A good agency won’t just wait for official announcements but will also conduct its own tests to see how algorithm updates affect rankings.
- Implements proactive strategies: The agency should have a plan in place to adapt to new algorithms and protect your rankings before they drop.
Staying updated with algorithm changes is crucial for achieving SEO success, as it ensures that strategies remain effective in improving rankings, traffic, leads, and revenue.
A forward-thinking agency will not only stay on top of updates but will also educate you on what these changes mean and how they can impact your business.
4. What Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Do You Track?
Measuring success is critical when it comes to SEO. Ask the agency what key performance indicators (KPIs) they will use to evaluate the effectiveness of your SEO campaign. KPIs provide valuable insight into how your site is performing and how well the SEO strategy is working.
Here are some of the most common and important KPIs:
- Organic traffic: This refers to the number of visitors who find your site through search engine results, excluding paid advertising. An increase in organic traffic is one of the primary goals of SEO.
- Keyword rankings: Monitoring how your target keywords are ranking in search engines can give you a sense of your SEO progress.
- Conversion rate: This metric shows how many visitors are taking the desired action on your site, whether it’s making a purchase, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter.
- Bounce rate: A high bounce rate (when users leave after viewing only one page) can indicate that your site isn’t meeting the expectations of visitors or isn’t optimized for the right keywords.
- Backlink profile: Keeping track of the quantity and quality of backlinks to your site is crucial. Backlinks are a major factor in how search engines rank pages.
A reputable SEO agency will offer regular reports that explain these metrics, how they impact your business, and any adjustments they are making to improve your results.
5. How Do You Approach Link Building?
Link building is a crucial element of any SEO strategy. However, not all links are created equal, and some link-building tactics can even result in penalties from Google. It’s important to ask the agency how they approach link building and whether they follow white-hat practices.
Effective link-building should focus on:
- Quality over quantity: It’s better to have a few high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative sites than hundreds of low-quality links.
- Natural growth: Links should be earned through valuable content and relationships, not purchased or acquired through spammy tactics.
- Diversified sources: The agency should build links from a variety of sources, including industry-related blogs, news sites, and directories.
- Avoiding black-hat tactics: These include practices like buying links or using link farms, which can harm your site’s rankings in the long term.
A good SEO agency will explain its link-building strategy and how the company plans to acquire high-quality links that improve your site’s authority and ranking.
6. Do You Have Experience in Our Industry?
While not mandatory, hiring an SEO agency that has experience in your industry can give you an advantage. Different industries have unique challenges and nuances when it comes to SEO, and a team that has worked with businesses like yours will already have a better understanding of what works. A reputable SEO marketing agency will avoid conflicts of interest and may recommend alternatives if they are already aligned with a competing business.
Key benefits of working with an industry-experienced agency include:
- Faster ramp-up: Since they already understand your industry, they’ll be able to dive into strategy and execution more quickly.
- Relevant keyword knowledge: They will have already conducted research on which keywords perform best in your industry and can apply that knowledge to your campaign.
- Competitor insights: They’ll likely have insight into your competitors’ SEO tactics and can use that to your advantage.
Even if they don’t have direct experience in your industry, ask how they plan to approach it and what research they will conduct to ensure your SEO strategy is effective.
7. What SEO Tools Do You Use?
The tools an agency uses are a reflection of its expertise and approach. SEO requires detailed data analysis, and a quality agency will have a toolkit that includes industry-leading software. Ask what tools the agency uses for:
- Keyword research: Tools like Semrush or Ahrefs help identify valuable keyword opportunities.
- Competitor analysis: These same tools can be used to see what your competitors are doing well and where your website could improve.
- Technical SEO audits: Tools like Screaming Frog and Google Search Console help identify technical issues such as broken links, site speed problems, and crawl errors.
- Rank tracking: Software like Moz or SerpStat helps keep track of your rankings for specific keywords over time.
- Backlink analysis: Understanding the quality and source of your backlinks is crucial, and tools like Majestic and Ahrefs are perfect for that.
If the agency isn’t using modern, well-regarded tools, it may not be able to provide the comprehensive analysis needed to improve your SEO efforts.
