The art of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a complicated one. As service providers, a reputable SEO firm's task is to make a webpage as applicable and as useful as possible - for both major search engines and real people. It's a service that's specialised, when done properly; but getting through the sea of spam and dodgy online marketing techniques to find the right provider can be a challenge.
Exploring the possibilities between a local SEO provider and an international one can be an important affecting factor of how effective your SEO results will be. Whilst international providers tend to have cheaper options, it's not always feasible. Going local may seem more expensive, but it'll be better for your business and online marketing strategy. Here's why.
1. Regular Contact is Essential
Time difference is the biggest disadvantage when it comes to dealing with an over east or international SEO company. Because communication is one of the most important elements of a successful SEO strategy, you'll want to have regular meetings with your provider - both in the form of a phone calls and face-to-face contact.
Without regular contact, you and your chosen SEO company can't possibly be on the same page. Different time differences and not being able to contact your SEO provider when you need too can intervene and cause online marketing projects to slow down. This can be harmful to your business and site. When it comes to any successful online marketing plan, the value of face-to-face communication cannot be denied.
2. They Know the Local Market and Local Search Results
The best advantage about dealing with a local provider is that they know the local market. But they don't just know it, they live and breathe it every single day. Working with an SEO provider that's experienced in local SEO techniques gives your website a more positive gain.
Appearing in the top local search engine results is especially important if you are wanting to attract nearby customers. A local provider will have a better understanding of how to optimise your site for local SEO and nearby people searching your main keywords are more likely to find you.
3. Content is Accurate and Reliable
You hear it all the time - content is king and without it, it's really hard to boost your rankings. You'll want to find an SEO provider that values the importance of content marketing and has an onsite copywriter to specifically target this expertise. If your chosen SEO firm is local, the online copywriter will be qualified to write precisely for that market. Like the SEO provider, they will have a clear understanding of the style, tone and information that needs to be included to publish juicy, fresh and interesting content valuable to your strategy.
Content that is outsourced to international companies don't always come back as accurate and reliable as locally sourced work. And because content is one of the biggest driving forces to bring customers and major search engines to your website, it makes sense for it to be as dependable as possible.
4. Better Reporting System
All business investments and marketing campaigns need to be monitored on a regular basis to determine its success. And SEO is by no means any different. SEO is not a 'cheap' service, so no doubt you want to know exactly where you money is going and how it's benefiting your business.
All reputable SEO companies will have a reporting system. Reports are sent out usually on a monthly basis and will include updates and analytics to ensure you understand your online SEO strategy and the long term gain. From a client perspective, these reports can get confusing and so it's helpful to have a local provider you can talk through them with.
5. The Devil is in the Details
Because SEO can be complicated, it takes a local specialist to step you through the process and do what's best for your business, brand and website. It's not a clear-cut technique and in most cases, opting for an international provider can add another layer of complexity to the mix you really do not need.