Every year, businesses throughout the United States spend billions of dollars on search engine optimization (SEO) services. Are you interested in joining them and investing in your business’s online presence?
There are lots of reasons why you might consider working with an SEO company. But, it’s also important to do your research and make sure you’re hiring a company that offers legitimate, professional SEO services.
Read on to learn about some important dos and don’ts you ought to keep in mind when hiring an SEO company.
Benefits of Professional SEO Services
Why should you hire a professional SEO company? Can’t you just save some money by figuring this stuff out on your own?
Technically, the answer is yes. But, you might not actually be saving money by taking the DIY approach.
This is especially true if you don’t know much about SEO.
Think of all the time you’ll have to spend researching and studying? Wouldn’t that time be better spent focusing on other aspects of your business? How much revenue are you losing by wasting time researching SEO tips and trying to figure out how to optimize your website?
Additional Perks
In addition to saving you time and money, there are lots of other reasons you might want to invest in professional SEO services, including the following:
- Improve the quality of your website
- See results much faster than if you handled SEO yourself
- Gain access to other digital marketing services (blogging, web design, etc.)
- Gain more insight into your online presence and learn how you can improve your website content
When you work with an SEO company, you also get to utilize the latest techniques and technology, which are sure to help your business grow its online presence.
How to Hire the Right SEO Company
Are you interested in hiring an SEO company? Don’t just hire the first business that pops up in your search engine results.
Do some research to find the right company to help you grow your business and get it the recognition it deserves.
Listed below are some of the most important dos and don’ts of hiring an SEO company.
Do Think About Your Own Goals
Before you start searching for an SEO company, it’s important to take some time to figure out your own goals. What kind of goals do you want the company to help you accomplish?
Do you want to boost traffic? Bring in more traffic from a specific group?
Once you’ve defined your goals, you can figure out which company will help you accomplish them.
Don’t Settle for Google Rankings
It might seem like a good idea to pick the SEO company that ranks number one in your search engine rankings. But, the company that is at the top of the list isn’t always the best company.
The truth is, the best companies don’t need to pour a ton of energy and funds into boosting their search engine rankings because they already have plenty of clients.
Do Check Their References
Instead of focusing on search engine rankings, focus on the company’s references. References are a much better indicator of their work quality and reliability.
If a company won’t give you any references at all, then that’s a major red flag. Any company worth working with will have plenty of references and won’t have any qualms about sharing them with you.
Don’t Fall for Gimmicks
Some SEO companies seem great on paper. But, when you look closer, you’ll find that they’re all flash and no substance. Steer clear of businesses that guarantee a certain result or boast about the “special tools” that they use to help your business rank.
Do Request an SEO Audit
SEO companies perform SEO audits to help businesses figure out what they’re doing well and where they can improve when it comes to optimizing their site.
It’s a good idea to get an SEO audit from each company you’re considering hiring. Then, compare the audits and consider working with the company that provides you with the greatest amount of information.
Don’t Rush into Your Decision
An SEO company can be very helpful. But, you shouldn’t rush into your decision when you’re looking to hiring one. Take your time and do your research.
It might take a little longer to find the best company. But, it’s better to take your time than to hire the first company you find and end up regretting it later.
Do Avoid Long-Term Contracts
Be wary of a company that wants to lock you into a contract that’s longer than 12 months. They might do this so you can’t drop them when they don’t deliver the kind of services you’re looking for.
Remember, a good company won’t need to lock you in because they’re confident you’ll want to continue working with them.
Don’t Forget to Ask for a Consultation
It might be tempting to rely solely on the information available on a business’s website. But, you can learn a lot more if you sit down and talk to someone in-person or over the phone.
Do Ask the Right Questions
During your consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask about how they’ll help you accomplish your goals, ask about their reporting and communication process, and ask about how they troubleshoot when a specific approach doesn’t seem to be working.
Don’t Base Your Decision Solely on Price
Finally, remember that you get what you pay for. When it comes to hiring an SEO company, it’s typically best to avoid ones that offer dramatically low prices.
You don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for SEO services, but if a company’s prices are extremely low, you’ll probably get a subpar product.
Hire the Right SEO Company Today
Now that you know more about how to find the best professional SEO services, it’s time to start searching for the right company to help you optimize your website.
If your business is located in or around the Charlotte, North Carolina area, we’re here for you at North Lake Digital.
We offer a wide range of SEO services, along with web design, blogging, reputation management, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and find out how we can grow your business and improve your online presence.
