It’s impossible to deny the importance of search engine optimization (what we call SEO) for the success and growth of small businesses. But when it comes time to pick an SEO company to market your business online, you’re flooded with a ton of sales pitches and conflicting information.
We want to help.
This blog is all about how to choose the right SEO company for your business. Along the way, we’ll also show you how to tell the difference between exaggerated SEO claims and the realistic expectations you should have for your SEO company.
Why Do I Need SEO Services?
Let’s start with the basics.
Search engine optimization is a type of online marketing that aims to make your website more searchable on Google. With the vast majority of consumers using the Google search engine or Google Maps to find the businesses they need, it’s important to appear at the top of the search results.
Your SEO company’s goal is to make sure that you do just that. If you’re on the first page, that means you are ranking well on Google. And once you’re ranking and consumers are visiting your site, you’re on the fast-track to loads of leads!
Pro Tip #1: Don’t believe any SEO company that claims they can get you to rank #1 on Google. In SEO, there are too many random and unknown factors in Google’s algorithm to make a guarantee like that. Instead, choose a company that offers a reasonable and achievable goal like getting your site on the first page of Google.
How Does SEO Work?
At the back of a lot of books, there is an index with keywords that you could use to find the page you want to read. Well, Google (and other search engines like Yahoo and Bing) work in the same way.
Think of Google as a giant index for every single page that exists on the Internet. Google reads every page looking for keywords that tell it what the page is about. When consumers search for those keywords on Google, Google will pull up the pages that are most relevant to that keyword.
The goal of SEO is to show Google that your website is the most relevant result for consumers. To do that, your SEO company will optimize your website by:
- • Building a mobile-friendly version of your site
- • Including pictures that are relevant to your business and industry
- • Including easy to find contact information
- • Including testimonials or links to Google reviews
- • Writing content that includes relevant keywords
- • Building online authority with backlinks
Pro Tip #2: Choose an SEO company that prioritizes your mobile-friendly website. Google knows that the majority of consumers use their smartphones or tablets to search for businesses on-the-go. With a well-designed mobile-friendly website, you’ll climb to the top of Google in no time.
SEO Takes Time, Patience, and Continuous Attention
Search engine optimization is not a one-time thing. It’s not enough to have a great website that checks all the boxes listed above. Google likes active websites that are frequently updated. Your SEO company’s job is to constantly update your site, engage with potential clients, and help you build strong links within your industry. It’s a process that takes time and attention. The moment you let your SEO slip, you’ll see your Google ranking drop.
Don’t lose leads to the local competition. Hire a professional SEO company like LinkNow Media who will get you ranking and keep you ranking on Google.
Pro Tip #3: Get reviews on Google and start ranking on fast! Some SEOs will claim they can get you ranking next day with insider tricks. However, because Google has its own timelines, everyone has to wait to have their websites indexed and ranked. The only way around it is to get detailed reviews from your clients. And don’t forget to respond to them promptly!
SEO Works
One of the many ways Google works to eliminate web spam is by constantly changing the rules. Every time they update their algorithm to improve the quality of the search results, SEO companies must adapt. If your SEO company is using outdated practices, it’s not going to work. At LinkNow, we have the research and the numbers to back us up. SEO works and will continue to work, so long as search engines exist, and you have a solid SEO company working with you.
Pro Tip #4: If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Some SEO companies will take shortcuts to rope you in and then won’t deliver results. For example, if they’re offering you 20,000 backlinks for $20, you can bet that it’s a trick. As with everything (including written content), quality always trumps quantity on Google. It’s better to have fewer high-quality backlinks than a ton of poor ones.
Grow Your Business with SEO Services from LinkNow Media
Hiring a professional SEO marketing company like LinkNow Media means taking advantage of years of research and results-driven strategy. From written content to SEO optimized coding, our SEO strategies are proven to generate leads. We always stay updated on the most current SEO best practices and tailor our strategies to suit Google’s changing algorithm. Sure, SEO takes time, patience, and constant attention. But the results are worth it. Our clients generate leads and grow their businesses consistently, year after year.
Are You Ready to Get More Business?
Join over 10,000 businesses who are already benefiting from our field-tested and results-driven SEO strategies. Consider a website and an SEO marketing package from LinkNow Media and take your business to the next level this year.
For more information, leave us a comment below with your email address, and we’ll get back to you straight away. Or, give us a call at 1-888-667-7186 to speak to an SEO expert.