Has your site’s traffic been down in the SERPs lately? If so, hiring a SEO company can be the solution to boost your sites online visibility and traffic. But what do SEO companies do exactly?
We’re here to answer this question and more.
Strap in and find out what you should expect from your SEO company and who to call if you need one for your business.
Table of Contents
Why “What Do SEO Companies Do?” Is the Wrong Question
Most people think SEO companies spend their time sprinkling keywords into content, tweaking website code, and chasing backlinks.
While those tasks are part of the process, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
The real question isn’t what do SEO companies do? It’s what should a SEO company be doing to help your business grow?
A good SEO company looks beyond the rankings and aligns SEO with your business goals, ensuring that every optimization, every piece of content, and every strategy move contributes to real growth — not just a position on the SERPs.
The Essentials: What Do SEO Companies Do on the Surface
Yes, an SEO company will handle the basics, like:
- On-page optimization: Making sure your website is structured correctly for search engines.
- Technical fixes: Improving site speed, mobile usability, and indexing issues.
- Keyword research: Identifying terms your audience is searching for.
- Backlink building: Acquiring high-quality links to boost authority.
- Analytics and tracking: Monitoring rankings and adjusting tactics as algorithms change.
These foundational tasks matter, but they shouldn’t be the end goal.
The Difference Between an SEO Vendor and an SEO Partner
Not all SEO companies are the same.
Some are vendors. These companies or individuals merely tick off SEO checklists and report on rankings without considering how those rankings translate to business success.
Then there are SEO partners. Unlike vendors, these companies take a strategic approach to fit SEO into your entire marketing plan. That means working alongside your content marketing, social media, and paid advertising strategies to drive measurable business results.
If an SEO company isn’t asking about your business goals, ideal customers, and conversion strategies, they’re likely just a vendor — not a partner.
What a SEO Company Should Be Doing for You
A true SEO partner goes above and beyond optimizing content and tracking rankings. The right partner also does the following to help your online presence and business grow.
Map Out the Customer Journey
SEO should attract the right audience at every stage of their decision-making process. That means creating content that not only ranks but also guides potential customers toward a purchase — from awareness to conversion.
Shoot for Conversions and Not Just Traffic
A strong SEO strategy focuses on turning visitors into leads and customers by improving landing pages, refining calls to action, and making sure traffic converts into revenue.
Identify and Fix Content Gaps
If your competitors are ranking for keywords that you’re missing, that’s a lost opportunity. SEO companies should perform a content gap analysis to uncover what your audience is searching for — and create content that fills those gaps.
Build Brand Authority, Not Just Rankings
Ranking on Google is one thing. Being seen as a trusted industry leader is another. A good SEO company helps boost credibility through thought leadership content, PR mentions, and strategic backlinks.
Future-Proof Your SEO Strategy
Search is constantly changing. AI-driven search, voice search, and evolving algorithms require adaptability. The best SEO companies focus on long-term strategies so you stay ahead of the competition, no matter how search evolves.
Choosing the Right SEO Company: The Questions to Ask
If you don’t know the answer to “What do SEO companies do?”, one of the ways to test an SEO company’s mettle is to ask these questions:
- How do you measure success beyond rankings?: SEO should be about lead generation, conversions, and revenue — not just traffic.
- How will you align SEO with my specific business goals?: If they don’t ask about your goals, they’re not really invested in your success.
- What’s your approach to long-term growth, not just short-term wins?: Quick SEO tricks might boost rankings temporarily, but a real strategy focuses on sustainable results.
- Can you provide case studies of real business impact? If they can’t show a track record, run.
SEO Should Be a Growth Strategy, Not a To-Do List
The right SEO company helps drive real revenue, aligns with your broader marketing efforts, and ensures you’re positioned for long-term success. And if you need a team who can do all this and more, we’re just a call away.
Get a free consultation today, and let’s chat about how we can make SEO drive real revenue for your business.