Should I Fire My SEO Agency? What to Look for and How to Do It

Julian Hooks

October 21, 2023

Are you experiencing disappointment with your current SEO agency? Are they failing to deliver results or communicate effectively? Fear not, as this comprehensive guide on “should I fire my SEO agency” will help you navigate the process of evaluating your SEO agency’s performance, identifying red flags, and ultimately making the decision to find a new agency. By understanding the key factors to consider, you can ensure that your business achieves the desired results and benefits from a successful partnership with a reputable SEO agency.

Key Takeaways

Evaluate your SEO agency’s performance in terms of results, communication and transparency to determine if they are the right fit.
Look out for common red flags such as poor quality content/link building, inadequate reporting/analytics & lack of responsiveness to algorithm updates.
When selecting a new SEO agency, consider business objectives and research potential agencies before defining expectations and goals.

Evaluating Your SEO Agency’s Performance

You must evaluate your SEO agency’s performance to see if they meet your expectations and deliver results. A reputable SEO agency should demonstrate positive results, maintain open lines of communication, and exhibit transparency in their practices.

Factoring in results, communication, and transparency will help you decide if you should part ways with your current SEO agency and search for a better match.

Results and Progress

Results and progress should be visible within a reasonable timeframe, usually 2-4 months. An increase in ranking, search engine results pages visibility, organic traffic, and conversions are reliable indications of successful progress. In the initial stages of your contract with an SEO agency, they should provide verifiable results, access to Google Analytics and Search Console, and reports on backlinks and keyword rankings.

Monitoring the content quality delivered by your SEO agency is vital for SEO success. If the content does not align with your target audience, lacks detail, or is aesthetically displeasing, it may be necessary to consider changing SEO agencies. Persistent issues with content quality can make recovery difficult and hinder your website’s performance.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration form the backbone of a successful partnership with your SEO agency. Open lines of communication through phone, chat, and email allow for effective collaboration and ensure that your agency understands your business goals and objectives. Project management is also critical in an SEO agency, as it facilitates communication, adheres to established SEO best practices, and records progress in one location.

Being able to reach out to your SEO agency for questions or input fosters a strong working relationship and aids in achieving the desired results. Regular communication allows for adjustments and refinements in your SEO strategy, ensuring that the agency’s efforts are aligned with your business objectives and target audience.

Transparency and Accountability

An SEO agency, also known as an SEO firm, should embody transparency and accountability. A reputable SEO company should provide regular updates, be easily reachable for questions, and be open about their methods and strategies. Keeping abreast of industry changes and algorithm updates is key to the success of your SEO campaign.

Reporting and analytics play a significant role in maintaining transparency and accountability. Monthly reports should include data from Google Analytics. It should also include a third-party platform evaluation which includes on-site and off-site errors, links, keywords, and competition. These reports allow you to evaluate your investment in the SEO agency and make informed decisions based on the data provided.

Common Red Flags That Signal It’s Time to Fire Your SEO Agency

Keep an eye out for common red flags signaling it might be time to fire your SEO agency while assessing their performance. Poor quality content and link building, inadequate reporting and analytics, and failure to adapt to algorithm updates are some of the issues that could indicate a need for change.

Identifying these red flags in your current SEO agency allows you to decide promptly to pursue a more competent partner.

Poor Quality Content and Link Building

Poor quality content and link building can harm your website’s reputation and rankings. Utilizing black hat techniques, such as spammy backlinks and keyword stuffing, can lead to penalties from Google and negatively impact your search engine rankings. Make sure your SEO agency produces high-quality content that resonates with your target audience and adheres to Google’s guidelines.

If your agency is consistently delivering low-quality work or engaging in risky practices, it’s time to move on and find a more reliable partner. A good SEO agency should prioritize creating valuable content that meets searcher intent and focus on building legitimate, high-quality backlinks through strategies like guest blogging and broken link building.

Inadequate Reporting and Analytics

Inadequate reporting and analytics can indicate a lack of competence or transparency in your SEO agency. Consistent, accurate reporting is crucial for monitoring progress and making data-driven decisions about your SEO strategy. Key performance indicators (KPIs) in SEO reporting, such as:

Organic traffic
Keyword rankings
Backlink profile
Conversion rate
Bounce rate

should be provided by your agency.

Typically, SEO agencies provide reports on a monthly or quarterly basis. If your agency is not delivering regular, comprehensive reports that include data from Google Analytics and other essential performance metrics, it may be time to reconsider your partnership with them and find an agency that prioritizes transparency and data-driven decision-making.

Failure to Adapt to Algorithm Updates

Failure to adapt to algorithm updates can lead to significant drops in rankings and traffic. A competent SEO agency should stay up-to-date with industry changes and adjust strategies accordingly to maintain your website’s performance and visibility in organic search results.

Notable search engines’ SEO algorithm updates, such as:

Google’s Panda
Penguin
Hummingbird
Mobile
RankBrain
Medic
Bert
Core Updates

Search engine optimization, or the SEO world, can significantly impact a website’s rankings, traffic, and site authority. If your SEO agency is not staying informed and adapting to these updates, it may be time to find a more knowledgeable and proactive partner to safeguard your website’s performance and rankings in the ever-changing landscape of search engine optimization.

