SEO is one of those industries that has A LOT of scumbags in it so what you should try to find is a local agency or freelancers that will take on the work. Don't try to go overseas with it or you'll get 2007 era tactics that hurt more than help.
If an SEO agency isn't on the first page of Google, that is NOT a red flag and by no means a testament to skill. I sat down with a local SEO agency owner a few months ago talking tactics, and the ones he used were 80% black hat. Know the difference between black and white hat.
Check out this write up so you know what they should be focusing on initially Local SEO: A Simple (But Complete) Guide
Eventually, you'll reach a point where your/their efforts aren't improving the number of leads anymore month over month. Switch gears to public relations at that point. That's your backlink building, not some bummy private blog network scheme.
If you're being told you're getting backlinks built, make sure they include that information in a report so you can check out the quality of backlinks. If they refuse, end the relationship.
Again, SEO is one of those industries with a whole lot a scumbaggery because "it takes six months to see any effects", which is true. But six months is enough time to take your money and make a clean getaway when you find out they didn't do anything worthwhile.
If an SEO agency isn't on the first page of Google, that is NOT a red flag and by no means a testament to skill. I sat down with a local SEO agency owner a few months ago talking tactics, and the ones he used were 80% black hat. Know the difference between black and white hat.
Check out this write up so you know what they should be focusing on initially Local SEO: A Simple (But Complete) Guide
Eventually, you'll reach a point where your/their efforts aren't improving the number of leads anymore month over month. Switch gears to public relations at that point. That's your backlink building, not some bummy private blog network scheme.
If you're being told you're getting backlinks built, make sure they include that information in a report so you can check out the quality of backlinks. If they refuse, end the relationship.
Again, SEO is one of those industries with a whole lot a scumbaggery because "it takes six months to see any effects", which is true. But six months is enough time to take your money and make a clean getaway when you find out they didn't do anything worthwhile.