What Does an SEO Company Do? - A Comprehensive Guide
SEO has become a "buzzword" that's been thrown around very casually. In fact, every other business owner thinks they've nailed search engine optimization when, in reality, they're far from understanding it. Keyword research is not SEO!
It's when the website starts to perform poorly or doesn't show any impressive results that business owners realize what they're doing is wrong. By then, they've put in a lot of time and effort, which they could've diverted towards achieving business goals. This is why you should always focus on your core strengths and let experts handle the rest.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we know that small businesses are often tight on finances, which is why we offer affordable search engine optimization services. Your financial situation shouldn't become a barrier to improving your online visibility and driving more organic traffic to your site.
In this blog, we will talk about what a good SEO company does in detail, covering topics like:
Technical SEO
On-page SEO
Off-page SEO
Local SEO
Content Strategy
What Does an SEO Company Do?
There are many things a good SEO company can do for your business. It can offer the following search engine optimization services:
An SEO Company Does Your Technical SEO
Your website needs to work before it can rank. Technical SEO handles the behind-the-scenes work that makes your site accessible to search engines and usable for your target audience.
When Google crawls your site, it needs a clear path to find your content, understand it, and rank it. If something is broken or confusing, users may leave, causing your SEO ranking to suffer.
So, what does a good SEO company do? We fix the foundation of your site so that it works the way it should.
What We Fix
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, our experts quickly identify key problem areas and deploy various technical SEO solutions to address them. Here are a few issues we can help you tackle:
Google Can't Find Your Pages
Before your pages can rank in search engine results, Google has to find them. We remove the roadblocks that prevent search engines from crawling your site. Our technical SEO experts will:
Set up your robots.txt file correctly: This tells Google which pages to crawl and which to skip. No wasted effort on login pages or duplicate content.
Build clean XML sitemaps: Think of this as a roadmap showing Google every page you want indexed. We keep it updated when you add new content.
Fix duplicate content issues: If your site creates multiple URLs for the same content, we use canonical tags to tell Google which version to rank. This prevents your pages from competing against each other.
We crawl your site the same way Google does, then compare what we find with what Google sees in the Google Search Console. This shows us exactly where the problems are.
Your Site Loads Too Slowly
If your site loads slowly, you'll lose visitors and rankings. Search engines like Google measure how fast your pages load and how stable they feel when people use them to rank your site.
With our technical SEO services, we can improve your site's loading speed by:
Compressing images: Large photos affect page speed. Without losing quality, our technical team will compress the images or convert them to modern formats so that they load faster.
Cleaning up code: Unnecessary scripts and bloated CSS files slow everything down. We streamline what you need and remove what you don't.
Checking hosting: If your server can't handle traffic, we'll help identify hosting issues. Sometimes, a simple hosting upgrade fixes speed problems instantly.
A one-second delay in loading can cost you 7% of your conversions. We make sure that doesn't happen with our affordable technical SEO services.
Your Mobile Experience Fails
Google looks at your site through a smartphone first. If your mobile experience breaks, your rankings take a hit. Our experts can improve your site's mobile experience by:
Ensuring your site works on any screen size: Buttons need to be tappable. The text needs to be readable. Navigation needs to make sense when viewed on a phone. We'll sort all of this out for you.
Testing loading speed on mobile networks: What loads fine on your office WiFi might struggle on a mobile network. We will test the pages on different setups to optimize your site for every situation.
Improving the mobile experience is crucial for local businesses. People search for you on their phones when they need you most. If your site is not optimized, you'll lose users and website traffic.
Search Engines Don't Understand Your Content
Schema markup tells Google what your content means. It is an extra code that helps you achieve rich results, such as star ratings and FAQ snippets in search engine results pages. Our experts know how to do schema markup for the following:
Product pages: We add a schema that shows prices, stock status, and customer reviews right in the search results.
Service businesses: We highlight your location, hours, and contact information so Google can show this in local searches.
Content sites: We add article schema that gives Google context about your expertise and authorship.
Schema makes your listings more clickable and helps Google trust your content. This makes it super important for your website's SEO.
Your Site Structure Confuses Everyone
A good site structure helps people navigate and enables Google to crawl efficiently. Poor site structure can hurt user experience and rankings.
Here's how we can improve your site's structure:
Organize Content: With our experts organizing content logically, users will be able to find what they need in three clicks. Related pages will link to each other, and we'll do more internal links for important pages.
Distribute Link Authority: If you have five service pages but only link to one from your homepage, you're wasting opportunities. We'll help distribute link authority by linking the pages that matter most for your business.
