Disappointed with My SEO Contractor: Six Months and Thousands of Dollars Later, Rankings Have Deteriorated
Introduction
I’m feeling quite frustrated with my current situation.
The Situation
I enlisted the services of an SEO agency, hoping to enhance my website’s rankings. Despite their frequent assurances that “SEO takes time,” I’ve seen absolutely no positive outcomes.
In fact, my site traffic has actually decreased.
Initial Impressions
Before I signed on, they inundated me with screenshots of past success stories, convincing me to commit.
Now What?
I’m seriously considering ending the contract. Is it wiser to cut my losses now, or should I give it more time?
Conclusion
Your advice and insights would be greatly appreciated.
2 responses to “Disappointed with SEO Investment: Six Months without Meeting Goals”
I’m sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with your SEO contractor. It can be particularly disappointing when you’ve invested both time and money with little to no visible results. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help guide your decision:
Understanding SEO
Factors Involved: seo involves many factors, including Technical SEO (site speed, mobile optimization), on-page seo (high-quality content and keyword optimization), and off-page seo (backlinks).
Market and Competition:
Why Rankings Might Have Dropped
Google frequently updates its search algorithms, which can lead to ranking fluctuations.
Technical Issues:
Check for any Technical SEO mishaps, like site speed issues, mobile experience, or crawl errors, which might be affecting search performance.
Keywords Strategy:
Keywords targeted may be too competitive or irrelevant, or there has been a shift in target keywords without your awareness.
Content Quality:
Assessing Your SEO Agency
Have they provided regular, detailed reports explaining what’s being done and why?
Communication:
Is the agency responsive and proactive in communicating challenges and adjustments in strategy?
References and Case Studies:
Making Your Decision
Request an independent audit from another SEO professional to assess both your current SEO situation and the work done by the agency.
Set Clear Expectations:
If continuing, set clear milestones and objectives with the agency. Ensure they are measurable.
Budget Consideration:
4.
It’s understandable to feel frustrated when your expectations for SEO improvements do not align with the results. Many business owners find themselves in a similar situation, especially when promised immediate turnaround on SEO investments.
Before making a decision to cut ties with your current contractor, it may be worthwhile to assess a few key factors:
1. **Transparency and Communication**: Have they provided clear reporting on what specific strategies they’re implementing and how those correlate to your site’s performance? Understanding the tactics being employed can provide insights into whether they’re focusing on the right elements for your niche.
2. **Goals and Expectations**: Were your goals clearly communicated and aligned with realistic timeframes? While SEO is indeed a long-term investment, having well-defined KPIs can help in tracking progress and assessing whether the current strategy is appropriately tailored to your needs.
3. **Competitor Analysis**: Sometimes, market dynamics change due to competitor actions or algorithm updates. Looking at your competitors’ performance can help you understand if the market is affecting your rankings or if it’s an issue with the strategy itself.
4. **Second Opinion**: Consider seeking a consultation with another seo professional who can evaluate your current setup without any bias. They may provide valuable insights into whether the strategy you’re being offered is comprehensive or if there are glaring oversights.
5. **Patience with Adaptation**: seo often involves trial and error, but if you haven’t seen any positive change over six months, it may indicate a fundamental issue that needs addressing sooner rather than later.