In this day and age, having an online presence is no longer optional; it is a must. However, merely being online is not enough; your website must be visible. That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. If you own a business, you’ve probably heard about SEO and its impact on search engine rankings. But how do you ensure that your website stands out among the sea of competitors? Hiring SEO agencies can assist you in understanding this difficult industry, utilizing expert expertise and resources to grow your brand. In this article, I’ll explain why an SEO agency is essential for your business, how to select the appropriate one, and recommend some of the top SEO agencies accessible.
Key Takeaways
- Hiring a specialized SEO agency is crucial for improving your website’s visibility and driving organic traffic. SEO is complex, requiring technical knowledge, content strategy, and continual adaptation to search engine algorithms, in which agencies excel.
- SEO agencies offer a wide range of services beyond basic keyword insertion, including SEO strategy development, keyword research, link building, competitive analysis, and content creation, tailored to the specific needs of businesses.
- Partnering with an SEO agency gives businesses access to premium SEO tools and technologies that are often expensive and require expertise to utilize effectively. This allows for more precise tracking and optimization of SEO efforts.
- It’s vital to choose an SEO agency carefully. Evaluating their past results, ensuring they practice ethical (white-hat) SEO, and confirming their transparency in reporting and communication are essential steps to avoid potential pitfalls and maximize ROI.
What Is an SEO Agency?
An SEO agency is a professional service provider that specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics for increasing a website’s exposure in search engines. SEO services use a variety of tactics to improve a website’s rankings, drive organic traffic, and increase online visibility.
The advantage of employing an SEO service is that your company will have specialists working on its strategy and implementation without the headaches of recruiting and managing marketing workers.
SEO is more than just adding some keywords and calling it a day. It includes technological optimization, content strategy, link building, and analytics. Professional SEO services employ teams of specialists who live and breathe SEO—they are up to date on the newest Google algorithm updates, understand how to do exhaustive keyword research, and create content that ranks. For example, when I worked with an agency, they uncovered a technical problem with my site’s structure that I had not anticipated. Simply fixing that increased my rankings massively.Â
What Do SEO Agencies Do?
SEO agencies offer a variety of search engine optimization services, while some specialize in certain aspects of SEO. For example, an SEO company can offer only on-page SEO services. Others that offer a wide range of services are usually called full-service SEO agencies. Here are the things an SEO agency does.
#1. Create SEO Strategy
An SEO strategy is a detailed plan designed to improve a website’s organic search rankings and organic traffic. It’s a complex and intricate document and typically consists of numerous SEO tactics. These include:
- Search engine results page (SERP) analysis
- Website audit
- On-page and technical optimization
- Keyword research
- Competitor analysis
- Content planning
- Link building
What an SEO strategy consists of will depend on the needs of an individual client. Their industry and target audience will also play a role, as will their competitors.
#2. Keyword Research
Watch the video below for visual classification,
Keyword research is determining the terms and phrases that potential customers or clients enter into search engines while looking for items or services similar to those you provide. Agencies will determine common search phrases, how they relate to different stages of the buyer’s journey, and what your consumers’ primary pain points are. They will then do competitive keyword research to see which terms other firms in your industry are targeting. To determine the relevance of a keyword, an agency will use a variety of metrics:
#3. Link Building
Link building refers to the acquisition of external links to a client’s website. Backlinks are a useful ranking indicator. Search engines rank the quality and relevancy of websites that link to yours. They utilize this to influence your search engine ranking.
The stronger your backlink profile, the better your chances of ranking higher. This relates to developing a vital SEO service for agencies. It is also extremely scalable, which is why many agencies provide it. There are even agencies that only provide link acquisition services.
#4. Competitive Analysis
Competitive analysis is the process of finding a client’s main competitors and analyzing their SEO approach. Its purpose is to have a deeper knowledge of the most effective strategies in a specific firm. A professional SEO agency will investigate several types of competition. They will consider the top names in your field, as well as the companies that are currently your main competitors.
