SEO (search engine optimisation) is a highly effective marketing strategy that provides some of  the best ROI (return on investment) of any marketing technique. It’s no wonder that 69% of marketers invested in SEO in 2021.

Choosing the right SEO agency can be a daunting prospect, with hundreds, if not thousands, of SEO agencies to choose from, all claiming to offer a better service than their competitors.

With so much choice out there, finding a London SEO agency that can help you to navigate the Google algorithm and stand out from the crowd can be an exciting yet daunting prospect. In this blog, we’ll share our top tips on finding the right London SEO agency for you.

The Benefits of Working with a London SEO Agency

Taking the time to find the right SEO agency for you can be a very valuable investment. When you choose the right SEO agency, you will gain a trusted partner and an extension of your in-house marketing team.

An SEO agency can help your business to:

• Improve brand awareness
• Improve search engine rankings
• Increase traffic to your website
• Boost conversions and sales
• Build credibility

To learn more about the benefits of working with a London SEO agency, take a look at our blog ‘The Top 10 Benefits of Working with An SEO Agency’

How to Find the Right London SEO Agency For You

1. Be aware of red flags

Be wary of agencies that offer guarantees that your website will rank in a certain position within a certain space of time.

As marketers, we know that the Google algorithm is complex and ever-changing, and although we understand the practices needed to improve for SEO, it is not possible to guarantee when a website will start ranking or what position it will rank after optimisation is complete. Rather than thinking of SEO as a quick-fix, it should be seen as a medium-term investment that, when done correctly, allows you to reap the rewards for years to come.

2. Understand SEO principles and techniques

You don’t have to be an expert in SEO (that’s why you’re hiring an agency!) but having a basic understanding of SEO can be helpful when it comes to comparing one agency’s services to another. Some of the SEO techniques that an agency might offer include:

• On-site SEO
• Off-site SEO
• Technical SEO
• Link building

When you meet with agencies, you should feel able to ask questions about what techniques they would recommend for your business and why.

3. Get clear on KPIs

In order to find the right London SEO agency for you, it’s important to establish clear metrics for success and understand how the success of your campaigns would be measured. Some of the KPIs that SEO agencies typically measure include:

• Leads and sales
• Organic traffic
• Click through rate
• Keyword ranking

4. Consider Price

Everybody loves a bargain, but in the world of SEO, the price you pay can often be a reflection of the quality of service you can expect from an agency, as well as the expertise of the people you will be working with.

SEO agencies that offer extremely low rates may not turn out to be a wise investment; some cut price SEO agencies have been known to use tactics that can negatively impact your website’s credibility such as poor quality content writing or shady link building practices, that can even lead to your website being penalized by the Google algorithm.

5. Culture is key

Every business has a culture and origin story, and certain factors that make them stand out against competitors. Taking the time to assess the culture of a prospective agency can give you an idea about whether or not they would be a good fit for your business. For example, if your business identifies as a purpose-led organization, you may want to find an agency that also identifies with these values or has worked with similar companies.

Although you can often find out a lot about an agency’s culture from their social media and website, the best way to find out if your business would be a good cultural fit is to meet in person. Where possible, you should ask to meet the team who you would be working with, to understand their ways of working and help you decide whether or not you would be a good fit.

6. Read reviews and testimonials

When you’re looking for a London SEO agency, it is important to do as much research as possible. This can include Google and Trustpilot reviews, and reaching out to previous or existing clients that may be listed on their website. It can be especially relevant to hear testimonials from previous clients that have businesses that are a similar size to you, or who operate in similar sectors.

During the process of finding an agency, a reputable agency should always be happy to share testimonials and connect you with previous or current clients.

7. Ask for case studies

When you are choosing an SEO agency, your top priority will be to get the best possible return on investment. In the prospecting phase, an agency should be happy to share examples of previous SEO campaigns with you, explaining their approach to an SEO campaign and how it worked.

A reputable SEO agency should be able to explain the tactics that they used in detail, for example technical or on-page SEO, content writing, digital PR and more, and explain why those techniques were chosen, as well as demonstrating impact.

8. Look beyond standard SEO

In 2022, SEO professionals must take a multi-faceted approach, as they understand that the Google algorithm takes into account an increasingly diverse range of factors when ranking a website. For example, did you know that everything from your social media strategy to your websites’ UX can influence your SEO ranking ?

The highest calibre SEO agencies will be at the cutting edge of the latest developments in the world of SEO, and will be able to provide a team to help you to navigate the complex Google algorithm, with a range of expertise that can help make your SEO goals a reality.

9. Trust your instincts

After you’ve done your necessary due diligence, read testimonials and taken time to reflect, it sometimes just comes down to whether or not you can see yourself working in partnership with an agency and having a good working relationship. When you’re making a decision to invest in a SEO agency, you should always feel able to ask questions and never feel pressured into making decisions on the spot. Finding the right London SEO agency takes time and effort, but your business will reap the benefits of an effective SEO strategy for years to come.

Speaking of, Social Chameleon may well be your London SEO agency of choice. Whatever your business, we’ve got the skills and experience to set you apart from the crowd.

Read to take your SEO strategy to new heights? Get in touch with our team today.