As a small business owner, tapping into the ever-complicated world of Search Engine Optimization and digital marketing is frightening. But, it is must for improving your online visibility and growth of business. However, with so many SEO companies out there, it becomes much more challenging. This detailed blog article is here to help you out and gives you professional tips regarding how to choose the best SEO agency.

While pricing is undoubtedly an important factor when it comes to choose one, it’s not the only thing that matters. You want to work with a company that not only fits your budget but also understands your business goals and can deliver results. In this article, we will explore some factors to consider when choosing an SEO company and how to evaluate the quotes you have received. By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of how to make an informed decision which best suits your business needs.

What to do when SEO companies come back with dramatically different pricing?

It is a common thing that is faced by every business owner. It is because they don’t understand the very nature of SEO offerings. It’s important to remember that the cost can vary based on several factors, including the company’s experience, the scope of the project, and the specific strategies and techniques they plan to implement. 

First of all, you should do your due-diligence and research how much work is involved with the said agency. This should give you a clearer idea as to the amount of resources necessary to achieve the desired results. Not only that, but you need to be realistic about what your individual goals are, how much work your website needs, and what steps a prospective agency will go to, to deliver.

For example, if you have an eCommerce website with hundreds of product pages and an SEO agency comes back with an incredibly low price that feels almost too good to be true, it more than likely is.

While on the other hand, if an agency comes back with a price that feels unusually high, you need to determine why that is. How much depth are they offering you in terms of onsite auditing? Are they able to justify why their prices are so different?

It’s essential to assess each proposal thoroughly to determine which one is the best fit for your business’s needs and budget. If you can’t get the information you need from either party, then you should think about moving on and looking for an alternative.

Look for the relevant trust signals

While price is clearly a very important factor when choosing an SEO company (especially as a small business with a limited budget), the primary factor you should be shopping around for is trust. Look out for the following trust signals and it can help you narrow down your search considerably:

Reputation:

The first step is to look for a reputable SEO agency. How much information can you find out about them online? Do they have plenty of ‘social proof’? What are their clients saying about them? How many positive, 5-star reviews do they have on Google and other social platforms? If you can’t seem to find anything online, skip them.

You should also check their testimonials and industry recognition. To check in more detail, look for the credentials and experience of the agency’s team members on LinkedIn, their website, or other professional networking sites. This can help you assess the agency’s expertise and whether they have the skills to deliver the services you need.

Results:

Another critical factor is the results that they have achieved. If they can provide you with a number of real-life case studies, you can rest assured that they are the real deal. Without any success stories to share with you, how can you be certain that a prospective SEO company can actually deliver on their assurances?

Also look for their GMB (Google My Business). It will showcase their clients. Also, ask for references from past clients. Reach out to those references and ask about their experience working with the agency, the results they achieved, and any areas for improvement. This will give you holistic picture.

Authority:

You should also take your time to explore the company’s website. Do they have a densely populated, well-optimized blog, filled with tonnes of authoritative information? If you visit it and there is a minimal amount of information, how can you be certain they know what they are talking about?

Use SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze the agency’s backlinks. Look for quality backlinks from authoritative websites, as this indicates that the agency is skilled at building links that improve search engine rankings.

Online Marketing Gurus are a great example of an SEO company that have plenty of trust signals. Any ‘SEO expert’ can talk a big game, but very few are able to back up their claims with hundreds of 5-star reviews and genuine success stories.

Conclusion: A Cheap SEO Company is Expensive

In conclusion, if you are faced with wildly different quotes, stop looking at the money and focus on reputation, results, and authority instead. If you can find an agency that has an overwhelming amount of positive support from their customers, then they are clearly doing something right.

Remember, it’s very easy to get wrapped up in cost. If you focus too much on finding ‘the best deals’, you can end up making costly mistakes. Cheap agencies will invariably end up costing you so much more than a more expensive agency with a reputation for delivering superior results. While it may be tempting to choose them to save money, it could end up costing you more in the long run.

A cheap SEO company typically offers low-cost services that promise quick results. However, these companies often use outdated or unethical tactics that can hurt your website’s ranking and reputation in the long run. These tactics, known as “black hat” SEO, can result in your website being penalized or even banned from search engines like Google. This can be disastrous for your business, as it can result in lost revenue, damage to your reputation, and even legal consequences.

On the other hand, a reputable company may charge more for their services, but they offer long-term benefits that are worth the investment. A good company will use proven, ethical tactics that comply with search engine guidelines and deliver sustainable results. They will also provide regular reports and updates to help you track your progress and make informed decisions about your online strategy.

So, do your due-diligence, ask the right questions, and look at SEO as an investment, rather than an expense.