9 Tips for Hiring a Local SEO Firm
Since the Internet is “everywhere” you don’t have to hire the SEO firm down the street if you don’t want to. As long as they are US-based, feel free to work with the best SEO firm for you, even if they are in a different time zone. However, if you want to have that face-to-face interaction that comes with working with a local SEO firm, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Respect someone’s time
If you’re just shopping around, stick to the phone. You’ll be able to get all the information you want in an hour long (maybe even less) phone call. Most small, local SEO firms don’t have the manpower to spend all day chasing down leads that aren’t seriously looking to hire an SEO firm.
2. Focus on small/midsize companies
While larger SEO companies may look incredibly impressive, working with a smaller SEO firm means you’re more likely to work directly with an experienced SEO strategist that customizes your SEO campaign around your needs and goals.
3. Beware the sales rep!
A sales representative that works for an SEO firm, but doesn’t actually do SEO, will do and say just about anything to get your business. That is their job—to bring in new clients.
4. Go with your instinct
If the first local SEO company you meet with seems to be the perfect fit, don’t second guess yourself. You don’t have to drag three or four more companies through the pitch process just because you feel like you’re “supposed” to shop around.
5. Don’t trust “magic” solutions
Every SEO firm has their own process, but you should be hearing similar things from different companies. If an SEO company comes out of left field with the “magic pill” to all your online marketing problems, don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
6. Don’t expect upfront work before you’re a client
You don’t work for free, and neither do local SEO companies. While you have the right to ask questions about their process, don’t expect a full SEO campaign to be created before you hire them.
7. Respect the SEO company and its employees
The key to a successful relationship with your local SEO company is respect. If you want them to do good work for you, treat them like you would an employee or partner.
8. Be willing to change
Let your local SEO firm do their job! If you aren’t willing to take their SEO recommendations, why bother hiring someone in the first place?
9. SEO is not a commodity, it’s a service
There are plenty of “yes man” companies out there that will say whatever it takes to get your money and then run off with it (even if it is just the low, low price of $49.95 a month!).
15 Responses to “9 Tips for Hiring a Local SEO Firm”
The Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Journal is Written by SEO Expert:
Nick Stamoulis
Tel - 781-999-1222
nick@brickmarketing.com
Brick Marketing - SEO Company
I am a digital marketing executive and I personally like Point 8. the most… IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES!!! I wish I could scream this sometimes. Shocking how many people pay for your advice and then don’t do anything you advise!
I completely second your opinion, Nick! Especially regarding 8… It is soooo often that some people just do not trust what you are telling them, because they heard by someone, who read it in some forum and then decided it’s a God’s rule…
Regarding 3. and 9. I also totally agree. Sales rep and extremely low price usually mean either bad service, or cheating. For f…’s sake, if they are an SEO provider they should know how to get plenty of leads online, no? Why should they cold call you?
Although you gave these as tips for a local firm, they apply when looking for a national firm as well, with the possible exception of #2. Although I disagree with #3, your point about knowing about SEO is a valid one. Even though a sales rep doesn’t do SEO, they should know enough about it to have an intelligent conversation. If you had said, “Beware the sales rep who knows nothing about SEO!”, I would agree wholeheartedly. On a related note, I also agree with #9 – stay way from places that tell you what you want to hear just to take your money!
If only we could get our clients to read your article, rather than all of us SEO’s! Point #2 and #8 is the core of it, IMHO. Every larger firm we’ve come across is usually staffed with sales people that know SEO buzzwords, but not really SEO. But they make the job harder for us dedicated consultants in two ways. First, they distract clients with the glitz and glam that only a larger firm has the resources to put forth. Then once they land the client and end up with lackluster results the client’s are more wary and less reluctant to accept recommendations from us when they eventually come back to us. Thanks for the great insight into the challenges faced by clients and legit SEO firms!
Good tips. The only one I would add is, ask for three local recent references, and check their rankings. If an SEO can do SEO, their clients should be well ranked.
[...] are a lot of blog posts out there about how to hire an SEO firm (I freely admit that I have written some tips myself!), but most of them deal with what a potential [...]
Hell yes to #7 and 8! I have one client that will not follow any of our advice, then will send us snippy emails because the SEO “just isn’t working”.
Great post, Nick!
I agree with the lot from a clients view. But you had me thinking a bit there, also the people that responded to. If they are a good reputable and know what their doing with SEO apart from their clients doing well in the serps what about themselves. After all you have to set an example of how its done by being in the serps yourself.
Back in August, I hired a national SEO firm, LocalEdge, owned by Hearst Corp. Since Hearst was involved, I expected to be satisfied.
It was determined by my sales rep, that an optimized Landing Page would be a good way for me to get prospects to my real estate website. I was told that I would be able to edit the landing page, but since August, I have not been able to. I’ve demanded that my contract be cancelled, but am being told that I have to meet a 12 month minimum obligation, before I can request a cancellation.
I have also found similar complaints in online blogs. Is it fair that we are forced to pay for something that does not work?
Yes, precisely I agree with your thoughts. I hired many cheap firms and some of them who were acting as firms of international repute. unfortunately, i got ripped off by them badly and i had to change all my seo practices
I like that what you’ll saying in that
9 Tips for Hiring a Local SEO Firm and I thank you’ll for them tips …….
Anthony L. Hill
CEO / OWNER
This is a great list. Being a one man show in a local market several of these tips hit my hot button but especially the one about people expecting work done before they have actually signed on as a client.
I am going to refer my customers to this list. Nick, would you allow me to post this article on my website at seospidermaster.com as long as I give you full creds and a link back to your site?.
I am a digital marketing, I strongly agree with point 5 and 9. This is a frequent trap in the world of digital marketing newbies. Want fast results, hypnotized by the the promise of seductive advertising will deliver fast results. The digital marketing should read this article before choosing the appropriate SOE.
I particularly agree with number three. Some reps with definitely say anything to get business.
There are great marketing points here, like the team work of experienced SEO company is much more beneficial than hiring somebody to do in house SEO. I think that in general SEO should come from educational approach and not soliciting using foreign cold calls companies.
Nice article..