Your Site Isn't Secure
Google expects HTTPS, and so do your customers. Security builds trust from the first click. An unsecured site triggers browser warnings that can scare users away. So, how do we make your site secure?
Our experts will make sure your security certificate works properly across your entire site. We will ensure that your users don't receive mixed content warnings or see broken padlock icons, which could scare them away.
Sapphire SEO Solutions Also Provide Advanced Technical SEO Services
Complex sites require advanced technical SEO to work properly. When handling such projects, our experts tend to go deeper by carrying out:
Log file analysis: This shows us exactly how Google crawls your site. We spot missed opportunities and improve crawl efficiency.
JavaScript rendering: This ensures your content shows up properly if you use modern web frameworks.
Advanced schema strategies: This helps you stand out in your specific industry with markup that goes beyond the basics.
How Does Technical SEO Build Trust with Google?
Google wants to rank sites it can trust. Technical SEO supports this by making your site fast, secure, and reliable.
When users can navigate easily and find what they need quickly, they stay longer. They convert more often. Google notices this behavior and rewards it with better rankings.
We don't treat technical SEO as a checklist. We treat it as the foundation that supports everything else you do online. We find what's broken, fix it properly, and give your site the structure it needs to compete.
An SEO Company Does Your On-Page SEO
On-page SEO optimizes everything on your actual web pages. It helps Google understand your content while making it useful for the people who visit your site.
The best on-page optimization doesn't just stuff keywords into pages. It creates content that answers real questions and solves real problems. When you do this right, both Google and your customers notice.
What Sapphire SEO Solutions Does for Your Pages
Every client is different. Some may require more focus on keyword research, while others may need help with SEO-friendly content. Our on-page SEO process is simple and includes the following:
Finding the Right Keywords for Your Business
Before we write anything, we research what your customers are actually searching for. Here's how we do that:
Explore long-tail keywords: Instead of targeting "accounting software," we might focus on "accounting software for small restaurants" or "QuickBooks alternatives under $50." These longer searches show stronger buying intent.
Match keywords with search intent: Someone searching "how to choose an accounting software" wants information. On the other hand, a person typing "buy QuickBooks online" is looking to make a purchase. We create different content for each need.
Map relevant keywords to specific pages: A proper mapping plan can prevent your pages from competing against each other. This ensures that each page has the potential to drive maximum traffic.
Creating Content That Actually Helps
Good on-page SEO starts with content that people want to read and share. Our content writers are certified in search engine optimization, and they know how to write high-impact articles, landing pages, and more.
What makes our content unique? Well, it's the way we write. Our writers:
Directly addresses the topic
Writes easy-to-scan content
Back up claims with facts
Create content for humans first
Optimizing Headlines and meta Descriptions for organic search
Headlines and descriptions are the first things people see in search engine results pages. They decide whether someone clicks on your site or your competitor's.
Your title tag needs to be clear, include your main keyword, and make people want to learn more. What do we mean by that? Well, instead of "Services," our experts may write "Web Design Services for Small Businesses in Denver."
Another essential element is a meta description. This is your elevator pitch in search results. When writing meta descriptions, our experts explain what people will find on your page and why they should choose you.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we are constantly testing ways to improve your site's performance. Our SEO team always tests different versions of the meta description to see which ones get more clicks, then uses the winners.
Structuring Your Content
A good structure helps people find information quickly and helps Google understand your expertise. Here's how we structure your content:
Use one main headline (H1) per page
Organize with subheadings (H2, H3)
Build content hierarchies
Making Your Images Work Harder
Images are great for your site, as they make content more engaging. However, you need to optimize them to support your SEO efforts. There are several strategies to make images SEO-friendly, some of which include the following:
Compress files for faster loading
Write descriptive alt text
Use relevant file names
Implement lazy loading
How Does On-Page SEO Build Trust with Google?
Google wants to rank content from experts it can trust. On-page SEO demonstrates your expertise in several ways, including the following:
When you answer related questions and cover subtopics thoroughly, Google sees a depth of knowledge.
Well-organized content with proper grammar and factual accuracy signals professionalism.
When people spend time on your pages, share your content, and return to your site, Google notices. These behaviors indicate your content serves a real need.
Sites with clean code, fast loading times, and good structure demonstrate care and competence.
Effective on-page SEO does more than improve rankings. It makes your website a better sales tool. This results in:
More qualified traffic: When you target the right keywords with helpful content, you attract people actively looking for your services.
Higher conversion rates: Visitors who find exactly what they need are more likely to contact you or make a purchase.
Stronger brand authority: Comprehensive, helpful content positions you as the expert in your field.
Better user experience: Fast-loading pages with clear information keep visitors engaged and reduce bounce rates.
