Choosing an SEO agency is a big decision. You’re essentially handing over a crucial piece of your online presence to a team of strangers and hoping they’ll deliver results. With countless digital marketing agencies claiming they’re the best fit for your business, how do you actually make the right choice?
The truth is, not every agency is right for every business, even if their website makes them look perfect. Some agencies are all flash with no substance. Others have the expertise but lack the communication skills to make the partnership work. The key is knowing what to look for beyond the polished sales pitch. Here’s your guide to finding an SEO services company that will actually partner with you for the long haul and help your business grow.
View Their Full List of Services
Before you commit to any SEO agency, take a good look at their complete service offerings. SEO doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it works best when integrated with other digital marketing strategies. A well-rounded digital marketing agency should offer complementary services like social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, and web development.
This is important because your website might need technical improvements that require web design expertise, your SEO content strategy might benefit from coordinated social media advertising, or your local SEO services could be enhanced by reputation management. An agency that offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services can create cohesive strategies instead of working in silos.
That said, beware of agencies that claim to do everything but don’t excel at anything. Look for teams that clearly showcase their core strengths while also offering the support services needed for integrated campaigns. At the end of the day, you want specialists who understand how different pieces of digital marketing work together, not generalists who are mediocre at everything.
Consider What Industries They Have Experience In
Not all SEO strategies work the same across different industries. An SEO services company that’s crushed it for e-commerce brands might struggle with local service businesses. An agency with healthcare experience understands HIPAA compliance and medical terminology that someone without that background wouldn’t.
Check whether the digital marketing company you’re considering has worked with businesses similar to yours. Do they understand your target audience? Are they familiar with the competitive landscape in your industry? Have they dealt with any unique challenges your sector faces?
That being said, don’t completely write off an agency just because they haven’t worked in your exact niche. Sometimes fresh perspectives lead to innovative strategies. The key is finding a balance. Look for agencies with relevant experience but also the creativity and adaptability to tackle new challenges.
Browse Their Portfolio
Any reputable SEO agency should proudly showcase its work. Take time to browse their portfolio and case studies. Look for specific, measurable results, not just vague claims about “increasing traffic” or “improving rankings.”
What should you look for? Real examples with real numbers. Did they increase organic traffic by 150% in six months? Did they help a client rank on page one for competitive keywords? Did their local SEO services help a business dominate its geographic market? These concrete results tell you far more than generic testimonials.
Also, pay attention to the quality of websites in their portfolio. If they claim to offer web design services or web development, their clients’ sites should be modern, fast-loading, and mobile-friendly. If they emphasize content marketing services, their blog examples should be well-written and engaging. The portfolio reveals whether they practice what they preach.
Read Online Reviews
In the age of Google reviews, Yelp, and social media, there’s no excuse for not researching what real clients say about an SEO services company. Look beyond the carefully curated testimonials on their website and dig into third-party review platforms.
What are past and current clients saying? Do they praise the agency’s communication and results? Or do they complain about missed deadlines and lack of transparency? Pay particular attention to how the digital marketing agency responds to negative reviews, as this tells you a lot about their professionalism and accountability.
Don’t just focus on the star rating. Read the actual reviews to understand the context. A three-star review explaining that the agency was great but just not the right fit is very different from a one-star review detailing poor communication and zero results.
Research Their SEO Specialists
Who’s actually going to be working on your account? A digital marketing company is only as good as the people behind it. Research the team members who would handle your SEO strategy. What are their qualifications? How long have they been with the company? What’s their track record?
Look for agencies that are transparent about their team. Check out LinkedIn profiles, read any articles or blogs they’ve written, and see if they’re active in the SEO community. Experienced SEO specialists stay current with algorithm updates, attend industry conferences, and contribute to the broader digital marketing conversation.
Make Sure They’re Responsive
Before you sign any contract, pay attention to how quickly and thoroughly the agency responds to your inquiries. If they’re slow to return calls or vague in their initial communications, that’s likely how they’ll treat you as a client.
A responsive digital advertising agency should answer your questions clearly, explain their processes in terms you understand, and be transparent about what they can and cannot do. They should be eager to learn about your business goals and willing to customize their approach rather than offering cookie-cutter solutions.
Communication is the foundation of any successful agency-client relationship. If you’re searching for a marketing agency near you because you value in-person meetings, make sure they’re willing to accommodate that. If you prefer email updates, confirm they’re committed to regular reporting. Whatever your communication style, your SEO agency should match it.
If you’re looking for an SEO services company that checks all these boxes, we’d love to talk. At IDG Advertising, our team of experienced SEO specialists has helped businesses across industries improve their online visibility and drive real growth. We’re not just another digital marketing agency; we’re real people who care about your success and have the track record to prove it. Ready to see what effective SEO can do for your business? Give us a call today at 714-221-4377 or contact us online to discuss your goals and learn how our comprehensive SEO services can help you dominate your market.
