As a startup, it’s crucial to promote your new business effectively, and a reputable SEO agency can help you achieve this goal. However, not all SEO agencies for startups s are reliable, and selecting the wrong one can derail your startup before it even takes off. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a trustworthy SEO agency that can steer your business towards success with their expertise.
So, how do you find an SEO agency for startups? By asking the right questions, understanding pricing models, spotting red flags, and really evaluating if an agency is the right fit. This article will be your lighthouse guiding you to make the right choice.
What Should You Look For in an SEO agency for startups?
Choosing an SEO agency is kind of like going on a blind date. You want to find out if you have chemistry and align on values, approach, and priorities. Rather than just taking your friend’s word for it that your date is “so great,” you need to find out for yourself if they’re really as compatible as advertised.
Here are the key factors you need to explore:
They Specialize in SEO for Startups Working with startups is very different from enterprise SEO. Make sure any agency you consider specializes in early-stage companies. They should understand the startup stage you’re at and what your goals are for using SEO to fuel your growth.
Their SEO Strategies Align to Your Goals
Do they focus mostly on backlinks, technical optimization, content marketing? Make sure the strategies they prioritize match up with the outcomes you expect from SEO, whether that’s increased organic traffic, more conversions, lower cost per acquisition, etc. Talk to them about your goals and ask how their approach to SEO will help you get there.
They Have Case Studies Relevant to Your Niche
If you run an ecommerce site selling bike parts, working with an agency experienced in the cycling niche is going to be vastly more effective than one with only case studies for law firms and dental clinics. Relevant niche experience matters when it comes to producing content and links that resonate with your ideal audience and move the needle on search rankings.
They’re Transparent About Their Link Building Tactics
Link building is what moves the needle on rankings, but not all link building tactics are created equal. Make sure any agency you consider is upfront about what type of link building they do, whether they stick to white hat tactics or rely more on grey hat techniques like paid links or link networks. As a young company, maintaining a solid reputation is crucial.
They Have Raving Reviews and Case Studies
Social proof speaks volumes when it comes to evaluating an agency’s track record. Look beyond the polished case studies on their website. Check third party review sites to see candid client feedback and measurable performance data from real customers. If they don’t have many reviews, ask for client references you can talk to.
These are the core factors to explore, but a few other things that can boost your trust in an agency are longevity (how long they’ve been in business), awards and media features, contributors to established SEO publications, and people who work there speaking at relevant conferences.
What Questions Should You Ask an SEO Agency?
To dig into those key factors for choosing an SEO agency, you need to ask smart questions. Here are some essential ones every startup should have on their list:
How Do You Customize Your Approach For Different Stages of Startups?
A one-size fits all SEO strategy won’t cut it for a pre-seed startup versus a series B company. Ask how they tailor their strategies and reporting based on startup stage and growth goals.
What Are Your Typical Packages and Pricing For Startups?
SEO costs can really vary, so ask upfront what their typical monthly retainers or project fees are for startups to set expectations on budget.
What SEO Deliverables and Reporting Do You Provide?
The whole point of hiring an agency is getting results and insights you can’t generate on your own. Ask what analytics, metrics, competitor research, and reporting they give clients to help shape your strategy. Tracking keywords and rankings is standard – see what else they offer.
Can You Provide Relevant Case Studies or Client References?
As highlighted earlier, you’ll have much more confidence in an agency if they can showcase verified success stories from clients in your industry and point you to startup founders who can vouch for them.
How and Where Do You Get Links?
Every legit agency builds links, but some methods are more sustainable for long term rankings than others. Pay attention to how transparent they are about their tactics and if they guarantee any of their outreach placements. Overdependency on paid links or sketchy networks should raise eyebrows.
What SEO Mistakes Do Startups Commonly Make?
Their answer here can speak volumes about their experience level working with startups specifically. All young companies have similar growing pains. See if they call out avoidable mistakes you may be susceptible to based on where you currently are in your customer acquisition journey.
Who Handles Our Account, and How Accessible Are You?
