SEO is complex, time-consuming, and ever-changing. Finding an SEO provider to support your business goals can help you systematically improve your online marketing efforts. But how do you choose the right one? In this article, I’ll guide you through some of the top questions you should ask SEO agencies before hiring them.
Ready To Find an SEO Partner?
Download our ebook to get all the tools and templates you need to build a robust RFP process and find the perfect SEO partner.
The Right Fit: Questions To Ask SEO Agency About Experience and Approach
First, ascertain whether the SEO agency you choose is the right fit for your organization. Not all agencies are created equal, and you want to find one with experience working with companies of similar size, industry, and complexity.
1. What experience does your agency have working with organizations like mine?
Look for: Specific details about their experience with similar customers, including industries served and the duration of their engagements. Agencies with a strong track record in handling the complexities of enterprise SEO should be able to demonstrate their proficiency through examples or case studies.
2. Can you share examples of your work with companies similar to ours?
Look for: Case studies or project summaries that showcase their work with clients in similar industries or of similar size. These examples should highlight the SEO provider’s ability to understand and tackle industry-specific challenges effectively.
3. How will you align your SEO strategy with our overall marketing objectives?
Look for: A strategic approach that incorporates understanding your marketing objectives and integrating SEO to support these goals. The agency should describe a collaborative process for setting SEO goals that complement your overall marketing strategy.
4. How will you measure the impact of your SEO efforts on our business goals?
Look for: Clear metrics and KPIs tailored to your specific business objectives, such as lead generation, sales, or brand visibility. The SEO provider should explain how they use tools and analytics to track progress and how they report these findings to support transparency and accountability.
Staying Ahead: Navigating SEO Trends and Adaptability
To ensure your SEO partner is not just reactive but also proactive in adapting to the SEO landscape’s constant evolution, consider asking:
5. How does your agency stay informed about the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates?
Look for: An agency that mentions dedicated training, subscriptions to SEO publications, attendance at industry conferences, or internal knowledge-sharing sessions. This indicates a commitment to staying current and continuously improving their strategies.
6. Can you provide an example of how you’ve adjusted a customer’s strategy in response to a Google algorithm update?
Look for: Specific examples that detail the situation, the strategic pivot made, and the outcomes. This demonstrates the agency’s ability to respond effectively to changes in the SEO landscape.
7. What innovative SEO strategies are you exploring to keep your clients ahead of the curve?
Look for: Descriptions of experimental projects, pilot tests with new technologies, or the adoption of emerging SEO tactics. Agencies actively exploring new strategies show a forward-thinking approach that can benefit your business.
The Nitty-Gritty: Questions To Ask an SEO Company About Technical SEO
SEO isn’t just about keywords and content. There’s a whole technical side to it that can make or break your search rankings. For enterprise organizations, technical SEO can be especially complex, as websites are often larger and more complex. That’s why an agency that knows its way around the technical side of SEO is critical.
8. How does your agency approach technical SEO, and what steps will you take to identify whether our site is optimized for search engines?
Look for: A detailed explanation of their technical SEO audit process, including how they identify and prioritize issues such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and secure connections (HTTPS). The response should outline a clear plan for addressing these issues to enhance site performance and ranking.
9. How will you work with our web development team to implement technical SEO changes on our website?
Look for: Specific strategies for collaboration between the SEO agency and your web development team. This might include communication protocols, project management tools, and a process for testing and deploying changes. Effective collaboration ensures technical SEO recommendations are implemented accurately and efficiently.
10. What technical SEO tools and technologies do you use to track and report on SEO performance?
Look for: Mention of industry-standard SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Screamingfrog, Semrush, or Ahrefs for identifying issues and tracking website performance, keyword rankings, and other key metrics. The agency should also discuss how they use these tools to inform ongoing strategy and report to you with actionable insights.
Seamless Integration: Merging SEO with Your Content Strategy
The synergy between SEO and content strategy drives organic search traffic and engages users. Make sure your agency can effectively merge the two by asking:
11. How do you integrate keyword research with content creation to help our content meet both user intent and search engine criteria?
