Finding the right SEO company can be an intimidating task on its own. However, when it comes to Enterprise SEO Expert, the complexity reaches a whole new level, which can be overwhelming. The increasing number of SEO agencies makes it even more challenging to identify those who genuinely understand how to optimize a website using the latest Google algorithms, without resorting to deceitful tactics or spam.
In my years of experience, I have been involved in both sides of the equation. I began by establishing an SEO agency with a small team and a few clients, which quickly grew to serve over a couple of hundred clients with a workforce of over some employees within a year.
The transition from working with small and medium businesses to large corporations with bureaucratic structures is not an easy one, especially for agencies.
How to Collaborate with an Enterprise SEO Agency
Having a solid grasp of your requirements for your enterprise SEO agency is crucial for their performance once they are brought on board. During the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, establishing clear expectations will not only assist you in distinguishing between capable and less capable agencies, but it will also pave the way for long-term success for both parties involved.
Collaborating with your agency to outline a comprehensive business case and identify the necessary SEO tools, especially with insights from the Best Organic SEO Services Providers, will contribute to organizing your needs and formulating a strategic plan for the agency’s future involvement.
Moreover, the business case will facilitate effective communication of expectations with key stakeholders and help garner their support and approval.
Where to Find Enterprise SEO Agencies
Personally, I maintain a curated list of agencies that keep me updated on new in-house roles. As a consultant, I recommend agencies to clients based on their specific needs. Drawing from my experience, I am aware of the strengths and capabilities of different agencies, and I always make recommendations accordingly.
If you don’t already have a list of agencies, reaching out to the SEO community through a tweet or a post in a relevant Facebook Group can be helpful in seeking recommendations.
If time permits, attending industry conferences like SMX Advanced, Pubcon, or Mozcon can provide valuable opportunities to expand your agency list. Take the time to explore exhibition booths, engage in conversations with agency representatives who specialize in areas relevant to your needs, and interact with other attendees.
Establish connections with fellow SEO professionals operating at an enterprise level and inquire about their preferred agencies and the reasons behind their choices.
In cases where you need to evaluate a considerable number of agencies for a specific requirement, a Request for Proposal (RFP) may be necessary, although it is not always mandatory. As long as your needs and expectations are clearly communicated, the review process should proceed smoothly.
Allow each agency to engage in one-on-one discussions with you regarding your expectations, and consider a second step where they present to a larger team.
Having a solid grasp of your requirements for your enterprise SEO agency, especially when seeking the best organic SEO Services providers, is crucial for their performance once they are brought on board. During the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, establishing clear expectations will not only assist you in distinguishing between capable and less capable agencies, but it will also pave the way for long-term success for both parties involved.
What Makes an Enterprise SEO Agency Stand Out?
Agencies with experience at the enterprise level often bypass obvious fixes because they understand that there may be underlying business reasons for them. For example, consider the Afritia website, where the redirect from “afritia.com” to “merchants.afritia.com” is a glaring SEO issue.
I have always maintained that any SEO professional who fails to address this matter lacks a fundamental understanding of SEO. However, it is important for agencies to:
- Proceed with the awareness that there may be valid business justifications for such decisions.
- Assess the impact versus the effort required to rectify the issue.
- Remain open to feedback and engage in discussions with the SEO team during the review process, accepting any pushback or explanations offered.
An agency that lacks experience working with complex enterprise-level websites may not fully comprehend that:
- Fixing the issue might not be as straightforward as it appears.
- The business may not support the suggested changes.
- Legal considerations could be involved.
- The fix might not be scalable across the entire enterprise.
Enterprise SEO agencies understand that engagement levels with larger companies tend to be higher compared to smaller clients. They need to be proactive because the in-house SEO team is often overwhelmed with other pressing tasks. Regular check-ins and open communication are crucial for a successful agency-client relationship. Personally, I have found that agencies with local offices and those that make frequent in-person visits work best.
Is It Required to Hire an Agency to Handle Pay-Per-Click Tasks?
The most exceptional agency I have ever collaborated with had an SEO manager who:
- Operated as a contractor but had a designated desk in our office, a company email address, access to tools, and reporting capabilities.
- Attended regular meetings involving engineering and various verticals across the organization.
Ultimately, the relationship between an enterprise SEO agency and the client should resemble an extension of the in-house team. It should involve regular communication, proactive suggestions for growth strategies and foundational fixes, and a commitment to ensure that the necessary work is carried out effectively.
How to Managing SEO Agency
Effective communication is the key to managing your enterprise SEO agency successfully. Ensure they have the necessary tools and access to be productive and support them in championing their work. I have encountered situations where capable agencies, initially full of promise, became unresponsive and failed to deliver any meaningful work for weeks or even months. Frustrations arose on both sides, with no one to blame entirely.
While contracts are signed with optimism and solid plans, if communication dwindles and support is lacking, the agency cannot thrive, and your SEO efforts will suffer as a result. To prevent such issues, establish clear expectations and a roadmap of deliverables for the agency to follow. Offer support where possible and follow through with other teams to ensure the completion of promised work.
Maintain regular check-ins, ideally on a weekly basis, with a defined list of tasks they are working on, tasks your team is handling, and expected delivery dates. Discuss the progress of each task and conclude the meetings with any recommendations the agency may have to keep the work flowing smoothly.
Monthly check-ins with key stakeholders are also beneficial to maintain accountability. Other teams within the organization can also benefit from the agency’s expertise, but they need assistance in understanding their role in the work that needs to be accomplished.
Personally, I find it effective to provide a quarterly report detailing completed tasks and the return on investment (ROI) for projects or tasks completed more than three months prior.
While some cases may require weekly, monthly, or even daily reporting, it’s essential to strike a balance so that the agency doesn’t become solely a reporting agency, losing focus on their core SEO responsibilities. When the contract term ends, the relationship might not be renewed.
Find the right communication frequency and set expectations accordingly, making adjustments as necessary. Regularly review the contract to ensure it aligns with the evolving needs and goals of both parties. When collaboration and communication are strong, the success of SEO efforts, which both sides are striving for, will become evident.
Would you like to read more about how to choose the right SEO company for your business-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
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