What Does An SEO Company Do? (And How To Choose One)

An SEO company is a specialized service provider that helps businesses improve their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) through strategic optimization techniques. These agencies work to increase organic traffic, boost search rankings, and drive more qualified leads to your website without paid advertising. According to Search Engine Journal, professional SEO services have become essential for businesses competing in today’s digital marketplace.

Key Functions of an SEO Company: 

• Conduct keyword research to identify terms your customers search for using tools like Google Trends 
• Optimize website content and structure for search engines 
• Build high-quality backlinks from reputable websites 
• Improve website speed and technical performance 
• Create SEO-optimized content that answers user queries 
• Monitor rankings and adjust strategies based on data 
• Ensure websites follow search engine guidelines

SEO companies combine technical expertise, industry tools, and proven strategies to help businesses compete online. They handle time-consuming optimization tasks while you focus on running your business. Whether you need local SEO for a physical store, e-commerce optimization for online sales, or enterprise-level solutions for large websites, professional SEO services can deliver measurable results through improved search visibility and increased organic traffic.

What Does an SEO Company Do?

An SEO company is a team that helps businesses get found more easily online. They do this by making websites show up higher on search engines like Google. Their work includes things like finding the right keywords, writing helpful content, building quality backlinks, and making sure the site is easy for both users and search engines to navigate. The American Marketing Association recognizes SEO as a critical component of modern digital marketing strategies.

How Does an SEO Agency Help Your Business?

An SEO agency works with companies to create, launch, and oversee search engine optimization plans that boost their presence in online search results. When businesses gain better visibility online, they can achieve higher search rankings, increased website visitors, and more revenue through organic search channels. Selecting the best search engine optimization firm is essential for reaching your company’s objectives. Eclipse Marketing specializes in creating customized SEO strategies that align with specific business goals.

What Types of Services Can SEO Agencies Provide?

SEO agencies deliver various services that fall into several categories such as: 

• Location-based, including neighborhood SEO solutions, to help physical stores and offices. Our Denver SEO agency and Las Vegas SEO services specialize in local optimization. 
• Focus area, including backlink building solutions, to strengthen your website’s link network. 
• Time frame, including SEO advisory solutions, to handle specific problems or short-term projects. 
• Business type, including plumbing SEO solutions, to assist home service companies. 
• Company scale, including corporate SEO solutions, to work with big organizations and complicated websites.

Here are some general SEO solutions you might find: 

• Nationwide SEO solutions 
• Online store SEO solutions 
• SEO combined with website development

Meanwhile, these are more focused services that SEO agencies offer: 

• Building quality backlinks following best practices 
• Finding target keywords 
• Writing website content optimized for Schema.org markup 
• Website SEO reviews using tools like GTmetrix 
• Making websites load faster according to Google PageSpeed Insights standards

When you want to hire an SEO partner, you’ll likely find an agency that provides exactly what your business needs. Knowing these different service options will help you choose between different SEO providers more effectively. Our New Brunswick SEO team offers comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes.

What Makes Businesses Choose SEO Agencies?

Companies decide to work with SEO agencies for several important reasons, such as: 

• Save hours: Work with an SEO provider, and you’ll free up many hours in your schedule. Whether it’s fixing page titles or reaching out for link partnerships, your SEO agency takes care of all the lengthy tasks that fill up your workday. Learn more about our team and how we can help. 
• Expert knowledge: You’ll also gain access to SEO professionals. These experts mean you don’t need to learn every detail about SEO since you can tap into wide-ranging and specific solutions, such as website technical improvements. You can count on their know-how to guide and boost your search engine marketing plans. 
• Professional software: SEO agencies bring powerful SEO and marketing software with them. Though some internal SEO departments can pay for these programs, many lack the funds. This means working with your SEO partner gives you access to top-quality SEO platforms recommended by Search Engine Land. 
• Market rivalry: Companies facing tough competitors often bring in SEO help. Having a group of SEO professionals allows businesses to create better SEO plans and put them into action quickly, helping them match (and ideally beat) their rivals. Our Google Ads services complement SEO for comprehensive digital marketing. 
• Budget-friendly: Working with a quality SEO partner usually costs less than building your own SEO department. But it’s important to note that what you spend on an SEO agency versus an internal team depends on your specific situation, including your website’s scope and your plan’s ambitions.

When Is the Right Time to Work with an SEO Agency?

The best approach is to team up with an SEO provider before problems start affecting your business (such as failing to meet targets and poor search rankings). According to the Content Marketing Institute, early SEO intervention yields the best long-term results.

You understand what top SEO agencies can do, but when should you bring one on board?

Think about getting help when you’re: 

• Falling short of SEO targets 
• Running behind schedule 
• Expecting bigger SEO needs ahead

If you notice or expect challenges with time management, performance, or expertise, it’s smart to look for an SEO agency. The ideal time to join forces with an SEO provider is before these issues start hurting your business (like falling behind on projects and dropping search positions). Check our blog for more insights on timing your SEO investments.

How to Pick the Right SEO Agency

Follow these five steps to find the best SEO agency for your needs right now (or save them for later):

1. Write down what you need

Start by listing your needs and boundaries for working with an SEO provider, including: 

• Spending limit: How much money can you spend on hiring an agency? 
• Solutions needed: Which SEO solutions do you believe your business requires? Consider both SEO and web design services for comprehensive digital presence. 
• Office location: Are you looking for a nearby agency, one from another country, or something else? (If you want agencies from specific areas, we’ve already done the research, such as our list of top SEO agencies in the United States). 
• Targets: What results do you hope to get from SEO work? 
• Website control: How much freedom will the agency get to make SEO changes on your website? Ensure they follow W3C Validator standards. 
• Background: What level of expertise should the provider have, and do they need knowledge in your field?

