How to choose the right technical SEO agency?

It is extremely frustrating when you hire a professional to do a job and don’t get the result you expected. With technical SEO this scenario is also prevalent. There’s no room for error and hiring the right agency makes all the difference.

You may well be using the best strategies to rank better in search engines, but if you don’t have an optimized website, it won’t do any good. Your site has to be fast, easy to find and keep users engaged for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn more about Technical SEO and get some tips to find the right agency.

What is Technical SEO?

Technical SEO refers to the process of optimizing a website from a technical standpoint to improve its search engine visibility and performance. 

Unlike other aspects of SEO which focus on content creation and link building, technical SEO is more concerned with the backend elements of a website that impact its search engine crawling, indexing and overall user experience.

It is all about improving the user experience. No more pages with slow loading times, without proper resources, or ones which cause user retention to drop. You want people to stay on your site for as long as possible – and search engines like Google will end up rewarding you if you manage it.

In a saturated market, how to choose the right technical SEO agency? and how does technical SEO work?

Here are some aspects you should know about:

Website Speed and Performance

Optimizing the website’s loading speed and overall performance to provide a better user experience and meet search engine requirements. This can involve compressing images, leveraging browser caching and improving server response times.

• Mobile Friendliness
• Ensuring that the website is responsive and works well on various mobile devices. Mobile-friendly websites are given preference by search engines, especially since the majority of internet users now access websites through mobile devices.
• Site Structure and URL Optimization
• Creating a clear and logical site structure, making it easy for both users and search engines to navigate. Optimizing URLs to be descriptive and SEO-friendly also falls under this category.
• XML Sitemaps
• Creating and submitting XML sitemaps to search engines to help them understand the website’s structure and index its pages more efficiently.
• Robots.txt
• Using the robots.txt file to instruct search engine crawlers on which parts of the website should or should not be crawled and indexed.
• Canonicalization
• Implement canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues and ensure that search engines attribute the correct page as the primary source.
• Structured Data Markup
• Adding structured data markup (e.g., schema.org) to the website’s code to provide additional context to search engines and enable rich snippets in search results.
• HTTPS and Security
• Ensuring that the website is secure by using HTTPS encryption. Secure websites are given preference in search engine rankings.
• Indexing and Crawling Issues
• Identifying and fixing issues that may prevent search engines from crawling and indexing the website properly.
• Broken Links and Redirects
• Fixing broken links and setting up proper redirects to maintain link equity and improve user experience.
• Page Rendering and JavaScript SEO
• Ensuring that search engine bots can properly render and understand JavaScript-generated content on the website.

How do you choose the right technical SEO agency?

Technical SEO is a foundational aspect of overall SEO efforts. When a website’s technical aspects are optimized, it becomes more accessible and understandable to search engines, leading to improved rankings, visibility and user experience.

A technical SEO agency specializes in providing services and expertise to optimize the technical aspects of a website to improve its search engine visibility and performance. 

The primary focus of a technical SEO agency is to ensure that a website is well-structured, easily accessible and user-friendly, while also meeting the technical requirements set by search engines.

Choosing the right technical SEO agency is crucial for the success of your online presence and digital marketing efforts. Here are some steps to help you find the best agency to meet your needs:

Check their Website and Google Ranking

If a company offers a service to the client, why not check yourself if it is doing it correctly? Search for the agency on Google, and see if it is well-ranked. This should be done via the anonymous tab so that cookies do not influence the search result.

Enter the website, browse and check usability. This will give you an idea of the efficiency of the work carried out by the agency. 

Check their Expertise

• Search out agencies specializing in technical SEO and have a track record of successful campaigns. Investigate their website, case studies, client testimonials, as well as online reviews to gauge their expertise and reliability.
• Transparency and Communication
• Ensure the agency communicates its strategies, methodologies and progress clearly and transparently. They should be open to discussing their techniques and answering any questions you may have.
• Check Certifications and Accreditations
• Look for agencies that have certifications from Google (such as Google Partner status) or other reputable SEO organizations. This can indicate their commitment to keeping up to date with the latest SEO practices.
• Ask about Reporting
• Inquire about the type and frequency of reporting they provide. Regular and detailed reporting will help you track the progress of your SEO campaigns and measure their impact on your website’s performance.
• Explore their Tools and Technology
• A good technical SEO agency should have access to advanced SEO tools and technology that aid in keyword research, competitor analysis and website auditing.
• Discuss Pricing and Contract Terms
• Obtain detailed pricing information and contract terms before committing to an agency. Be wary of agencies that promise guaranteed results or lock you into long-term contracts without clear deliverables.
• Industry Involvement
• See if the agency actively participates in the SEO community, attends conferences and contributes to thought leadership in the industry. It shows their commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and developments.

Take in these tips on how to choose the right technical SEO agency and take your time to research and make an informed decision. Avoid rushing into contracts or settling for the cheapest option, as quality SEO services can yield substantial long-term benefits.