You’ve heard about the long-term advantages of search engine optimization (SEO) over paid advertising, and you’re intrigued. SEO offers a way to generate organic traffic and leads without endlessly paying for every click or impression. Best of all, organic traffic has a higher buyer intent because they searched for what you offered (versus being interrupted by a paid ad).
But if you don’t have the time to learn SEO, create consistent content, or stay updated on the latest algorithm changes, outsourcing to an SEO agency can be a game-changer. The big question is: once you hand it off, do you need to stay involved?
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Short Answer: Babysit? No. Engage? Yes!
When you partner with a top-tier SEO agency, the heavy lifting is done for you. However, your engagement-especially early on-can significantly boost the success of your campaign. Think of it less as babysitting and more as co-piloting. A little input from your side can elevate your SEO efforts from good to exceptional.
7 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your SEO Partnership
1. Educate Your SEO Team
A successful campaign starts with understanding your brand. Equip your SEO team with as much information as possible about your business, audience, and industry:
- Share brochures, case studies, or videos that showcase your products or services.
- Explain your industry’s unique nuances-jargon, trends, and customer pain points.
- Define your brand’s tone: is it authoritative, playful, or conversational?
The more context you provide upfront, the more targeted and effective your SEO strategy will be.
2. Set Up a Review Process
Your SEO team will likely generate blogs, landing pages, and other content as part of their strategy. Request to review the first few rounds to ensure the tone and messaging align with your brand.
Once your SEO agency has captured your style and voice, you can move to a quicker approval process or give them full creative freedom.
3. Respond Promptly
Delays in communication can bottleneck progress. If your SEO team needs content approvals, website access, or feedback, respond quickly to keep the campaign moving forward. If you’re too busy, designate someone on your team to act as the point of contact.
Remember, fresh and consistent content is critical for SEO success-don’t let it sit idle in your inbox.
You can also avoid miscommunication by funneling all feedback through one person. Whether it’s your marketing lead or someone else on your team, this person should coordinate internally and provide the SEO team with clear, consolidated direction.
4. Avoid Micromanaging
While staying engaged is essential, micromanaging can stall progress. Trust your SEO team’s expertise. It’s fine to expect quality, but don’t get bogged down in minor details like word choice or logo alignment. Focus on the big picture-your SEO agency is there to deliver results, not perfection in every pixel.
5. Respect Their Expertise
Your SEO agency is well-versed in optimizing sites for search engines. Trust their recommendations, even if they challenge your instincts. For instance, some clients want every blog to be promotional, but educational content often ranks better and builds trust with your audience.
Your SEO team understands the algorithms, user behavior, and content strategies that drive long-term growth. Let them guide you.
6. Request Regular Updates
Transparency is key. Ask your SEO team for progress reports to stay informed about how your campaign is performing. Some useful metrics include:
- Keyword Rankings: Track your position for target keywords over time.
- Organic Traffic: See how many visitors are coming to your site from search engines.
- Backlink Growth: Understand how your site’s authority is improving with high-quality backlinks.
Better yet, a good SEO agency will be proactive and send these to you without you even needing to ask.
SEO takes time, but consistent upward trends in these metrics indicate that your investment is paying off.
7. Be Patient
Unlike paid ads, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take months to see significant results, but the payoff is worth the wait. You’re building long-term equity in your website by increasing visibility, trust, and authority-assets that won’t vanish the moment your budget changes.
Cutting your campaign short too soon will waste the momentum you’ve built. Stay committed, and you’ll reap the rewards of sustained traffic and conversions.
Exploring Scaled-Down Options
If full-service SEO isn’t feasible for your budget or needs, there are alternatives:
- Basic SEO Services: These may include audits, minor website optimizations, or keyword research but exclude ongoing content creation.
- Project-Based SEO: Hire an agency for specific tasks like content creation or backlink building.
- Hourly Consulting: Perfect if you’re hands-on and just need expert guidance to refine your strategy.
The Takeaway
Outsourcing your SEO doesn’t mean disengaging completely, but it also shouldn’t require babysitting. A strategic partnership with an SEO company allows you to focus on your business while your website steadily climbs in search rankings.