How SEO agencies are judged
Prospective clients check whether the agency ranks for anything itself, then look for case studies with actual traffic data rather than claims. This market has enough agencies promising first positions that scepticism is the default. Scope is the second problem: clients do not know what SEO work consists of, so they compare monthly retainers with no idea what differs between them, and choose the cheapest.
What we build for one
First, case studies with real traffic and ranking data over time, including the starting point, since that is the only credible evidence. Second, service scope defined by deliverable, so a retainer becomes comparable rather than a mystery. Third, a free audit tool as the lead magnet, which qualifies prospects and demonstrates competence in one step. Fourth, a client reporting portal, because opaque reporting is why SEO retainers get cancelled at month four.