An SEO Company Does Your Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO happens away from your website. It builds your site's authority through external links from other websites, positive reviews, and mentions across the internet.
Think of it like building your business reputation in your community. When other trusted businesses recommend you, people trust you more. Search engines work the same way. When reputable websites link to yours, Google sees this as an endorsement.
The goal is earning genuine recommendations, not buying cheap links that can hurt your rankings.
How We Build Quality Links
When you choose our affordable off-page SEO services, our experts will:
Create Content that's Worth Linking To
The best links come naturally when you publish something valuable that others want to reference. Developing original research and data, creating comprehensive guides, and finding broken link opportunities are some of the ways we do link-building for our clients.
Here's how our expert strategies can help your site's off-page SEO:
Industry surveys, case studies, and unique insights attract links from news sites and industry publications.
When you become the go-to resource for a topic, other websites link to you instead of creating their own version.
When we discover broken links on industry websites, we reach out with your relevant content as a replacement. Website owners appreciate the help, and you get a quality link.
Secure Strategic Placements
Besides creating content for your site, our experts also identify and implement strategic link placement. We do this in many ways, including the following:
Many websites maintain lists of helpful tools, articles, and services. We get your business included on relevant resource pages.
Our experts will curate high-quality guest articles for high-authority sites where your expertise adds real value to their audience.
When websites mention your business without linking, we contact them to request that they add the link. This recovers lost link value.
Our experts carry out competitor link analysis to determine where their best links are coming from. We then pursue similar opportunities for your business.
Local Business Citations
For local businesses, consistent online listings build local search authority. Don't know how to work on local business citations? Our off-page SEO services also include the following:
Updating business information: Your name, address, and phone number must be identical across Google, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry directories. Inconsistent information confuses search engines.
Expanding directory presence: We get you listed in relevant local and industry-specific directories. More citations from quality directories strengthen your local rankings.
Monitoring listings: When you change locations or phone numbers, we update all your citations to maintain consistency.
Online Reputation Management
Most business owners have no clue about online reputation and how it can directly impact their SEO performance. Positive online reviews and professional responses to feedback build trust with both customers and search engines.
With Sapphire SEO Solutions by your side, our experts will:
Get more positive reviews: We develop systems to encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and industry platforms.
Respond to all reviews professionally: Quick, thoughtful responses to both positive and negative reviews show excellent customer service. This builds trust and encourages more people to choose your business.
Monitor mentions of your brand: We track what people say about your business online and alert you to any issues that need addressing.
Protecting Your Link Profile
Not all links help your rankings. Some can hurt them, which is why it's crucial to ensure regular link monitoring. We will monitor toxic links, disavow harmful links, and track link growth patterns. Here's our three-step process for protecting your link profile:
Low-quality directories, spam sites, and irrelevant websites can damage your reputation with Google. We identify these problematic links.
When we can't get bad links removed, we use Google's disavow tool to tell search engines to ignore them.
Natural link-building happens gradually. Sudden spikes in links from suspicious sources can trigger penalties. We ensure your link growth looks natural.
Sapphire SEO Solutions Also Provides Advanced Off-Page SEO Services
For established businesses who are looking for advanced link-building strategies, our experts will employ more sophisticated tactics, including the following:
Conducting competitive gap analysis: We identify high-authority sites linking to multiple competitors but not to you. These represent prime opportunities.
Building long-term relationships: Instead of one-time link requests, we develop ongoing relationships with industry influencers, bloggers, and journalists.
Reclaiming lost links: When websites mention your content but don't link to it, we reach out to convert those mentions into valuable backlinks.
How Does Off-Page SEO Build Trust with Google?
Google evaluates your website partly based on what others say about it across the web. This is why:
When authoritative sites in your industry link to your content, it shows you're a trusted resource.
For local businesses, accurate listings across multiple directories prove you're a legitimate business.
High ratings and thoughtful responses show you provide excellent service.
Being quoted in industry publications or local news positions you as an expert in your field.
Strong off-page SEO does more than improve search rankings. It builds your overall business reputation and provides many benefits, some of which include the following:
More referral traffic: Quality links from relevant websites bring potential customers directly to your site.
Enhanced credibility: When prospects see you mentioned in industry publications or linked by respected websites, they trust you more.
Better local visibility: Consistent citations help you appear in local search results when people need your services.
Stronger brand recognition: Regular mentions and links across the web increase awareness of your business.
An SEO Company Does Your Local SEO
When someone searches "plumber near me" or "best pizza downtown," they want to find that particular service or business. Local SEO makes that happen. It's how your business shows up in Google's map results, "near me" searches, and location-based queries that drive real customers to your door.