Big agencies can promise the world during a sales call then pass you off to a junior account manager once you sign. Make sure you know specifically who would handle your account and how easy it is to access senior leadership when needed.
These seven questions should expose the most serious contenders from the less experienced agencies out there. Next, let’s look at the key pricing models to expect from SEO firms.
Breaking Down SEO Agency Pricing Models
When it comes to pricing for search engine optimization, you’ll generally encounter one of three models:
Hourly – consultants bill per hour based on time spent optimizing pages, building links, creating content etc.
Monthly retainer – an ongoing fixed monthly fee for an agreed upon scope of recurring SEO deliverables
Project fee – a one-time flat rate paid upfront for a specific optimization project or campaign
Hourly engagements allow maximum flexibility, since you only pay for work done in a given month. However, it provides less predictability on total spend. Monthly retainers and project fees enable agencies to quote a specific deliverable or outcome for a fixed price. This caps your risk while setting clear expectations.
Of course, pricing varies greatly within those models based on experience level, services included, location, and other differentiators.
For an early stage startup doing keyword research, technical optimization, and simple link building, expect to invest anywhere from $750 to $2,500+ per month. On the higher end for premium local service businesses targeting competitive keywords in metro markets, that could reach $5,000+ monthly.
If hiring for an intensive 3 month link building campaign to accelerate growth coming out of launch phase, project fees typically range from $5,000 to $30,000+.
While budget is always a key driver, resist choosing an agency solely based on being the lowest bidder. The old adage “you get what you pay for” often rings true in SEO. A rock bottom fee likely signals inexperience or reliance on spammy tactics.
However, the most expensive agency also does not guarantee results. You need to find the optimal balance of value and transparency. Vetting them thoroughly on the criteria in this guide helps avoid overpaying for shiny promises that may not translate to tangible outcomes.
Watch Out For These SEO Agency Red Flags
Through asking incisive questions, understanding pricing models, and checking reviews you should already begin separating quality agencies from those raising eyebrows.
However, a few big red flags still sometimes slip through the cracks. Be on high alert for any of these and run away if you encounter:
Guaranteed Rankings
Google’s algorithm has thousands of shifting variables. No legitimate agency can guarantee a #1 ranking in 3 months. Anything guaranteed likely involves corners cut somewhere.
Requests For Access to Google Analytics, Search Console
Reputable agencies should be able to give recommendations and report on progress without ever needing access to your property data. Granting login access enables rogue consultants to inflate their own perceived value by taking credit for any external factor driving your organic traffic up.
Excessive Focus on Links
From Web 2.0s, Directories While diversifying backlink profiles, overemphasis on these weak links raises questions. Unless you sell niched blogging software, quality content-based links will move the needle far more for an early stage startup.
Refusal to Disclose Link Building Tactics
Transparency into link building methodology is table stakes when hiring an agency. Any vagueness, dodging questions, or claiming “proprietary techniques” should call motives into question. Ethical agencies have nothing to hide in how they conduct outreach.
Requests to Hide Who You Are
Some less scrupulous agencies ask clients mask their domain identity when conducting link building to disassociate from spam complaints. Any suggestion of deceit is a giant red flag. Your brand reputation is paramount.
Avoid signing that contract if an agency checks any of those red flag boxes. Healthy organic growth relies on building brand equity and trust. Shady tactics may show short term gains but set you back long term.
Vetting SEO agencies on the criteria in this guide steers you clear of potentially precarious partnerships. But beyond just avoiding bad actors, you want to truly evaluate fit.
Does This SEO Agency Feel Like the Right Fit?
The dating metaphor introduced earlier holds true here. You could have ruled out demonstrably bad matches, but still have multiple potential agencies left. So how do you choose just one?
That gut check of chemistry matters when assessing fit beyond boxes ticked on paper. Consider these softer evaluation criteria:
Did They Demonstrate Real Interest in My Business?
It’s shocking how many agencies conduct boilerplate audits clearly recycled from a template without asking probing questions on your startup’s differentiators, competiton, and goals. You want a consultant obsessed with really understanding your customers and products – not just prospecting any business with a pulse.
