5 Tips for Choosing a Trustworthy SEO Company

Know What You Want
You may think this seems obvious, but it’s critical. Go into the searching process with a clear idea what you want to get out of this partnership.

Do you just need help drawing people to your website, or does the whole thing need an overhaul? Do you want the SEO company to take the reins, or are you looking to use them more as a guide?

SEO companies can’t help you if you don’t know what you want.

Beware The Black Hats
No, we’re not talking about magicians.

Black Hat SEO tactics refer to methods used by SEO firms that go outside the search engine “rules” to try and game the system. These range from overflowing blog posts with keywords to using URLs designed to redirect the reader to a different site than they clicked on.

Doing this is a good way to ensure your site never sees daylight, as search engines will plunge your site to the bottom of the list if they detect any “foul play”. So if you find any companies using these methods, stay far away.

Double-Check Your Trustworthy SEO Company
So what else can you do to make sure your desired SEO company on the level?  It’s the dreaded “R” word: research.

Look up reviews of the company by other clients and see what they say. Read blog posts they’ve written: do they seem like a good fit?

If online reviews aren’t your thing, try calling the company and asking them to provide a reference. They’ll usually be more than happy to point you in the direction of a previous client of theirs so you can get a first-hand account.

Budgeting Two Ways
You need to balance your money two ways: know how much you have to spend on an SEO firm, and know that you can’t low-ball it when it comes to hiring a firm.

Knowing your budget helps let you know which company you can have a partnership with. This way, you don’t bet the farm on one potential company, only to later find out they charge $1000 an article.

On the other end of the spectrum, searching for the cheapest option is not always the best option. Low-cost firms tend to lack credentials and opt more towards black hat methods.

Schedule A Consultation
Many SEO agencies will often offer consultations so they can meet with you and discuss your expectations as well as the typical procedures and guidelines they follow in their work. Often, they are free and tailored to your convenience too.

Think of these consultations like a very formal date: it’s a great way to see if you and this particular agency are a match before things get too serious.