For businesses with physical locations or service areas, local SEO isn't optional. It's an effective way of capturing customers who are ready to buy, call, or visit today.
What We Do for Your Local SEO
Local SEO requires a different approach than regular SEO. At Sapphire SEO Solutions, our experts focus on the specific signals Google uses to decide which businesses show up in organic search results. We do that through:
Google Business Profile Optimization
Your Google Business Profile is your most important local SEO asset. When someone finds your business on Google, this is often the first thing they see.
When you hire our local SEO services, we will do the following for your business:
Complete all profile sections with accurate, consistent information.
Add high-quality photos of your location, team, and work.
Post regular updates about your services, hours, and special offers.
Monitor and respond to customer questions.
Define your service areas clearly if you travel to customers.
Most businesses leave their Google Business Profile half-finished or outdated. We make yours work harder to attract customers.
Local Citations and Directory Listings
Search engines cross-check your business information across the web. If your address is different on Yelp than on your website, it will impact your rankings. So, how do we tackle this issue?
There are several online listings that we will thoroughly check to cross-verify your business's address and other contact details. Some of these include the following:
Major directories that feed data to hundreds of other sites
Industry-specific directories where your customers actually look
Local Chamber of Commerce and Business Association listings
Consistent information across these platforms tells Google your business is legitimate and trustworthy.
Review Management
Reviews directly impact your local rankings and influence customer decisions. We help you build a strong review profile that works for both search engines and potential customers.
Did you know that a thoughtful response to criticism often impresses potential customers more than a dozen five-star reviews? Our approach to review management includes the following:
Creating systems to ask satisfied customers for reviews
Responding professionally to all reviews, including negative ones
Monitoring reviews across all platforms where your business appears
Using positive reviews as social proof on your website
Local Website Optimization
Your website needs to support your local SEO efforts. We optimize your site to reinforce your local relevance. The approach we take to optimize your website for the local market depends on the number of locations you operate in.
For single locations, our experts will:
Add local keywords naturally to your content
Include your address and phone number prominently
Create content that addresses local customer needs
Add local business schema markup so search engines understand your location
For multiple locations, our experts will:
Build dedicated pages for each location
Include unique content for each area you serve
Prevent locations from competing against each other in search results
Sapphire SEO Solutions Also Provides Advanced Local SEO Services
For businesses that are looking to go beyond the basics, Sapphire SEO Solutions also offers advanced local SEO services, which include the following:
Neighborhood-level targeting: We optimize for specific neighborhoods, not just cities. Someone searching "dentist in Midtown" has different needs than someone searching "dentist in Sacramento."
Local Service Ads integration: For service businesses, Local Service Ads appear above regular search results. Strong local SEO improves your eligibility and performance in these premium positions.
Multi-location complexity: If you have multiple locations, we prevent them from competing against each other while ensuring each location ranks for its specific area.
How Does Local SEO Build Trust with Google?
Local SEO helps Google understand that your business is real, established, and serves your community well. Every positive review, consistent listing, and local mention reinforces that you're a legitimate business that's worth recommending.
When your information appears consistently across dozens of directories, when customers leave positive reviews, and when you respond professionally to feedback, Google sees these as trust signals. Local customers see them as reasons to choose you over competitors.
An SEO Company Does Your Content Strategy
Good content attracts potential customers. Great SEO content writing attracts the right customers at the right time. Sapphire SEO Solutions helps you create content that answers your customers' questions, ranks on Google, and drives real business results.
Most businesses create content without a comprehensive SEO strategy. They write blog posts hoping something will stick. We take a different approach. Every piece of content we help you create serves a specific purpose in your SEO strategy.
What We Do for Your Content Strategy
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, our content strategy process includes the following:
Content Audit and Planning
Before creating new content, we analyze what you already have through an SEO audit. We identify which pages drive traffic and conversions and which ones waste your time. Our experts look for:
Content that ranks well but could rank better
Topics your competitors cover that you don't
Outdated content that hurts your credibility
Duplicate content that confuses Google
A comprehensive content audit reveals exactly where your content gaps lie and which opportunities will have the greatest impact on your business's SEO. This is important for creating an effective SEO strategy.
Strategic Content Planning
We create a content plan based on what your customers actually search for, not what you think they want to read. Our strategic content planning includes the following:
Topics that match your customers' search intent
Keywords that drive qualified traffic to your business
Content formats that work best for each topic
Publishing schedule that keeps you consistent
Content Creation and Optimization
Do you already have writers to do content for your business? Great, our team can provide detailed briefs that answer the user's question better than anyone else.
