According to KPMG, 55% of people will search online for reviews and recommendations before buying a product or service. However, there are so many sites that consumers are spoilt for choices. You need to be visible and also hold their interest. A Houston SEO firm can make that happen.

A great SEO agency will know what is right for you and put you in the exact path that will boost revenues. An ordinary one will affect your business negatively. But out of the scores of SEO agencies, how to zero in on the right option?

A simple, unbiased approach can work wonders for your company. Before you choose a suitable SEO agency, you need to find answers to the following questions.

What actions will the SEO agency take to improve search engine rankings?

You need to have sound strategies to achieve desired results. The plan of action should reflect the strategies of the agency.

Everybody understands the importance of keywords and link building to attain higher rankings, but is your agency doing anything different?

Some agencies offer an on-site free technical audit. However, calling up an SEO agency and asking for a SWOT analysis of your site is the least you can do. Talking will also help develop a sense of camaraderie between people who may decide to work together.

How will you know what changes are being made to your website?

The agency should be trustworthy as you need to give it access to your website. After conducting due diligence, the agency may make changes to your site. You should be able to track these changes and know if something goes wrong so that you are quite clear about it. Ask the ‘would be’ SEO agency if it sends regular reports.

Can the SEO agency share the results that they have achieved with their past clients?

To decide whether to hire a certain SEO agency, look at their portfolio. Most SEO agencies give their clients’ names on their websites, but you need to know how they have benefitted from hiring this agency. Ask them for stats that show growth over a period of time.

Consider hiring SEO services like shopping for an expensive product. You would want to check reviews, go through testimonials, and then make your decision.

Does the agency follow Google guidelines and adhere to best practices?

Google applies regular updates to its algorithm with the sole aim of improving search results.

Digital marketers wrack their brains to get the better of them, and sometimes they go too far. Beware of SEO agencies that flout search engine guidelines.

Tweaking existing systems to your advantage may be acceptable to you, but manipulating sites are penalized by Google.

Is the agency offering more than they are taking?

Since there are so many aspects to SEO, many agencies will charge by the project. Find out what will work in your favor, monthly or project-based payment. It should fit within your budget and give you value for money. However, ascertain the psychological costs of dealing with the people in that agency.

Are the people in the agency flexible? Each business has some unique requirements. And what is applicable for Company A may not work for Company B, both companies being in the same industry. For the money that you are paying, will they be able to come up with customized solutions?

Settle for an agency that is willing to go out of its way to ensure your satisfaction.

Have you done your research on the agency?

Don’t go by what is apparent. Take a close look at the information that you can collect about the Houston SEO firm. Ask them questions. Find out if their promises match your expectations.

It is better to be safe than sorry. In your interactions with them, be alert to anything amiss.

If you can find references, then nothing like it, but even if you don’t, follow the social profiles of these agencies. If they have any discrepancies, somewhere or the other, it will be revealed.

Don’t fall into any trap and end up spending more than you had intended to.

Making a note of the questions discussed here and the replies thereto will help you in making the right decisions.