What is an SEO Company? (And What Can They Do for You?)

What Exactly is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving a website’s visibility in search engine results for relative keywords. This involves optimizing various elements, such as content, site structure, and user experience, to make it easier for search engines to understand and rank the site.



By focusing on aspects like keyword integration, technical performance, and external links, SEO enables websites to rank higher, leading to more organic traffic. Ultimately, the goal of SEO is to ensure a business appears prominently when users search for products or services related to its offerings.

What Does an SEO Company Do?

An SEO company provides expert services to enhance a website’s search engine performance. This includes assessing the site’s current standing and identifying areas for improvement, such as optimizing content for targeted keywords, improving the technical aspects of the website, and building external links to boost authority.

In addition to improving visibility in search results, SEO companies focus on optimizing user experience. This means making sure your site is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and is mobile-friendly, all of which are key ranking factors that improve how search engines—and visitors—perceive your site.



Beyond initial changes, an SEO company offers ongoing management to adapt strategies as search engine algorithms evolve. Their goal is to increase a site’s visibility, attract qualified traffic, and support long-term business growth by helping the site rank well for applicable searches.

What Do SEO Services Include?

SEO services involve a range of tactics aimed at improving a website’s search engine visibility. Typically, services start with a detailed website audit to assess its current performance and identify opportunities for optimization. Key components include keyword research, on-page optimization (enhancing content, meta tags, and site structure), and technical SEO (improving site speed, mobile responsiveness, and crawlability).



Off-page SEO, such as building high-quality backlinks from reputable sites, is another crucial element that strengthens a website's authority. These services are often paired with ongoing performance tracking and adjustments to maintain a site's growth and rank well over time, even as search engine algorithms evolve.

How Can an SEO Company Help You?

An SEO company plays a critical role in improving your business’s online presence. Enhancing your visibility in search results helps you attract more qualified traffic, which can lead to greater engagement and more conversions. The true value of an SEO company lies in its ability to craft a strategy that aligns with your business goals, ensuring that your website reaches the right audience at the right time.



With a comprehensive, data-driven approach, an SEO company sets the foundation for long-term growth and sustainable success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Provide an Opportunity Analysis

An SEO company begins by conducting a thorough opportunity analysis to assess where your business stands in terms of search engine visibility. This involves identifying untapped opportunities, evaluating current rankings, and uncovering areas where your website can gain a competitive edge. By analyzing your market and understanding potential growth areas, an SEO company can pinpoint the strategies needed to improve your performance in search results and attract more relevant traffic.

Fully Audit Your Website

A comprehensive website audit is a crucial step in any SEO strategy. An SEO company thoroughly examines your site’s structure, content, and technical elements to uncover issues that may hinder performance. This audit evaluates factors like page load speed, mobile responsiveness, broken links, and overall user experience. Identifying these problems provides a clear roadmap for improving your site’s health, making it more search-engine friendly and user-focused, ultimately leading to higher rankings.

Research Your Market & Competitors

Understanding your market and competitors is essential to building an effective SEO strategy. An SEO company conducts in-depth research to analyze industry trends, identify key competitors, and assess what’s working for them in terms of visibility and rankings. This research uncovers gaps in your own strategy and reveals opportunities where your business can outperform the competition. With this insight, the SEO company can craft a plan tailored to your specific market and audience, positioning your business for success.

Develop & Deploy Strategy

Once the research and audit are complete, an SEO company develops a customized strategy based on your business goals and the insights gathered. This plan includes specific tactics such as on-page optimization, content creation, and technical improvements. After the strategy is created, it’s deployed across your website and digital platforms to enhance your online visibility, attract more traffic, and improve search rankings.

Continuous Monitoring & Improvement

SEO requires ongoing attention to deliver consistent results. An SEO company tracks your website’s performance regularly, reviewing metrics such as rankings, traffic, and conversions. Based on these insights, they make adjustments to keep your strategy aligned with search engine updates and shifting market trends. 

In addition to monitoring your site's performance, SEO companies will often conduct regular competitor analysis to ensure your strategy remains competitive in the market. This means adjusting tactics to outperform competitors who may be targeting similar keywords or audiences, enabling your site to maintain or improve its rankings over time.

This continual refinement allows your site to remain competitive and relevant, driving steady growth in visibility and traffic.

How Much Do SEO Services Cost?

The cost of SEO services can vary depending on factors like the complexity of the project, the competitiveness of your industry, and your specific business goals. SEO pricing typically ranges from monthly retainers to one-time project fees, reflecting the scope of services, such as keyword research, technical optimization, content development, and ongoing monitoring.

Are SEO Agencies Worth It?

Hiring an SEO agency can be a valuable investment for businesses aiming to improve their online presence and generate more leads. SEO is a complex, ever-evolving field, and keeping up with the latest best practices and algorithm updates can be challenging without expert guidance. An experienced agency provides the necessary skills and knowledge to develop strategies tailored to your business.



Beyond increasing visibility, an SEO agency focuses on driving organic traffic and improving conversions, promoting long-term, sustainable growth. By handling the intricacies of SEO, an agency allows you to focus on running your business while they deliver measurable results.

How to Choose an SEO Company

Selecting the right SEO company is a crucial decision that can have a long-lasting impact on your business’s success. With so many agencies offering a range of services, it’s important to find a partner that aligns with your specific goals and needs. A reliable SEO company will not only have the expertise to improve your search rankings but also the ability to tailor their approach to your industry and market.

