A solid B2B SEO service will prove itself to be the key to successfully growing your business, both when it comes to conversions and revenue. However, with an almost dizzying number of SEO companies out there, choosing the right partner for your specific business needs can feel overwhelming.
With so many options, it’s essential to know what qualities and strategies set a reputable SEO agency apart from the rest.
The Importance of SEO for B2B Companies
Why does SEO service matter for B2B? It’s simple: SEO helps you get found when nobody knows your name. In a world where 71% of B2B company decision-makers start their buying process with a generic search, not investing in an SEO service means you’re likely missing out on many valuable leads–and you can bet that your competitors are using their own SEO and digital marketing services to get found first!
B2B company buyers are savvy researchers. They rely heavily on detailed content and informed opinions during their decision-making process. By strategically leveraging your own SEO service, you can place your valuable content, products, and service offerings right where these decision-makers are looking – guiding them through your sales funnel convincingly to become your customers.
Asking the Right Questions Makes a World of Difference
There are a few questions that need answered before choosing a new B2B SEO agency to help grow your business. Here are a few, listed in order of importance, from our own experts:
1) Can they deliver real, tangible results?
This is the most important criteria when choosing a B2B seo agency, and unfortunately, cannot always be guaranteed.
However, the fact remains: results speak louder than pitches. When evaluating potential marketing agencies, look for tangible evidence of recent success above all else. This includes case studies, testimonials, and reviews highlighting the marketing agency’s ability to deliver substantial ROI through B2B SEO services. Don’t rely on a novice to pick the lock— they’ll probably just snap a bunch of bobby pins in their failed attempts to make something click. It’s just wasting time and resources.
2) Can they be trusted?
Of course, building trust in any professional relationship is important, and when you hire a new company to help grow your business, trust has to be earned from both parties rather quickly. A good B2B seo agency will value your trust more than anything, and put just as much effort into building it as they will growing your business.
A reliable SEO company builds trust through clear communication and transparency, customized strategies, data-driven decision making and more.
To establish trust from the outset, the agency should provide a clear, mutually agreed-upon contract that details all services, expectations, and deliverables, setting boundaries and avoiding misunderstandings. Offering flexible terms or a trial period further allows clients to experience the value of the service before making long-term commitments.
3) Are they responsive?
One of the most common complaints we have heard over the years is the lack of response to requests or questions.
Sometimes agencies even place your question into a queue and allow it to linger for days before you even know if someone read it. An agency should respond quickly with at least an acknowledgement of the receipt of your question or request, and then be faithful at following through.
4) Are they proactive?
Beyond being responsive, your agency should lead the charge in bringing ideas, creative direction and strategy to your attention and make specific recommendations. A good B2B SEO specialist should be a consultant, not just a task-based workhorse.
Unless you have explicitly hired your SEO agency to be nothing more than the “doers”, they should be bringing important things to your attention and even taking care of those things behind the scenes before you even know they exist.
5) Are they easy to work with?
We believe that having a team that’s a pleasure to work with is almost as important as having a team that gets results. Having a nice day at work is a lot better than a day of frustration and irritation. Being “easy to work with” means keeping your account team cohesive, listening to your needs and to your business value, and not attempting to dominate conversations with a lot of technical jargon.
It also means being flexible with work output – not being nickel and dimed for every little task, and not making every request into a large “project” that needs to be “scheduled” with the proper “resources”. We personally don’t like endless SOW updates and work hard to be easy on smaller businesses.
6) Do they integrate with your existing marketing teams?
It’s likely that an SEO agency will handle only a certain slice of your marketing pie. They need to fully integrate and coordinate with other teams, such as internal content developers, web designers, marketing field support and even the sales team. They also need to be part of a team, not attempt to operate in a silo or attempt to go outside their lane.
7) Is their pricing fair and transparent?
Despite the fact that K6 has provided SEO services with ROI in excess of 20,000%, we don’t believe it’s fair to price SEO at the level of other marketing services. A fair price for SEO should range between $100 and $150 per hour, and the SEO agency should be willing to be flexible in the ongoing services they provide without constantly charging for additional hours.
8) Are they using tactics that have long-lasting impact?
Sometimes people bend Google’s SEO policies, and while it is entirely within your rights to do so, there is risk involved. A good SEO agency should be willing to be transparent about their practices.
Are they buying cheap links with poorly written bloggers? Are they getting you listed in bad neighborhoods? It’s a common practice to produce AI content for blogs that is nothing more than a rehash of existing content on the web. Be sure if your SEO provider uses AI, that they are using it properly.
9) Are they on top of industry changes?
There are standard tasks and strategies for SEO that will never change, but Google makes more than 200 tweaks to its algorithm per year, and sometimes adjusts its system in major ways. Some key things that have changed in the 25 years we have been working in the industry include a major change in how Google sees inbound links, its reliance on signals outside of the website content, and a greater sensitivity to mass-produced unhelpful content.
10) What is their staff turnover like?
A sure sign of a shaky relationship with an SEO firm is how many times your account manager or account team changes. This could mean many things, but sometimes it means that people are not satisfied with their jobs which means they likely won’t provide the highest level of service to you.
Constant changeover also means more work for you because you are always re-educating a new set of people on your business and your goals. While some changeover is unavoidable, you should find an agency that has a staff that sticks around–and gets the job done the right way.
Finding Success with a Reputable B2B SEO Agency
Choosing the right B2B SEO agency can be a game-changer for your business, driving long-term growth, visibility, and sales. A reputable agency will not only bring real results but also build a solid partnership through clear communication, customized strategies, transparency and more.
By asking the right questions and evaluating the agency’s commitment to integrity, responsiveness, and industry expertise, you’ll be well-equipped to select a partner that aligns with your business goals. Ultimately, the right SEO agency will work seamlessly with your team, delivering a sustainable SEO strategy that positions your business for lasting success.
Looking to grow your business with a B2B seo agency that checks all the right boxes? K6 Digital has you covered. Chat with us today to learn more about our SEO, content marketing, and website design services and to find a B2B seo strategy that’s right for you.
