What to Ask When Interviewing an SEO Company
Hello everyone! I operate a small niche talent agency that hosts around 1,500 events each year. We used to excel in organic search traffic, but lately, our leads have dropped by 70%. I’ve been in discussions with various SEO companies, but I’m unsure how to evaluate them effectively.
What questions should I be asking to assess their expertise? How can I distinguish between mediocre and exceptional SEO providers? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
2 responses to “Evaluating an SEO agency”
When interviewing an SEO company, it’s important to ask questions that can reveal their expertise, strategies, and how they can specifically help your niche talent agency. Here are several key questions to consider:
What specific SEO strategies have you implemented in the past, and what results did they achieve?
SEO Strategy:
Can you explain your process for Technical SEO, including site speed, mobile optimization, and crawlability?
Customization and Niche Focus:
What unique challenges do you anticipate for our business in terms of seo?
Metrics and Reporting:
How often will we receive performance reports, and what will be included in them?
Transparency and Communication:
What is your communication style, and how often can we expect updates or check-ins?
Link Building Strategy:
Can you describe any outreach efforts you employ for gaining backlinks?
Adaptability to Changes:
How would you adapt your strategy based on the evolving landscape of search engines?
Timeline and Expectations:
What can we do on our end to support your efforts?
Ethical Practices:
Are you willing to outline the tactics you will use to improve our rankings?
Cost and ROI:
Separating average companies from great ones often comes down to their ability to communicate clearly, provide tailored strategies, and show proven results. Look for firms that prioritize ethical practices, transparency, and are willing to form a partnership rather than just a transactional relationship.
After the interviews, trust your instincts as well. If a company seems to genuinely understand your business and presents a structured, thoughtful approach, that’s often a strong indicator of their potential effectiveness. Good luck!
Hi there! It’s great that you’re seeking to clarify your approach to evaluating SEO agencies—especially considering the drastic drop in your organic leads. Here are a few key questions you might consider asking during your interviews:
1. **Case Studies and Proven Results**: Request specific examples of past client successes, particularly in the events or talent agency niche. This can give you insights into their strategies and outcomes.
2. **SEO Strategy and Tools**: Inquire about their approach to keyword research, content creation, and link building. Understanding what tools they utilize (like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Analytics) can help gauge their tech-savviness and technical capabilities.
3. **Custom Solutions**: Ask how they tailor their strategies to fit unique businesses, especially those in niche markets like yours. A one-size-fits-all approach often indicates a lack of in-depth analysis and customization.
4. **Transparency**: Check how often they report on progress and results. Consistent, clear communication and detailed reporting can signal a professional, client-focused agency.
5. **Understanding of Local SEO**: Given your talent agency’s likely emphasis on local events, ensure they have a solid understanding of local SEO practices, including optimization for Google My Business and local citations.
6. **Continuous Learning and Adaptation**: seo is an ever-evolving field. Ask how they stay updated with algorithm changes and industry trends—this shows their commitment to adapting and improving strategies.
By focusing on these areas, you can