When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), most marketers want the best. They want to produce the best content, build the best links, and have the best strategy supporting top rankings for competitive keywords.
This is almost impossible to do alone, especially if you don’t have the time, knowledge, or resources to fully invest in your SEO campaign. Hiring an SEO agency can help, but finding the best agency can be challenging.
There are plenty of red flags to watch out for – signs that an SEO agency is unscrupulous or unreliable. But what about green flags? What are some positive indications that you should move forward with a particular SEO agency?
The Power of an SEO Agency
Don’t take the decision to hire an SEO agency lightly. This decision can have a massive impact on your search engine standings and the future of your entire business. A good strategy, with ethical practices, can help you squash your competition, while a thin or unethical strategy could rack up penalties that impede your website for years to come.
Green Flags to Help You Hire the Right SEO Agency
Understanding this, what are some green flags you can look for when scouting for your next SEO agency?
1. They operate in your city. While you can technically work with SEO agencies worldwide, there are some advantages to working with an agency that specifically operates in your city. For example, if your business primarily operates in Detroit, you could find a Detroit SEO agency. Depending on the nature of your relationship, you may be able to meet with them in person. Even if you don’t, their knowledge of this area can give you an advantage if you’re practicing local SEO.
2. They have a high domain authority (and high rankings). If your SEO agency is truly competent, they should be able to practice effective SEO for their own website. Accordingly, the best and most trustworthy SEO agencies have high domain authority and rankings for strategically relevant keywords. SEO is a highly competitive industry, so a competitively dominant agency is a strong sign.
3. They have expert content on the subject. Good SEO agencies openly publish material covering the topic of SEO. If you browse their blog or read their whitepapers, you’ll learn a ton about this topic – and you’ll come to see them as a thought leader. If their content is thin or unhelpful, you should reconsider working with them.
4. They receive excellent ratings and reviews. Fake ratings and reviews are a bit of a problem on the web, but they can still be a valuable indicator of trustworthiness – especially in aggregate. If an SEO agency has consistently positive ratings, reviews, and testimonials from past customers, it’s a good sign that you should move forward.
5. They present meaningful case studies. Similarly, most experienced SEO agencies have meaningful case studies from past clients, demonstrating their capabilities. They should be able to prove measurable results – including higher rankings and more organic traffic.
6. They’re immediately available to talk. When you reach out, a reliable SEO agency will be immediately available for a conversation. If it takes them days, or worse, weeks, to get back to you, it’s a sign they don’t take your business seriously.
7. They answer your questions competently and transparently. Trustworthy SEO agencies love answering your questions. They’re happy to answer any questions you bring, and they’ll always be straightforward, honest, and transparent.
8. They exclusively deal in white hat practices. There’s a big difference between white hat and black hat SEO. White hat tactics are ethical and focused on user experience, while black hat tactics are shadier and focused on generating immediate results (even at the expense of long-term progress). Good SEO agencies only use white hat tactics for their clients – and they explicitly condemn black hat tactics.
9. They can help you with everything – and for a fair price. While there’s nothing wrong with working with a specialist, the best SEO agencies are competent in every area of SEO. They’ll be willing to help you with everything and for a reasonable price.
10. You get a good vibe. This is a subjective factor, but it’s worth mentioning. If you generally get a “good vibe” from this business and the people you meet there, it’s a reasonable sign you should continue working together.
One or two of these green flags doesn’t mean much, but if you see all of them or even most of them, it’s a positive sign that you should move forward. Obviously, there are other factors you’ll need to consider, such as pricing, contract length, and areas of expertise, but these green flags indicate a very strong central foundation.
