For many small business owners, managing SEO can be a daunting task. It’s both technical and time-consuming — with better results if you have expertise. Yet, many people feel out of their depth hiring an agency. It’s hard to hold a vendor accountable if you don’t know much about the topic. That’s why we’ve created a roundup of best practices and standard tasks. If you’re considering hiring an SEO agency, here’s everything you need to know.

Common Pain Points of DIY SEO

Small business owners often face several challenges when attempting to tackle SEO on their own.

  • Lack of Expertise and Knowledge: SEO is a complex and ever-evolving field. Many business owners struggle to keep up with the latest trends, algorithms, and best practices.
  • Time Constraints: Running a business is time-consuming enough without the added burden of managing SEO. DIY SEO requires constant effort and attention, which can detract from other essential business operations.
  • Inconsistent Results: Without the right tools and strategies, achieving consistent results can be difficult. Many small business owners find themselves frustrated with the lack of visible progress.
  • Technical Challenges: SEO involves a variety of technical components such as website structure, mobile optimization, and page speed. These can be overwhelming for those without a technical background.

What to Ask For When Hiring SEO

When you’re talking to SEO agencies, the packages can be unclear or difficult to connect with outcomes. Below are a few key components of any SEO project.

A Site Audit

Before someone starts working on  your SEO, they should complete a site audit that summarizes the current state of your site. It should include details about technical, on-site, and offsite SEO. At the Shop Shop, our audit produces a multi-page report with notes on the following areas. Items are addressed by web page with summaries for each section.

  • Design and Content
  • Image display/size
  • Mobile Review/ Responsive review
  • Link testing
  • Proofreading content
  • Meta description
  • Page title
  • Internal link alt text
  • image alt text
  • image title text

We also include the following supplemental information to help assess the organic traffic on your website.

  • backlinks – top incoming links
  • traffic sources
  • top device use
  • top referral landing pages
  • top incoming keywords
  • top landing pages
  • Total page visits
  • Total pageviews
  • Average Pages per visit
  • New vs returning visitors
  • Bounce rate
  • Incoming traffic overview
  • Average keyword rank
  • Site Auditor – Visibility

This allows us to set benchmarks and compare the impact of SEO tasks.

Target Keywords

It’s common for people to say “we want to rank top of page” without actually defining the keywords they want to rank top of page for. Before you can determine your rank, you need to know which keywords are on that list. If you want to know which keywords you currently rank for, go to Google Search Console. It will show your current rank for any keywords Google for which ranks you. 

For our clients, we create a spreadsheet of all the keywords we plan to use when optimizing your site. We note your current rank, or if you don’t rank for them. We also note which ones have high competition and sort them by average monthly search volume. Most clients like us to help create this list for them. So, we research several sources, including:

  • Your website
  • Competitor websites
  • Google Trends
  • Google Keyword Planner

Then, we track your progress in ranking and improving the rank for each keyword as we work on your site.

A Budget that Fits

Finally, SEO tasks can be time consuming, expensive and are definitely more of a long term investment. Most work won’t showing results until 3 months with the actual payoff at 6 months or even a year later. Thankfully, SEO works well if you make small adjustments over time. You don’t need to commit to a huge project all at once. That’s why we offer SEO plans that start at a few hours a week.

If you’re working with an SEO agency, make sure the budget aligns with your long term goals.

How Hiring an SEO Agency Can Help

Bringing in an SEO agency can alleviate many of these pain points and offer several benefits:

  • Expertise and Experience: SEO agencies have teams of professionals who stay up-to-date with the latest industry changes. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring your SEO strategy is both current and effective.
  • Time Efficiency: By outsourcing SEO, business owners can focus on what they do best—running their business. Agencies handle the heavy lifting, allowing you to dedicate your time and energy to other critical areas.
  • Access to Advanced Tools and Resources: SEO agencies have access to cutting-edge tools and resources that can provide insights and analytics far beyond the average business owner’s reach.
  • Consistent and Measurable Results: With their expertise, agencies can deliver more consistent results. They often provide detailed reports and analytics, showing you exactly how your SEO strategy is performing.

Common Issues When Working with SEO Agencies

While hiring an SEO agency can be incredibly beneficial, it’s not without potential pitfalls. Here are some common issues and how to avoid them:

  • Lack of Communication: A common complaint is poor communication between the agency and the client. Ensure you choose an agency that prioritizes clear, regular communication and provides updates on progress and challenges.
  • Unrealistic Promises: Beware of agencies that guarantee specific results or rapid success. SEO is a long-term strategy, and no legitimate agency can promise instant results.
  • Hidden Costs: Before signing a contract, make sure you understand the full scope of services and costs involved. Clarify any potential additional charges upfront to avoid surprises.
  • One-Size-Fits-All Strategies: Each business is unique, and your SEO strategy should reflect that. Choose an agency that offers customized solutions tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Listen for these when you’re meeting with agencies to help you pick the right partnership.

Making the Right Choice

When selecting an SEO agency, take your time to research and evaluate potential partners. Ask for referrals, check reviews, and request case studies to understand their track record. A good SEO partnership can drive significant growth and success for your business, but it’s essential to choose wisely.

While managing SEO independently can be challenging and time-consuming, hiring an agency can provide the expertise, efficiency, and results your business needs to thrive online. By being aware of potential issues and choosing the right partner, you can navigate the world of SEO with confidence and success.

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