What Are SEO Services & What’s Included?

If you’re struggling to attract traffic to your website, you may be interested in hiring a digital marketing agency that offers professional search engine optimization (SEO) services.

A strong online presence is more important than ever in today’s competitive digital landscape. Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical in helping businesses rank higher in search results, attract organic traffic, and build credibility.

However, navigating the ever-evolving world of SEO (and Google’s 200 ranking factors) can be challenging and time-consuming. For this reason, most small businesses opt to invest in professional SEO services.

So, what are SEO services?

What Are SEO Services?

SEO services are search engine optimization services offered by an agency or freelancer that compass a range of strategies and techniques to improve a website’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs), increase organic traffic, and ultimately drive conversions. 

Overall, SEO services help businesses enhance their online presence, attract targeted audiences, and achieve higher search rankings, improving brand credibility and increasing revenue.

Related: 10 Benefits of Ongoing SEO Services

Why Do You Need SEO Services?

Companies need SEO services for several reasons, contributing to their overall success in the increasingly competitive online landscape:

• Improved Visibility: SEO services help companies optimize their websites to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This increased visibility makes it easier for potential customers to find the company’s products or services when searching online.
• Increased Organic Traffic: By targeting relevant keywords and optimizing on-page and off-page elements, SEO services attract more organic (non-paid) traffic to a website. This leads to a higher return on investment (ROI) than paid advertising campaigns.
• Enhanced User Experience: SEO professionals focus on search engine rankings and improving user experience. This includes optimizing site speed, mobile-friendliness, and user-friendly navigation, which results in higher user satisfaction and potentially increased conversion rates.
• Greater Credibility and Trust: Users often perceive high-ranking websites as more credible and trustworthy. SEO services help companies establish a solid online reputation, which is essential for building customer trust and loyalty.
• Competitive Advantage: A well-optimized website can give a company a competitive edge over its rivals who may need to leverage SEO. Companies that invest in SEO services are more likely to capture a larger market share and sustain long-term success.
• Cost-Effectiveness: SEO is considered one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies. It targets users actively searching for relevant products or services, resulting in higher conversion rates and lower customer acquisition costs.
• Scalability and Adaptability: SEO services are highly adaptable and can be scaled according to a company’s needs, goals, and budget. As search engine algorithms and user behavior evolve, SEO professionals can modify their strategies to ensure the company’s website remains optimized and competitive.

Companies need SEO services to improve online visibility, attract organic traffic, enhance user experience, build credibility, gain a competitive advantage, and achieve cost-effective, scalable marketing results that drive revenue.

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What is an Example of SEO Services?

Gary owns and operates a family-owned garage door service company and wants to increase the visibility of his website so he can attract more customers.

His company offers installation, maintenance, and repair services, so he may use SEO services to increase the visibility of his website for the following keywords that currently promote his competitors:

• Garage door installation near me
• Garage door opener maintenance
• Emergency garage door repair

An SEO services provider will use competitive keyword research and optimization to strategically incorporate these keywords into the website’s content, meta tags, headings, and URLs to improve its ranking on search engine results pages. 

By analyzing the competition first, a professional will reverse-engineer what’s already working instead of starting from scratch. This will help Gary gain the momentum needed to outperform his competitors’ websites.

Over time, this will help Gary’s website increase its visibility within search engines, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately enhance its chances of converting visitors into customers.

Types of SEO Services Available

Several types of SEO services are available today, each catering to different aspects of search engine optimization. 

