SEO is a complex and ever-changing digital marketing strategy that businesses of all sizes must consider when looking to increase online visibility. When expanding into new global markets, it’s important to work with an experienced and successful SEO company that can help you benchmark your current website performance and create a roadmap for success. Here are three key strategies to keep in mind when vetting potential global SEO agencies.

1. Define your business goals and target audience.

Before meeting with any potential agencies, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your business goals and target audience. What are your top priorities for launching a global SEO campaign? Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or generate leads and sales? Once you’ve determined your main objectives, you can start to narrow down your search for an agency that specializes in helping businesses achieve similar goals.

2. Consider the agency’s size, location, and team structure.

When meeting with potential agencies, take note of the size of their team and their overall location. Does the agency have a physical office in the country or region you’re targeting? If not, how do they plan on servicing your account? It’s also important to consider the agency’s team structure. Do they have dedicated account managers, copywriters, and designers who can help you with your global SEO efforts? Or are they more of a one-man show? The size and structure of an agency’s team can impact the level of service and attention you’ll receive, so it’s important to ask about these things upfront.

3. Evaluate the agency’s past experience and case studies.

When considering a potential digital marketing agency, be sure to ask about their past experience working with businesses in your industry and in your target market. Do they have any case studies or success stories that they can share? This will give you a good idea of whether or not the agency is a good fit for your business. Additionally, don’t forget to check out the digital marketing company‘s own website and social media presence. Are they active and engaged with their online audience? This is a good indication of their SEO expertise and ability to drive results.

4. Get a feel for the agency’s communication style.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing an SEO agency is their communication style. Do they seem open and transparent? Or are they evasive when answering questions? It’s important to partner with an agency that you feel comfortable communicating with on a regular basis. After all, you’ll be working closely with them to strategize and implement your global SEO services campaign.

5. Discuss pricing and budget considerations.

Before making a final decision, be sure to discuss pricing and budget considerations with each potential agency. What are their fees for services? Are there any hidden costs or unexpected fees? How do they typically structure their contracts? It’s important to have a clear understanding of all costs associated with working with an agency before signing on the dotted line.

6. Ask for references and customer testimonials.

Finally, don’t forget to ask for references and customer testimonials from the agencies you’re considering. This is your chance to speak with businesses who have worked with the agency in the past and get first-hand insights into their level of service and results achieved.

7. Benchmark your current website performance.

To get started, it’s important to benchmark your current website performance. This will give you a baseline to measure results against as you implement your global SEO campaign. There are a number of free and paid tools available that can help you track key metrics like website traffic, organic search rankings, conversion rates, and more. Once you have a good understanding of where your website currently stands, you can start to set realistic goals for your SEO efforts.

8. Define your target markets and keywords.

The next step is to define your target markets and keywords. What countries or regions are you targeting with your global SEO campaign? And what keywords do you want to rank for in those markets? This is important information to share with potential agencies so they can tailor their approach to your specific needs.

Conclusion

So, you’re considering a global SEO agency. Congratulations! This is an important step in taking your website and business to the next level. But with so many agencies to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? And more importantly, how do you make sure your agency is doing its job effectively and meeting your needs? Benchmarking is the key to answering these questions. By comparing different agencies against each other and yourself, you can find the perfect partner to help scale your business globally.