When you know what you need, you’ll spend less time looking for an SEO agency. For instance, knowing your spending limit helps you quickly remove SEO providers from your options based on their listed costs (even though most SEO agencies don’t share their prices publicly).

2. Build your agency shortlist

Now, create a list of top SEO service companies to review. If you need a place to begin, we’ve put together lists of leading SEO agencies, including those in Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York.

Here are several ways to start building your list:

• Get recommendations from people you know

• Check review platforms such as G2, Clutch, and The Manifest

• Look through online directories, including Google Maps, to discover nearby agencies

After gathering these options, you can make an initial list, then narrow it down using the requirements you defined earlier.

3. Check each agency’s history, achievements, and results

Using your shorter list, you can now look deeper into each agency’s background, including their: 

• Client feedback 
• Industry recognition 
• Success stories with SEO

While looking at feedback and success stories, pay attention to these points: 

• How the agency tracks its success and client outcomes 
• What customers frequently praise or complain about 
• How many years the agency and their clients stay partners

This research helps you better know what working with each SEO agency feels like and whether they’re the right partner for you. You can find additional guidance on spotting quality SEO agencies.

4. Meet with your best SEO agency choices

Now, you can start talking with your leading SEO agency options. Contact us to schedule your consultation.

This gives both you and the SEO agency a chance to ask questions and figure out if you work well together. SEO providers usually ask basic questions first, such as your spending plan, before setting up a longer discussion.

While you prepare to speak with your possible SEO provider, you can write down some questions to ask SEO providers, including: 

• How do you track results? 
• What do you do when strategies don’t work well? 
• Do you give any tasks to other companies, and which ones? 
• What’s your policy on working with our competitors? 
• What’s your process  and schedule  for sharing updates and results? 
• How many hours will you need from our team?

Speak with your team members and decision-makers ahead of time to think of additional questions. The more things you ask, the clearer picture you’ll get about whether this SEO agency matches your company’s needs now and in the future.

Also, if you’re just starting with SEO, think about taking some top SEO training programs. This way, you can join the discussion with more knowledge and confidence.

5. Pick your SEO agency

After finishing all your research, you can select an SEO agency!

But before you sign any agreement, watch out for these warning signs that might lead to problems down the road: 

• Won’t tell you costs and/or what they’ll deliver 
• Gives unclear responses to your questions 
• Suggests shady SEO methods, such as buying links

If you feel unsure about an SEO provider, go back and look for other options. Working with a poor SEO agency can harm your website and business for a long time, the worst outcome is getting your site banned from search engines completely. A trustworthy search engine marketing agency will always follow honest, proven methods.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your SEO Success

Choosing the right SEO company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your online business growth. The best SEO agencies don’t just improve your search rankings, they become strategic partners who understand your business goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. Whether you need comprehensive web design combined with SEO or focused optimization services, the right agency will have clear communication, proven results, and ethical practices.

Remember that successful SEO takes time, typically showing significant results within 3-6 months. The sooner you partner with a professional SEO company, the faster you’ll start seeing improvements in your online visibility and business growth. Take action today by evaluating your SEO needs and starting your search for the perfect agency partner. Your future customers are searching for businesses like yours right now, make sure they can find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire an SEO company? 

SEO company pricing varies widely based on your specific needs and goals. The investment depends on several factors including your website size, competition level in your industry, the scope of services you require, and whether you’re targeting local or national markets. Different agencies offer various pricing models such as monthly retainers, project-based fees, or performance-based pricing. Most reputable agencies provide customized pricing after conducting a thorough assessment of your current online presence and understanding your business objectives. It’s important to view SEO as an investment in your business growth rather than just a cost. Contact Eclipse Marketing for a personalized consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals.

How long does it take to see results from SEO? 

SEO typically shows initial improvements within 3-6 months, with significant results appearing after 6-12 months of consistent work. The timeline depends on factors like your website’s current state, competition level, and how aggressively you pursue SEO. New websites often take longer to rank than established sites with existing authority. Quick wins might include improved local rankings or long-tail keyword positions, while competitive terms require more time and effort. Patience and consistency are key to SEO success.

Can I do SEO myself instead of hiring an agency? 

Yes, you can handle basic SEO yourself, but it requires significant time, learning, and ongoing effort. DIY SEO works best for simple websites with low competition. However, agencies bring expertise, tools, and resources that deliver faster, more comprehensive results. They stay updated on algorithm changes, have expensive SEO software, and understand technical complexities. Consider starting with DIY basics while saving for professional help, or focus on content creation while outsourcing technical SEO to experts.

What’s the difference between SEO and paid advertising? 

SEO focuses on earning organic (free) traffic through improved search rankings, while paid advertising like Google Ads provides immediate visibility for a cost. SEO offers long-term value — once you rank well, you continue getting traffic without ongoing payment. Paid ads stop bringing traffic when you stop paying. Most successful businesses use both strategies: SEO for sustainable growth and paid ads for immediate results or seasonal promotions. Combining SEO with Google Ads creates a powerful digital marketing approach.

How do I know if an SEO company is legitimate? 

Legitimate SEO companies show clear signs of professionalism and ethical practices. Look for agencies that explain their strategies clearly, provide case studies with real results, avoid guaranteeing specific rankings, use white-hat techniques only, offer transparent reporting, and have verifiable client testimonials. Red flags include promises of overnight results, extremely cheap prices, secretive methods, or requests for full website ownership. Always verify their business credentials and ask for references from current clients before signing any contracts.