Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a great way to get your business within the reach of your potential customers. SEO increases your visibility, making it an important service regardless of whether you’re in the awareness, consideration, or conversion phase of your brand’s marketing.

To set your business up in terms of SEO, you can either hire a top SEO agency (if you have the budget) or partner with an SEO agency in Bangladesh for more budget-friendly but high-quality services. But how do you choose an agency? Let’s take a look at some of the factors you need to consider so you know which agency can best suit your needs.

8 Ways to Choose the Right SEO Agency

But how can SEO benefit you? 49% of marketers claim organic search brings in the highest Return on Investment (ROI). SEO can set your business up for sustainable growth. And with the industry becoming overcrowded with brands, SEO can help set you apart.

1. Set Your Objectives First

You can’t make the most of your collaboration with an SEO agency if you don’t know what you want. If you want to appear on the first page of Google search results and get more traffic, then your website would need the right keywords on the front end as well as the back end. If you want to appear more credible, an SEO agency can send keyword-rich content to PR websites. If you want to increase the domain authority of your website, an SEO agency can offer strategic backlinking.

An SEO agency can form SEO strategies to align with your goals. Whether your focus is increasing visibility or entering a new market, they can suggest steps to help you reach your goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

2. Research What an Ideal SEO Agency Offers

Visit the company website and look for proof of experience, credibility, and professionalism. There are many ways to do this, but it depends on your region, and metrics might change from culture to culture. However, there are common indicators of a reliable SEO agency.

Look for case studies that detail how they solved specific challenges for their clients. Certifications and awards from recognized organizations also reflect professionalism and adherence to industry standards. Google reviews can help you get an idea of previous clients’ experiences with the agency. Transparency in their pricing strategy will give you the reassurance that they’re charging market prices, lowering the chances of being scammed.  It’s also helpful to review how the agency presents its team and the roles within it so you get an idea of what roles are typically present in an SEO agency.

3. Review Their Reviews

A great way to assess their proven track record is by checking the reviews of your compiled list of agencies. Online reviews on Google or platforms like Clutch and Glassdoor offer insights from both clients and employees, giving you a broader perspective on the agency’s capabilities and work environment.

You can also try contacting former clients for testimonials. This approach helps you bypass paid or biased reviews and provides a more detailed account of their experience. Hearing firsthand about the agency’s processes and results can help you gauge whether their approach aligns with your budget and goals.

4. Assess Their SEO Strategies

Some agencies implement black hat SEO techniques that can lead to heavy penalties by Google if detected. Your website may stop appearing on search results altogether. To protect your website, ask the agency how they plan to develop and implement their strategies. Refusing to share details may indicate a lack of transparency.

A trustworthy agency will clearly explain their approach, recognizing that this is a collaborative effort and your brand’s reputation is at stake. You have every right to know what you’re paying for. Consider asking about key aspects of their strategy, such as:

• Do they conduct an SEO audit before starting?
• What platforms do they use for keyword research?
• How do they handle on-page, off-page, and technical optimizations like improving site speed?
• Do they provide regular performance reports?
• Which websites will they target for backlinking?

Their answers can reveal whether they are the right fit for your needs.

5. Responsiveness and Communication

Effective collaboration relies on clear and consistent communication. If the agency is taking too long to reply to your email or is not picking up your calls, that’s a sign of poor customer service. This lack of responsiveness can cause concerns to go unaddressed, leading to miscommunication and conflicts.

SEO is a long-term process. You won’t see progress overnight, and it can be frustrating to invest in something and not see results. A good SEO agency will communicate with you to explain the hurdles that need to be overcome and the time required to see results. When an agency fails to communicate, it can add unnecessary stress and strain to the working relationship.

6. Evaluate the Company Culture

Beyond communication, understanding an agency’s culture is vital in building a successful partnership. Agencies operate on certain ethics, and they may or may not align with yours. For example, an agency might have political affiliations, or they may be unwilling to work with specific industries or products.

Cultural mismatches can lead to friction if you don’t have the skills or time for conflict resolution. It’s best to pick agencies that understand your culture to increase the likelihood of a productive, long-lasting relationship.

7. Prices and Budget

Sometimes, an SEO agency will offer you results that sound too good to be true. Whether they can deliver those results is undoubtedly a concern, but whether their services fit your budget is a much bigger concern.  

SEO agencies often display their packages on their websites and detail what services are available under each package. While you can often negotiate or request a custom package, remember that higher prices don’t always mean better results. Smaller agencies may provide more specialized attention at competitive rates, but beware of hidden fees. Always review contracts from beginning to end to understand the full scope of services and costs.

8. Analyze Company Structure

Many SEO agencies rely on external support due to factors like remote work models, budget constraints, or staff shortages. So, they outsource tasks to various freelancers and smaller agencies. You may never get to know who these third-party employees who are working on your brand are.

Because the agency will have access to sensitive areas like your website, digital platforms, and social media accounts, it’s reasonable to ask who will be handling your data. Outsourcing is not inherently bad, but there is a risk of data breaches and information leaks. Knowing who is involved helps you assess whether the agency has safeguards in place to protect your brand and its information.

Are You Ready?

By setting clear objectives, researching agencies thoroughly, and evaluating their strategies, communication, and pricing, you can make an informed decision when choosing an SEO agency for your business. SEO can boost your credibility, support content marketing efforts, maximize PPC campaigns, reach more people, rank better in local searches, improve website usability, and deliver other benefits. To enjoy these benefits, find an SEO agency that can be a long-term partner in helping you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

And if you’re looking for full-service agencies, consider partnering with a digital marketing agency in Bangladesh for the best prices. With the right agency by your side, you can achieve sustainable growth and stay ahead of the competition.