These SEO services can be broadly categorized into the following:

• On-Page SEO: Optimizing individual web pages to rank higher on search engines. This includes keyword optimization, meta tags (title, description, and header tags), URL structure, content optimization, image optimization, and internal linking.
• Off-Page SEO: Involves activities outside of the website that help improve its search engine ranking. These include link building (acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites), social media marketing, guest blogging, influencer outreach, and content marketing.
• Technical SEO: Addresses the technical aspects of a website that impact its search engine ranking. This covers website speed optimization, mobile-friendliness, XML sitemaps, site architecture, structured data markup, canonical tags, and fixing crawl errors.
• Local SEO: Focuses on optimizing a website for a specific geographical area, targeting local customers. This includes creating and optimizing Google My Business listings, local keyword optimization, localized content creation, and managing local business citations and reviews. Some SEO providers offer this type of SEO as a stand-alone service. If you’re interested in attracting more local customers, you may be interested in learning why local SEO is important for your business. 
• E-commerce SEO: Optimizing e-commerce websites to rank higher for product-related searches. This includes product page optimization, category page optimization, product keyword research, and schema markup for product details.
• International SEO: Tailors SEO strategies for websites targeting audiences from different countries or speaking different languages. This includes optimizing content for various languages, implementing hreflang tags, and considering the cultural nuances of the target audience.
• Mobile SEO: Ensures that a website is optimized for mobile devices, considering factors like responsive design, mobile site speed, and mobile user experience.
• Video SEO: Optimizes video content for search engines, focusing on video titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails, as well as promoting video content through various channels.
• Voice Search SEO: Optimizes a website for voice search queries by focusing on conversational keywords, long-tail phrases, structured data, website speed, and mobile-friendliness.

These different types of SEO services work together to ensure a comprehensive approach to search engine optimization, catering to various aspects of a website’s online presence and performance.

While these SEO services may be available individually, most business owners opt for a customized full-service SEO plan that includes the basics – on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and technical SEO.

How Much Do SEO Services Cost?

The cost of SEO services varies significantly depending on factors such as the scope of work, the size and complexity of the website, the competitiveness of the target industry, and the experience and reputation of the SEO agency or professional. 

SEO services can range from a few hundred dollars per month for small businesses with limited needs to several thousand dollars monthly for larger enterprises or highly competitive industries. Some agencies offer fixed-rate packages, while others provide custom quotes based on the client’s requirements. It’s essential to consider the potential return on investment when evaluating the cost of SEO services, as a well-executed SEO strategy can lead to substantial long-term benefits for a business’s online visibility and growth.

On average, SEO services cost $2,500 to $5,000 monthly, while freelance SEO services cost $100 to $300 per hour. 

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How Do I Budget for Search Engine Optimization Services?

Budgeting for search engine optimization (SEO) services involves carefully considering your business’s specific needs, goals, and resources. Here are some steps to help you budget effectively for SEO services:

• Define your objectives: Clearly outline what you hope to achieve with SEO, such as increased organic traffic, improved search rankings, or higher conversion rates. These objectives will help guide your decision-making process.
• Research the market: Investigate the cost of SEO services in your industry and location. Obtain quotes from multiple providers to understand the range of pricing and service offerings. Consider the details of the engagement. For example, will you be locked into a long-term contract, or are the SEO services month-to-month allowing you to cancel anytime? This will help you identify a reasonable budget for your needs.
• Prioritize tasks: Based on your objectives and current SEO status, prioritize tasks that will significantly impact your goals. Focus on the most critical tasks first to use your budget best.
• Allocate resources: Determine how much you can spend on SEO services and allocate this budget to the prioritized tasks. Consider one-time and ongoing expenses like technical fixes, content creation, and link building.
• Choose the right provider: Select an SEO agency or professional that offers the services you need within your budget. Look for providers with a proven track record, positive client reviews, and transparent pricing.

Helpful Tips:

• Avoid cheap SEO services: Companies that advertise their SEO services as “cheap” often charge under $500 per month. These companies tend to underdeliver what they had promised and, in turn, experience a high churn rate. Sometimes, their entire business model depends on clients canceling within three months.
• Plan for the long term (3–6 months): SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous investment. Set aside a portion of your marketing budget for ongoing SEO efforts, and be prepared to adjust your budget as your business grows and your objectives evolve.

10 Things Your SEO Company’s Services Should Include

Now that you have a better understanding of what SEO services are, we can take a look at what SEO services usually include. While every digital marketing agency is different, we recommend you partner with a provider that offers the following:

1. SEO Audit

An SEO audit comprehensively evaluates a website’s current search engine optimization performance to identify improvement areas and develop an actionable strategy to enhance its online visibility. 

