Partnering with the right SEO agency can be the difference between growth… and extinction.
SEO is important. Most business owners understand they need help driving organic traffic. But when it comes time to choose a marketing partner…
Things fall apart.
Quickly.
And it costs real money. Time. Momentum. And growth opportunity that can’t be afforded by businesses who get this wrong.
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
- Why an SEO Partner Matters For Growing Businesses
- SEO Partner Hiring Mistakes That Cost Small Businesses
- Finding The Right SEO Partner For You
Why Do Growing Businesses Need An SEO Partner?
Online success is harder than ever.
These days, just about every competitor is fighting for the same space on Google’s first page. And if your business doesn’t rank there…
Your website doesn’t exist.
According to research, 75% of users never scroll past Google’s first page. That means any business that isn’t investing in SEO is giving traffic, and revenue away to competitors that are.
Visibility on page one leads to higher rankings. More clicks, leads, and business revenue.
SEO gives you the leverage you need to crush your competition.
The right SEO partner maximises your opportunity to win.
Partnering with knowledgeable and experienced SEO agencies in California opens doors to expertise and SEO tools small businesses wouldn’t otherwise have.
But not just any SEO agency will do.
Growing businesses waste time and money on agencies that promise the world… Then disappear.
4 Common SEO Partner Hiring Mistakes Growing Businesses Make
These are the mistakes that cost small businesses time and SEO success. Avoid these, and you’re on the right track to picking your dream SEO partner.
Hiring Solely Based On Price
Ah yes. The classic case of “You get what you pay for.”
Budget is important. Of course it is.
But blindly choosing an SEO partner based on who’s cheapest is a surefire way to waste more money down the road.
Here’s why…
Cheap SEO services use spammy tactics. Backlinks from questionable websites. Thin, low-quality blog content. And outdated strategies that actually penalise sites from search engines like Google.
It’s going to take way longer to fix bad SEO then it did to implement it.
Organic search accounts for over 53% of website traffic according to BrightEdge. Don’t expect those visiting users to convert into customers if your SEO tactics show up as spammy.
Price yourSELF out of great SEO partners by instantly eliminating options based on budget alone.
**Instead: Divide your budget by 12. Find an agency that fits that monthly cost. Then make SEO a year-round investment. **
Never Check Results & Case Studies
Imagine interviewing someone for your business, but you never checked their past work experience?
Hopefully, that sounds ridiculous.
But that’s essentially what business owners do when they don’t ask to see case studies from their SEO partner.
You should expect your SEO partner to:
- Show case studies of similar businesses they’ve worked with
- Provide real rankings they’ve improved for past clients
- Have solid testimonials and references they can share
- Demonstrate examples of traffic/revenue growth
Any reputable SEO agency won’t think twice about supplying you with past results.
If they suddenly get vague on you when asked…
Run.
Looking At National SEO Agencies Who Ignore Local SEO
Simple answer. Businesses who fail to prioritise local SEO growth are losing out on potential clients.
“I don’t need local SEO!” says every business owner whose business serves a local area.
Think about how often you use Google to find local businesses. (Especially if you live in a busy city.)
46% of all Google searches are made with local intent.
In other words. Most people are looking for a product or service near their physical location. Which means that if your SEO partner doesn’t prioritise local SEO… You’re leaving money on the table.
Your SEO partner should:
- Optimise your Google Business Profile
- Target local-based keywords
- Manage citations
- Build reviews
SEO Agencies that ignore local SEO are bad news for growing businesses.
Expecting Results Overnight
Ah yes. New SEO clients who think ranking improvements happen instantly.
SEO doesn’t work like this. Even if an SEO partner tries to take shortcuts to promise you quick results.
**Quality SEO takes time. **
3-6 months, to be exact.
There’s a reason most SEO agencies have a 3-6 month contract minimum. High-quality content creation, linking, and optimisation doesn’t happen overnight.
Want your site ranking on page one tomorrow? Expect those SEO partners to use black hat SEO techniques.
These techniques might get you temporary ranks, but will ultimately lead to penalties from Google. Which will set you back further.
SEO partners who promise instant results are liars.
Lack Of Transparency + Communication
Here’s a trend we’ve noticed with growing businesses.
They hire the wrong SEO partner. Then wonder why…
- Meetings, calls, and emails go unanswered.
- “They’re working on it” is said way too often.
- Reporting isn’t detailed.
Or reliable.
You shouldn’t have to wonder what SEO work is being done to help your business grow.
Ask your partner for:
- Monthly SEO reports that showcase progress.
- Strategy meetings or written updates
- Transparency behind the actual work being done.
- Honest answers to your questions.
If the SEO agency can’t explain what they’re doing in layman terms… Hire someone who can.
Finding The Right SEO Partner For Your Business
Avoiding these common SEO agency hiring mistakes is great. But what should you be looking for?
We like to start with hunting down our own clients’ websites. Because if we can’t get their website ranking…
Who can you trust to do it for you?
Look for these qualities when choosing your SEO partner:
- Industry Experience
- Documented SEO Process
- Realistic Timeframes
- Transparent Pricing
- Solid Client Reviews
SEO partners that care about your business will ask you questions about your goals, services, and target market.
The right SEO partner becomes an extension of your business.
Bringing It All Together
Finding the right SEO partner is crucial.
You wouldn’t let just anybody handle your bookkeeping or hire your top sales people without meeting them first. Your SEO agency should be no different.
Growing businesses fall into these SEO partner traps because they fail to put in the proper vetting process.
Take your time. Do your research. And you’ll find an SEO partner that feels like family.
Avoid these mistakes when hiring your SEO partner:
- Don’t choose an agency based on price.
- Ask for case studies/example results.
- Ensure they have local SEO experience.
- Be patient. Good SEO takes time.
- Expect transparency and communication.
Growing businesses don’t have the luxury of time or money to waste. By avoiding these mistakes and understanding what to look for in an SEO partner… You’ll be setting your business up for dominating search (and incoming customers) for years to come.