How to Find the Right SEO Agency For You: Questions to Ask and Cultures to Consider.

Understanding what to look for when prospecting SEO Agencies can be crucial for finding the perfect fit, ensuring you find the right partner to continue to improve your website’s ranking and organic traffic. However, we also know that making the choice to bring an SEO Agency onboard is a big decision for any business filled with concerns about what it will be like working with an external team and whether the investment will be worth it.

Through this article we will be exploring the reasons for bringing in outside talent when working on SEO strategies as well as breaking down the key qualities to search for when looking for an SEO Agency. 

Why Choose an SEO Agency?

Companies may opt to hire an SEO agency instead of building an in-house team for several strategic reasons. Agencies bring immediate expertise, established tools, and cross-industry insights that can be challenging and expensive to develop internally. They offer flexibility in scaling efforts, provide access to advanced technologies without significant upfront investment, and can quickly adapt strategies based on the latest search engine algorithms. Additionally, agencies typically have diverse talent pools with specialised skills in content optimisation, technical SEO, link building, and analytics, which would require substantial recruitment and training costs for an in-house team. By outsourcing, companies can focus on their core business operations while leveraging professional SEO expertise to improve online visibility and organic search performance.

Key Qualities to Look For:

Proven results

The first and the most important factor to look for when searching through SEO Agencies is evidence of the results they have provided for clients. Case studies can be a vital insight into the types of clients that they have worked with, the types of strategies they employ and the eventual relationship they built with clients as a result. Equally, client testimonials and reviews can be insightful into the fulfilment of services for other businesses helping you feel confident in your choices when hiring an agency. Proven results should also factor into the pitch that an SEO agency will give to prospective clients. Evidencing how they will track impact of their work as well as providing clear measures of ROI should be clarified before you go into business with an agency. 

Are they specialists or generalists?

There are two approaches taken in the field of Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Some agencies spread their services across a range of strategies within the field, dabbling in PPC, Digital Marketing among other things. Another method taken by agencies is a specialist approach, focusing solely on SEO and ensuring that each aspect influencing search engine ranking and visibility is perfected and focused on. Consider which approach will work best for your business and factor it into your decision making. 

Are they thought leaders?

If the agency you are looking at shares their experience and insights across their sector, they can be expected to be a leader in their field. Attending and speaking at conferences can be an indicator of the excellence of the team and how they are respected within their field as well as evidence that your agency is engaging with and learning about the cutting edge ideas and techniques within their field. Regularly publishing articles and sharing insights through blogs can also be useful to see how an SEO agency approaches their work and what they do. 

Do they work near you?

An often overlooked factor in this modern age of remote working, but considering the location of the agency you are approaching can be important. In person meetings with the team can help create a greater understanding of your shared goals and how they might be achieved. Equally, if you are based elsewhere but hoping to grow into a market where they are based, then choosing to work with an agency that is located in another country can be useful for their unique geographical insights. Some agencies, including StudioHawk, have an international reach and presence, with offices based in London, Melbourne, Sydney and our new addition in the USA. Through these networks we are able to access international SEO insights, developing relationships with other service providers globally and allowing you to work with the best in the area you conduct business in. 

Do they communicate their work well?

Many aspects of SEO are mired down in jargon, and can be confusing for business owners unused to web development. A good SEO agency should be able to demystify the work that they do for you, explaining their work in understandable terms, translating its impact and communicating ROI for their services. The best in the business have accessible educational resources, like our very own Hawk Academy that is made available to clients who want to take advantage of expertise and learn more about SEO.

Work With the Best in SEO

At StudioHawk we understand the trust it takes to collaborate effectively as an agency with our clients. We have worked hard to build effective networks across the search engine marketing services, meaning we can continue to provide essential, specialist SEO work incorporated into wider marketing agendas and structures.

If you are ready to start your SEO journey and like the look of us, get in touch with our team to book in for a consultation.