Search engine optimization services are boons to your business when implemented properly.
Among other things, SEO services can include keyword research, content marketing plans, and advertising (paid ad) plans, and a deep dive into your business to determine the best long-tail keyword opportunities.
What search engine optimization services can't do however is guarantee search engine ranking. Guaranteed ranking is an empty promise as it's just not possible. And if that guarantee is what you're counting on, the services may not be worth the cost.
Are Search Engine Optimization Services Worth the Cost?
Are SEO services right for your brand? It depends on the metrics you're using to value success, the proposed methods of the SEO plan, and whether those methods help you reach your goal.
Let's say your goal is to be known as a thought leader concerning customer service in the pet supply market. You can increase your presence on platforms like LinkedIn without SEO by posting thoughtful content. But if you find added value from Google sending people to your LinkedIn posts when they look up information about customer service in the pet industry, the SEO will have helped your goal.
If you're able to track conversions -- that is, prove that the SEO service led to a sale or your intended goal -- you can more accurately determine whether the SEO services are worth the spend. Your SEO agency should provide you with multiple metrics to help you understand whether the search engine optimization services hold value for your goals.
Work with your agency to clearly outline your goals and understand which metrics will prove the value of SEO work:
- Conversion
- Engagement
- Search engine ranking
- Backlinks from higher-value websites
Since SEO doesn't happen overnight, it can take some time for your pages to rank and your website authority to improve, so even when basing the value of your SEO investment on hard metrics, have the mindset that search engine optimization is a long-term approach to lead generation and you might not see the intended results until months down the road.
Search Engine Optimization Services Help You Find the Right Focus
The best search engine optimization services can help you determine the right questions to address on your website using a process called semantic search research -- understanding how people search.
Let's say you own a mobile dog grooming business based in Brooklyn, New York. You've got a lot of local competition, but one way search engine optimization services can help you get an edge on them is to understand exactly what people look up to find your service.
Examples might include:
- What is a top rated mobile dog grooming service in Brooklyn?
- Best mobile dog grooming for small dogs near me
- Same day mobile dog grooming Brooklyn
Search Engine Optimization Services Aren't One-Size-Fits-All
While some standard practices work for all businesses in a general sense, the same search engine optimization services don't work for every business to reach their specific goals. It can vary depending on budget, business size, products or services, business goals, existing website and branding, and whether the business has a physical location or only a digital presence. Some details of SEO are nuanced, which means your search engine optimization services should come with a plan that matches your specific needs.
An SEO Plan is More than Keywords
When evaluating search engine optimization services and companies, ensure that you will get a customized plan and not just a list of keywords. Yes, keywords are important, but without a plan and some guidance on what to do with them, it will be hard for someone who doesn't know SEO very well to take next steps. In addition to keywords, you will need a content creation plan and a content marketing plan to get the most out of your search engine optimization services.
These plans and other SEO recommendations are just as important as the keywords themselves. Make sure you are working with experts who understand your specific needs.
Speak with an SEO Expert
When you engage in a discovery call with us, you're not just speaking to a sales representative, but seasoned marketing professionals excited about educating you regarding your search engine optimization services needs. If you're looking for less flash and more substance, check out our toolkit or contact us when you're ready to get started with your SEO project.
