More than 60 percent of marketers say that SEO and inbound marketing are important priorities for them. Many expect to put more time and effort into onsite SEO and other improvements to their websites.

That means bigger budget allocations for SEO. It may also mean more clients asking for more SEO services or a wave of new clients looking for service.

That might be good news for your small agency. That is, it will be good news provided you can keep up with client demand for SEO services.

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by current clients or you’re awash in SEO requests, it might be time to think about teaming up. A white label SEO reseller could provide you with the helping hand you need.

What exactly should you look for in a white label SEO reseller? This guide will walk you through what to expect and what to look for in an ideal partner.

What Does A White Label SEO Reseller Do?

Before you begin looking for a partner, it helps to understand what you’ll be getting when you partner with a reseller. So, what does a reseller do?

Essentially, these programs are designed to bundle SEO services together at a low cost. The packages are then sold to digital agencies, who sell the services to the end client.

This helps everyone involved: the agency, the SEO provider, and the client.

How an SEO reseller program helps the SEO company because it helps them sell their services. How does it help the agency though?

Many digital marketing agencies are small. SEO services are highly specialized, and they often take quite a bit of time and effort to put in place. A small digital marketing agency may not have the in-house resources to deliver the SEO services their clients demand.

The agency may also lack the specific expertise you are looking for. Suppose you have a background in advertising or social media. SEO is somewhat outside of your wheelhouse.

Many people think SEO is simple and that they can handle it themselves. This often leads to mistakes and the perception that SEO isn’t working or doesn’t help a business.

That’s not true. You just need to be sure you’re working with the experts. A white label SEO reseller program helps agencies get access to that expertise.

Keeping Clients Happy

The reseller program also has benefits for the agency’s end clients. They can get all their digital marketing needs met under one roof. If a digital marketing agency doesn’t offer SEO, the client may need to work with many vendors.

That can create plenty of confusion. It may also mean the client takes their business elsewhere, so they can streamline services.

Finally, white label SEO also means the client gets access to the SEO expertise they need and want. They get better results for their SEO and website.

In short, everyone wins with an SEO reseller program.

The Qualities Of A Great White Label SEO Reseller Partner

Now that you understand how partnering with a white label SEO reseller could help you, you’re wondering how to find the right partner.

SEO companies are a dime a dozen, and plenty of them use underhanded tactics to get results. Some may not have the expertise they claim to have.

So, how can you be sure the partner you’re considering is the best choice? You can look for some of these factors:

  • Scalability
  • Communication and customer service
  • Staffing
  • Expertise and history
  • References and reviews
  • Methodology and innovation

Looking at all these factors will help you find a better partner. So, what exactly should you be looking for?

A Service That Can Grow With You

Scalability refers to the company’s ability to scale up and down. If you’re running a growing digital agency, then you may need to scale up your services at a moment’s notice.

If you’re not working with the right white label SEO reseller program, you might not be able to get the services you need as you grow. They may have trouble providing expanded services.

A good SEO reseller program should also be able to scale the services you need. If you refocus your agency to working with local businesses, you may need to scale up local SEO services. At the same time, you may want to scale back on other services.

Communication And Customer Service

The next factor you must consider takes a look at how the reseller company interacts with you. Think about:

  • How often they communicate
  • The channels they use for communication
  • Communication policies

You may also want to look at the tone of communications. Are they respectful and helpful? Do you feel like a partner when you speak with them, or are you left frustrated and confused after every interaction?

You’ll also want to think about how communication will work in the client-agency-SEO provider system. Will the SEO provider get in touch with your clients directly? Will you act as a messenger between the two parties?

There are benefits to direct communication between the provider and the client. Many agencies prefer to act as a go-between, though, since it ensures the same level of quality.

Staffing

You’ll also want to think about who is employed by the SEO provider.

As mentioned, there are plenty of SEO companies out there. Not everyone who calls themselves an “expert” has the right training or experience. Many people will sell you on SEO, but they can’t deliver the results.

It’s important to know if your SEO provider is working with a team of experts. They may be using low-quality outsourced services, or they may even let robots do all the work. This doesn’t usually translate into the best experience for your clients.

You’ll also want to know about factors such as staff location. Are these experts located half a world away from you? That could cause service issues for your clients.