#5. Content Creation
Many SEO companies can also offer various content creation services. These can include the creation of:
- Blog posts
- Landing pages
- Service pages
- Product descriptions
- Case studies, white papers, e-books, press releases
- Social media content
- Newsletters
- Videos, images, infographics and other visual content
This service will include market, keyword, and competition research, as well as content optimization and position tracking in search engines. A lot of content agencies will provide content packages for a specific price. For example, they may offer to write 5 long-form blog posts per month.
Benefits Of Working With SEO Agencies
Working with the best SEO agency may be quite useful to a business. Here are some advantages of working with a specialist SEO marketing agency.
#1. Technical Expertise
SEO agencies have a wealth of technical SEO knowledge that you most likely lack in-house. After all, it is their responsibility to comprehend the complexities of the SEO sector and how search engines operate. An agency will have worked on a variety of project sizes and scopes.
This means they have a wealth of knowledge and the know-how to help you avoid the most typical SEO blunders. They can help you save time and money by eliminating the need for you to learn what they already know.
#2. Access To An Experienced Talent Pool
SEO companies are typically comprised of teams of professionals who specialize in various aspects of SEO. To match this skill set, you’d need to hire your SEO team.
This is not only expensive and time-consuming, but it also necessitates extensive management on your part. Don’t believe certain freelancers’ claims that they specialize in all aspects of SEO. While they may have a good foundation of knowledge, they will never have the expertise or time in their day to implement a full-fledged SEO campaign on their own.
Working with an SEO business with a varied talent pool allows you to gain from comprehensive SEO services that will tick all the boxes, from keyword research to link building.
#3. SEO Tools And New Technologies
As a non-SEO company, you will require access to premium SEO tools to complete various SEO duties. Acquiring them will be costly. And you’d still have to figure out how to use each of them and integrate the data they supply to get the greatest outcomes. An agency will have previously mastered these tools.
#4: Delegation Of Expertise
Managing and tracking an internal SEO staff is time-consuming. It would just detract from your core company and major objectives.
Instead, you can trust an SEO company to produce the outcomes you’ve agreed on. There will be very little or no management involved. You’ll still have plenty of time and energy to work on expanding your firm.
#5. Support For Internal Teams
If you do have an in-house marketing team, an SEO company can assist in the execution of SEO-related tasks. They may be able to offer training for your staff or provide access to resources and expert knowledge. They may also be able to lease you an employee to fill a gap. Whatever you lack, a good SEO company should be able to provide.
How To Choose The Best SEO Agencies
To get all of the benefits of working with an SEO company, make sure you pick the appropriate one. Working with the wrong company may result in less than desired results. Worst case scenario, it can seriously ruin your internet reputation and cause search engines to regard you as an untrustworthy source. Here are five things to follow before hiring an SEO company.
#1. Determine Your Objective
Before you begin looking for an SEO business, you must first determine your goals. Set specific goals for yourself.
- Do you want to check the state of your website and optimize it better?
- Are you looking to improve your rankings and earn more website traffic?
- Or do you want to increase your conversion rate?
- Perhaps you want to achieve a combination of these goals?
Once you know what you need, it will be easier to choose an agency that can deliver the kinds of SEO services you are looking for.
#2. Observe The Portfolios And Results
When researching SEO service agencies, look at their client portfolios and case studies to see what they’ve done for others. Consider whether the SEO agency specializes in specific industries or audiences, as well as the size of their normal client base.
Get a clear picture of what outcomes are possible—based on what the provider has done for others—and how long it will take for the new SEO efforts to get traction. If you’re working with a quality SEO agency, you should notice some positive effects after 60 to 90 days of implementing the initial approach, but bear in mind that it could take 120 days or longer to make a big impact.
#3. Look At Potential Conflicts
Also, refer to the checklist below anytime,
When interviewing an SEO agency, look for competitive conflicts. If an agency represents many organizations that target the same search content in the same, small local area, that’s a possible red flag. While that type of SEO service is likely to understand your market well, it is also likely to employ comparable SEO methods for direct competitors, which may put you at a disadvantage in tight local competitive environments.
