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Understanding SEO and Its Benefits for Your Small Business

While it is an ever-growing number, there are an estimated 1 billion websites online and just over 17,000 agencies offering search engine optimization services worldwide. While that may seem a somewhat unbalanced number, it is a genuinely saturated service market that leaves many buyers unable to choose the best SEO agency for their needs. If you know exactly what you should be searching for, it may not be that much of a daunting task. And it will allow you to choose the best option for the first time. It is knowing what to look for and avoid in an agency. Today, we will look at four elements that will allow you to make the best decision.

Who Are The Real Experts?

It begins with talking with the agency’s real SEO experts and the sales team.

While you can read reviews, testimonials, and case studies, it is possible to find the real potential the agency has during the sales process. You could consider this an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of how the magic happens! The sales process is going to allow you the opportunity to gauge how effective this agency is going to be for you. However, this particular strategy has a downfall, and that is when upper management becomes involved in the sales process.

Management will typically be the best of the best, and they can offer many compelling reasons for hiring their company. They will be knowledgeable of the company and the finer aspects of search engine optimization. They are charismatic and could sell just about anything to anyone, regardless of their need. Have you ever heard of salespeople who could sell ice to an Eskimo? That is the level of sales techniques these management members have, and we are not saying that isn’t good.

Management is in a position to impress you as a client and make you feel as though anything is possible through SEO efforts. Again, we are not saying that there is anything wrong with these tactics; however, you do need to be aware of them.

Considering that management will be so polished at making the sale, it never allows you to speak with the regular agency employee.
You want to meet the individuals performing the daily tasks of the strategy that will be implemented for your website. Will these individuals be able to perform the necessary functions to achieve the results that management sold you?

In many cases, once you have signed the contract with these agencies, management is off looking to sign up new clients and will typically never have any association with you or your website again. Your account will be handed down the line, and you will begin working with someone you have never met before who knows little to nothing about your needs and expectations.

While this is a common scenario among many SEO agencies, it is not always the norm. You want to choose an agency where the sales process does not begin and end with management selling you on the service.

You want an agency where it is a team effort and the employees cannot only sell you on services but also educate you on the process. The agency must be more significant than one single management member or CEO. The average SEO sales representative must be able to converse about the fundamental aspects of a technical website audit and the finer details of proper link building just as strongly as the management team would be able to.

It’s understandable that most people want to talk to the individual right at the top, especially concerning the needs of their business. However, getting down to the root of the agency will show you its basic skillset.

It is in your best interest to find an agency that allows regular team members to serve as the sales force to get a general indication of the type of service you will receive.

Choosing An Agency With Specific Goals

It is essential to be cautious of agencies that are of the mentality of offering everything and the kitchen sink. This is a typical marketing ploy that generally encompasses a lot of industry-specific words designed to impress. This form of marketing is meant to impress you by overwhelming you. No agency can offer everything without losing its direction and strategy.

You want to search for an agency that is not filled with everything. You want an agency that offers a specific outcome without all the filler and nonsense.

While this may make the agency look smaller, it will not matter if they can deliver specific results.

Utter Lack Of Timelines And Goals

You want an agency that works truly efficiently and profitably. With this in mind, they will typically be experts in resource planning. You want to know if your timeline will align with their expectations.

Do not be afraid to discuss the scope and timeline of your projects as well as the overall strategy. If an agency is not able or unwilling to discuss strategy and timeline for your project, cut them loose.

The specific strategy and timeline are essential aspects of your decision. If they offer a sound strategy and decent timeline, you will know that they are the right agency.

First Page Promises

Do you want to know a little secret? Anyone can get a keyword on the first page of the search engines. However, not everyone can get a cash-generating keyword on the first page. It isn’t beneficial if a keyword cannot bring in sales and leads. The agency you choose should have a strategy in place for the acquisition of powerful keywords that will positively impact your website and business.

The ideal agency for you to choose is one that will examine your data and create a strategy built upon your goals. They should consider conversion rates, the site’s historical performance, and any other specific information in the project. The agency is aware that if they cannot bring a positive ROI to the client, they will likely lose the account. Most agencies will use a specific ROI projection algorithm to help determine the overall viability of the campaign.

It is best to avoid any agency that does not clearly demonstrate a path to a positive ROI and growth projections.

Reviews And Testimonials

  • Verified reviews and testimonials are vital to an agency’s ability to perform for the client.
  • However, it is important to remember that many companies in the market use paid and fake reviews.
  • In fact, an entire industry is built upon offering fake and paid reviews for businesses. And it should go without saying that companies will be willing to do anything to improve their reputation. You can scout out fake reviews if you know what you are looking for.
  • You can begin by cross-referencing the review through LinkedIn to find out if it is a legitimate company. If the review has been paid for, you may notice that the profile is associated with reviews all over the country, almost all of them 5-star reviews.
  • The agency you choose should have many specific reviews that are real and factual. The reviews should be from established companies in wide-ranging verticals. This will allow you to see that your agency works with legitimate customers with similar needs.
  • The agency you choose should already be aware of all the fake reviews plaguing the SEO industry. With that in mind, they are conscious of providing honest reviews that can be verified via telephone or email. And if you are looking for further information, they should be more than happy to connect you with other satisfied clients.
  • You should pass on their services if the agency does not have at least two reviews you can verify. In addition, try to speak with at least two references for details about the service. While it may seem like a lot of work, it is a better alternative than choosing a corrupt agency.