This in-depth analysis covers various aspects, including on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, and user experience. An SEO audit provides valuable insights into a website’s strengths and weaknesses by examining keyword usage, content quality, backlinks, site architecture, and mobile-friendliness. 

With this information, businesses can prioritize tasks, address issues, and implement effective optimization techniques to improve search rankings, attract organic traffic, and ultimately achieve digital marketing goals.

2. Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis is a strategic process of examining and evaluating your main competitors’ search engine optimization tactics to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities for improvement. 

This analysis provides valuable insights into the keywords they target, their on-page and off-page optimization techniques, the quality and quantity of backlinks, and their content strategy. By understanding the SEO landscape in your industry and learning from your competitors’ successes and shortcomings, you can develop a more effective and targeted SEO strategy that helps you compete and potentially outperform your rivals in search rankings and online visibility.

3. Custom Strategy

A custom SEO strategy is a tailored approach to search engine optimization designed to meet a particular business or website’s unique needs, objectives, and challenges. 

Instead of employing a one-size-fits-all approach, a custom SEO strategy considers factors such as the business’s industry, target audience, competition, and website structure. This personalized plan ensures that every aspect of the SEO process, from keyword research to content creation and technical optimization, aligns with the business’s goals and resources, ultimately maximizing the potential for online growth and success.

4. On-page SEO Optimization

On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual web pages on a website to improve its search engine rankings and attract more organic traffic. This optimization focuses on-page content and the HTML source code, ensuring they are easily discoverable, relevant, and valuable to users.

Key aspects of on-page SEO include the following:

• Keyword research and optimization: Finding the best keywords for SEO and strategically integrating them into the page’s content, title, meta description, headings, and URL.
• Content quality: Creating valuable, engaging, and informative content that addresses the needs and interests of the target audience.
• Meta tags: Crafting compelling and keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions that accurately reflect the page’s content and encourage users to click through from search results.
• Header tags: Using proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure content and improve readability.
• URL structure: Creating descriptive and keyword-optimized URLs that are user-friendly and easy to understand.
• Internal linking: Establishing a logical and effective internal link structure to help users navigate the website and distribute link equity across the site.
• Image optimization: Adding relevant alt text, compressing images for faster loading, and using descriptive file names to improve user experience and search engine understanding.

5. Off-page SEO Optimization

Off-page SEO optimization refers to the techniques and activities that take place outside of a website to improve its search engine rankings and visibility. Off-page SEO primarily focuses on building the website’s credibility, authority, and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines and users, which can lead to higher rankings, more organic traffic, and increased brand recognition.

Key aspects of off-page SEO include the following:

• Link building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable and authoritative websites, which gives confidence in your website’s content and credibility.
• Content marketing: Creating and promoting valuable content, such as blog posts, articles, infographics, and videos, to attract backlinks, engage users, and enhance brand visibility.
• Social media marketing: Leveraging social media platforms to share content, engage with users, and build a community around your brand, which can indirectly influence search engine rankings.
• Guest blogging: Contributing content to other websites within your niche, allowing you to showcase your expertise and gain exposure while earning backlinks.
• Influencer outreach: Partner with influencers and industry experts to share your content or endorse your brand, increasing visibility and potential backlinks.
• Online reputation management: Monitoring and responding to reviews, comments, and mentions of your brand across various online platforms to maintain a positive brand image.
• Local SEO: Building citations, managing local business listings, and garnering positive reviews to improve visibility in local search results.

6. Technical SEO Optimization

Technical SEO optimization is the process of enhancing the technical aspects of a website to improve its search engine rankings, visibility, and user experience. This type of optimization focuses on repairing technical SEO issues that hurt rankings and ensuring that search engines can easily crawl, index, and understand the website’s content and structure while providing users with a seamless and efficient experience.