#4: Reporting And Transparency
It’s better to work with a provider who is completely transparent about what they’ll perform for you and how they’ll generate and report outcomes. Some SEO services just use strong SEO analysis software like Ahrefs, KWFinder, or Semrush and regurgitate the results in the form of polished SEO reports for their clients. You could do that level of SEO on your own, and likely for a much lower cost than hiring an SEO agency.
While the search statistics from top SEO software programs are helpful, stats alone are insufficient. When considering SEO service providers, ask them to explain how they add value to your SEO efforts beyond what you could accomplish yourself with off-the-shelf SEO software.
Your SEO service should provide actionable insights into where and how to change your website’s content for maximum search visibility. Your SEO service should also assist you in better understanding your search competitors as well as identifying untapped or underutilized chances to improve your search rankings.
Before agreeing to engage with anyone, request a detailed explanation of what metrics will be published, when the figures will be reported, and how performance patterns will be tracked and reported over time. SEO service providers should provide detailed progress updates every month so you can measure the return on investment (ROI) of your SEO expenditures.
#5. Ethics: White Hat vs. Black Hat SEO
White hat SEO refers to strategies that adhere to search engine best practices. If an SEO approach is Google-approved, it is safe to apply on your website. Black hat SEO refers to practices that use manipulative means to increase a website’s prominence in search results. Google prohibits black hat practices, which may result in a traffic penalty or your site being permanently prohibited by search engines.
Keyword stuffing, link spam, link exchanges, hidden content or links, buying backlinks, and deceptive redirects are all examples of black hat SEO tactics. It’s critical to thoroughly vet your vendors to guarantee they only utilize white-hat SEO techniques.
#6. Look At Customer Service and Reviews
You can and should expect outstanding customer service from your SEO agency. One way to evaluate a provider’s reputation is to look for internet reviews provided by actual customers. If you’re working with a local company, look for client evaluations on their Google Business Profile page.
Another option to discover more about what to expect in terms of service quality is to ask your professional network if anyone has worked with a certain agency. Receiving input from someone you know and trust is good. You can also ask the SEO agency you’re thinking about working with for customer references and chat with an actual customer.
Examples Of The Best SEO Agencies
Whether you’re just getting started or have struck a roadblock in your SEO journey, working with a successful SEO agency can help you unlock untapped potential in your strategy and execution. We compiled the following list to help you find the finest possible SEO services to work with who have a demonstrated track record of increasing your organic visibility and developing a clear SEO funnel. While I ultimately found an SEO agency that worked for me, here are a few that stand out in 2024 and are known for delivering exceptional results:
#1. NoGood
Office Location: New York, New York (Headquarters)
- Year Founded: 2017
- Team Size: 50 – 100 employees
- Key Services: Search engine marketing, social ads, conversion rate optimization, SEO, content marketing, video, and email marketing
- Industries Served: SaaS, healthcare, fintech, B2B, consumer, crypto
NoGood is a respected growth marketing agency led by experienced SEOs and experts with histories in prominent VC-backed startups and well-known brands. They provide excellent performance by cutting through marketing clutter and establishing realistic growth goals for your company.
NoGood specializes in developing authoritative SEO content that outperforms competitors and propels organic traffic to new heights in competitive markets. NoGood uses the power of AI algorithms to spotlight your brand and attract high-value customers through strategic content optimization.
#2. Skale
- Industries: SaaS; B2B; Fintech; Tech brands
- Top Services: SEO growth strategy, website migrations, link building & outreach, SEO content creation
- Recognizable Clients: HubSpot; UserTesting; Personio; Appcues; TravelPerk, Flodesk; Recruitee;
- Cost: Retainer-based, custom pricing
- Best For Making SEO a revenue generation channel
Skale creates SEO “revenue engines” using a growth marketing strategy. The team uses technical SEO, content development, CRO (conversion rate optimization), link acquisition, on-page SEO, SEO growth strategy, and ROI modeling to gain clients profitably and predictably at scale. Their success stories include clients who raised their revenue by 176% in four months and one client who achieved 70,000 organic signups through revenue-driven link-building.