Look for: A detailed process that goes beyond simple keyword inclusion, focusing on content themes, user intent, and the strategic placement of keywords to enhance readability and engagement.
12. What is your process for optimizing existing content to improve rankings and user engagement?
Look for: A multi-faceted approach that includes user experience improvements, meta tag optimization, and content updates based on performance data, showing a comprehensive strategy for content optimization.
13. How will our content and SEO teams collaborate to identify and execute new content opportunities?
Look for: Clear communication practices, tools for collaboration, and regular strategy meetings. This keeps both teams aligned and allows them to collaborate effectively to create content supporting SEO goals.
14. Can you explain how you perform content gap analyses to guide our content strategy?
Look for: An approach that uses data and SEO insights to identify market opportunities and content gaps. The best agencies will detail how these insights inform content planning and execution, demonstrating a strategic, data-driven approach to content marketing.
Proving Your Worth: Questions To Ask an SEO Agency About Tracking and Reporting
SEO is all about results. You want to know that your investment is paying off and your website is ranking higher, getting more traffic, and generating more leads and revenue. That’s why tracking and reporting on SEO performance are critical. But not all agencies have the same level of transparency and communication when it comes to tracking and reporting.
15. What tools and technologies do you use to track and report on SEO performance?
Look for: The agency should mention the use of reputable SEO and analytics tools like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, Semrush, or proprietary tools. Their response should include how these tools are utilized to monitor various metrics, including traffic, rankings, and conversions. The detail in their answer will show their competence in leveraging technology for insightful analysis.
16. How does your agency measure the success of your SEO campaigns, and what metrics do you use to track progress?
Look for: A comprehensive approach to measuring success, detailing specific metrics such as organic traffic, search engine rankings, conversion rate, and return on investment (ROI). The best agencies will explain how these metrics align with your business objectives, showing a strategic understanding of SEO’s role in your overall marketing efforts.
17. How often will we receive updates on campaign performance, and what level of communication can we expect?
Look for: An agency should offer regular, scheduled updates that fit your needs, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. They should be willing to adjust the frequency of reports and meetings based on your preferences and the level of detail required. The mention of availability for ad-hoc discussions or strategy sessions indicates a commitment to open communication and partnership.
A Match Made in Rankings Heaven: Questions To Ask an SEO Agency About Collaboration
Collaboration is key to the success of your SEO strategy. You want an agency that will work closely with your internal teams to create a cohesive strategy that aligns with your broader marketing objectives.
18. How will you work with our content team to identify new opportunities for content creation that will support our SEO strategy?
Look for: The agency should describe a process of regular communication and strategy sessions with your content team to share insights, keyword research, and trends that can guide content development. Their answer should reflect a willingness to collaborate closely, indicating content initiatives are fully aligned with SEO goals.
19. How will you work with our web development team to implement technical SEO changes on the website?
Look for: Details on how they plan to coordinate with your web developers, including the use of project management tools, documentation, and a structured process for implementing and testing changes. This indicates they value a smooth, integrated approach to making technical SEO enhancements.
20. What processes and tools will you use to facilitate collaboration and clear communication throughout the project?
Look for: An emphasis on specific collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Asana) and regular update meetings or reports. The agency should highlight its commitment to transparency and keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged.
21. How will you integrate with our existing marketing workflows and processes, and what will the process for review and approval of SEO campaigns and content look like?
Look for: A flexible approach to adapting their workflow to fit within your existing processes, ensuring a seamless integration. They should mention mechanisms for review and feedback on SEO strategies and content, showing respect for your internal protocols and approval processes.
22. Will you provide training or support to my marketing and content teams to aid in understanding and contributing to the SEO strategy?
Look for: A commitment to offering your teams training sessions, workshops, or resources. This support should elevate your team’s SEO knowledge and skills, facilitating a more informed contribution to the strategy.
An Agency That Makes the Cut
Hiring a good SEO company can be a game-changer for your organization. But to make the most of your investment, you need to choose the right agency. By asking the right questions, you can find an agency with the experience, expertise, and approach to help you achieve your SEO goals.
Want to learn more about how we partner with companies to drive real results? Schedule a free SEO consultation today to learn more about our SEO services.
