- A comprehensive content and technical audit to identify potential problems
- A level of support and consultancy adapted to your needs: since many agencies charge quite a significant amount per hour, it is worth having clear requirements before signing a contract
- An integrated strategy: all elements of the strategy should be working together
- Beware of companies offering top rankings, no self respecting agency would ever promise number 1 SE rankings for specific keywords
- Good reporting: since you're likely to spend large parts of your marketing of your budget on SEO/SMO and PPC, make sure you're provided with the right reporting tools as you'll need to measure ROI going forward
- Check for references, see who the agency is currently working with
- Remember, you may not need all of the bells and whistles on offer, so make sure you get the basics right (onsite optimisation / link building) before signing for complicated and expensive social media activities
- Always negotiate rates and never let an agency treat you like a small customer, no matter what your budget is
- Don't be afraid to ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms mentioned
- Whichever agency you choose, responsiveness is key, so a good account manager needs to be available for you when you need
If you want to know more, feel free to ask!
see you next, have a good weekend