How to Evaluate If an SEO Strategy Will Deliver Results?

Bonjour, les amis! I’m Bohdan. Today, we’re diving into a frequently asked question: How can you tell if the SEO strategy proposed by an agency is truly effective and will yield results?

Welcome to another session of SEO questions from business owners. Today, we’re diving into a frequently asked question: How can you tell if the SEO strategy proposed by an agency is truly effective and will yield results? Let’s explore what constitutes a robust SEO strategy and the indicators you should look for.

Understanding SEO Strategy

In the business world, the term “SEO strategy” often gets tossed around, usually referring to comprehensive documents laden with information. However, in my context, an SEO strategy should be a precise, core set of choices designed to optimally guide other decisions. A good strategy is characterised by succinctness—where the smaller the set of choices, the better.

The Importance of Interaction

Interaction plays a crucial role in defining SEO strategy—it is both essential and imminent. Coordination (or alignment) of choices is a crucial part of being strategic. Interaction is a necessary condition for being strategic. Decisions with many interactions can guide many decisions at once and, hence, should be "more" strategic.

Therefore, when reviewing a document labelled as an SEO strategy from your consultant, focus on two main aspects.

What to Look for in an SEO Strategy

Firstly, determine the brevity of the document. The most effective SEO strategies can often be condensed to a single page or even a sentence. Secondly, ensure that it provides just one or two initial choices. By its very definition, a strategy is a minimal core set of decisions. A list comprising ten steps is more akin to an action plan, not a strategy. When executing something strategically, zero in on one or two key initiatives that will align and usher subsequent decisions.

Example of Strategic vs Not Choice

To illustrate, a suggestion regarding the choice of platform, such as WordPress, while significant, does not inherently possess strategic value. This is because it lacks the scope to command or direct other business directions within your enterprise. True strategic decisions in SEO should influence a multitude of business choices, particularly visible in e-commerce where SEO becomes an integral aspect of business processes like product management, technology, operations, and marketing.

Definition and Metric(s)

To summarise, a strategy often isn’t what it’s labelled as. A strategic approach is succinct and directive, serving as a compass for other decisions. Employ metrics to quantify the effectiveness of these choices—metrics embody the pinnacle of strategic thought. When assessing a proposed strategy, ask yourself “why?” If the answer helps you visualise how it aligns other business decisions towards achieving your business metrics, then you likely have a promising strategy on your hands.

Thank you for joining today’s exploration of evaluating SEO strategies. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask—I’m here to help. Until next time, thank you for watching and reading. Bye!