How The Reseller Program Works

The next few factors to consider when exploring SEO reseller programs is how the SEO provider works. This includes things like methodology and a track record of proven results.

You’ll want to ask about the team’s expertise, history, and more.

A Survey Of Company History

Why is it important to learn about the SEO provider’s history? A company’s history can tell you a lot.

First, it can tell you how long they’ve been providing services. New start-ups may use teams of experts or use innovative methods, but they’re not proven yet.

Companies with a long history can usually show you their track record of success. They can provide case studies and data that show their methodologies work.

They may also be able to showcase their expertise through success stories. Their history might also show an ability to pivot and evolve. A company that’s been successfully delivering SEO for 10 years has had to adapt to ever-changing conditions.

References And Reviews

Of course, any SEO company will talk up its history. It’s best to do some research on your own. If they provide case studies, you may want to reach out to clients or former clients they’ve identified.

You might also ask them for references. You can speak to these references about the services they received. They should be able to identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as any challenges they encountered.

You might want to check out online reviews as well. Reviews are provided by clients and former clients. They’re usually unsolicited and often contain honest feedback.

What if there are negative reviews of a company you think you want to work with? Take a look at how the company has responded to these reviews. You can learn about how they’ll work with you to resolve issues from their interactions with negative reviews.

Ask About Methodology

You must ask about the methodology behind any SEO reseller program. Asking this question protects you and your clients.

There many different approaches to SEO out there. Some of them work better than others.

Some that seem to deliver instant results are known as “black hat” SEO techniques. These methods are frowned upon by search engines, and they can even hurt your clients’ SEO.

In some cases, Google even de-indexes sites that are caught using black hat SEO techniques.

This will hurt your clients, and it will also hurt your agency’s reputation. That’s why you need to know how any SEO provider will go about delivering SEO services and driving results.

Any SEO provider you work with on behalf of your clients should use “white hat” techniques to drive their SEO results.

There are a few other reasons you should ask about an SEO provider’s methods. One is because SEO is constantly evolving and changing. What is this provider doing to keep on top of these trends?

If you’re not an SEO expert yourself, it may be difficult to judge how up-to-date a provider’s proposed strategy is. Read a few articles about current and emerging trends, then ask the provider what they’re doing to address these trends.

You may also ask them about their expertise in up-and-coming areas. Voice search, for example, is growing. Does this provider have any plans to add voice search optimization to the strategies they offer their clients?

Red Flags To Look Out For

As mentioned, the SEO industry is big and it’s getting bigger. Some people see SEO services as a lucrative market, but they may be involved for all the wrong reasons. They may not have the expertise your clients need, or they may be trying to make a quick buck by delivering instant results with black hat techniques.

Since SEO is such an evolving field with so many players, it can be difficult to separate the best from the rest. It’s also important to identify any potential “bad apples” before you sign a contract with them.

Keep an eye out for some of the following red flags:

  • The provider doesn’t have a physical office
  • The provider promises “instant” results
  • The company “guarantees” certain results
  • They use black hat techniques
  • Their strategy is outdated
  • They can’t or won’t provide references

Any company that promises instant results or guarantees you top placement is probably not trustworthy. They may also be using black hat techniques, which will hurt you and your clients later on.

A company that can’t or won’t provide references may not have too many satisfied clients. A company without a physical office may just up and disappear with your clients’ money.

A company with an outdated strategy may not be actively trying to fleece you, but they’re unlikely to deliver the results you want. They may also be at higher risk of techniques that are now considered unacceptable or even hurt SEO.

The good news is that there are many reputable white label SEO resellers programs out there. With a little bit of research, you can find one that’s a great fit for your business.

Is A White Label SEO Reseller Right For Your Business?

Now you’re asking yourself an even more important question. Is teaming up with a white label SEO reseller the right move for your business?

For many business owners, the answer is yes. If you’re a small digital marketing agency, you may need help meeting all your clients’ needs. A reseller can help you deliver quality service and expert advice.

Working with a white label SEO reseller could even be a good choice for a small business. They’ve already done the hard work of vetting the SEO services, so you know you’re working with a reputable team.

Find The Right Services For Your Business

SEO is just one part of a larger digital marketing strategy. Working with a white label SEO reseller can help you get the services you or your clients need in this area.

Your partner provider may also be able to help you find other services you need. Discover more about the digital marketing options you have, and start building a better strategy for your business today.