Key aspects of technical SEO include the following:

• Website speed optimization: Improving the website’s loading time by implementing techniques such as image compression, browser caching, and minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files.
• Mobile-friendliness: Ensuring the website is responsive and adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices, providing a consistent and user-friendly experience.
• XML sitemaps: Creating and submitting XML sitemaps that help search engines discover and index the website’s pages more efficiently.
• Site architecture: Designing a logical and easy-to-navigate site structure that enables users and search engines to find relevant content quickly.
• Structured data markup: Implementing schema markup to provide search engines with additional context about the website’s content, which can enhance the presentation of search results with rich snippets.
• Canonical tags: Using canonical tags to inform search engines of the preferred version of a web page when there are duplicate or similar pages, preventing duplicate content issues.
• Crawl error resolution: Identifying and fixing crawl errors, such as broken links, server errors, and blocked resources, to ensure that search engines can access and index the website’s content effectively.

6. Content Development

SEO content development is the process of creating, optimizing, and organizing high-quality, engaging, and informative content for a website to improve its search engine rankings and attract organic traffic. 

This content is crafted to appeal to both users and search engines, addressing the needs and interests of the target audience while incorporating relevant keywords and following SEO best practices.

Key aspects of SEO content development include the following:

• Keyword research: Identifying relevant, high-traffic keywords that resonate with the target audience and are related to the website’s products or services.
• Content strategy: Creating a content strategy that addresses the audience’s needs, aligns with the website’s goals and covers various topics and formats, such as blog posts, articles, infographics, videos, and more.
• Quality and relevancy: Ensuring that the content is well-written, informative, and provides value to the reader, addressing their pain points, answering their questions, and offering solutions.
• Readability and structure: Creating content that is easy to read and understand, using clear headings, short paragraphs, bullet points, and appropriate formatting to enhance user experience.
• Keyword optimization: Strategically incorporating the target keywords in the content, titles, headings, meta descriptions, and URLs without overstuffing or compromising the content’s quality and readability.
• Internal and external linking: Including relevant internal and external links within the content to provide additional context, enhance user experience, and improve the website’s overall SEO.
• Content promotion: Sharing and promoting the content across various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and influencer outreach, to increase visibility and attract backlinks.

8. Ongoing Analysis & Adaptation

Ongoing SEO analysis and adaptation refer to the continuous monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) strategy to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the latest search engine algorithms, industry trends, and user behavior patterns. 

As the digital landscape and search engine algorithms are constantly evolving, it is crucial for businesses to regularly analyze their SEO performance and adapt their tactics accordingly to maintain or improve their search engine rankings and online visibility.

Key aspects of ongoing SEO analysis and adaptation include the following:

• Performance tracking: Regularly monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics, such as organic traffic, search rankings, bounce rate, and conversion rate, using analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
• Algorithm updates: Keeping up-to-date with the latest search engine algorithm updates, such as Google’s core updates, and adjusting the SEO strategy to comply with the new guidelines and best practices.
• Competitor analysis: Continuously evaluating the strategies and performance of competitors to identify opportunities for improvement and stay ahead in the market.
• Technical audits: Periodically conducting technical SEO audits to identify and address any issues or opportunities for optimization, such as broken links, crawl errors, or mobile-friendliness.
• Content optimization: Regularly reviewing and updating the website’s content to ensure its relevance, quality, and effectiveness, as well as identifying content gaps and opportunities for new, engaging content.
• Link building: Continuously working on acquiring high-quality backlinks through various tactics, such as content marketing, guest blogging, and influencer outreach, while also monitoring and disavowing any harmful or low-quality links.
• User experience: Consistently analyzing and enhancing the website’s user experience by improving site navigation, design, and load times, as well as optimizing the site for different devices and browsers.

9. Monthly reports

Monthly SEO reports are comprehensive documents that provide insights into the performance of a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts over a specific month. SEO agencies or professionals typically prepare these reports for you. Monthly SEO reports help monitor progress, evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that SEO goals are on track.

