Your best efforts to promote your website and your business may have fallen to the wayside. You have reached an impasse and the only sensible way out of it is to hire an outside professional to handle the work. Thus, you want to turn to a search engine optimization (SEO) company, but you do not know where to begin. Let’s take a look at what you should seek in an SEO company and how to find one.
Your Needs
You have already determined that your SEO efforts need assistance and that is a good thing. The recognition, that is. Too many people are under the impression that they need to do the work themselves. Others realize that they need assistance and begin to look around at their options.
Determine first what your needs are before soliciting business. This can mean wanting more visitors to your website. A better response to the articles your have published. Content development.SEO training. Or any number of other things. Try to quantify where you want to go and an SEO company can help you get there.
Ask Around
The people you know may be able to give you some input on hiring an SEO company. After all, if they are facing the same challenges as you, then they may have already crossed the bridge and found a company they like.
You are in luck if you have three or four companies that are doing the job and the people who can vouch for them. Nevertheless, you need to perform due diligence and interview these companies directly. Then, rely upon the feedback from people you know to determine the right one for you.
Contact Your Business Association
Your local business association may be the best source for supplying SEO leads. Indeed, a few members may be SEO providers themselves.
Ask your association members how they approach SEO. You may find that some do the work entirely in house, while others hire a company for special projects only. If your needs are more ongoing, then find people that have used a company for at least six months. Their input can be valuable.
Shot in the Dark
Perhaps you have no customers, clients, or business associates that use an SEO company. In this case you will be taking a shot in the dark by searching for the best SEO agencies in your area.
You can turn up these people by performing a web search and studying the results. Find at least five companies in your area and begin reading their information. Toss out anyone who overly hypes their business. Read the customer testimonials and if names and contact information is supplied, then call these people.
Conduct Onsite Interviews
With at least three SEO companies in mind, begin to conduct interviews in a bid to find out what each company has to offer. But do not allow the SEO representative to dictate the conversation.You need to make your needs known above all.
Know that the SEO representative may try to sell you a package. A package can be ideal, but there is no one-size-fits-all deal. You need to have services that align with your needs. If you accept something extra, then that should be of your own doing.
Review the Contracts
After interviewing company representatives or consultants, you will receive proposals. Those proposals will outline your options and explain in detail the services offered. Compare each proposal and find the options that are best suited to your needs.
Before you select a company, have your attorney review your contract, especially if you will be spending $500 or more on your SEO campaign. Your attorney will review the contract to ensure that your rights are preserved, that you can cancel at any time or are not locked into an agreement that cannot be easily changed.
SEO Efforts
When you find an SEO company and begin to work with them, they will be a partner in your SEO efforts. A strong relationship will benefit your business and enable it to soar. Endeavor to keep the lines of communication open and you will have an SEO campaign you can be proud of.
