How to Pick the Right SEO Agency Partner for Your Business

Posted on September 30, 2022March 30, 2023 by Phil Robinson

So you’ve decided that your business needs some help with its digital marketing and SEO strategy. But with so many agencies out there, how do you decide which one is right for you? Here are four things to look for when choosing an SEO agency partner for your business.

Expertise and Experience

When it comes to SEO, you want to work with an SEO agency partner that has experience and expertise. That doesn’t mean they’ve been in business for a long time; it means they have a team of experts who stay up-to-date on the latest trends and changes in the SEO landscape. The last thing you want is to partner with an agency that’s using outdated tactics that will do more harm than good for your website.

A Proven Track Record

Any decent agency should be able to show you some results they’ve achieved for past clients. But beware of agencies that guarantee results. With SEO, as with anything else in life, there are no guarantees. A good SEO agency partner will be transparent about the work they’ve done and the results they’ve achieved, but they won’t make any promises they can’t keep.

Results-Driven Pricing

How much does SEO Cost? Well, there’s no denying that SEO services can be expensive. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to get good results. If you’re looking for an SEO agency Partner, there are plenty of agencies out there. They all say they can deliver great results without breaking your budget. But you should be thinking about your return. A great agency will measure what they are doing and will deliver results for your business. When considering pricing, be sure to ask about what’s included in the package so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Remember though the more you collaborate and communicate with a good SEO agency partner – like any relationship – the better it will work out.

An Open and Transparent Communication Style

Communication is key in any relationship, especially when it comes to business partnerships. You want to work with an agency that is open and transparent about their communication style. This means they should keep you updated on their progress and answer any questions you have along the way. An agency that doesn’t communicate well is likely not going to deliver the results you’re looking for.

On the flip side, this means you should be also open and transparent about your budget, how you’re finding things, and what you want to achieve.

The right SEO Agency wants to Partner with you

If you’re looking for an SEO agency partner to help with your business’s digital marketing and SEO strategy, these are four things you should look for before making your decision on How to choose the right marketing agency for your business. Choose an experienced team of experts with a proven track record of success at a price that fits your budget, and you’ll be on your way to achieving your goals in no time!

The Pros and Cons of Instagram Marketing

Posted on September 27, 2022December 12, 2024 by Phil Robinson

Updated 12 December 2024

It’s no secret that Instagram has taken over the world of social media. But with this newfound power comes responsibility—specifically, deciding whether or not Instagram is a good fit for your business and your social media marketing strategy. Here are all the pros and cons of Instagram marketing, updated with the latest information, to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Pros of Instagram Marketing

Reach

With over 2 billion monthly active users (and growing), Instagram continues to dominate as a platform for massive reach. It provides access to a diverse global audience, allowing businesses to connect with potential customers in virtually any demographic. From younger audiences engaging with trends to older users discovering brands, Instagram is a hub of opportunities.

Branding

Instagram is tailor-made for showcasing your brand’s personality and values through high-quality visuals, Stories, and Reels. By leveraging curated content and storytelling, businesses can create a cohesive and recognizable identity. Strategic use of hashtags, geotags, and collaborative features like tag partnerships allows you to reach new audiences organically.

Engagement

Instagram remains one of the most engaging social media platforms, with Reels driving much of this interaction. Short-form videos (Reels) are designed to captivate and entertain, offering higher visibility and interaction rates than static posts or Stories. Additionally, direct communication tools like DMs, comments, and interactive stickers in Stories (polls, questions, etc.) encourage audience engagement.

Analytics

Instagram Insights provides a robust suite of analytics to track performance. Recent updates include detailed metrics for Reels, such as views, shares, and watch time, making it easier to evaluate what resonates with your audience. You can also monitor audience demographics, activity times, and content interactions, helping you fine-tune your strategy for maximum impact.

Reels Boost Discoverability

Instagram’s algorithm heavily prioritises Reels, making them a key tool for organic growth. Reels are displayed prominently on the Explore page, allowing even accounts with modest followings to reach a larger audience. By using trending audio and visually appealing content, businesses can significantly amplify their visibility.

Cons of Instagram Marketing

Time Commitment

Instagram demands consistency to maintain audience interest and algorithmic favor. Regular posting, frequent Reels, and engaging Stories require a significant time investment. Crafting compelling visuals, writing captions, and monitoring analytics can become a full-time job.

Competition

The platform is saturated with businesses vying for attention. To stand out, your content must be not only visually appealing but also highly relatable or entertaining. Following trends is important, but your brand must also maintain originality to break through the noise.

Paid Ads and Costs

While organic reach is still achievable, especially with Reels, Instagram increasingly favors paid ads for extensive exposure. Advertising on the platform can yield high ROI, but it requires a well-thought-out strategy and potentially significant budget. Without paid promotions, breaking into new markets might be challenging.

Algorithm Dependency

Instagram’s algorithm can be unpredictable. Even great content may not perform well if it doesn’t align with current algorithmic preferences. Keeping up with these changes and adapting your strategy adds another layer of complexity to Instagram marketing.

Limited Clickable Links

Instagram limits clickable links to specific areas like your bio or Stories (if you have the “Link” sticker). This can make it harder to direct traffic to your website compared to platforms that allow clickable links in every post.

Tips for Instagram Success

Leverage Reels: Post Reels consistently, using trending audio and eye-catching visuals to maximize reach and engagement.

Engage Your Audience: Respond to comments and DMs, use interactive Story features, and create content that resonates with your target market.

Optimise Posting Times: Use Instagram Insights to determine when your audience is most active and post accordingly.

Experiment with Ads: Start with a small ad budget and target specific demographics to test what works for your business.

Stay Authentic: Users value authenticity, so focus on creating genuine content that aligns with your brand’s voice and mission.

With over 2 billion monthly users, unparalleled branding opportunities, and high engagement rates, Instagram can be a game-changer for businesses – if used strategically. Take advantage of Reels for discovery, maintain a consistent posting schedule, and invest in analytics to fine-tune your approach. Whether or not Instagram is the right fit depends on your business goals, but with thoughtful planning and execution, it can become a cornerstone of your marketing strategy.

Talk to us about proper targeted advertising on Social Media. Invest in social media ads, and you can see anywhere from 5x – 160x return on your ad spend. Yep, it’s a ballpark, but you have to be in the game if you want to hit a home run. So let’s play ball.

Find Out More

SEO and SEM meaning?

Posted on September 25, 2022January 4, 2023 by Phil Robinson

It’s not uncommon for people to misunderstand SEO and SEM’s meaning. And you can be forgiven if you want to compare SEO and SEM in a showdown…

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different things.

SEO – or searching optimation – is the process of optimising a website for Google’s search engine algorithms. This is associated with the goal of earning higher web traffic (visitor) levels and improving the visibility of the site on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). SEM, on the other hand, is a form of internet marketing that involves the use of paid advertising to earn higher web traffic levels and improve the visibility of a site.

Should SEO and SEM be employed separately?

While SEO and SEM meaning can be often lumped together as the same thing. Often because they both aim to improve the same thing. A website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). However they are in fact two distinct strategies. In saying that they should be used together in order to achieve the best results.

SEO should be used to optimize a website’s on-page elements, such as the title tag, meta description, and header tags, as well as the site’s content. SEM can be used to improve a website’s ranking in SERPs by bidding on relevant keywords and phrases.

When SEO and SEM are used together, they can create a powerful marketing strategy that can help businesses succeed online. SEO can help to attract organic traffic to a site, while SEM can help to drive traffic through paid advertising. By using both SEO and SEM, businesses can have a better chance of two things: 1. Earning higher web traffic and 2. improving their visibility in SERPs.

Where to Start with SEO and SEM

Understand SEO and SEM meaning is really just the start. If you’re still scratching your head about SEO and SEM, don’t worry. We can help! In addition to this blog post, we have a wealth of information about both topics. Plus, we offer free website audits so that you can get an idea of where your site stands and what improvements could be made. Simply fill out the form below and we’ll grade your website right here and right now!

Facebook Marketing – Just Do It!

Posted on August 27, 2022December 27, 2022 by Phil Robinson

How to Maximize Your Facebook Presence with Clever Marketing

While it may feel like the newest social media platform is always taking over, Facebook remains a powerful tool for businesses looking to expand their reach and engage with customers. With 2.6 billion users logging onto the platform every month, it’s no surprise that businesses of all sizes are still turning towards Facebook marketing to maximize their Social Media Marketing Strategy, and get ahead of the competition.

The Basics of Facebook Marketing

At its core, effective Facebook marketing is all about understanding who your target audience is and crafting posts that will capture their attention. The key is to think outside the box when it comes to content creation – while photos and videos are great, consider adding interactive elements such as polls or quizzes to your posts! This will encourage engagement and help your business stand out from the crowd

Another great way to build relationships with customers is by leveraging influencer endorsements – if you can get an influencer within your niche or industry on board, they could help you reach a larger audience and increase brand recognition. Additionally, remember that timing matters when it comes to posting – experiment with different times of day in order to find out when your post has the highest engagement rate

Using Ads for Maximum Impact

Facebook ads are powerful tools for any business looking to gain visibility online. Using data from thousands of advertisers across industries, you can create targeted campaigns that ensure success by reaching only those most likely to be interested in what you have to offer. Additionally, comprehensive analytics allow you to measure the results of each campaign so you can make adjustments accordingly in order to maximize ROI (return on investment)

Facebook marketing is an essential part of any digital strategy – but it’s not something you should take lightly! Many businesses these days are asking “Do I need a website if I have Facebook? Short Answer- Yes… Heck Yes. With so much competition out there, businesses need to make sure they’re using both organic tactics and paid ads effectively in order to achieve success on this platform. From understanding who your target audience is and creating engaging content tailored specifically towards them, right through utilizing influencers or running targeted ad campaigns – there are plenty of ways you can use Facebook marketing strategically in order to maximize your presence online!

Local SEO: Get Your Business on Google Maps

Posted on August 5, 2022June 19, 2024 by Phil Robinson

You’ve probably heard of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and you may know it’s important for your business, but what about local SEO? If you’re a Southland business, local SEO is something that should be at the forefront of your digital marketing strategy. Local SEO (including getting your business on Google Maps), helps you connect with customers in your area, boost visibility, and increase traffic to your website. Let’s take a look at why local SEO is so important for New Zealand businesses. Not just businesses in Southland!

Why Local SEO is Important for Southland Businesses

If you’re a Southland business, you most likely rely on customers located in Southland. That means these are the people who should be seeing your website. Search engines like Google have become increasingly savvy when it comes to knowing where users are searching. And what kind of content they want to see. That’s why using local keywords associated with Southland can help boost visibility for Southland businesses looking to maximise their online presence online and on Google Maps.

In addition to using targeted keywords associated with Southland, businesses need to ensure information regarding their location is consistent across all platforms (website, social media profiles, etc). This includes street address, phone number(s), opening hours, contact info—even photos of the physical location can help enhance visibility and improve trustworthiness among potential customers. This information needs to be included in both website content and metadata such as Alt tags & Meta descriptions.

Maximising Visibility on Google and Google Maps

Local search engine optimisation isn’t just about understanding which keywords work best for Southland businesses; it’s also about making sure those keywords reach the right audience. One way to do this is by setting up a Google Business Profile (GBP). GMB allows businesses to create a profile that includes contact info such as address & phone number as well as opening hours & reviews from past customers. This ensures that when someone searches for a service or product near them, your business will appear first in the results list!

Local SEO is essential for any Southland business hoping to increase its online presence on Google Search and Google Maps. It will also help grow its customer base within its immediate area. By focusing on local keywords and maintaining accurate information across all platforms, businesses can ensure maximum visibility among potential new customers who are searching in their area. Additionally, creating a profile via Google My Business can help put your business ahead of competitors by boosting its ranking in search results pages – putting you one step closer to ultimate success!

Need help with your business SEO? Back9 can help. For more information, click the banner below.

Seo-Graphic-Linking-To-Back9-Creative-Seo-Pricing-Nz

Updated 19 June 2024

TikTok or Not Tok?

Posted on July 27, 2022December 27, 2022 by Phil Robinson

TikTok isn’t just for teen lip-sync videos and dance challenges anymore. TikTok is an increasingly popular platform for businesses to reach new customers. But is it the right fit for your business? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of leveraging TikTok for your business in your Social Media Marketing Strategy. Then you can decide if it’s worth getting involved.

Pros of Using TikTok for Business

TikTok for business is an incredibly powerful marketing tool. It can help you target potential customers in fun and creative ways. Here are some of the benefits of leveraging TikTok for your business:

Huge Reach – With over 700 million active users worldwide, your content has the potential to be seen by millions of people. This makes it ideal for businesses that want to reach a large audience quickly.
Creative Opportunities – The format of the app gives businesses plenty of room to get creative with their content. That allows them to stand out from other brands and capture attention in unique ways. Whether you use videos, GIFs, or photos, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating engaging content on this platform.
Low Cost – One great thing about using TikTok for business, is that it can be done on a budget. You don’t need expensive equipment or software in order to produce high-quality content either. All you need is a smartphone and some creativity! Plus, since you won’t have any paid advertising costs, you can save money while still reaching a large audience.

Cons of Using TikTok for Business

Although there are many positives associated with using this platform, there are also some negatives too. These should also be taken into consideration before jumping into Tiktok. Some potential drawbacks include:

Short Attention Spans – Most videos on this platform are only 15 seconds long. That means they require very little commitment from viewers. This means that if your content isn’t captivating right away, viewers may quickly lose interest and move on without taking any action (such as following your account). This could make it difficult to build a loyal following or generate leads from this platform.
Younger Audience – Although there are certainly many adults who use this app, the majority of its users tend to be younger generations such as Gen Z and Millennials. So if you’re targeting older demographics (such as Baby Boomers), then this might not be the best choice for your business goals.
Algorithm Changes – This is a drawback of any social media platform. Changes in algorithms can have an impact on how much visibility your content receives. Which in turn could make it difficult to maintain consistency with your posts or build engagement over time. It’s important to keep up with algorithm changes so that you don’t miss out on valuable opportunities!

The Choice is Yours

Deciding whether or not to use TikTok for business is ultimately up to each individual company’s needs and goals — but one thing is certain: If used correctly, this platform has tremendous potential when it comes to reaching new customers and growing sales online! If you think that this platform could benefit your business, then give it a try — after all, what do you have to lose? With its low cost and huge reach potential, using Tiktok could be exactly what your business needs in order to take off!

Category: Uncategorized