The intention of this episode is to help you know what to look for if you feel like your SEO agency is taking advantage of you. This particular sentiment has been showing up in my contact inquiries more lately. I pulled together 11 signs to consider in your partnership with your current SEO agency.
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If you’ve been feeling uneasy about what your SEO agency is actually doing, you’re not alone. Lately, I’ve been hearing from people who feel they’re in the dark about what they’re paying for and whether it’s worth it. They’re getting monthly reports, but those reports are just numbers with no clear explanation. And worse, their leads and sales haven’t improved like they expected when they first signed on.
I get it. In my corporate days, I worked with agencies that made me question whether they were truly transparent. If I had the power to end the relationship, I did. That experience left me with a keen sense of what to look for in an SEO partnership—and what to avoid. So, here’s a checklist of red flags to consider if you’re questioning your SEO agency’s commitment to your success.
1. Are They Promising First-Page Rankings?
If an agency guarantees first-page results on Google, it’s a huge red flag. No one can guarantee specific rankings on search engines. SEO is a complex, dynamic field influenced by algorithms that no outside party can control. Be cautious of anyone making guarantees they can’t ethically fulfill.7
2. Is Traffic the Only Metric They Care About?
While increased traffic is essential, it’s not the only thing that matters. Traffic alone won’t drive sales if visitors aren’t converting into leads. Make sure your SEO agency’s strategy also focuses on conversion, helping turn site visitors into real customers. Some SEO companies solely concentrate on boosting traffic numbers without supporting what comes next, which leaves businesses frustrated.
3. Are They Setting Realistic Expectations for Results?
SEO isn’t a quick fix. For most companies, meaningful lead increases can take 3 months to a year to manifest. However, incremental improvements should be visible along the way. If you’re aiming to go from 10 leads a month to 50, you might see an initial jump to 20 or 30 as the results start to kick in, with some fluctuation.
4. Did They Take the Time to Understand Your Business?
A strong SEO strategy begins with a deep understanding of your business, including your industry, customer base, and unique value propositions. If your agency didn’t dive into these topics, that’s a problem. Without knowing what makes your business tick, they’re essentially guessing at how to reach your audience.
5. Do They Understand Your Lead Process?
Knowing how you process leads is key for an agency to track their own effectiveness. For instance, if a visitor fills out a form on your site, they should land on a “thank you” page that triggers a lead conversion in your analytics. This way, you can trace that lead back to SEO efforts, proving their impact on your business.
6. Is Reporting Limited to “Monitoring”?
Monitoring metrics is important, but if that’s all your agency is doing month after month, they’re likely not pushing your SEO forward. Ask yourself if they’re actively explaining what’s happening, what they’re working on, and why. An SEO partner should help you understand the value of each action and the goals you’re moving toward.
7. Are They Using Your Google Analytics or Just Their Own Tools?
Some agencies rely on third-party tools instead of your actual Google Analytics, which can lead to numbers that are more of an estimate than precise data. While these tools are helpful, nothing beats data directly from your own analytics, where you can see the real impact.
8. Do They Care About Your Google Business Profile?
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for local SEO, giving you organic visibility in local search results. Ideally, your SEO team should support or guide you in optimizing your GBP to attract local leads. If they ignore this piece, you may be missing a vital part of your organic traffic strategy.
9. Is There a Clear Goal or Strategy in Place?
It’s essential to have a goal, whether it’s based on hard data or a reasonable estimate, as long as it’s transparent. Without a target, it’s challenging to measure success. You and your SEO team should agree on what success looks like and be clear on how it’s measured. (I have more on this topic in a blog post, linked in the show notes.)
10. Is Communication Clear and Consistent?
Effective communication is a cornerstone of a good agency-client relationship. If you’re struggling to get updates or find it difficult to connect with your SEO team, it may be a sign that the partnership isn’t working as well as it could. You deserve to know what’s happening with your investment.
11. Are They Helping You Create Content?
Content creation is foundational to SEO, whether it’s blog posts, articles, or website updates. Quality content is what draws your audience to your site. If the agency isn’t providing content or working with you to develop it, that’s a missed opportunity to engage and convert your target market.
The Takeaway
If your gut tells you that the agency isn’t working in your best interest, it might be time to move on. The right SEO agency should feel like a true partner, helping you grow and feel confident in your investment. If something feels off, trust yourself. You deserve to work with people who are genuinely invested in your success.
Get Your Free SEO Power-Up Plan
If your SEO feels overwhelming and like a whole different language and you want more traffic and leads, then my SEO power up plan is for you. It’s a free service designed to show you the traffic you’re missing out on and how that missed traffic translates to sales. You’ll get a clear look at what’s working, what’s not, and SEO results.
Inquire below today!
