The truth is “eCommerce SEO agencies” are a dime a dozen, and there are as many bad ones as good ones, probably many more.
So if you need an assurance that the one you’re looking at (or talking to) is legit, here are 10 positive signs.
1. They’ve been around for more than 10 years
An SEO agency that has been around for more than 10 years has two things to show: it has held happy clients for a considerable portion of time, and it has been around long enough to weather several key Google updates.
2. They have published case studies with actual data
Some eCommerce SEO agencies don’t publish case studies simply because they can’t. That is not a good look, as case studies furnish a unique opportunity to showcase results for their clients’ online stores. If you’re looking at a case study, here are two important things: it should focus on your industry, and it should show results like impressions, clicks and conversions.
3. They show up in the organic search results (not the ads)
Any eCommerce SEO agency can pay to show up in the ads, but results in the search engine rankings must be earned. Plus, this is like the whole thing they’re selling, right?
4. They have a strong client portfolio
You want to be working with an SEO agency that has had happy customers and is not afraid to show them off. A diverse portfolio is a good sign, especially if the clients in the portfolio represent the industries in which the agency specializes.
5. There are lots of positive client reviews (as well as a few negative ones)
Any reputable agency peddling eCommerce SEO services is going to have lots of favorable reviews and testimonials. The presence of a few negative ones should actually be seen as a positive, too, since it means the agency isn’t scrubbing its reviews before allowing them to be seen.
6. Their eCommerce SEO experts have identified and defined a few industries in which they specialize
SEO agencies, like any business model, have core competencies. Some might focus on fashion, others on digital marketing strategies for PPC-restricted industries like vape, CBD and THC, or firearms. Find one that works for you.
7. They offer references that are happy with their services
Any eCommerce SEO agency should be happy to offer references and be ready to share them. Listen closely to what they say as this may determine whether or not you want to hire the agency in question.
8. They have long-standing clients
An eCommerce SEO agency that stays afloat simply because it has good salesmen is not necessarily a good thing. The people that actually do the work need to deliver, and the proof of that will be if there are long-standing clients.
9. They have in-house copywriters
As SEO has evolved, it has really become more content marketing than conventional SEO, which makes the importance of copy central to the performance of organic marketing. As a result, you will not want to work with an eCommerce SEO company that outsources this central component of the work.
10. They don’t promise fast results once you start talking to them
Everyone that knows SEO knows that it takes a long time to start generating results. Any agency that promises you results within a given window of time – especially if it is less than a year – is serving smoke and mirrors. Avoid promises like the plague.
Start Your Search for an eCommerce SEO Agency Today
The best time to start SEO was 10 years ago, but right now is a close second. Get started looking for an eCommerce SEO agency today, look for these signs, and make it happen.
