How to pick an SEO agency in Hong Kong (Ultimate Guide)
The truth is in the numbers...
3.5 billion searches are made on Google every single day.
3.5 BILLION.
So it goes without saying. If you aren’t investing in SEO, then you aren’t putting your business in front of your customers, which means that your business is basically invisible.
Which is why an SEO strategy is no longer optional for businesses in 2020… it’s mandatory.
So how do you hire a great SEO agency in Hong Kong? What are the things you should look for? What sort of questions should you ask?
Don’t worry - this ultimate guide will show you everything that you need to know about choosing an SEO agency.
Remember - SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. A proper SEO campaign requires dedication, commitment, testing, and constant improvements to secure results on the First Page of Google.
Sometimes seeing results takes months.
But when those results start coming in, it has the best ROI of any advertising on the planet.
Let’s get into how to pick an SEO agency...
In case you don’t know, SEO stands for ‘Search Engine Optimization’.
Google is the ‘Search Engine’.
The process of creating content that Google likes and therefore ranks higher is the ‘Optimization’.
And ultimately, higher rankings on Google = great for your business.
Technically speaking, SEO can help you rank anything. Maybe you want to rank some blog posts to generate leads. Or maybe you want to rank for an e-commerce keyword. Or maybe you just want to improve how your brand appears when someone types it into Google.
All of these are examples of Search Engine Optimization, and a great Digital agency will be able to help you with everything SEO-related.
Since SEO is so multi-faceted, different SEO agencies can offer different things.
Some SEO agencies only build backlinks. Other SEO agencies might only offer technical SEO. Some SEO agencies have copywriters, other agencies don’t.
Here is a list of services that all SEO agencies should provide…
A truly great SEO agency should offer all of the above - and more!
Here at First Page Hong Kong, we offer every SEO service so we can create a tailored plan that works for you and your business.
If you are nervous about hiring an SEO agency - don’t be!
This guide will run you through everything you need to know, so you can hire an SEO agency in Hong Kong with confidence.
Believe it or not, some SEO agencies have TERRIBLE websites.
Which is a bad sign for the agency.
Why?
Because a truly great SEO Agency needs to understand not only SEO, but Digital Marketing (and the internet) as a whole.
A great SEO Agency needs to understand what works on the web, and what doesn’t. They need to know how to create content that converts.
The easiest way to tell this is by looking at the agency’s website.
Bad Signs
Good Signs
Ultimately, if the agency has a website and content that you would be proud to have as your own - then this is a great sign!
Any ‘agency’ can put a ‘customer testimonial’ on their homepage.
But what really separates the great agencies from the crappy ones are stellar referrals and great online reviews.
First - be sure to check out the agency's website. Is there a page dedicated to customer reviews?
For example we have an entire First Page review page where we showcase our customer’s stellar reviews.
Second - look for reviews on Google. If you type in the agency's name and hit ‘enter’, be sure to check out the reviews on the top right corner of the serach results.
For example, here at first Page we have 120+ reviews for an overall rating of 4.9 stars!
Checking reviews is the simplest and most effective way to understand the reputation and abilities of a Digital Marketing Agency.
Great reviews means that the agency gives great customer service AND achieves awesome results. Simple as that!
Another thing you want to look for on the website of an agency is if they have any case studies.
In essence, case studies show results. Agencies that publish case studies probably that understand what it takes to actually move the needle with SEO.
Case studies aren’t a make-or-break for an agency, but they are another great way to further investigate prospects.
Here at First Page, we LOVE our case studies. Here are case studies for some companies we helped grow over the past few years.
Some of the best SEO Agencies ONLY focus on SEO - which is perfectly fine!
But we always recommend seeing what other services the agency provides so you can give yourself room to grow further down the line.
Here’s why.
Although you might only be interested in SEO to begin with, truth be told SEO is only one part of a solid Digital Marketing strategy. The REAL power begins when you combine SEO with PPC, and simultaneously go full steam ahead on organic and paid with social media.
That’s the money right there.
So let’s say that your SEO campaign goes well, and you are ready to invest in other aspects of Digital Marketing. If you worked with an SEO agency that ONLY does SEO, then you have to completely start from scratch and find a new agency to help with your new needs.
BUT! If you work with an SEO agency that provides other services, then you don’t have to worry about starting the whole process over again.
Here are some of the other services we offer at First Page…
If the site looks good, the reviews look great, and the agency offers the services you are interested in, then it’s time to make the most important step - book a call!
Here are some things to keep in mind when speaking with an agency.
Are they nice?
Sure, it seems simple, but this is the most important thing to consider. The sales representative you are speaking to is a reflection of the company and an extension of the company culture.
Are they nice? Are they personable? Are they respectful?
The goal is for you to have a long-term relationship with this SEO Agency, so if you aren’t getting great vibes, then move on to the next!
Are they overly salesy?
Sales are sales, there is always going to be some pressure.
But some Digital Marketing Agencies are too aggressive. If you feel the sales representative is more interested in taking your money than they are about actually helping your business grow, then move on.
Here are some questions YOU can ask the agency
We always think a sign of quality in an SEO agency is that everything is done in-house. This means no offloading work to random freelancers. You want an agency where everything is done in-house, by their full time staff.
Always good to know if the agency has systems in place to guarantee you are getting the highest-quality services and content.
A great agency will give you your own account manager. An account manager’s #1 task is overseeing your campaign, and being the point of contact with you. It’s a good sign if you have your own dedicated account manager.
Be sure to see if you can find any reviews about your specific account manager.
A TRULY great SEO Agency knows they can create results, that’s why they aren’t afraid to offer guarantees.
Be sure to ask the agency if they are willing to work for free if they don’t hit your KPI’s - like we do at First Page!
Limited spots available!
Get my free Health Check
The great thing about SEO is that it’s one of the best ways to grow your business.
But it should be noted - SEO is an investment, and the best SEO agencies aren’t cheap.
For basic services, a typical SEO agency will charge a retainer of around $1,000 USD a month - and that’s just for basic services!
We know that it might be tempting to cut costs and try and find an SEO Agency that charges $100 a month. Such agencies are everywhere.
But...
Have you ever heard the saying “you get what you pay for”...?
Well, this also ABSOLUTELY applies to SEO and Digital Marketing Agencies.
There’s no way around it. If you are paying low-prices for SEO services, you are going to get low-quality.
And to make it worse, low-quality SEO not only is a waste of money, but these agencies will can do irreparable damage to your business and your brand.
Don’t cut corners with SEO. You have to remember that it is an investment. It takes time. It takes resources. But the juice is worth the squeeze.
That’s why it’s always best to go with a company that only offers some sort of Pay for Performance policy.
If you are still reading this, it means that you are SERIOUS about the growth of your business through SEO.
We know that this guide has all of the information you need to be able to confidently pick an SEO agency.
Here at First Page, we are the highest-rated and fastest-growing SEO Agency in Hong Kong. Give us a call today to hear about our plan to grow your business.