Critical elements of monthly SEO reports include the following:

• Organic traffic: The number of visitors coming to the website through search engine results, highlighting any increases or decreases in traffic compared to the previous month or a specified time frame.
• Keyword rankings: The website’s position in search engine results pages (SERPs) for targeted keywords, showcasing any changes in rankings and the site’s overall visibility.
• Top-performing pages: A list of the website’s pages that generated the most organic traffic, engagement, or conversions, providing insights into which types of content are resonating with users.
• Conversions and goals: The number of conversions, such as sales, leads, or sign-ups, directly attributed to organic traffic and how they relate to the predefined SEO goals.
• Technical issues and fixes: A summary of any technical issues identified and resolved during the month, such as broken links, crawl errors, or site speed improvements.
• Link building efforts: An overview of the backlinks acquired during the month, including the number of links, the referring domains, and their domain authority.
• Content updates and additions: An overview of any new content published or existing content updated during the month, along with a brief performance analysis.
• Recommendations and next steps: A list of suggested actions or strategies to improve the website’s SEO performance based on the data and insights gathered from the report.

10. Customer Service

SEO service providers prioritize customer service to build a strong working relationship with you and maintain open communication lines. This enables the smooth execution of SEO strategies and helps keep you informed about the progress of your SEO campaign and progress. 

Here’s how SEO service providers offer customer service:

• Responsive email communication: SEO professionals are committed to promptly responding to client emails and addressing questions, concerns, or feedback. They provide timely updates and information regarding the project’s progress, ensuring you are always in the loop and well-informed about their SEO campaigns.
• Monthly phone calls to discuss progress: Regularly scheduled phone calls allow SEO service providers to review the project’s performance with you, discuss key findings from monthly reports, and outline plans for upcoming months. These calls ensure you understand your SEO progress and can provide input or ask questions about the implemented strategies.
• Unscheduled calls for emergency support: In the event of unexpected issues, such as website downtime, algorithm updates, or sudden drops in rankings, SEO service providers are available for unscheduled calls to provide immediate support and guidance. They are prepared to address emergencies, implement necessary actions to mitigate negative impacts and ensure the website’s stability and performance.
• Online collaboration tools: Many SEO service providers also utilize online project management and collaboration tools, such as Trello, Asana, or Basecamp, to organize tasks, share documents, and keep track of project milestones. These platforms allow you to monitor the project’s progress and facilitate seamless communication easily.
• Dedicated account manager: Some SEO agencies assign a dedicated account manager to each client, ensuring a single point of contact for all project-related matters. This helps streamline communication, build strong relationships, and provide personalized service tailored to your needs. For example, here at Sachs Marketing Group, our clients enjoy the benefits of direct communication with their dedicated account executive. For campaigns involving multiple marketing channels, such as social media marketing or pay-per-click advertising, clients have direct access to multiple dedicated account executives. This is a bonus benefit added to the long list of benefits of multichannel marketing!

You should expect exceptional customer service from your SEO services provider. A professional will provide responsive email communication, monthly phone calls, unscheduled emergency support, and more.

How to Choose the Best SEO Company

Choosing the best SEO company is a critical decision that can significantly impact your online success. When evaluating potential agencies, consider factors such as their experience in your industry, proven track record, and the quality of their customer service. 

Look for companies that offer a comprehensive range of services, including on-page, off-page, and technical SEO, and prioritize customized strategies tailored to your unique needs and objectives. Take the time to read client testimonials and case studies to gauge the agency’s expertise and the results they’ve achieved for their clients. 

Additionally, ensure that the company is transparent about its pricing, reporting, and communication practices. By carefully evaluating these aspects, you can select an SEO company that aligns with your goals and can help you achieve long-term online growth and success.

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Learn More About the Benefits of SEO Services

Sachs Marketing Group offers custom SEO services designed to suit your needs. With our expertise and proven track record, we can help your website rank higher in search results, increase organic traffic, and ultimately boost your business’s revenue.

Imagine your website consistently attracting potential customers who are genuinely interested in your products or services. A well-optimized website’s increased visibility, credibility, and authority can take your business to new heights.

Contact Sachs Marketing Group now to learn more about our SEO services and discover how we can help your website reach its full potential. Request an SEO services proposal today and embark on the journey to a more successful online presence.

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