Most people know about the concept of SEO, yet many are not aware of what distinguishes the good firms from the bad ones. If you are a company that does lots of global business, hiring an international SEO expert should be at the top of your list of things to do. The best way to ensure you make a solid choice you will not regret later would be to pay close attention to this handy list of DOs and DON’Ts.
DO research the industry that the search marketing companies you are considering have experience with. If yours is not on the list, you should look for another company to assist you. When it comes to SEO, those who have in-depth knowledge of your particular industry will have a better understanding of what it takes to help you reach your business goals.
DON’T hire an international SEO expert based on a low-cost package they are offering. If you do this, you will realize soon enough that you are likely to get what you pay for, which is not a good thing. Unfortunately, SEO is not inexpensive, but the ROI is high, so it is worth it. Besides, SEO is a service that continues to work for you long after the work has been done and you only have to pay once.
DO look for a company whose size fits your needs. When you are in the market for an international SEO company in Vancouver, it is crucial that you select one that is equipped enough to handle the work your company will require. For instance, if you are a company with 100 locations worldwide, hiring a firm that has a staff of 2-3 people is not likely to be in your best interest.
DON’T hire a local SEO Expert in Vancouver or national SEO agency. Whether you know this or not, these are entirely different business types, which means that your results would not be the same. Someone who only has experience with businesses in their area and those in the US will not know what it takes to appeal to global consumers.
For this reason, it is essential that you choose an international firm. In fact, you should make sure to select a company that knows the specific companies you do most of your business with.
DO look for a firm that is willing to customize your service package. This is an arena where a one-size-fits-all approach will not do you any justice. It is the responsibility of the agency you choose to figure out what your needs are and execute a plan that fulfills them to the best of their abilities. If you are told that a cookie cutter option is the only one available, you should continue your search for an expert.
DON’T hire anyone without asking all of the pertinent questions. Some people are so focused on listening to the representative of the firm speak that they do not take the time to make inquiries themselves. Here are several questions you should ask:
- 1. My business is trying to gain a stronghold in several countries. I am looking for someone who can assist me with this. What do you bring to the table that other firms cannot?
- 2. While I am not looking to have you divulge all of your trade secrets, can you give me an idea of some of the techniques you would use to boost my company’s visibility?
- 3. Do you provide reports periodically so I can be clear about the methods you are using and their level of effectiveness?
- 4. What tools do you use to analyze your results?
There are more questions you can ask, but that will give you a general idea of the caliber of SEO professional you are dealing with.
DO avoid signing extremely long contracts. This may seem like a great way to protect yourself, but the opposite can happen. You can end up roped into an agreement with a company that is not pulling their weight, and an extended contract will make you obligated to remain for the duration, which could irreparably damage your business. You should look for a firm that allows people to pay as needed. This way, you can always feel free to leave if you are not satisfied.
DON’T hire anyone that tells you they can guarantee a top spot in the rankings. If you are told things like, “I can make you the number one company in Germany and Australia,” you should run like the wind. There is no way that anyone can predict this, and anyone that claims they can is not being honest.
Hiring the right global SEO firm is crucial if you want to corner the market in different parts of the world. With that said, make sure to consider all of this information when you are out there conducting your search.