The team has true in-house SEO and growth marketing experience, focusing on your business KPIs (revenue and leads) rather than vanity metrics (rankings and traffic), and offers a comprehensive service that includes research, strategic planning, implementation, and reporting.
#3. Siege Media
- Best for: Premium SEO content + senior technical advisory
- Industries: Fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, health
- Headquartered in: 100% remote with hubs in San Diego, California and Austin, Texas
- Strengths: Keyword-driven content to drive rankings, increase passive links, and improve organic traffic
- Recognizable clients: Zendesk, Purple, Figma, Instacart, Smartsheet
When it comes to merging SEO strategy with high-quality content development, Siege Media stands out. Siege Media, known for its expertise in content marketing, assists law firms in increasing their online presence by creating well-researched, compelling, and SEO-optimized content. Their process entails extensive keyword research, high-quality content creation, and targeted promotion to ensure that your company’s content ranks high and attracts the correct audience.
Siege Media has a holistic approach, combining well-researched SEO methods with compelling content. This comprises personalized content strategy, content development and SEO, link building and content promotion, and data-driven analytics. Siege Media provides a holistic strategy for content marketing for law firms that want to develop authority, boost organic traffic, and convert readers into clients.
#4. Ignite Digital
- Best for: Medium business SEO services, full managed SEO strategy, B2B
- Industries: Retail, business services, manufacturing
- Headquartered in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Strengths: Select clients accepted (due diligence), dedicated Account Manager, SEO strategy, audits, reporting + optimization
- Recognizable clients: PepsiCo, Mississauga Foot Clinic, Volpe Financial Solutions
Ignite Digital is one of the best SEO agencies, their home page features a contact form alongside the page title Ignite Digital is a highly recommended digital marketing agency with over a decade of experience. They specialize in providing customized marketing solutions for medium-sized brands.
With Ignite Digital, you’ll get a dedicated account manager, clear and user-friendly reporting, and specialist teams for all elements of digital marketing. You will not experience bad communication or confused reports—Ignite Digital provides seamless service, transparent reporting, and the competence required to achieve their client’s marketing objectives.
#5. Bird Marketing
- Office Location: Billericay, Essex
- Year Founded: 2010
- Team Size: 11 – 50 employees
- Key Services: Search engine optimization, content strategies, social media management, exceptional web design, email marketing, analytics and reporting
- Industries Served: Fintech, automotive, real estate, eCommerce, insurance
Bird marketing is more than simply an agency; it’s a strategic partner that helps organizations navigate the dynamic and competitive organic landscape. Their approach combines creativity, data-driven judgments, and close engagement with clients. They provide constant transparency and communication throughout the process, from initial consultation to strategy formulation, implementation, and analysis, to ensure alignment with the goals of their clients.
Bird Marketing has received numerous honors for its abilities to guide organizations to SEO success they never thought possible. Bird Marketing’s strategy is based on a deep understanding of the SEO environment and methods, and it is supported by a team of highly skilled specialists who are up to date on the newest digital marketing best practices.
#6. Victorious
- Industries: Ecommerce; SaaS; Travel; Real Estate; Luxury; SEO for News Publishers; Cannabis SEO
- Top Services: Uses performance data and market research to create scientifically-driven SEO strategies
- Recognizable Clients: Groupon; Wayfair; Flipboard
- Cost: Project Based; Free SEO Consultation
- Best For: On-Page SEO
This award-winning pan-American enterprise SEO agency is top on the list for any major company looking to boost their SEO. They claim to be a digital marketing agency that leverages a wealth of performance data and market research to create scientifically-driven SEO strategies.
Their proprietary methodology combines the best of technology and people to deliver business-impacting results with breakneck speed. They’re driven by a passion to deliver great work and help great companies. Their secret sauce? Their employees.
