It’s a simple question, and you would think it would be a simple answer, however every time you call your SEO provider you hear a different reason of why your phone isn’t ringing more.

This isn’t going to be a long read, because it is very simple.

Ranking Reports are KEY!

You should be getting a ranking report every month (we do ours on the 1st of each month) of your top 20 or so keywords and what position they are in. Each month you should see the numbers getting lower and lower. Here is an example of a recent client’s ranking report (with the city name and client URL removed):

Our clients see progress every month. The ONLY time you might not see progress in the first or second month is if the client has A BRAND NEW WEBSITE. We have discovered that brand new websites are generally MUCH harder to rank than websites that have age (and hopefully some foundational links).

Managing Expectations

The key here is we tell our clients what to expect. Whether we are working with a brand new site, or a site that has some age and linking, we always ensure that we manage expectations. Many SEO companies do or say whatever they have to in order to win the business; the problem with this is that in a few months your clients are going to think you are full of it, which you probably are.

I’ve found many businesses are okay with the fact that they might not see great rankings for 6 months. I explain to them that while I wish it could be done overnight, it just doesn’t work that way. In the end, they appreciate my being frank with them, and it is better for everyone all around.

Sometimes No Relationship is the Best Relationship

Of course you will run across the client that demands results within a month or two. For those types, it is best just not to work together. SEO is all about forming long term, mutually beneficial relationships. If an agency has a high churn rate, that is a red flag.

Keyword Selection

Here are some example of LEGITIMATE keywords an SEO agency should be going for:

  • Limo service (city name)
  • Limo rental (city name)
  • Limo (city name)
  • Limousine (city name)
  • Limousine service (city name)
  • Etc.

Here are some examples of BS keywords:

  • Pink stretch hummer limo service (city name)
  • White Party Bus Service in (city name)
  • 2016 Cadillac Escalade limo service in (city name)

See the difference? In the first list you have 2 – 4 word keyword phrases, but in the second list you have what we call “long tail” keyword phrases. This is a fancy way of saying it is just a query with 5+ words or more. And these queries are MUCH EASIER to rank for, which is why they really don’t count. You won’t see much traffic from them (unless you have lots of them and are in a large market).

Well, that’s it! I told you this would be short. Here’s a quick TL;DR:

Get ranking reports!

Make sure the keywords aren’t long tail keywords

If you aren’t improving every month (and you don’t have a new website) that is a RED FLAG!

Tired of excuses from your current SEO agency? Give the Limo Agency a call. I will tell you this, we are not the cheapest; however, we get results. Give us a call at 888-758-7973 or drop me a line at mark@limoagency.net.

Until next time!