Choosing the right SEO agency can make or break your business’s digital presence. With the explosion of online competition, even traditional firms like PR agencies and advertising agencies in Mumbai are looking to SEO experts to enhance visibility and drive organic traffic. But with thousands of SEO firms out there, how do you separate the real performers from the overpromisers?
In this blog, we’ll guide you through a structured approach to evaluating SEO agencies. Whether you’re a startup looking for complete PR services or a seasoned advertising agency wanting to sharpen your SEO edge, these steps will help you make a smart, informed decision.
Why Choosing the Right SEO Agency Matters
Hiring the right SEO agency is not just about rankings. It’s about increasing brand authority, attracting high-intent traffic, improving conversion rates, and ultimately, growing your bottom line. SEO is no longer a siloed technical practice. It’s tied into PR, content strategy, and user experience, which means choosing a partner that aligns with your holistic business goals is critical.
And here’s why it matters more than ever:
49% of marketers say that organic search has the best ROI of any marketing channel.
So, whether you’re offering PR services or operating as an advertising agency in Mumbai, organic visibility is still the king of digital growth.
Step 1: Clarify Your SEO Goals
Before you evaluate agencies, define what success looks like for your business. Are you looking to:
- Increase local search visibility in Mumbai?
- Improve keyword rankings for services like “PR agency for tech startups”?
- Grow qualified leads through organic channels?
- Reduce dependency on paid ads?
Your goals will determine the type of SEO support you need from technical SEO to content creation or backlink building.
Step 2: Look for Industry-Specific Experience
If you’re in a niche like public relations or media, hiring a generic SEO agency may not cut it. Look for case studies and references that show the agency understands your space.
A PR agency might need help ranking for brand-reputation keywords or promoting positive coverage, while an advertising agency in Mumbai may focus on local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization.
Don’t be afraid to ask for:
- Examples of results in similar industries
- SEO strategies tailored for media-rich businesses
- Understanding of local search trends and user behavior in your region
Step 3: Evaluate Their SEO Methodology
Any reputable SEO agency should be transparent about their process. Here are the core pillars they should cover:
1. Technical SEO
- Site speed
- Mobile responsiveness
- Structured data
Google uses over 200 factors in their algorithm to rank websites. If an agency ignores technical fundamentals, that’s a red flag.
2. Content Strategy
- Keyword research
- Topical authority
- On-page SEO
Pages that rank on Google’s first page average 1,447 words. This means short-form, superficial content won’t cut it anymore.
3. Link Building
- Outreach strategy
- Editorial backlinks
- Local citations
The number of referring domains linking to a page has the highest correlation with Google rankings.
Step 4: Scrutinize Their Reporting and Communication Style
Transparent, consistent communication is the hallmark of a trustworthy SEO agency. Ask for examples of:
- Monthly performance reports
- Key metrics tracked (organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlinks, conversions)
- How they communicate wins, losses, and pivots
Reports should go beyond vanity metrics. A good SEO agency will align their data with your business KPIs like lead generation, call volume, or revenue impact.
Step 5: Check Their Local SEO Competency (Especially If You’re in Mumbai)
For service-based businesses like advertising or PR agencies, visibility in your local market is non-negotiable.
46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.
If you’re an advertising agency in Mumbai, ranking on local search queries like “top ad agency in Mumbai” or “PR services near me” is essential. An SEO agency that understands Google Business Profile optimization, local citations, and geo-targeted content can give you a significant edge.
Ask questions like:
- Do they manage local listings and citations?
- Do they perform location-specific keyword research?
- Can they help generate and manage local reviews?
Step 6: Review Their Track Record and Client Testimonials
The best SEO agencies are proud of their work and their clients are too. Browse through:
- Case studies showing keyword improvements and ROI
- Testimonials on Clutch, G2, or Google Reviews
- Examples of industries served (especially agencies, service firms, and local businesses)
If they’ve helped a PR agency rank for branded searches or supported an advertising firm with content optimization, that’s a plus.
Step 7: Ask About Their Tool Stack
Reputable SEO agencies invest in the right tools. These aren’t just for show tools help with transparency, scale, and precision.
Ask which tools they use for:
- Keyword research (e.g., Ahrefs, SEMrush)
- Technical audits (e.g., Screaming Frog, Sitebulb)
- Rank tracking (e.g., AccuRanker)
- Reporting dashboards (e.g., Google Data Studio)
Bonus: Ask if they’ll give you access to shared dashboards, so you can check in on progress anytime.
Step 8: Discuss Budget and ROI Expectations
SEO pricing varies widely depending on:
- Agency experience
- Scope of services
- Industry complexity
- Local vs. global campaigns
Be wary of agencies that promise rankings within weeks or offer cookie-cutter packages. Good SEO takes time, especially in competitive sectors like PR and advertising.
Nearly 60% of pages ranking in Google’s top 10 are over three years old.
This means longevity and consistency matter more than overnight gains. Align on realistic timelines, budget range, and expected milestones.
Step 9: Watch for Red Flags
Not all SEO agencies are equal. Steer clear of firms that:
- Guarantee rankings (SEO is not that predictable)
- Rely heavily on paid links or black-hat practices
- Withhold access to your website or analytics
- Don’t have a clear onboarding process
Transparency, education, and ethics should be baked into their culture.
Step 10: Ask the Right Questions
To help you finalize your decision, here’s a list of sharp, revealing questions to ask during the vetting process:
- What’s your experience with PR or advertising clients?
- Can you walk me through your first 90 days of engagement?
- How do you measure SEO success for a service-based business?
- How often will we communicate and review progress?
- What’s your process for content strategy and link acquisition?
These questions will reveal their strategic thinking, communication style, and whether they’re just selling services or solutions.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right SEO agency for your business is a decision that affects not just traffic, but brand visibility, authority, and ultimately, growth. Whether you’re a PR agency looking to amplify brand mentions or an advertising agency in Mumbai seeking more local visibility, the right SEO partner can help you turn search engines into consistent growth engines.
Be diligent, ask the hard questions, and invest in a relationship built on results, not just rankings.
Because when SEO is done right, the results speak louder than promises.
Get in touch with Madchatt Brand Solutions.
Sources: https://backlinko.com/seo-stats