We hope that these tips will help you choose the ideal agency for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About SEO

What is SEO?

SEO stands for “search engine optimization” and focuses on growing visibility from the free, organic (non-paid) search results on search engines such as Google or Bing. SEO uses technical and creative elements that will increase awareness, improve rankings, and drive traffic from search engines. There are so many facets of SEO to learn about, from the keywords on your page to the way other sites link to you. SEO is a sustainable, long-term strategy that will make your site search engine friendly and better for visitors too.

Here at Salterra SEO, we want to make SEO understandable for everyone! If you are committed to improving your rankings and are new to SEO, we recommend reading this guide front-to-back, but feel free to read ahead if you’re an SEO guru.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it can be found in an organic search query, as long as the intent of the user is to find local information that matches the content on your website.
These searches will typically include a geographical indicator such as a city or zip code along with the business or product they’re looking for. An example of this search query is “hotels near Saratoga Springs Race Tack”, the search engine would then display websites with content that matches this query.
A consumer can do a search query without a geo-qualifier if they have the location function enabled on their device. This search query would look similar to “car repair shop near me”. Including “near me” helps the search engine determine that you are looking for something that is local to you, as opposed to something irrelevant.

SEO is the gift that keeps on giving. Organic listings are basically free. The majority of traffic comes from major search engines like Google and Bing. With just a bit of effort on your end you will see an increase in awareness and a definite increase in traffic. It’s time to take your site to the next level and get the thousands of visitors you deserve.

Higher visibility means credibility. Plain and simple, Google is the most authoritative search engine and ranking in the top search results will create brand credibility. Search engines are unique from social media-driven traffic because they provide targeted traffic, meaning people are seeking what you offer. If search engines don’t “see” your site that means you are missing out on potential viewers/customers.

SEO is gaining ground. Your competitors are realizing the benefits of SEO and are already taking advantage of them. Even though you might be offering better content or services, your competitors that use SEO are higher up in the ranks. Let us help you get noticed!

Access to data. Access to that keyword data and seeing what your visitors are searching for means you can discover new ways to expand. Use this to your advantage because this data has the potential to bring you thousands of visitors or sales.

Permanent Results. Remember, SEO is sustainable and its effects are permanent. With regular site maintenance and keeping your visitors engaged with great content and strong site structure, you should be well on your way to that top spot!

Why do search engines not understand my site without SEO?

Simply put, if the major search engines can’t easily crawl your website then you are unlikely to rank. Your site needs to be easy for search engine bots to understand and the key ingredient to search engines efficiently crawling your site is good site architecture. For a more in-depth explanation of this, read our article about On-Page SEO. Good website structure means that all of your most important pages are viewable within a couple of clicks from the homepage. This makes your content easily accessible to not only search engines but visitors too.

Can I do my own SEO?

Of course! With guides like ours and a strong desire to learn about SEO, you are soon to become an SEO guru! We provide a Basic SEO Report Card so that you can begin to climb the ranks yourself. Each section of our SEO guide will provide you with the most efficient ways to harness the full power of Search Engine Optimization! Of course, we would love to partner with you on your SEO project. Salterra can advise or take on the whole project, leaving you to run your business.

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Why Trust Salterra Digital Services

Salterra Digital Services  is a leading digital marketing agency specializing in a full suite of services designed to elevate your brand and grow your business. With a laser focus on delivering exceptional results, Salterra has cultivated a reputation for excellence in the field.

Meet the Founders: Terry and Elisabeth Samuels

Terry and Elisabeth Samuels, the founders of Salterra, have over two decades of combined experience in the digital marketing landscape. Their passion for helping businesses succeed fuels the constant innovation and top-notch service that Salterra is known for.

Terry Samuels leads Salterra’s Digital Marketing Division with sons Skyler and Brandon Samuels and a carefully curated staff of SEO Specialists. Elisabeth Samuels leads the Salterra Design and Development Division with her daughter Moraelin Bundy and her staff of project managers, designers, and full-stack developers.

Salterra’s Core Services:

  • Search Engine Optimization: Mastering the art of search engine visibility to put your brand in the spotlight.
  • PPC Advertising: Strategically leveraging paid advertising for optimal reach and ROI.
  • Email Marketing: Crafting compelling email campaigns that foster engagement and drive conversions.
  • Brand Building: Cultivating your brand’s voice, look, and feel for a cohesive and memorable presence.
  • Content Strategy: Creating and distributing relevant content to attract a clearly defined audience.
  • Social Media Branding: Engaging your community through tailored social media strategies.
  • Web Design & Development: Crafting a strong UX/UI website that converts visitors into customers.
  • Reputation Management: Safeguarding your brand’s reputation through active monitoring and positive engagement.
  • SEO University: Teaching Agencies, Free Lancers, and Small Businesses Foundational Search Engine Optimization
  • SEO Spring Training Conference: Salterra is the host of an annual training conference and multiple masterminds around the world.

Location:

Worldwide Reach from Tempe, AZ: Though based in the vibrant city of Tempe, Arizona, Salterra serves a global clientele, extending its world-class services to businesses worldwide.

Connect With Us:

Phone: 602-641-9797
Email: [email protected]
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