5 Reasons A "Cheap" SEO Service Isn't

SEO services come in all shapes and sizes, it seems. And finding the balance between quality results and reasonable fees is a challenge.

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Every business owner wants to save money. And every small business owner functioning as their own marketer really wants to save money! While saving money on your marketing efforts is a good thing (a great thing really!) going for the cheap SEO services can turn out to be an expensive option.

A Cheap SEO Service Can Be Not-So-Cheap

Far too many businesses relegate effective SEO strategies to simply a function that can be knocked out with a few keystrokes and a bit of keyword magic. Either because of a lack of understanding, or a lack of appreciation for the value and complexity of effective SEO strategy, they tend to opt for cheap offers of SEO services.

But they are buying a mirage.

According to Gregory Smith, founder at Search Simplicity,

"...the truth is, there’s no such thing as a cheap SEO plan. There are those who are very desperate, and they offer SEO services, as well as link building services, at a low rate, but if you’ve been doing business for any amount of time, you have hopefully come to learn that, you get what YOU pay for."

Yes, there are options out there that promise great results for small fees.

But the reality is in the actual results.

The idea is that you are "buying" quality search results that provide a significant percentage of leads that eventually become paying customers. And if you aren't getting those search results from your "cheap" SEO service, then you are losing money.

What Makes for a Good - not Cheap - SEO Service?

What should you look for when choosing a good SEO service?

While you want to avoid the obviously "cheap" firms luring you, you also don't want to sell the farm for some premium, "everything but the kitchen sink" bundle of services that your business may not really benefit from.

Instead, look for proof of performance, proof of industry knowledge, and proof of trust. And with that in mind, here are five things you want from an SEO/inbound marketing agency:

1. They Use Inbound Marketing

Would you want to hire an investment adviser who doesn't invest in the same stocks he's selling you? So why consider a marketing agency that doesn't practice the type of marketing they want to sell you? You don't!

Erin Wasson, VP of Marketing at UrbanBound, said: "When evaluating any company, the first thing I do is look at their website and social media presence. I Google to see if I can find them online and evaluate how well their website is optimized for search engines."

2. They Have Client Success Stories

These can usually be seen in the form of case studies showcased on the agency's website. Being able to speak to a living, breathing client can be a powerful form of tangible "proof" that the agency in question can and has done their stuff well.

In addition to having a number of success stories, or case studies, be sure to establish that the firm works with your particular side of the marketing equation, B2C or B2B - or both! An agency that has only worked with consumer-targeting businesses may know inbound marketing, but might not be a quality fit for your B2B operation.

3. They Are "State of the Art"

In other words, they not only "know their stuff", but they are up to date. But staying up to date with industry news means not only being on top of marketing trends, but your specific industry's news and trends. Your agency should be able to teach you want you need to know.

Erin Wasson went on to note: "If I know more about available technology out there than a prospective agency, I likely would't hire them. I would want them to teach me new things and keep me on top of trends - not the other way around."

4. They Focus on Your Goals

It's sad to say, but some agencies prefer to use a cookie cutter approach to marketing - establishing a templated process and applying to each and every client, regardless of those business's specific goals and objectives. While this may produce some measurable results for the clients - and make the process more seamless and streamlined for the agency - it's more about the agency's needs than their clients.

You want your agency to know your goals and challenges thoroughly and intimately. They should be able to speak to you as if they were a part of your own management team. And there should be a proposed plan on the table before you sign a contract.

5. They Work For Your Success

A good agency will let you know when they can't really be the best fit for you. While that may seem counter intuitive, it is a hallmark of a quality firm and one that exemplifies professional integrity. In addition, it is an indication that they know their stuff well enough to know what will or will not work for you when it comes to inbound marketing.

Perhaps your goals do not align well with an inbound approach, or maybe they understand that they are not able to help you. A quality and professional firm will be upfront and transparent with you about limitations. A really good agency will be more concerned about your success than their own revenue stream.

Should You Use an Full-Service Agency for Your SEO Services?

That's a great question and a valid one.

Surely content creation and inbound marketing are tasks any capable business owner can manage? Is it really necessary to outsource these functions to a third party, no matter how good they are?

Well, yes and no.

Yes, you probably can do your own inbound marketing. But do you really have the time, resources, and knowledge to make it happen? The truth is that most companies don't. From both a resource allocation perspective and a cost-effectiveness perspective, it makes more sense to enlist the aid of a good outside team.

A Local Agency for Your SEO Services

Fortunately, you don't have to attempt this on your own! Your options for implementing a successful inbound marketing strategy include turning to a professional firm that can work with you to maximize your efforts.

A qualified agency like BroadVision Marketing will develop a road map with an implementation time line, marketing milestones, and key deliverables. Using this road map we will create the framework and structure for us to work with you and help you to achieve your marketing goals.

Get your Free Complimentary Inbound Marketing Session to help you make an informed decision or call BroadVision Marketing at 707-799-1238.

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