The term red flag is pretty commonplace these days, and red flags for any reason should signal a reason to rethink what you’re doing, the interactions you’re having and the relationships you’re forming. Red flags for businesses and people alike are inherently harmful, and it doesn’t matter where these are present or how; displaying them as a person or a company can quickly spell disaster.
So, as an SEO agency, how can you avoid flying red flags, and what are clients going to be looking for as warning signs that could potentially lead them to jump ship in search of green flags? Green flags, on the other hand, are indicators of a healthy and successful relationship. These could include transparent communication, continuous learning and adaptation, and consistent delivery of results.
This post will examine some red flags SEO agencies should avoid.
Poor Communication
Poor communication in any aspect of life, not just business, is a major red flag. When clients don’t feel like there is a healthy or adequate level of communication, they will instantly be on edge and lose trust in your company and your abilities. Being open and honest and answering queries ene when things aren’t going right can work in your favour. Avoiding the issue, however, will do more harm than good, even if there isn’t a problem. The reality is you need to be good at communicating with your clients for a smoother relationship and one that doesn’t wave so many red flags.
Limiting Skills and Learning
SEO agencies need to know as much as possible and be on the use of advancements and changes within the industry, not limited to one aspect of SEO, i.e., link building only (a process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own) and not offering technical SEO support or services focusing on social media content only. This can indicate that maybe the skills aren’t up to scratch in other areas or services you offer and can be off-putting.
Not Delivering
As an SEO company, not being able to deliver on your goals and targets can be a huge red flag. While you might be able to talk, the flags will be flying if you’re not walking the walk. You need to demonstrate that you know exactly what you’re doing and offer proven results to support your claims. After all, a specific end goal for SEO services is to boost online visibility for your clients and help them cultivate the best digital presence possible. And if you cannot prove you can do that or do it on time, it is a massive problem for you and your clients.
Ignoring The Client
Your SEO strategy should be created with the client’s help and based on their unique requirements and circumstances. If you are approaching all your clients with the same blanket approach and not tailoring your services to each client, this will quickly become apparent. And chances are people will drop your agency faster than a hot potato. If you want to avoid being this obvious and detrimental red flag, you need to talk to your clients about what they need and want from you and be honest about what they can expect. Don’t offer them a definitive number or quantities, for example, “xx backlinks in 3 months” instead, focus on getting the client in front of people who can benefit from what they do.