Are you looking for SEO content writing services? Sapphire SEO Solutions has you covered. Our skilled team will:
Research what currently ranks for your target keywords
Create comprehensive content that goes deeper than competitors
Write in plain language that your customers understand
Structure content so it's easy to scan and read
Include examples and actionable advice
Optimize for featured snippets when possible
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we don't stuff keywords into content. Instead, we use related terms and phrases naturally. Search engines like Google are capable of understanding context. Your content should read like it was written for people, not search engines.
Content Marketing
Creating great content isn't enough. While good content promotes itself over time as people link to it and share it, it needs an initial push to get noticed. You need to get it in front of your target audience.
Our experts can help promote your content through:
Internal linking from your existing high-traffic pages
Social media distribution that reaches your audience
Email marketing to your existing customers
Outreach to relevant websites and influencers
Sapphire SEO Also Provides Advanced Content Strategy Services
Sapphire SEO Solutions also provides advanced content strategy services, which include the following:
Topic Clusters: Instead of random blog posts, we organize your content around main topics. This shows Google you're an authority on specific subjects and helps all your related content rank better.
Content Updates: Our experts will monitor your existing content performance using SEO analytics. When pages start losing rankings, we update them with fresh information, new examples, or better optimization.
Multiple Formats: We help you turn one piece of content into several. A detailed guide becomes blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, and video scripts.
How Does an SEO Content Strategy Build Trust with Google?
Good content compounds over time. A blog post that ranks well this year can drive traffic for years to come.
Google rewards websites that consistently publish helpful, accurate content. When your content answers questions better than competitors, Google notices. When people spend time reading your content and visiting other pages on your site, Google sees that as a trust signal.
There are several metrics that we track when it comes to SEO content strategy using SEO data, and they are as follows:
Organic traffic growth from new content
Keyword rankings for target terms
Lead generation from content pages
Time spent reading your content
Why Choose a Professional SEO Company?
Do you need customers to find you online, but SEO feels like a full-time job you don't have time for? That's where hiring an SEO agency makes sense. Here are a few reasons why you should work with us:
Specialized Knowledge You Can't Build In-House
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we focus exclusively on SEO. While your marketing person might know the basics, we understand the technical details that actually move rankings. Our team includes specialists in technical SEO, content strategy, and link building. Each person focuses on what they do best.
You can't expect one person to master everything from website speed optimization to local citation management. We have dedicated experts for each area, and they work together on your project.
Professional Tools That Make a Difference
Sapphire SEO Solutions has access to the best SEO tools that cost thousands per month. They include tools like Semrush for competitor research, Screaming Frog for technical audits, and specialized software for tracking local rankings.
Without proper tools, you're working in the dark. We can spot technical issues, identify content gaps, and find link opportunities that free tools simply can't detect.
Time and Cost Efficiency
Building an in-house SEO team costs more than you think. A good SEO specialist earns $60,000-$80,000 annually, plus benefits. Add technical specialists, content writers, and tool subscriptions, and you're looking at $200,000+ per year.
An experienced SEO company gives you an entire team for a fraction of that cost. Plus, we already know what works. We don't need months to learn your industry or figure out which strategies are best for your business.
Staying Ahead of Algorithm Changes
Google updates its algorithm hundreds of times yearly. Major updates can tank your rankings overnight if you're not prepared among SEO firms. We monitor these changes daily and adjust SEO campaigns immediately.
When Google releases a core update, we analyze its impact across our client base and know how to respond accordingly. You benefit from our experience without the stress of trying to decipher Google's latest changes on your own.
Measurable Results You Can Track
We track what matters to your business: organic search traffic, qualified leads, and revenue from search. Our experts don't just consider keyword rankings or website visits but also think about actual business impact.
In our monthly reports, we show exactly how SEO drives your bottom line. You'll see which pages bring in customers, which keywords convert best, and how your investment pays off. We'll also walk you through some expert recommendations.
Many of the top SEO companies track relevant traffic and conversions rather than just vanity metrics. When you hire an SEO company, make sure they focus on what matters to your business in this competitive market.
Whether you're considering digital marketing agencies or specialized SEO firms, the right SEO agency will understand your target audience and develop SEO campaigns that drive results. Quality SEO services from the best SEO agency will focus on improving search engine rankings and delivering organic search engine results that convert.
Work with an Affordable SEO Agency and Start Ranking on Google Today!
You started your business to serve customers, not to become an SEO expert. A professional SEO company handles the complex technical work while you focus on doing what you're good at.
Ready to see what professional SEO can do for your business? Call us at 216-600-8091 to schedule a consultation with an SEO expert and learn how we can help you reach your business goals!