#7. WebFX
WebFX is a full-service digital marketing agency that does a little bit of everything for brands large and small. They have an excellent reputation derived from working in a range of industry verticals like manufacturing, SaaS, healthcare, and more. So how does an SEO company with such a broad spectrum of clients fit on our list as the best for local businesses?
Simple: WebFX is a reputable brand that small, local businesses can trust to help them at a low price. Most of the time, extremely low-cost SEO services are too good to be true, but this agency has been able to lower prices for local businesses by scaling its operations.
#8. LSG SEO
- Best for: Local SEO
- Industries: Multi-Location, Franchises, SaaS, E-commerce
- Headquartered in: United States — Remote
- Strengths: SEO consulting, link building, and technical audits to optimize local search rankings
- Recognizable clients: Sam’s Club, HomeAdvisor, Adobe Stock, Fandango
Primarily specializing in local search optimization, LSG SEO offers a comprehensive set of services designed to improve the online visibility and local search rankings of businesses targeting a specific geographic area.
By optimizing Google My Business listings, managing online reviews, and capitalizing on local SEO best practices for over 15 years, they’ve helped boost local results for companies such as Sam’s Club and Fandango.
Through these specialized services, LSG SEO aims to help businesses establish a strong online presence in their target local markets, connect with local customers, and drive more foot traffic and leads to their physical locations or service areas.
#9. NextLeft
- Office Location: San Diego, California
- Year Founded: 2015
- Team Size: 11 – 50 employees
- Key Services: Content strategies, comprehensive SEO services, digital marketing services, PPC marketing, digital media services, social media marketing, Google AdWords
- Industries Served: Consumer goods, education, fintech
Description: NextLeft is an SEO agency with locations in San Diego, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina, with a dedicated team of professionals that can take your SEO efforts to the next level. NextLeft is specialized in SEO, content marketing, data analytics, digital strategy, and search. Their mission is clear: to eliminate digital clutter by assisting brands in crafting helpful, relevant content aligned with what customers seek online. They lead by their values of no unnecessary stress, continuous improvement, community care, and fun!
#10. Delante
- Industries: SaaS; CBD; Travel
- Top Services: Supports your company both in bringing traffic to your website or online store and in entry to a new market or preparation of SEO audit and strategy
- Recognizable Clients: Best Western; Paul Rich; Mugga
- Cost: Project-Based
- Best For: UX; Content Marketing; Analytics
Delante is a renowned SEO agency dedicated to helping businesses succeed in the digital world. Their comprehensive services, which include technical SEO, content optimization, and link building, are intended to promote organic growth and increase online visibility.
Their team of experienced SEO professionals combines data-driven tactics with cutting-edge techniques, making them a reliable partner for businesses seeking to dominate search engine rankings and prosper in the digital arena.
They are committed to transparency and client-centered SEO solutions, with a focus on collaboration and open communication. They go beyond basic SEO and offer comprehensive digital optimization solutions. Delante’s reputation, competence, and extensive service portfolio make it the preferred choice for organizations seeking digital success.
How Much Do SEO Agencies Charge?
There’s no easy answer to the question of how much an SEO agency costs. The cost is determined by several factors, including agency vs. client activities. On average, SEO retainers can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000+ per month. The range of marketing services will influence the cost, especially when it comes to generating content.
How Do I Find a Good SEO Agency?
The best way to find a good SEO agency is to ask a lot of questions and look for common red flags. Any SEO agency that ‘guarantees’ performance is not one worth trusting.
What do an SEO company’s services include?
An SEO company’s services should include:
- SEO audit
- On-page optimizations
- Off-page optimizations
- Technical optimizations
- Reporting
Conclusion
SEO agencies can offer a variety of search engine optimization services, from creating and executing a comprehensive SEO strategy to optimizing your website for local search.
While working with the right agency can significantly boost your rankings and traffic, working with the wrong one can be disastrous.
Take your time and conduct due diligence as if you’re hiring an employee when you go looking for an SEO agency.
References
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