In a recent Google SEO office-hours Q&A, John Mueller, a key member of Google’s Search Relations team, provided valuable insights for business owners questioning the effectiveness of their SEO agencies. His advice aimed to help businesses verify whether their SEO agency is actively optimizing their website.
1. Regular Meetings: Ensure Ongoing Communication
John Mueller emphasized the importance of holding frequent meetings with your SEO agency. Regular discussions help you review the work being done and ensure it aligns with your business goals. “Hold frequent discussions with the SEO agency to review their work,” Mueller advised. These meetings are crucial for staying informed about the progress and upcoming tasks.
2. Progress Reports: Track Site Improvements
Another key point Mueller highlighted is the necessity of requesting detailed progress reports from your SEO agency. These reports should provide insights into the site’s performance and the impact of the optimization efforts over time. “Request reports that detail the site’s progress over time,” Mueller said. These documents serve as a benchmark for evaluating the agency’s effectiveness.
3. Future Planning: Discuss Upcoming Work
Discussing future plans with your SEO agency is essential to ensure that your needs are being addressed. By having a clear understanding of what will be done next, you can better gauge the agency’s commitment to your SEO strategy. Mueller stressed the importance of these discussions, saying, “Discussing upcoming work helps ensure the agency addresses your needs.”
4. Client Education: Understand Basic SEO Principles
Mueller also suggested that clients should educate themselves about basic SEO principles. This foundational knowledge will help you better evaluate the agency’s work and confirm whether they are meeting your expectations. “Clients should have a basic understanding of SEO work to better evaluate the agency’s efforts,” he explained.
5. Trust and Engagement: Balance Transparency and Trust
While Mueller acknowledged that increased engagement requires time and effort from both the client and the agency, he believes it is crucial for a successful partnership. “There’s a component of trust involved,” he noted. Building a trusting relationship with your SEO agency, coupled with transparent communication, is key to verifying their work.
Resources For SEO Education
To aid in managing your SEO efforts, Mueller recommended two valuable resources:
Google’s Guide on Hiring an SEO: Provides insights into selecting the right SEO professional.
SEO Starter Guide: Offers foundational knowledge of SEO principles.
These resources can help you understand what to look for in an SEO agency and how to evaluate their performance effectively.
Mueller’s Full Response: A Detailed Overview
Mueller’s comprehensive response highlighted the importance of both communication and education. “When we worked with an SEO agency for some of the Search Central content, we had regular meetings to discuss the work that they did, to look at reports about the site’s progress, and to discuss any upcoming work,” he said. This approach, although time-consuming, provides valuable insights into the agency’s efforts. He also mentioned the need for a basic understanding of SEO to confirm that the agency is fulfilling its obligations.
For additional insights on hiring an SEO professional, refer to our previous discussions and coverage on this topic.
When To Seek Professional SEO Help
For businesses considering professional SEO assistance, several scenarios indicate when it is necessary to seek expert help:
When Google Isn’t Indexing Your Site: If your site is not appearing in search results.
During Site Migrations or Redesigns: To ensure SEO integrity during significant changes.
When Organic Traffic Drops Significantly: To address and reverse traffic declines.
To Reverse Manual Actions: If you receive penalties from Google.
When Current SEO Strategies Aren’t Yielding Results: When existing strategies are not effective.
These scenarios complement Mueller’s advice by identifying critical situations that warrant professional SEO intervention.
Related topics:
