Core Web Vitals Audit: Guide to Passing LCP and CLS

January 26, 2026 admin

The Core Web Vitals Audit: A Zero-Gulp Guide to Passing LCP and CLS

In the competitive Australian digital landscape, speed isn’t just a luxury—it’s a ranking factor. Since Google integrated Core Web Vitals (CWV) into its Page Experience signals, the technical health of your website directly impacts your visibility in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

A Core Web Vitals audit is no longer a niche technical task for developers; it is a fundamental requirement for SEO strategists and business owners alike. If your site feels “heavy” or jumps around while loading, you aren’t just frustrating users—you are likely being throttled in organic reach.

This guide breaks down the complexities of Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) into actionable steps. We will move beyond the jargon to ensure your site meets Google’s thresholds, ensuring faster indexing and long-term ranking stability.

Understanding Core Web Vitals: The Three Pillars

Google uses three specific metrics to quantify a user’s experience on a page. While First Input Delay (FID) has been superseded by Interaction to Next Paint (INP), the heavy hitters for most Australian sites remain LCP and CLS.

What is Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)?

LCP measures loading performance. Specifically, it marks the time it takes for the largest image or text block in the viewport to become visible.

Good: Under 2.5 seconds
Needs Improvement: Between 2.5 and 4.0 seconds
Poor: Over 4.0 seconds

What is Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)?

CLS measures visual stability. Have you ever tried to click a link, only for the page to shift down at the last second, causing you to click an ad instead? That is a poor CLS score.

Good: Under 0.1
Needs Improvement: Between 0.1 and 0.25
Poor: Over 0.25

Why Australian Businesses Must Prioritize This Audit

The Australian market has unique challenges, including varying internet speeds across regional areas and a high reliance on mobile browsing.

Search Engine Preference: Google prioritizes pages that pass the CWV assessment, especially in competitive niches like e-commerce and real estate.
Conversion Rates: A faster LCP reduces bounce rates. In Sydney and Melbourne’s fast-paced markets, a one-second delay can result in a significant drop in conversions.
Crawl Budget Efficiency: Sites that are optimized for CWV often have cleaner code, making it easier for Googlebot to crawl and index new content quickly.

Step-by-Step Framework for a Core Web Vitals Audit

Conducting an audit requires a blend of “field data” (real user metrics) and “lab data” (simulated tests). Use this framework to identify bottlenecks.

1. Data Collection

Start with Google Search Console (GSC). Navigate to the “Experience” section and click “Core Web Vitals.” This shows you which URLs are failing based on actual Australian user sessions.

2. Identifying LCP Culprits

Common LCP elements include hero images, large headings, or featured videos. Use PageSpeed Insights (PSI) to identify exactly which element is being flagged as the “Largest Contentful Paint.”

3. Detecting CLS Shifts

Use the “Layout Shift Debugger” or Chrome DevTools. Look for elements without defined dimensions (width and height attributes) or late-loading fonts that cause “FOIT” (Flash of Invisible Text).

Deep Dive: How to Pass the LCP Requirement

Passing LCP is often about the “Critical Rendering Path.” You want the most important content to reach the user’s screen as fast as possible.

Optimizing Images and Video

WebP/Avif Conversion: Stop using heavy PNGs. Use modern formats that offer superior compression.
Proper Scaling: Don’t upload a 4000px image for a 400px container.
Priority Hints: Use fetchpriority="high" on your hero image to tell the browser to download it immediately.

Server-Side Improvements

If your server response time (TTFB) is slow, your LCP will never be “Good.”

Australian CDNs: Use a Content Delivery Network with nodes in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth to reduce latency.
Caching Strategy: Implement aggressive server-side caching to serve static HTML versions of your pages.

Optimization Task	Impact on LCP	Difficulty
Image Compression	High	Easy
Implementing a CDN	Medium	Moderate
Reducing Main-Thread Work	High	High

Deep Dive: How to Pass the CLS Requirement

CLS is less about “speed” and more about “predictability.” To pass, you must ensure the page layout remains “frozen” as elements load.

Set Explicit Dimensions

Always include width and height attributes on your images and video elements. This allows the browser to reserve the space before the asset actually downloads.

Reserve Space for Dynamic Content

If you use banner ads or “Recommended for You” widgets, wrap them in a <div> with a fixed minimum height. This prevents the content below from jumping when the ad finally loads.

Font Loading Strategy

Custom web fonts can cause layout shifts if the fallback font has different spacing than the primary font. Use font-display: swap; and try to match the metrics of your fallback font to your brand font.

Common Mistakes in Core Web Vitals Audits

Ignoring Mobile: Many auditors check desktop first. In Australia, mobile traffic dominates. Always optimize for the “Moto G Power” or mid-tier mobile profile in Lighthouse.
Over-reliance on Plugins: On WordPress, adding five different “speed” plugins often creates more bloat. Aim for “clean code” over “more plugins.”
Delayed JS Execution: While delaying JavaScript can help LCP, if it delays a primary UI element, it might hurt your Interaction to Next Paint (INP) score later.

Internal Linking & Content Hierarchy

To maintain strong topical authority, ensure your audit results are supported by a clean site architecture.

Anchor Text Suggestion: [Technical SEO Checklist for Australian Sites]
Anchor Text Suggestion: [Optimizing Images for Faster Indexing]
Anchor Text Suggestion: [How Server Location Impacts Australian Rankings]

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Does passing Core Web Vitals guarantee a #1 ranking?

No. CWV is a “tie-breaker” and a foundational signal. You still need high-quality content and a strong backlink profile, but poor vitals can prevent you from reaching the top spot.

How often should I perform a Core Web Vitals audit?

At a minimum, quarterly. However, any time you change your site’s design, add new tracking scripts, or update your CMS, you should run a quick check.

Is LCP more important than CLS?

Both are vital, but LCP is often harder to fix because it involves server infrastructure and asset delivery. CLS is usually a front-end CSS fix.

Can a slow CDN affect my Australian rankings?

Yes. If your CDN serves your Sydney-based customers from a server in the US, your TTFB and LCP will suffer, potentially lowering your local search visibility.

Why does my site pass on my computer but fail in Search Console?

Search Console uses “Field Data” (real-world users), while your computer uses “Lab Data.” Your users might be on slower 4G connections or older devices, which reflects their actual experience.

Conclusion: Mastering the Core Web Vitals Audit

Passing the LCP and CLS requirements is not just about “pleasing the algorithm.” It is about providing a seamless, professional experience for your users. By optimizing your largest elements, stabilizing your layout, and utilizing local infrastructure, you create a website that Google is eager to crawl, index, and rank.

A successful Core Web Vitals audit is an ongoing process of refinement. Start with the “low-hanging fruit” like image optimization and explicit dimensions, then move toward advanced server-side improvements.

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Future Trends in SEO Services: What Businesses Should Prepare For

August 28, 2025 admin

Introduction

In today’s digital-first world, customers don’t flip through directories or rely solely on word-of-mouth to find products and services—they turn to search engines. That’s where SEO services come in. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of improving a website so it ranks higher in search results. For businesses, this means more visibility, more traffic, and ultimately, more sales. As search engines continue to evolve, so do SEO strategies, making it essential for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.

Let’s explore what SEO services are, why they matter, and the future trends every business should prepare for.

What Are SEO Services?

SEO services are professional strategies and techniques designed to optimize your website for better performance in search engines like Google. These services can include keyword research, content optimization, technical fixes, link building, and more—all aimed at improving rankings, visibility, and user experience.

For example, a local bakery in Sydney might use SEO services to appear in searches like “best birthday cakes near me”, helping them attract nearby customers.

Why SEO Matters for Businesses Today

Whether you run a local café, an online store, or a large corporation, most customers will search for you online before making a decision. If your business isn’t showing up, your competitors are getting those clicks. SEO matters because it bridges the gap between your business and the people actively searching for what you offer.

See more: Strategic Advertising Unleashed: SEO for Maximum ROI

Key Benefits of SEO Services

Increased Traffic – Ranking higher means more people visiting your website.
Improved Visibility – Stay in front of your target audience when they’re searching for your products or services.
Lead Generation – Attract quality leads who are already interested in what you sell.
Credibility & Trust – Higher rankings build brand authority.
Better ROI – Compared to traditional advertising, SEO often delivers a higher return on investment.

Types of SEO Services

On-Page SEO – Optimizing your website content, structure, and keywords.
Off-Page SEO – Building backlinks and authority outside your website.
Technical SEO – Improving site speed, mobile-friendliness, and indexing.
Local SEO – Ensuring your business shows up in “near me” searches and Google Maps.

A small gym, for instance, may focus on local SEO to attract members from the surrounding neighborhood, while an eCommerce store might lean on technical and on-page SEO to compete nationally.

Do-It-Yourself SEO: Advantages and Limitations

Many small business owners try DIY SEO, using free tools and blogs to guide their efforts. While this can be cost-effective and educational, it comes with limitations. SEO is time-consuming, requires ongoing updates, and mistakes (like keyword stuffing or ignoring mobile optimization) can hurt rankings.

DIY works well for startups experimenting on a budget, but it rarely replaces professional expertise.

Professional SEO Services: Advantages and Limitations

Hiring experts saves time and provides access to proven strategies, advanced tools, and industry knowledge. Agencies and consultants can tailor campaigns specifically to your goals. However, professional services require investment, and not all providers deliver the same quality—choosing wisely is key.

How SEO Services Drive Business Growth Online

SEO isn’t just about traffic; it’s about business growth. For example:

A family-owned restaurant optimized for “best Italian food near me” could double its reservations.
An online clothing boutique using SEO to rank for seasonal trends like “summer dresses Australia” might see a big sales boost.

SEO helps you reach the right people at the right time, making it one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies.

Tips for Choosing the Right SEO Service Provider

Check Their Track Record – Look for case studies or client reviews.
Transparency – They should explain what they’re doing and why.
Custom Strategy – Avoid “one-size-fits-all” SEO packages.
Communication – Choose a partner who updates you regularly.

Think of it like hiring an accountant—you want someone experienced, trustworthy, and dedicated to your business’s long-term success.

Future Trends in SEO Services Businesses Should Prepare For

As technology evolves, so does SEO. Here are upcoming trends businesses need to watch:

AI and Search Engines – Tools like ChatGPT are changing how people search, and Google is adapting. SEO strategies must evolve to include AI-driven content and insights.
Voice Search Optimization – With smart speakers and smartphones, more searches are spoken (e.g., “Where’s the nearest coffee shop?”). Optimizing for conversational keywords is key.
Mobile-First Indexing – Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, making responsive design essential.
User Experience (UX) Signals – Search engines increasingly rank websites based on loading speed, ease of use, and engagement.
Video SEO – Platforms like YouTube are becoming search engines themselves, and optimizing video content is a growing opportunity.

Conclusion

SEO services are no longer optional—they’re essential for any business wanting to grow online. Whether you’re a small café, a startup, or an established brand, the right SEO strategies can transform visibility, credibility, and profitability. As future trends like AI and voice search reshape the digital landscape, businesses that prepare today will have a powerful advantage tomorrow.

Investing in SEO isn’t just about ranking higher—it’s about building a sustainable path for long-term success.

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The Ultimate Guide to Professional SEO Strategies for 2025

July 10, 2025 admin

In today’s digital-first world, professional search engine optimization (SEO) remains one of the most powerful tools to ensure that your website stands out in search engine results and reaches your target audience. With 2025 on the horizon, SEO strategies are evolving faster than ever. To maintain a competitive edge, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore SEO strategies that are effective in 2025, including both on-page and off-page techniques, content optimization, backlink building, user experience (UX), mobile-first indexing, and EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). We’ll also discuss outdated techniques to avoid, and provide actionable tips for improving your SEO game this year.

What is Professional SEO?

SEO, or search engine optimization, refers to the process of improving a website to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This is done by optimizing various aspects of your website to make it more visible, relevant, and user-friendly. While the core principles of SEO remain the same, the techniques and tools to achieve success evolve over time to adapt to new algorithms, user behavior, and technological advancements.

Why SEO is Essential in 2025

SEO is no longer just an option for businesses; it’s a necessity. With over 3.5 billion searches on Google every day, the visibility you gain through SEO can drive targeted traffic to your website. But in 2025, SEO is more than simply ranking higher—it’s about delivering valuable, user-focused content and ensuring your site is mobile-friendly, fast, and trustworthy.

As algorithms become smarter and user expectations increase, the focus has shifted from traditional techniques to more holistic, experience-focused strategies.

Key SEO Strategies for 2025

In 2025, SEO strategies must focus on improving both your website’s content and user experience. Here are some professional SEO strategies that are highly effective this year:

1. Content Optimization: The Foundation of SEO

Content is still king, and in 2025, content optimization is the cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. However, it’s not just about writing blog posts or creating product descriptions. Content must be aligned with the intent of users, solving their problems and providing value.

Focus on User Intent: Search engines are increasingly focused on understanding the intent behind a search. Whether users are looking for information, services, or products, your content should meet their needs. Understand what your audience is searching for and ensure your content provides the best answers.
Keyword Research: Use advanced tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush to find keywords with high search volume and low competition. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your content, titles, headers, and meta descriptions.
High-Quality, Long-Form Content: Google tends to favor longer content that is comprehensive and well-researched. Aim for content that not only answers questions but also provides in-depth insights that can position your website as an authority on the topic.

2. Backlink Building: Quality Over Quantity

Backlinks are still one of the most important ranking factors in 2025. However, Google’s algorithm now values quality over quantity. Focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources within your niche.

Guest Blogging: One effective way to earn backlinks is through guest posting on reputable blogs or websites. By providing valuable content for others, you gain backlinks to your own website, improving your SEO.
Influencer and Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with influencers or authoritative figures in your industry can result in high-quality backlinks. Their endorsement of your website adds credibility and boosts your rankings.

3. User Experience (UX): A Key Ranking Factor

User experience has become a critical ranking factor in 2025. Google’s algorithms prioritize websites that provide a positive experience for visitors. Here’s how to enhance your UX:

Page Load Speed: Faster websites provide a better user experience. Optimize your images, use browser caching, and minimize the use of large files to ensure that your website loads quickly.
Mobile-First Design: Since Google uses mobile-first indexing, ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices. Use responsive design to make your site look great on any screen size.
Intuitive Navigation: A well-organized site structure ensures that users can easily find what they’re looking for. Use clear menus, a search bar, and internal links to guide users through your website seamlessly.

4. Mobile-First Indexing: Optimizing for Mobile Devices

In 2025, mobile-first indexing is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results, making it essential to optimize your site for mobile users.

Responsive Web Design: Your website should adjust its layout and design to fit different screen sizes, from desktops to smartphones and tablets.
Mobile Page Speed: Mobile users expect fast load times. Minimize image sizes, reduce server response time, and leverage lazy loading to ensure your site is quick and responsive.

5. EEAT: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness

EEAT is a new concept that Google uses to measure the quality and reliability of content, especially for websites in sensitive sectors such as health, finance, and law.

Authoritative Content: Make sure your content is written or reviewed by experts in the field. Display credentials and certifications to boost your website’s authority.
Trust Signals: Incorporate trust signals such as testimonials, reviews, and security features like SSL encryption to build trust with your audience.
Transparency: Clear contact information, an About Us page, and disclosures about how your content is created can help establish trust with both users and search engines.

Outdated SEO Techniques to Avoid

SEO is ever-changing, and what worked in the past may no longer be effective. Here are some outdated techniques that should be avoided in 2025:

Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your content with keywords is not only ineffective but can also lead to penalties. Focus on providing valuable, user-focused content rather than trying to game the system with excessive keywords.
Low-Quality Backlinks: Avoid backlinks from irrelevant, spammy websites. Focus on earning high-quality links from authoritative sites instead.
Duplicate Content: Duplicate content across multiple pages can confuse search engines and negatively impact your rankings. Always aim for unique, high-quality content.
Overuse of Meta Keywords: Meta keywords are no longer a ranking factor. Focus on creating compelling meta descriptions and titles instead.

Summary and Actionable Checklist

To succeed in 2025, SEO strategies must focus on delivering high-quality, user-focused content and providing an exceptional user experience. Stay ahead of the curve by implementing the following actionable strategies:

Optimize Content for User Intent: Ensure your content answers the needs and questions of your target audience.
Build Quality Backlinks: Focus on acquiring backlinks from authoritative sources within your niche.
Improve User Experience: Optimize page load speed, mobile responsiveness, and navigation for a seamless experience.
Embrace Mobile-First Indexing: Prioritize mobile-friendly design and fast load times.
Incorporate EEAT: Establish your website as an authoritative and trustworthy source in your industry.

By focusing on these strategies, you can enhance your website’s SEO performance and ensure your digital marketing efforts remain competitive in 2025.

Meta Description (150-160 words):

Learn the latest professional SEO strategies for 2025 in this ultimate guide. Discover how to optimize content, build quality backlinks, enhance user experience, and leverage mobile-first indexing. Stay ahead of outdated techniques and prioritize EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) for better search engine rankings. This guide provides actionable tips for marketers, bloggers, and SEO professionals looking to boost their digital marketing strategy in 2025.

RELEATED:Strategic Advertising Unleashed: SEO for Maximum ROI

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How to Select the Best SEO Agency for your Business

February 20, 2023 admin

Several SEO agencies in our world today help businesses to grow and increase their return on investments. Without search engine optimisation services, nobody will know your business exists. Also, with an SEO marketing Agency, your product may reach the targeted audience that needs the product.

SEO Agency has a massive influence on many websites and products on the internet. This article explains the steps to consider in choosing the best SEO Agency to handle your business for better performance.

Truthfully, there are SEO agencies around us with good SEO services that will boost your website. So we will consider the parameters in hiring an SEO Agency to work with and majorly based on the outcome and desired goals you’ve envisaged. For example, your business needs an SEO campaign to generate more relevant online users when you do competitor analysis.

The Parameters for Choosing the Best SEO Agency

Before selecting the right and best SEO Agency to handle your business, research about the SEO agency is necessary. Importantly you must define your business and know what you want, what to add, and things to subtract from the website.

SEO services and SEO strategy can guarantee you online visibility, business growth, and google ranking on search engines. These parameters will guide you in choosing professional SEO services. There are countless SEO Agencies around us, but these yardsticks will help you select the right SEO Company.

State Your Goals and ROI

First and foremost, before you employ any SEO company or SEO Agency, you must state your goals before launching SEO campaigns. An SEO agency can make your business great. If you are goals-driven, SEO experts will do all they can to give you excellent results.

Hiring SEO professional SEO Agency means you are making a sensible investment that will bring a massive return to you. SEO specialists must understand what you want and how to generate your business’s organic traffic and website traffic. Also, knowing SEO costs will inform you which SEO Agency can handle your digital marketing according to your budget. The SEO Agency will work based on the scope of the project. Before conducting any interview with SEO Agency, you must have all these facts for helpful information.

Transparency

Transparency is also vital to know the best SEO Agency or SEO company. Nothing must be kept away from the business owners. The SEO Agency and the business owner must have a progressive connection. Before the SEO company launches the search engine optimisation, the SEO team must inform you about the marketing strategy they want to use. This marketing strategy will add to your business growth.

Before you consider any SEO experts in an SEO company, you must ask them some questions. These questions help to discover how SEO campaigns work and what the search engine results will be.

You must ask about the experience of the SEO expert you want to hire. That will settle your mind because the excellent experience will positively affect search engine optimisation. It is also good to ask for an SEO specialist’s portfolio of the SEO work and the success recorded. This information will make you satisfied that your business is in safe hands.

SEO Strategy.

Every SEO Agency has its SEO structures that they follow, and it’s necessary to understand how the strategy works. The SEO process is costly, and the SEO cost varies. That’s why you must ask this question from the SEO expert about the SEO strategy they will be deploying to your site.

Whether a local SEO campaign or E-Commerce SEO, as long as it is an effective SEO strategy, it will give your business search engine rankings. The purpose of the digital marketing agency is to generate organic traffic and website traffic for your business.

Therefore, an SEO agency or SEO company and their SEO services should give your business search results and add to your business growth. Another question is how frequently will the SEO Agency update you about the progress and the information they will share with you. Only a few SEO Agencies will want to share timely information. It would help if you found out.

In addition, you must ask the SEO Agency which aspect of the search engine optimisation they can expertly handle. Some good is off-site SEO, on-site SEO, Google Ads, technical SEO, and much more. While some SEO Agency has an SEO team with SEO tools and even SEO experts on a different aspect of search engine optimisation.

Best SEO Agency for Working on Marketing Strategy

All these questions are crucial and necessary to ask before you employ any SEO Agency to optimize your site. Meanwhile, you can consult SEO consultants who know every nook and cranny of search engine optimisation. This process will help you to choose the best SEO Agency.

Research the success story of the SEO Agency. For the benefit of the doubt, you can request that the SEO Agency you want to use should present the successful SEO campaign he has launched and the report from the clients. Hiring a professional SEO team with a great marketing strategy will improve your business growth.

A marketing strategy or social media marketing with an SEO specialist and SEO campaigns will keep your business online. This research is another way to know the seo company that can make your business fly on all social media. You can request the certificate of award-winning SEO services or an award-winning SEO Agency. Once the SEO companies present this, it’s proof that you can trust them with your SEO.

SEO cost or pricing

The SEO strategy, reporting, research, and search engine optimization attract costs. Some SEO processes are to run concurrently, and launching an SEO campaign is an investment with long-term duration. You must understand that every SEO tools used in the optimization attract a cost. However, the value SEO will add to your business is more than the cost to pay.

Some SEO agencies may want to collect monthly payments due to the site’s regular search engine upgrade. Still, when you realize the number of conversions and patronage on your site, you will know that search engine optimisation is worth it.

Conclusion

One of the best decisions to make in building an online business is to choose the best SEO Agency. The perfect SEO strategies help grow your business and give you search engine guidelines. But when following these guides in selecting the right SEO Agency, you will be able to hire the right SEO agency. In addition, digital marketing services or customized SEO solutions can give your business search engine visibility.

Please find some information in this helpful article for you, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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How To Know Your SEO Agency Is Hurting Your Business

January 10, 2023 admin

Yes! You need the expertise of an SEO agency to build a solid online presence for your business, drive more traffic, and, most importantly, generate more leads. However, your business might suffer more loss if you commit your investment in the unprofessional hands of the wrong SEO agency.

The fact is, it is better to invest your efforts in getting new customers for your business on your own than hiring an incompetent seo agency. That one step can pose a lot of harm to your business.

From first-hand experience, I have seen several small business owners who have spent thousands of dollars on their businesses at the top of significant rankings but later realize that they have just wasted their hard-earned money.

Of course, there are many expert SEO agencies with proven results to their credit like https://p1.com.au is one of the best in Australia. But, some of them are just out to pray on business owners who do not understand how SEO works and rip them of their money using black hat techniques.

So, how do you know that your SEO agency is destroying your business?

Here are ten things to look out for to judge the progress of SEO efforts.

Ten Warning Signs That Your SEO Agency Is Hurting Your Business

1. They can’t show their SEO Techniques

You don’t have to assume that your SEO agency is doing the needful; they should have tangible things to show you about the SEO techniques and strategies. Forget about the average results or the initial rise in rankings. If your SEO agency cannot provide facts and figures showing how they conduct their SEO practices, I’m not afraid to tell you that you are working with the wrong agency.

Meanwhile, your expected SEO results might not materialize within the first two to four months, so it might not be ideal to start demanding results too soon. However, your SEO agency needs to give you a detailed, tangible report of what they use your money to do while waiting for your site to soar to the top of the rankings.

Here are a few deliverables your SEO agency should provide in the first few weeks of your practicing:

An SEO audit of your website
An analysis of your website link profile
Optimized content on your website
Some engaging articles that have been published on other websites or blogs with links to your site.

The above proofs show the agency is doing something tangible that will bring your expected results.

2. They are not asking for anything

If your SEO agency is doing good stuff, they would need your help. So. If your SEO agency is not asking you for anything, that’s a warning sign that the agency is just taking your money for nothing. Worse still, they might be adding linkbacks from their already existing vast network of spammy files.

Since you are the owner of the business’s website, they would have to you for the following:

Admin access to your CMS
Admin access to Google analytics
Access to social accounts
Access to Google Webmaster Tools
Past audits
A list of target keywords

3. They are not suggesting any improvements

Like I explained in point 2 above, you and your SEO agency are business partners. Ther will have to work with you to be successful.

Your SEO agency must be asking you to do certain things from time to time to effect progressive improvement on your site. If they are not just doing everything alone without you anything, they are either up to something fishy or not doing anything at all.

Some unproductive SEO agencies often don’t do what they promised at the beginning of the contract. They often point some linkbacks to your website, sit back, fold their arms, expecting their puny efforts to bring good results. They are not interested in doing the required nitty-gritty of SEO. Instead, they will give you some fake results that make you think your site is doing well in rankings.

4. Your site gets a manual penalty

A manual penalty is something you would never do with your site. When it happens, it is a clear sign that your SEO agency has not been doing a good job all the while. How do you know your site has gotten a manual penalty? You will either receive an email or a GWT notification.

If you get a manual penalty after a few months of your SEO practices, you need to get suspicious and demand to know what it is they have been doing. However, getting a manual penalty does not necessarily mean your SEO agency is unprofessional. And, it might also be their fault. So, you need to swing into the right action when you get a notification of a manual penalty.

5. Your website ranking drops

You need to know that site ranking drops for many reasons, so you might not necessarily need to blame your SEO agency for it when it happens. However, if your SEO agency is performing illegal actions, it might get your site penalized, causing your site ranking to drop.

Hence, you must know what your SEO agency is doing and let them give you details of their SEO practices.

6. Your site traffic drops

When you notice that your site traffic drips, it could be a result of an algorithm penalty, and that is one of the worst things that can happen to your site. However, site traffic drop might or might not be your seo services fault. Nevertheless, it is a warning sign that something is wrong with the SEO agency’s practices.

7. Your site is ranking for wrong keywords

It is suitable for you to know your target keywords and recognize how Google Analytics uses your longtail keywords to drive traffic. If you notice that your organic keywords change in ranking, you might be gaining traffic for the wrong keywords. And, that could be a terrible mistake from your SEO agency.

Your goal is to earn targeted traffic. What is the essence of driving in the wrong customers who might not even be interested in your product or service? You need to speak with your SEO agency immediately you notice wrong traffic on your site. It might be a result of careless actions for your SEO agency.

Final Words

Your SEO agency might bring fortune to your business but can also make things go from bad to worse if anything goes wrong with their SEO practices. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to monitor the operations of your SEO agency to know if they are doing the excellent job they promised at the beginning of the contract.

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