SEO and SEM firms come in all shapes and sizes. As a client, you need to know which sets each one apart from one another so you can find the right type of firm for your business. This guide will help you identify the different types of SEO and SEM firms so you can find one that matches your needs and objectives.
First, the different types of search engine optimization and marketing firms can be categorized based on their industry focus or whether or not they are generalized. They can also be categorized based on whether they are entry-level, mid-level, or high end. Their service type, such as specialty or jack-of-all-trades, is also an important consideration.
Industry Focus
Specialist firms can be ideal when you work in an industry that is well established. This is because the firm will most likely have a lot of experience in that industry. For a business that is more specialized in itself, the option of finding a specialized firm may be a very limited one. In this case, you can opt for a generalist firm that focuses on multiple industries.
Level of Service
The level of service tends to coincide with cost. Remember that you get what you pay for, but that doesn’t mean that a high-end SEO or SEM firm is going to be the solution. For instance, you may have a business that only works in one or two cities. This means that there is no need for you to hire a high-end firm for thousands of dollars per month. You can find a firm that offers great services and a one-size fits-all approach for just a few hundred dollars per month. It is ideal to steer clear of firms that charge less than $500 per month, although there may be rare exceptions, such as those that will work with you based on budget. However, that may mean shaving some services down.
Service Type
Some SEO and SEM firms do it all. They do content marketing, link building, pay-per-click management, and more. Others focus on just one thing. If you need one thing, then the company that specializes in that one form of marketing will work. If you wish to have more than one time of marketing performed, then bundling services may be right for you. Once you weigh these three factors, you can then identify your potential matches and compare in order to find the match.