Questions to Ask Before Choosing an SEO Company

Have you been thinking of hiring a Baltimore SEO company? That decision can benefit your business in more ways than one. You can finally breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that you have a team of specialists doing all the heavy lifting while you do what you do best: running your business.  

Choosing the right SEO company is a bit like selecting a partner to help you navigate a treasure map; pick the right one, and you’ll be on a straightforward path to riches, but pick the wrong one, and your journey will be filled with unnecessary detours.

That's why it's best to arm yourself with some solid questions before picking your SEO partner. After all, you want a company that can actually deliver and help your business grow.

1. What’s your game plan for SEO?

Think of SEO as a custom workout plan for your website. Just like you wouldn't want a one-size-fits-all fitness routine, your business needs a tailored approach to Baltimore SEO.  

Ask them about their strategies. Do they adjust their tactics based on the client’s industry, size, and goals? This can reveal a lot about whether they’ll handle your specific needs with care.

2. Do you have any success stories to share?

It’s like asking for a chef’s best dishes before you book a table. An experienced SEO company should be excited to show off its successes. Whether it’s boosting a site’s traffic by leaps and bounds or conquering the top spots in search results, real examples give you a taste of what they can do for you.

3. How do you keep up with Google’s ever-changing rules?

If you’re not aware, Google likes to change the game frequently, which can make SEO a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s crucial that your Baltimore SEO team stays sharp and up-to-date.  

Find out how your would-be SEO partner keeps on top of these changes. Do they attend workshops, subscribe to SEO experts, or use certain tools? This shows whether they’re likely to keep you ahead of the curve or playing catch-up.

4. What metrics do you focus on to gauge success?

Imagine flying a plane without instruments. Pretty risky, right? That’s basically what happens if your web metrics are being ignored.

In SEO, metrics are your instruments. Ask them which metrics they usually keep an eye on. Do they focus on how many visitors your site gets, where it shows up in search results, how many of those visitors turn into customers, or all these things?  

Understanding which numbers your SEO company values gives you a clear idea of how they define success and whether it aligns with your business goals.

5. How will we talk about progress?

Regular updates are key in any partnership. Will you get weekly emails, monthly calls, or live dashboard access? Clarifying these upfront sets expectations and ensures you’re not left in the dark about your investment.

6. How does SEO fit with my other marketing efforts?

SEO shouldn’t be a lone wolf in your marketing plan. It works best when it’s part of a pack. Ask how they plan to integrate Baltimore SEO with your social media, content marketing, and other strategies. That way, there’s a cohesive and unified approach to your online presence.

7. What roadblocks might we hit, and how will you handle them?

Every road has its bumps, and SEO is no different. That’s exactly why you should know how your potential SEO partner handles challenging situations.  

Do they have a plan for tackling drops in rankings or penalties from search engines? Their answers can show their experience and honesty, revealing if they’re prepared for the tough parts, not just the smooth sailing.

8. What are the nitty-gritty details of your contract?

Money matters. Get clear on their payment terms, contract duration, and what happens if you need to part ways earlier than planned. No one likes financial surprises, so it’s crucial to have all this spelled out from the start.

9. Who’s actually doing the work?

Knowing who’s in your corner can make all the difference. Will you have a dedicated account manager, or will it be a team effort? Meeting the people behind the emails and reports adds a personal touch and helps build trust.

10. How do you craft your content?

Content is king when it comes to Baltimore SEO, but it’s about more than just pumping out blog posts. Google prefers quality over quantity, which means it favors websites that focus on posting relevant content over those that simply flood their sites with irrelevant or low-quality articles.

How does your candidate come up with ideas that both climb the search rankings and truly click with readers? Do they have creative writers on board? What’s their secret for finding hot topics and keywords? Diving into their content strategy helps you see if they’re all about quality or just quantity.

11. How do you handle SEO for mobile and voice search?

With more searches happening on mobile devices and through voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, it’s vital your Baltimore SEO strategy isn’t stuck in the desktop era. Ask how the agency optimizes for these growing trends.  

Do their experts prioritize mobile-first design? How do they optimize for voice search queries? Getting details on these points can show you how forward-thinking an SEO company is, ensuring your site stays competitive as technology evolves.

12. How do you steer clear of black hat SEO tactics?

We all know that in the SEO world, there are some quick-fix tricks that can shoot your site up the rankings ladder overnight. But just like in the movies, those shortcuts can lead to some pretty dramatic fallout – think search engine penalties or even getting blacklisted.  

So, what's their policy on keeping things clean? How do they ensure their strategies are all above board? Asking about their commitment to ethical SEO practices not only reveals their professionalism but also their dedication to protecting your site's reputation in the long run.

Want to See Real SEO Results? We’ve Got You!

Picking the right SEO team can feel like a big leap, but we're here to make it a breeze. Digital Resource has all the answers that’ll put your mind at ease!

You can count on us to craft custom Baltimore SEO strategies and keep you in the loop with clear updates. We’re always sharp with the latest Google antics. And hey, our straight-shooting, no-shortcuts approach means your SEO is in honest, capable hands.

So, get in touch with us now. We can’t wait to turn you into our next success story.