Post on 28-Jul-2015
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
In 2013 I wrote this…
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
It has been read almost 70,000 times.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
This is the updated version.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
The problem: Finding an SEO firm you can trust.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
The solution: Follow the 4 tips I’ll give you.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
But first…let’s clear up some misconceptions about SEO firms.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
“This SEO firm has a nice website, I bet they’d be good to work with.”
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Not necessarily. Good web design skills do not always translate to great SEO skills.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
“These guys rank #1 for searches related to SEO in my city, they must know what they’re doing.”
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Maybe, maybe not. MWI was able to rank #1 for “utah seo” for years with little effort. (shhh, don’t tell anyone)
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
“This company has hundreds of employees and is making millions, I can trust them to do good SEO work.”
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Perhaps. Or they might just be good at forming partnerships and locking clients into long-term contracts.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Would you hire an account based on his good looks?
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
4 tips to help you see beyond the superficial when hiring an SEO firm.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Tip 1: Decide what you need.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Do you need certain services? - Link removal - Link building - Content marketing - Conversion rate optimization - PPC management - Retargeting - Social media management
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Do you need certain results? - Grow sales by 20% within 6 months - Increase newsletter signups by 10,000 - Generate 3x more leads for enterprise sales division - Double conversions - Get the boss off my back about SEO
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Tip 2: Get multiple consultations. (but keep it secret)
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
The best SEO firms are less likely to fight for your business if they know you’re shopping around.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Tip 3: Get case studies and references.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Nothing predicts future success like past success.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Tip 4: Make the SEO firm tell you stories.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Case studies and references are like someone’s LinkedIn profile—valuable, but you wouldn’t hire based on that alone.
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
The stories you want: - How did you get started? - What is one of your best client experiences? - What is one of your worst client
experiences, and how did you handle it? - How have you improved over the years? - What tips can you give me for working well
with an SEO firm? - Who are your best people and why are they
so good?
Digital marketing for tech companies.
@joshsteimle@getmwi
Bonus tip: Get educated. Best place to start? Search for “Moz beginner’s guide to SEO” on Google.
@getmwi
Read the full article at Forbes: 4 Tips For Hiring The Right SEO Firm