Were Our Call and Email Conversations High Touch?
Once you demonstrate serious interest in hiring them, do they give thoughtful responses addressing your unique concerns? Or canned sales pitches ignoring specifics you mentioned. Signs point to the latter likely continuing post-sale with minimal strategic guidance.
Do I Trust This Agency Not to Cut Corners?
Technical prowess can seem impressive, but means little if they’d sacrifice your site’s future health for quick wins today. Having genuine faith they’ll make ethical recommendations tailored to your risk tolerance matters.
Did We Have Good Banter and Back-and-Forth?
You’ll be interacting regularly reviewing data and strategy together. Make sure conversation flowed naturally on that first call. If talk feels stilted already, forcing camaraderie long term likely strains patience over time.
Do They Feel Like a True Partner vs. a Vendor?
Commoditized services treat clients like uniform widgets. You want a thoughtful consultant who goes the extra mile, not just clocks in and out. See if they think strategically about your needs beyond the surface, offering introductions or advice helping accelerate business goals. That earmark of a true partner can be game changing for startups navigating uncertain waters.
While impossible to guarantee outcomes hiring any agency, following the guideposts outlined here minimizes risk of entrusting your startup’s SEO to the wrong match. Now let’s wrap up with a quick overview of key takeaways.
Choosing an SEO Agency for Your Startup: Key Takeaways
If you only remember five things from this complete guide, make it these points:
- Find specialists with proven success optimizing startups in your niche – their case studies and client reviews validate ability to deliver results tailored to customers like you
- Ask smart questions to assess their strategies, reporting, transparency, and accessibility – you want to set clear expectations upfront on deliverables, communication norms, and link building tactics
- Understand hourly, monthly, and project based pricing models – factor in value not just cost when comparing agency options against your budget
- Keep an eye out for red flags like guarantees, shady tactics, or overemphasis on weak links – any traces of these signal questionable integrity
- Trust your gut feeling on chemistry and partner potential – since you’ll collaborate frequently, make sure conversations felt smooth and they take a genuine interest in your business specifically
Following this advice steers your startup toward an SEO agency for startups poised to provide maximum value. But don’t just take my word for it…
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Prioritize a Local or National Agency?
Focus on specialists with expertise in your core geographic market first. Local expertise translates to niche-relevant links, partnerships, and authority building locally. Most start off catering to their city prior to expanding nationally.
What Deliverables Should I Expect for Standard Reporting?
Typical monthly reporting provides rankings reports showing your core keyword movements, links acquired with examples, metrics on overall domain authority trends, and organic traffic and conversions data showing impact on customer acquisition goals.
When Will I See Results From SEO Efforts?
Done right following a diligent strategy, expect site traffic lifts within 3-6 months as rankings begin climbing for targeted keywords. However, SEO is an ongoing process with momentum building over years not months. Manage expectations on pacing and commit to a long term approach.
How Can I Check References on an SEO Agency’s Past Clients?
Any agency should be able to provide client references upon request. Reach out directly to those contacts asking about their experience, results delivered, and why they chose to extend or not renew contracts. Speaking to past clients provides unfiltered insights on what it’s actually like partnering with the agency.
What Contract Terms Should I Fight For or Avoid?
Requiring 30 days notice before canceling contracts protects you from getting dropped abruptly if their priorities shift. But be wary of terms locking you into 6+ month non-cancellable agreements or auto-renewals beyond your desired initial project length before assessing performance.
Final Tips
Doing your due diligence following the advice above helps your startup begin leveraging SEO agency for startups positioned to provide lasting value, not just temporary vanity metrics. While the examples and scenarios cited focused on SEO specifically, many lessons apply more broadly to evaluating any marketing services partner, emphasizing the crucial role of essential SEO services for law firms in enhancing online visibility and attracting potential clients.
The key is tuning your “buyer antenna” to filter signal from noise. Once aligned on end goals, approach, and working relationship, a truly great agency more than pays for itself propelling startup success stories they can proudly feature as future case studies. Choosing wisely sets their sails – and your startup’s future.