One challenge enterprise SEO professionals face is completing tasks in a short amount of time and with limited resources. This can be especially true when it comes to producing content, obtaining links, and implementing recommendations.
When managing a growing SEO team, there may come a time when you need to outsource work in order to manage deliverables and the volume of work required.
But what do you need to know before making the decision if outsourcing is right for your company?
It’s not easy to outsource Enterprise SEO, but it is necessary.
Enterprise companies have a very different marketing landscape than small businesses, and that means they need Enterprise SEO tools.
Outsourcing Enterprise SEO services can be tricky because these are typically big-ticket items for the company; however, there are some ways to ensure you get the best results possible by following tips!
1. Always Ask for Live Work Samples From a Relevant Vertical
For example, If you manage SEO for a healthcare company or client, expect to see written examples of the content they have previously written in this highly regulated and technical field.
When trying to decide if a company is worth outsourcing your SEO, it is essential that you ask for samples of their work so you can gain an understanding of the type of company they are working with.
If I am looking for someone to create content for Pfizer, I would like examples of their work from other top companies in the pharmaceutical industry, such as Novartis and Cipla.
2. Include a 30-Day Out Clause in Your Contract
Inevitably, when we outsource SEO services, circumstances frequently change, and it becomes necessary to find a new provider.
If you have a contract with the company, and the quality is not at par with what was promised, work out a 30-day clause in your contract that allows for a change of service.
This way, if something happens within this time frame or the SEO provider starts doing anything to endanger their relationship with your business, they are out.
This will allow you to quickly find a new provider without having the time it takes for termination of contract proceedings and paying out any penalties or fees that might be associated with this type of transition in service providers.
3. Ask for Recent Reference with the Company Email Address & Phone Number
When you are in the early stages of considering outsourcing your search engine optimization campaigns, it is important to validate that individual or company by checking their information.
If you check out the person on LinkedIn and their photo and name are on the company website, it gives legitimacy to the reference check.
4. Check If the Company Has Insurance
To avoid catastrophe, ensure that your company is not scamming its customers with shady tactics.
For larger businesses, it is critical to protect them from the risk of litigation. If the company has an insurance policy, they can protect themselves in case of litigation.
5. Have a Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreement
This is especially important for enterprise-level clients.
For example, let’s say you work with Walmart. You don’t have a Non-Disclosure Agreement in place, and your partner starts to tell people, “I just got this big contract working for Walmart.”
Walmart may not be their client, but when word gets back to them from the other company you work with, you risk losing your contract and facing a lawsuit.
Keep in mind that when you work with an outsourcing company, what they do becomes public knowledge.
In order to avoid this, make sure that your Enterprise SEO provider has a Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreement in place so they can’t go around telling people about the work they are doing for Enterprise clients.
6. Always Be Transparent
When outsourcing work, always make sure to inform the client. For example, If you don’t offer translation and your client needs translations, let them know you have a relationship with an outside company that can provide these services. Honesty is always the best policy.
If they ask for the name of your preferred agency, give it to them and always remind them that you are eligible for special deals.
7. Treat Your Outsourcing Vendor as a Member of Your Team
When outsourcing enterprise SEO, you must first share your strategy documents with the provider, so they understand what is needed to succeed.
You and the company you hire should be on a common team, all working toward one goal – getting results.
8. Try Before You Buy – Ask for Free Trials
Marketers and agencies can use a sample task to get thousands of dollars in business. Of course, only applicable in the case of legitimate enterprise-level business deals.
For example, let’s say you are working with a client that sells servers. You can ask them to create a 600-word blog post on 5 Tips To Select The Best Server For Your Business.
This will give you the opportunity to test the quality of their work, and if it’s up to par, they can continue providing services for your Enterprise client.
If not, then you know without a doubt that this is not a company worth contracting with.
Many will do it to build up trust and get your business. Of course, if you decide to use the blog post, add it to your first payment.
9. Ask for Case Studies and Video Testimonials
It is hard to judge a vendor by their word alone. You need evidence that they can produce quality work, and you also want the opportunity to inspect it firsthand.
If you are happy with the work they have done for a client, the chances are that they will do well for you as well!
10. Understand Your Time and Cost Savings
Make sure you take a close look at the time savings that outsourcing will give you and if it is worth the cost to cut down your workload by handing off certain tasks or even entire projects.
Outsourcing enterprise SEO involves handing over tasks that you do not have the time or resources to complete in-house.
If you are able to put an ROI on outsourcing, it can be a cost-effective method of achieving your goal.
Conclusion
Outsourcing Enterprise SEO is a great way to save time and money while getting the best results. With these tips, you can be well on your way to success!
Outsourcing your SEO efforts can free up time you might otherwise have spent on other projects, which could lead to greater business prospects.
Following these 10 tips can help you create a successful enterprise SEO partnership for your agency or organization. Independent research is critical for ensuring that you can create a successful partnership.
