What You Need to Know About Search Engine Optimisation Before You Start Paying An SEO Agency!

Running your own business may be your ultimate goal, but simply opening the doors to the world is not enough to secure a regular stream of customers. Even though online marketing and online businesses and shops have been around for decades, it is only within the past few years that many businesses began utilizing the option and investing heavily in SEO and getting their online business off the ground. If you are among the many, who are beginning to realize the importance of Search Engine Optimisation and what it can do for your business, read our SEO advice before hiring an agency. 

Can SEO be affordable for small businesses?

Most large corporations devote entire departments to their SEO needs or contract out to the top-rated SEO companies. They pay substantial monthly costs to ensure their page stays at the very top of any possible search related to their company’s products or services. This avenue is costly, and investing in SEO in this way will cost you at least £500 each month or more. However, Search Engine Optimisation is not just for big businesses willing to spend big bucks. 

There are affordable SEO options available to you

Firstly, you can do it yourself. You can take lots of actions to drive more traffic to your website that does not require any technical knowledge. Updating the content, both the copy (text) and the images on your website, will benefit your rankings as search engines like Google will reward you for new content.

There are tools that help with optimizing your website to appear higher in search results. Two of my favourites are BrightLocal and SE Ranking. However, while they are simple to use at a basic level, they require a significant investment in time to understand how to get the most out of them.

Read the article I wrote for the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) online publication, the FirstVoice, outlining 7 ways you can drive traffic to your website.

One of the reasons that SEO agencies charge significant amounts of money is that conducting regular SEO activities is quite time-consuming. Unfortunately, this is also one of the main reasons that small business owners are, by definition, very busy and just don’t have time.

Finding an affordable SEO consultancy is possible but difficult. However, it is worth the effort. An affordable

SEO Package will help you find the right balance between necessities for your search rankings and your budgetary concerns. An SEO agency will want to help a small business grow to new heights. As that business sees the benefits of the increased traffic that comes with ranking higher on Google, they will likely increase their SEO package size and ultimately generate the SEO company more revenue. It is the symbiotic circle of online marketing. 

Should I Go for the Largest SEO Agency

Simply put, No!  The size of the company you choose for your SEO services should not be a factor in your decision to use them. Bigger is not always better. The larger the agency, the busier their schedule is, and they may not be able to devote the time necessary to ensure your SEO is managed correctly. Large companies can sometimes only spend time on those willing to pay for high premiums, so if you are merely going on size, you can waste a lot of time, money, and effort in the process. 

The better option is to do your own research. Check a local web designer or web design agency in your local area to find the best and most affordable websites and SEO services. Local agencies will also know the most effective geographic keywords to help optimize your search. For example, suppose you are a plumber in Christchurch and are looking for more high-value clients in The New Forest. In that case, a local SEO consultant will know to build in keywords targeting Brockenhurst and Lymington, where there are more affluent potential customers.

Local agencies are also seeking growth for their own company and will invest more time and effort into every site they manage. Look for agencies with excellent ratings and customer service skills. Contact the SEO agency directly and see what packages they offer and how they interact with customers. 

Is Local SEO Important?

One of the problems many small to medium businesses have is the lack of localised SEO. If you are an online shop or consultancy, finding ways to bring in new customers from across the country or even other parts of the world may be necessary. However, for most services businesses such as tradespeople or hospitality companies, the focus is more on local customers.

Neglecting your local SEO can be a big mistake. Out-of-town visitors to your area may need to find the location of your business and information about it. Visitors often type in phrases such as “hotels near me” or “where to eat locally,” and if your local SEO is not up to par, they will be unable to find your business. You want to ensure these areas are effectively covered to have a blanket SEO effect over the entire scope of your business. 

SEO is All the Same, Right?

Every business has a specific niche or business genre they fit into, even within their own industry. A bar catering for 18 to 24-year-olds is very different from a high-end gastropub. No two businesses are identical. Marketing your business in the best possible manner for your ideal customers is the only way to reach them and keep them coming back for more. Identifying your perfect customer can be difficult, but it is an important exercise. You can read my previous blog on how to identify your ideal customer here.

Certain SEO practices seem to work across the board. For instance, both a real estate agency and car sales company would require a blog of some sort on their site, but what types of blogs they invest in would be substantially different. Therefore, when choosing an SEO agency for your SMB, investing in one that will account for your individual needs is vital as your SEO strategy needs to be tailored around your specific business. 



Conclusion

You have a lot to think about when it comes to running your business. What supplies you need, budgets, labour, energy costs, leasing or owning a space. The list is never-ending, and it is easy to think of SEO as non-essential or put it on the back burner while you invest in other portions of the business. However, Search Engine Optimisation is how your business reaches your potential customers. The right SEO agency performing the best SEO practices for your business is how you grow.

There are really only 3 things to consider when choosing an SEO agency to improve your rankings and grow your business:

Firstly, Is the product right for you?  If you have an online presence then the answer to this question is a definite yes!

Secondly, is the price right and does it offer value for money?  Speak to local SEO agencies and consultants, explain your goals and ask for a tailored package that fits your budget.  You can always increase it later as the customers come flooding in.

Finally, can you work with the person providing the the service.  This is probably the only one of these questions that isn't negotiable.  Meet the prospective SEO consultants in person and trust your gut feelings.

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