GPS Destinations goes live integrated with hubspot CRM!
When hiring us, or any SEO firm, it’s crucial to follow these eight best practices:
1. Check Reviews: More than 75% of our clients have had bad experiences with unreliable SEO firms. If you’re considering hiring one, read reviews on third-party sites like Google, Yelp, or Bing. Be wary of testimonials on their website unless they link to these trusted platforms.
2. Beware of Instant Results Promises: Instant rankings are usually a gimmick. Ranking for your brand name is relatively simple, but truly profitable keywords take time to rank for. If anyone promises to get you on the first page immediately, they might be misleading you.
3. Be Cautious of Firms with No Reviews: Fear of retaliation can deter business owners from leaving negative reviews, leaving many underperforming firms with little to no feedback. This is particularly common among overseas agencies. Scammers can easily rebrand, so exercise caution.
4. Verify Payment Methods: If an SEO agency relies solely on third-party payment services like PayPal or Stripe, it can be a red flag. Professional agencies usually offer these options in addition to their own merchant account to reduce fees. Insistence on third-party payment alone should raise concerns.
5. Understand SEO Takes Time: Scammers and underperforming firms know profitable SEO results don’t come overnight. They rely on the expectation that results may take up to a year, hoping you’ll keep paying without question.
6. Watch Out for Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: If an agency doesn’t ask for a monthly contract or promises quick results, be wary. Scammers target busy business owners who fail to research performance thoroughly. Take your time and remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
7. Validate Proof of Success: Some agencies showcase one or two websites as proof of their work. They may not have done the actual SEO or leveraged another agency’s work. Make sure you understand their contribution and the timeline.
8. Ask Where the SEO Agency is Located: Check the town where the agency is based and search Google to see if they rank for relevant search terms. Use keywords like “SEO Company [town name]”, “SEO [town name]”, and “SEO Services [town name]” to assess their own local visibility.
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