How to Fire Your SEO Agency: A Step-by-Step Guide

Firing your SEO agency requires a step-by-step approach to ensure a smooth transition to a new partner. In this guide, we will cover the essential steps, including:

Requesting an audit of previous work
Reviewing contract terms and conditions
Documenting reasons for firing
Retrieving all data and access rights

Following these steps will help you make an informed decision and transition to a new agency that aligns with your business goals and objectives.

Request an Audit of Your Current Agency’s Previous Work Done

An audit of your current agency’s work is necessary to evaluate their performance and pinpoint areas requiring improvement or attention. An SEO audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your website, covering aspects such as:

Website structure and navigation
On-page optimization
Technical SEO
Backlink profile
Keyword research and targeting
Content analysis
Local SEO if applicable

An audit furnishes valuable insights into the effectiveness of your current agency’s SEO strategies and tactics. This information will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of their approach and make an informed decision about whether it’s time to find a new agency that better aligns with your business objectives and desired results.

Review Contract Terms and Conditions

Review the contract terms and conditions before deciding to fire your SEO agency. This will ensure you are aware of:

Any notice periods or potential penalties for terminating the agreement prematurely
The scope of work
Deliverables
Timeline
Pricing and payment terms
Performance metrics
Termination clause
Confidentiality and ownership
Dispute resolution
Contract renewal and review

A thorough review of the contract can help you avoid surprises or legal issues upon terminating your agreement with your current SEO agency. This will also help you establish a clear understanding of your rights and obligations, making the transition to a new agency smoother and more seamless.

Document Your Reasons for Firing

Documenting your reasons for firing your SEO agency is an important step in the process, as it provides a clear explanation and justification for your decision. By maintaining a comprehensive record of the reasons for termination, you can protect your business interests and provide evidence to validate your decision in the event of any disputes or legal proceedings.

When documenting your reasons for firing your SEO agency, include specific details such as:

Performance issues
Breach of contract
Failure to deliver results
Any other pertinent factors that prompted the termination

This documentation will serve as a reference point in case any disagreements or misunderstandings arise during the transition to a new agency.

Retrieve All Data and Access Rights

Before ending your contract with your existing SEO agency, make sure to collect all data and access rights related to your website and analytics accounts. This ensures a smooth transition to a new agency and allows them to start working on your website without any delays or missing information.

Request a copy of all data from your current agency, ensure access to all tools and accounts used by the agency, back up important data yourself, and conduct a thorough audit to ensure nothing is missing. Once all data and access rights have been retrieved, update the access rights by revoking access for the previous agency and granting access to the new agency to ensure a seamless handover.

Choosing a New SEO Agency: What to Look For

Choosing a new SEO agency involves defining your expectations and goals, researching potential agencies, and comparing their offerings to find the best fit for your needs.

This section will guide you through key considerations when selecting a new SEO agency, ensuring they match your business objectives and can deliver the desired results.

Define Your Expectations and Goals

A key step in finding a suitable partner is to define your expectations and goals for your new SEO agency. By setting specific and measurable goals, prioritizing them, and ensuring they are realistic and achievable, you can effectively communicate your objectives to the new agency and ensure their efforts are focused on achieving the desired outcomes.

Some typical objectives and aspirations when engaging with an SEO agency include:

Defining goals that align with your business
Enhancing organic visibility or impressions
Monitoring keyword rankings
Attaining high-ranking pages

By establishing clear expectations, you can avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication, ultimately enhancing the efficacy and proficiency of the new SEO agency.

Research and Compare Potential Agencies

To find a reputable and experienced partner for your SEO needs, it is critical to research and compare potential SEO companies. Review case studies, testimonials, and online reviews on reliable sources like Google Business Profile, Ahrefs, WebCEO, Semrush, Marketing 360, and Trustpilot to gather information about each company’s experience, expertise, and reputation in providing SEO services.

When evaluating potential SEO agencies, consider key factors such as:

Experience and expertise
Services provided
Reputation and reviews
Transparency and communication
Customization and strategy
Pricing and return on investment

By thoroughly researching and comparing potential agencies, you can make an informed decision and find a partner that aligns with your business goals and objectives.

Summary

In conclusion, evaluating your SEO agency’s performance, identifying red flags, and following a step-by-step guide to fire your existing agency and find a new one are essential steps in ensuring your business achieves the desired results in the competitive SEO world. By defining your expectations and goals, researching and comparing potential agencies, and ensuring a smooth transition, you can establish a successful partnership with a reputable SEO agency that aligns with your business objectives and delivers the results you desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my SEO company is doing a good job?

You can assess if your SEO company is doing a good job by looking for increases in rankings, traffic, leads, and quality content. Additionally, they should be providing detailed work reports so that you can measure their progress.

Is it worth hiring an SEO agency?

Hiring an SEO agency is worth considering if you lack the time or experience to stay up to date with the latest SEO best practices. An SEO expert can help create an effective plan to match your business goals.