When you set out to find the right SEO company to help you with your search engine optimization enhancements, it can seem a little daunting. And justifiably so! There’s a lot to consider, and a lot at stake when you start putting your time, energy, money, and your business on the line.

Household chores might even sound more fun than vetting a SEO business. Fortunately, though, the 7 tips below will streamline the process and help you make the right decision when you’re searching for SEO assistance.

1. Know your budget

One of the first things you should do before reaching out to a SEO company is identify your budget. You need to know how much money you’re working with in order to find SEO assistance that matches what you’re willing to pay.

Companies and consultants will offer their services in a wide spectrum of pricing, and some will offer them in a hourly/monthly/yearly/or project based agreement. Finding the right fit will help you stay successful in the long term.

2. Cheap isn’t always better

When you’re thinking about your budget, just remember that in SEO less doesn’t usually mean more. If you decide to save money and go cheap when looking for SEO help, there’s a good chance you’ll regret it.

The companies offering their services for $49-$300 are generally using black hat SEO techniques that will damage any good rankings you currently have. The old saying, “you get what you pay for” may be a little cliché, but it really couldn’t be truer in the world of SEO.

3. Be wary of guarantees

The only guarantee in SEO, is that nothing is a guarantee. (The clichés are hitting hard today!)

Too often shady and untrustworthy companies will try to sucker clients in with flashy numbers and hefty promises that they can’t keep. The best SEO companies know and understand that nothing is guaranteed in this business, and that quality improvements take time.

You should run in the other direction if you find a SEO firm guaranteeing any of the following:

• “10 keywords will be ranked #1 within 6 months!”
• “300 backlinks in the first 30 days!”
• “200% increase in organic search traffic in just one month!”

Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, well, that’s because it is.

4. Every good SEO has a strategy

No qualified SEO veteran will go into a project without a plan. While every company is different, if you ask them what their initial strategy is when they earn a new client they should say something like this:

• “First we’ll begin with a top-down audit to evaluate your site and identify any areas that need refinement. Then we’ll move forward, tackling any weaknesses we may find, such as metadata, header tags, link building, content creation, etc.”

5. Updated and informed

Communication is key in any business relationship, and SEO is no exception. Ask them how they intend on keeping you informed throughout the process and the kind of reports they’ll be sending over. Every SEO company will be different, but they should be contacting you either bi-weekly/monthly/quarterly/etc. and the reports they use should contain insightful information regarding the changes happening to your website.

Also, be sure to check and see if there will be a project manager who will be the liaison between you and the SEO team. Having one main contact person is a huge help when working with another business.

6. SEO Experience

While vetting SEO companies, be sure to ask about their experience and successes. A qualified SEO company will have a background with proven results. They should be able to share some examples of their work and talk you through how they optimize websites. Consider it a big warning sign if they don’t have any experience in the field.

7. Self Help

Lastly, prior to reaching out to firms and freelancers for SEO assistance, and before you make any final decisions, do some of your own research. (You’re already on the right track if you’re here reading this post. Great job!) You don’t have to become an overnight expert, but it’ll help you avoid being scammed by some black hat SEO ‘expert’ if you become familiar with how a qualified SEO veteran will work with you.

Comment below or tweet us if you have any question about finding the right SEO company. We’ll be more than happy to help!

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