8. What Will Be Our Level of Involvement?
SEO is not a passive service where you hand off everything and wait for results. It’s essential to know what your level of involvement will be. Ask the agency what they expect from you during the process. For example:
- Will you need to provide content or approve it before it goes live?
- How often will you meet to discuss progress?
- Will you need to give them access to your CMS or hosting provider?
Understanding the expectations on both sides will ensure that communication is clear and that you’re both working towards the same goals.
Additionally, make sure to clarify who will own the content and backlinks once the campaign is over. Some agencies retain ownership of the assets they create, which can cause issues down the line if you decide to part ways.
9. How Long Will It Take to See Results?
SEO is a long-term strategy, and results can take time to materialize. It’s important to ask the agency how long they anticipate it will take to see noticeable improvements in your rankings and traffic. Keep in mind that while some improvements may be seen within a few months, significant results often take 6 months to a year.
Factors that influence the timeline include:
- Your website’s current state: If your website already has a solid foundation, you may see results faster.
- The competitiveness of your industry: More competitive industries require more time and effort to see results.
- The scope of your SEO efforts: Are you targeting highly competitive keywords or going after long-tail, less competitive terms?
Beware of agencies that promise immediate results or guaranteed rankings. SEO is a long game, and while progress can be tracked along the way, success requires patience and persistence.
10. How Do You Ensure Transparency in Your Work?
Transparency is crucial when working with an SEO agency. You need to know what actions they are taking on your website, why they are taking them, and how those actions are affecting your overall performance. Make sure the agency has a process for keeping you informed.
Key elements of transparency include:
- Regular reports: The agency should provide monthly or bi-weekly reports that detail your site’s performance, including changes in traffic, keyword rankings, and conversions.
- Open communication: How often will you have meetings or calls to discuss your campaign? A good agency will schedule regular check-ins to ensure that you’re aware of their progress.
- Access to tools: Some agencies give their clients access to tools like Google Analytics or Google Search Console so they can monitor performance in real-time.
Clear and honest communication will help you feel confident in the work being done and ensure that there are no surprises.
11. How Do You Conduct SEO Audits and Ongoing Optimization?
An SEO audit is a comprehensive analysis of your website’s current performance and is crucial for identifying areas that need improvement. Ask the agency how they conduct SEO audits and what ongoing optimization looks like after the audit is complete.
A thorough SEO audit should cover:
- Technical SEO: Identifying issues such as broken links, crawl errors, and slow page speed.
- On-page SEO: Evaluating your website’s content, keyword usage, and internal linking structure.
- Competitor analysis: Comparing your website’s performance to your competitors’ to identify areas where you can gain an edge.
- Backlink analysis: Checking the quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to your website.
After the audit, the agency should implement the findings and continuously optimize your website to ensure it stays competitive in search engine rankings.
12. How Will You Approach Keyword Research and Selection for Our Business?
Keyword research is a cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. It involves identifying the terms and phrases that potential customers use when searching for products or services like yours. A well-executed keyword research plan can significantly enhance your website’s visibility and drive targeted traffic.
Our approach to keyword research is both comprehensive and tailored to your specific business needs. We utilize a combination of industry-leading tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush to analyze your website, industry trends, and competitors. This multi-faceted analysis helps us identify gaps and opportunities that can be leveraged to improve your search engine rankings.
Key elements of our keyword research process include:
- Understanding Your Business Goals: We start by gaining a deep understanding of your business objectives and target audience. This ensures that our keyword strategy aligns with your overall business goals.
- Identifying High-Traffic Keywords: Using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs, we identify keywords that have high search volumes and are relevant to your business.
- Analyzing Competitors: We examine your competitors’ keyword strategies to identify opportunities where you can outrank them.
- Focusing on Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords often have lower competition and higher conversion rates. We prioritize these to help you attract more qualified traffic.
- Technical SEO Analysis: We conduct a thorough analysis of your website’s content, structure, and technical SEO to identify areas for improvement.
Our keyword research will culminate in a comprehensive report that includes a list of relevant and high-traffic keywords, an analysis of your competitors’ keyword strategies, and actionable recommendations for on-page optimization and content creation. This ensures that your SEO efforts are both strategic and effective.
