Choosing an SEO Agency Auckland

You are probably reading this because you want to get more traffic to your website from Google and need help to achieve this goal. This means hiring an SEO agency Auckland. The problem is, there are so many companies and consultants out there – how do you make the right choice?

Here are some tips and ideas to ensure you get the right SEO agency Auckland as well as maximum return on investment.

When It Comes to SEO, Experience Counts

As we develop and implement strategies for companies on a daily basis, we know for a fact you learn something new about SEO every day. This could be something small, but it all builds to a broader scope of knowledge that enables you to offer a service that achieves the best possible results.

Therefore, experience in the SEO industry counts.

When looking at SEO agencies in Auckland, make sure they have direct experience delivering SEO projects, ideally for companies similar to yours.

It is important to remember when considering experience that knowledge of SEO and experience of actually implementing SEO strategies are two completely different things. When you start looking for an SEO agency to work with, you will encounter many so-called and self-appointed experts. Just because they can talk the talk, however, doesn’t mean they can deliver in the real world.

There simply is no substitution for practical SEO experience.

Certifications and Qualifications Indicate Skill Levels

Certifications and qualifications are not an essential requirement, but they can indicate commitment as well as demonstrating the SEO agency’s skills.

There are lots of certifications and qualifications you can get in SEO, with some more prestigious and weighty than others. At Kiwi Website Design, we have chosen to focus on Google certifications, becoming a Google Partner. After all, Google is the most used search engine in New Zealand.

References and Testimonials Are Important

References and testimonials can also help you decide which SEO agency to choose. When reading references or testimonials, look for specific information, including details of results achieved. This is much more useful in your decision-making process than generic information.

Also, if you know any of the individuals or companies who have given the SEO agency a reference, pick up the phone and call them. Asking them directly about their experience will make you even more informed.

A Clear Strategy and Plan are Essential

Any reputable and worthwhile SEO agency will also give you a clear outline of the strategy they will implement as well as a plan for doing so. Before going any further, if an agency promises they will get you to number one spot on Google, you should be very concerned. Such promises cannot be kept so are simply hot air.

What should be in the strategy and plan, then? The SEO agency should first tell you exactly what they are going to do. Therefore, you should not put up with vague statements. Also, don’t let them drift into jargon and technical language as it really isn’t necessary.

It is also important you get an understanding of the SEO agency’s keyword strategy in relation to their overall plan, i.e. how will they identify keywords and how will they optimise your website for those keywords?

Crucially, make sure the agency focuses on keywords that will deliver results for your business. This means keywords that have buying intent. So, if you are a painter, for example, an SEO agency could include the keyword “painter” in its plans. However, better keywords to target are “painter in Auckland” or “painting services” or “painting services in Auckland” as these all indicate a stronger buying intent than “painter”.

Avoid Strategies Google Considers as Spam

Make sure you confirm with the SEO agency they will only use what is known in the SEO industry as “white hat” techniques. White hat techniques are the opposite of black hat SEO techniques.

Black hat SEO involves using techniques designed to get around or trick Google’s search algorithm. Google refers to this as spam. If caught, using these techniques result in severe penalties that can include getting dumped out of Google’s search results completely. Also, just to make the previous sentence clearer, “if caught” doesn’t sufficiently describe the risk as most websites using black hat SEO techniques do get caught.

Why would an SEO agency ever consider black hat SEO given the risks? This is a good question and the answer is that black hat SEO can deliver fast results. However, over the medium and long-term, any initial results will be completely wiped out with the website often ending up in a worse position.

Therefore, you should only use an SEO agency that uses white hat techniques exclusively. You should also remember that SEO does not deliver immediate results. Instead, you should aim for consistent improvements over the longer term.

Focus on Return on Investment Rather than Cost

The final tip for choosing an SEO agency Auckland is to focus on return on investment rather than cost. Of course, you will have to choose a quote and proposal that is within your budget. However, there is no point going for a cheap option if it doesn’t deliver results.

Remember as well: SEO takes time to deliver real gains for your business. Therefore, make sure the contract you agree is for a long enough period of time to achieve results. How long will that take?

The answer to this depends on a range of factors. For most businesses, however, you will start seeing initial results after three months with more tangible indications of success after around six months.

Making a Choice for the Long-Term

The final thing you should be aware of when choosing an SEO agency Auckland relates to the fact that SEO is an ongoing process. It is also a process that requires consistency. In an ideal situation, therefore, you will choose an SEO agency who will work with your business over the long term.

As a result of this, make sure you like and trust the people you are dealing with. They should have a commitment to delivering for your business and a willingness to work with you for as long as it takes. This will make the process of SEO easier as well as delivering better results and a better return on investment.