SEO, or search engine optimization, is a set of techniques that help websites rank well on search engine results pages for relevant search terms. With a smart SEO strategy, you can improve the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search results.

SEO involves improving your website in accordance with user needs and Google’s algorithms, which aim to rank the most relevant, useful content for searchers. SEO techniques aim to make your website easier for users and search engine crawlers to understand and make your site more valuable to users.

SEO encompasses a wide range of techniques, including:

• Keyword research
• Link building
• Content creation
• Local listings like Google Business Profile

An SEO company puts these techniques into action a few ways, like by adding relevant keywords to your content, making your site more user-friendly through web design, earning links from reputable sources, and much more.

Search engine optimization or SEO services are digital marketing services that improve rankings in search results for keywords relevant to a given business. These improved rankings increase the business’s visibility in search engines and drive qualified traffic to its website. For the best results, website SEO services should include a custom strategy and various types of SEO tactics, including on-page, off-page, and technical SEO.

Prices for SEO services depend on several factors, including the SEO agency, SEO strategy, and existing SEO of the website. On average, businesses invest $1500 to $5000 per month into SEO services. For SEO consulting services, hourly rates range from $100 to $300.

Various factors determine the ideal SEO plan for your business, but here’s an overview of which services work best for which companies.

• Local SEO is best for reaching users in your local area. It works best for businesses that have physical locations or serve specific regions. Local listing sites like Google Business Profile are popular in local SEO.
• Ecommerce SEO is for businesses that sell products online and can help relevant shoppers discover your online business and its products.
• Enterprise SEO is SEO for large businesses or businesses with large websites. Enterprise SEO strategies often have more of a focus on broad, short-tail keywords.

Whichever type of service you choose, a complete SEO plan covering aspects of SEO such as on-page optimization, off-page optimization, and technical SEO is typically the most effective approach. An SEO company can help determine the right plan for you.

You’ve got choices when it comes to selecting an SEO service provider. From freelancers and consultants to agencies and in-house teams, there are lots of SEO services offered.

Here are our tips (based on 25+ years of experience) on how to choose an SEO company:

1. Outline your organization’s SEO goals

Before investing in an SEO team for your website, set aside time to determine:

• What your business wants to accomplish
• How much your business will invest
• How involved your business will be in managing your SEO

When you understand your goals, budget, and responsibilities, you build an SEO agency shopping list. With that list, you can find and filter SEO companies faster, which will save you (and your department) time in finding an SEO team.

2. Focus your search on providers with transparent pricing, deliverables, and reporting

From pricing to deliverables to reporting, professional service providers should maintain transparency.

Providers that push back against transparency should raise a red flag — and make your search for SEO help faster and easier. During discussions, freelancers, consultants, and agencies should all share a list of what they’ll do for your business, when they’ll do it, and how much they’ll charge.

If they don’t, don’t sign.

3. Narrow your options with case studies, reviews, and certifications

Got trust signals? Save yourself the headache of working with an unvetted SEO provider, and focus your search on established providers.

These agencies (or consultants) will have case studies that demonstrate their expertise — including in specific industries — and results. You’ll also want to look for a provider’s certifications. Are they a Google Premier Partner, for example, which Google awards to top-performing agencies?

Focusing on vetted SEO providers will streamline your search for the right SEO company, saving you time and money.

4. Future-proof your strategy with full-funnel marketing solutions

If you’re like most businesses, you’ve invested in several digital marketing strategies, like SEO, PPC, social media, and more, to create a full-funnel digital marketing strategy. With so many strategies, it’s critical to have SEO solutions that can work within (or even manage) your omnichannel strategy.

WebFX, for example, helps businesses use their organic search visits to support remarketing campaigns for PPC. Since we’re a full-service digital marketing agency, we’re also equipped to manage an omnichannel strategy with our full-funnel marketing solutions.

5. Meet your potential SEO companies

Whether it’s a video call, phone call, or in-person meeting, meet with your potential SEO providers. Through that meeting, you can learn more about the agency’s communication style, SEO methodology, and client experience and determine if you need to look at other SEO companies.

If an SEO service provider doesn’t want to meet with your team, reconsider working with them.

Search engine optimization is more than just driving organic traffic — it’s also driving revenue from organic traffic. That’s why our SEO optimization services focus on growing your company’s revenue from organic traffic, so you can power bigger initiatives, like expanding into a new territory, launching a new product, or giving back to the community. Learn how our SEO services make it happen:

Target keywords that convert

Every stage of the funnel is important. Ranking well for a bottom-of-the-funnel keyword, however, will provide revenue fast. That’s why our SEO experts use keyword research to find keywords that capture and convert qualified leads or bigger sales for your business first.

Track SEO-driven sales from conversion to close

Sales and marketing come together with our SEO offerings. With our client-exclusive (and proprietary tech), you’ll have access to which leads and sales came from SEO. The result? You can calculate SEO’s ROI in an instant.

Activate first-party data to power campaigns

Power an omnichannel marketing strategy with our comprehensive SEO services, which generate valuable first-party data (via organic traffic visits) your business can use for remarketing campaigns, email outreach, and more.

Leverage industry-leading SEO experts

You have a marketing team at your fingerprints with WebFX. With their expertise, from SEO and content marketing to business consulting and tech enablement, your business can adapt to market conditions and excel.

Yes, it’s worth paying for SEO services! SEO is a long-term digital marketing strategy that works to grow your brand awareness and visibility on search engines for as long as you have your strategy.

With an effective strategy, you can consistently drive traffic to your website along with high-value leads and conversions for the long-term.