13. What is Your Approach to On-Page Optimization and Content Creation for SEO?
On-page optimization and content creation are critical components of a robust SEO strategy. They ensure that your website is not only search engine-friendly but also provides a great user experience. Our approach to on-page optimization involves a meticulous analysis of your website’s structure, content, and technical SEO to identify areas for improvement.
Our on-page optimization services include:
- Keyword Research and Optimization: We ensure that your content is optimized for the right keywords, enhancing its visibility in search engine results.
- Meta Tag Optimization: This includes optimizing title tags, description tags, and other meta elements to improve click-through rates.
- Header Tag Optimization: Proper use of H1, H2, and H3 tags helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content.
- Content Optimization: We focus on content length, keyword density, and overall quality to ensure that your content is both engaging and SEO-friendly.
- Image Optimization: This includes adding alt tags and descriptions to images, which helps improve your site’s accessibility and search engine rankings.
- Internal Linking and Anchor Text Optimization: Effective internal linking helps distribute page authority and improves user navigation.
- Mobile-Friendliness and Page Speed Optimization: Ensuring your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly is crucial for both user experience and search engine rankings.
In addition to on-page optimization, our content creation services are designed to provide high-quality, engaging, and optimized content that drives traffic and conversions. These services include:
- Blog Post Creation and Optimization: Regularly updated blog content can help attract and retain visitors.
- Article Creation and Optimization: Well-researched articles can establish your authority in your industry.
- Product Description Creation and Optimization: Optimized product descriptions can improve your e-commerce site’s visibility and conversion rates.
- Landing Page Creation and Optimization: Effective landing pages can significantly enhance your lead generation efforts.
- Content Marketing Strategy Development: We work with you to develop a content marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience.
By combining on-page optimization with strategic content creation, we ensure that your website not only ranks well in search engines but also provides a valuable experience for your visitors.
14. What is Your Pricing Structure, and What Services are Included in Your Packages?
Understanding the pricing structure and what services are included in an SEO package is crucial for making an informed decision. An agency pricing structure should be designed to be transparent and flexible, catering to the diverse needs of different businesses. A range of packages should include a combination of essential SEO services and customization freedom.
Each package should be designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing the client to tailor the services to meet specific requirements.
15. Do You Have Experience with Local SEO and Optimizing for Local Search Results?
Local SEO is essential for businesses that rely on local customers. Optimizing for local search results can significantly enhance your visibility in local searches, driving more traffic and conversions from nearby customers. Our team has extensive experience in local SEO and has helped numerous businesses improve their local search visibility.
Our local SEO services include:
- Google My Business Optimization: We optimize your Google My Business profile to ensure it appears prominently in local search results and Google Maps.
- Local Citation Building and Management: We create and manage local citations to improve your business’s online presence and consistency across various platforms.
- Local Link Building and Outreach: Building local backlinks from reputable sources can enhance your site’s authority and local search rankings.
- Local Content Creation and Optimization: We create and optimize content that is relevant to your local audience, helping you connect with potential customers in your area.
- Local Technical SEO and Website Optimization: Ensuring your website is optimized for local search involves technical SEO elements such as schema markup, mobile-friendliness, and page speed.
We work closely with you to develop a local SEO strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience. Our comprehensive approach ensures that your business stands out in local search results, driving more traffic and conversions from local customers.
By addressing these critical aspects of local SEO, we help your business achieve greater visibility and success in your local market.
Work with Elevato for SEO Services
Hiring the right SEO agency is one of the most important decisions you can make for your business’s digital success. By asking these 15 key questions, you can ensure that you’re partnering with an agency that aligns with your goals, uses ethical and effective strategies, and has a proven track record of delivering results. Collaborating with SEO marketing companies can further enhance your SEO performance by providing them with relevant context about your business.
Elevato’s expert team of SEO professionals is here to guide you through the process, with customized strategies designed to meet your business’s unique needs. With a focus on transparency, proven methodologies, and data-driven results, we ensure your business not only ranks but thrives in the digital landscape.
Ready to take your SEO strategy to the next level? Schedule a free consultation today.