Taking the time to carefully evaluate your options increases the likelihood that you choose a company that can deliver real results, fostering sustainable growth and a stronger online presence.

Determine Your Business Needs

Before choosing an SEO company, it's crucial to identify your specific business goals and needs. Are you focused on driving more traffic, boosting local search visibility, increasing online sales, or improving your overall brand presence? Defining clear objectives will help you find an agency that specializes in the areas most relevant to your business.



Additionally, consider your current challenges, such as poor rankings or low conversion rates, and how an SEO company could address these issues. Understanding what you need from SEO allows you to select a partner whose services align with your goals, ensuring a more targeted and successful strategy.

Develop a List of Potential Agencies

Once you’ve identified your SEO goals, the next step is to create a list of potential agencies that could be a good fit. Start by asking for recommendations from colleagues or industry contacts, and do your own research online. Look for agencies that specialize in your industry or have proven success with businesses similar to yours.



Consider agencies that offer the specific SEO services you need, such as local SEO, content optimization, or technical SEO. Building a shortlist of qualified agencies helps you focus your evaluation and makes sure you only consider companies that can meet your business needs.

Research Their Track Record, Reviews, & Awards

Before committing to an SEO company, it’s important to research their track record to verify they have a history of delivering results. Look for case studies, client testimonials, and online reviews to gauge their success with businesses similar to yours. A proven record of increasing rankings, driving traffic, or improving conversions can give you confidence in their ability to meet your goals.



Additionally, check for industry awards or recognitions, which can further validate their expertise. Thorough research into an agency’s reputation ensures you choose a reliable partner capable of driving your business’s success.

Meet with Your Top Contenders

After narrowing down your list of potential SEO agencies, the next step is to meet with your top contenders. These meetings are an opportunity to ask detailed questions about their approach, experience, and how they plan to achieve your specific goals. It’s also important to assess their communication style and whether they understand your business’s unique needs.



During these discussions, look for transparency in their processes, clear explanations of how they measure success, and examples of past work. Meeting with potential agencies lets you determine which one is the best fit for your business.

SEO FAQ

Many business owners have questions about SEO—how it works, what kind of results to expect, and how long it takes to see progress. Learn more about the most frequently asked questions to better understand the SEO process and its impact on your business.

Does My Business Need SEO Services?

If your business relies on attracting customers through online searches, SEO services are essential. SEO improves your website’s visibility in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Whether you’re a small local business or a larger company, effective SEO can drive more traffic, increase brand awareness, and generate more leads.



Without SEO, your business may struggle to compete online, especially if your competitors are actively optimizing their websites. Investing in SEO services ensures your business stays competitive and accessible to customers searching for the products or services you offer.

How to Know if My Website Ranks on Google?

To determine whether your website ranks on Google, you can start by performing simple searches for keywords relevant to your business. Enter key terms related to your products or services, and see where your website appears in the search results. If you’re not ranking on the first few pages, it may be time to evaluate your SEO strategy.



For more detailed insights, tools like Google Search Console can help. It provides data on which keywords your site is ranking for, how often it's clicked, and your average position in search results. Additionally, third-party tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs offer comprehensive tracking and analysis to monitor your website’s ranking performance over time.

Why Has My Organic Traffic Dropped?

A drop in organic traffic can occur for several reasons. Search engine algorithm updates are a common cause, as changes to Google’s ranking criteria can affect your site’s visibility. Competitors improving their SEO strategy might also lead to a traffic decline if they begin outranking you for important keywords.



Technical issues like broken links, slow page speed, or poor mobile optimization can also impact rankings and traffic. Additionally, outdated content or a lack of fresh, engaging material can cause a decline. Using tools like Google Analytics can help you identify the source of the traffic drop and guide corrective actions.

How Long Does it Take to Rank on Google?

The time it takes to rank on Google can vary based on factors like the competitiveness of your industry, the quality of your SEO efforts, and the strength of your website. In general, businesses can expect to see noticeable improvements in rankings within 4 to 6 months of implementing a solid SEO strategy. However, highly competitive keywords or industries may take longer.



Consistent efforts, such as regularly publishing optimized content, improving site performance, and earning high-quality backlinks, are essential for ranking success. Remember, SEO is a long-term strategy, and ongoing adjustments are needed to achieve and maintain top positions.

Is SEO the Same as PPC?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and PPC (Pay-Per-Click) are both strategies to drive traffic, but they work differently. SEO focuses on improving your website’s organic search rankings by optimizing content, and technical performance, and building authority through backlinks. Results take time but are longer-lasting.



PPC, on the other hand, involves paying for ads to appear at the top of search results. With PPC, you get immediate visibility but must pay for each click, making it a short-term strategy. Although both can drive traffic, SEO builds sustainable growth, while PPC offers faster, temporary results.

Want to Boost Your SEO Performance? Contact Us!

Ready to improve your online visibility and drive more qualified traffic to your website? At RivalMind, we specialize in creating customized SEO strategies that align with your business goals and deliver measurable results. Whether you’re looking to enhance your rankings or increase conversions, our expert team has the tools and knowledge to help.

Let us handle the technical aspects of SEO while you focus on running your business. Contact us today to learn how RivalMind can support your long-term growth through effective SEO solutions.