Having a strong organic search strategy is essential for driving traffic and conversions in today’s digital landscape. But excelling at search engine optimization (SEO) requires substantial expertise and effort.

For many businesses, partnering with a premium SEO company is the most effective approach for securing greater visibility and authority on engines like Google. However, not all agencies deliver equal caliber work.

Follow this 7-step guide to strategically assess options and choose the best SEO company to advance your search rankings:

1. Set Concrete Goals and Benchmarks

Begin by clearly defining the specific objectives you want to achieve through SEO, such as:

• Target keyword rankings and monthly searches
• Increased organic site traffic
• Higher click-through-rate from search pages
• Greater visibility on knowledge panels

Also document your current traffic, visitors, rankings, and other key metrics. This enables proper success benchmarking.

2. Audit Your Current SEO Footprint

Conduct an objective audit assessing factors like:

• Site crawlability, speed, and mobile optimization
• Existing page content, authority, and optimization
• Backlink profile quality and domain authority
• Technical elements like structured data markup
• Any issues flagged by Google Search Console

Understanding weaknesses and gaps helps guide criteria for an SEO company.

3. Research Relevant SEO Experience

Look for agencies with proven success optimizing websites in your niche or industry. Expertise in your field indicates ability to deliver tailored strategies based on nuances of your market.

Scan case studies and client examples similar to your business type and aim. Relevant experience enables getting results faster.

4. Vet Technical Capabilities and Expertise

Thoroughly evaluate prospects on core competencies like:

• Technical auditing skills to identify site issues
• Fixing indexation, site speed, and mobile errors
• Keyword research and on-page content optimization
• Building high-authority backlinks and platforms
• Utilizing analytics tools and data to refine efforts

Look for mastery across both technical and content-focused areas.

5. Assess Proposed SEO Strategy and Plan

A qualified SEO company will seek to understand your business before recommending a strategy. Look for proposals including:

• An optimization roadmap aligned to your goals
• Initial audit findings and recommendations
• Keyword research with volume estimates
• Specific tactics for improving rankings
• Expected timeframes to achieve results

The proposal should demonstrate deep strategic understanding of your needs.

6. Review Reporting Standards and Communication Plans

Discuss how the agency tracks and communicates about rankings, traffic, link metrics, and insights uncovered from data. Ongoing optimization and open collaboration are crucial.

7. Compare Service Models and Pricing

Evaluate fee structures across SEO company contenders to identify affordable options. Typical pricing models include:

• Flat monthly retainer for defined work
• Hourly rates for specific optimization tasks
• Value-based pricing tied to results achieved

By following this seven-step SEO or digital marketing company evaluation process, you can make a smart selection best positioned to boost your search visibility. Let me know if you need any help assessing top options!