B2B SEO Services are special strategies used by SEO service providers to improve the online visibility of a business for its target companies.
In this Innocams article, I’ll explain what B2B SEO is, its benefits and how to select an efficient B2B SEO service provider.
Let’s go.
What is B2B SEO?
You must know two things: what B2B is and what B2B SEO is.
What is the B2B Business Model?
As the name suggests, B2B (business-to-business) is a business model in which a company sells its products or services to other companies, not the general public.
When it sells its product or services directly to the general public, it is called a business-to-consumer or B2C model.
For example, HubSpot is a famous software development company. Its products help other companies manage their businesses efficiently. So its primary target customers are the companies that need its products.
This is a B2B model.
What is B2B SEO?
B2B SEO
When SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) techniques are applied to enhance the SERP (Search Engine Results Page) ranking of a B2B company, it is called B2B SEO.
For example, if HubSpot utilises SEO techniques to rank higher on the SERPs, this will be called B2B SEO.
B2B SEO Services
Some agencies specialise in this B2B SEO and offer their service to organisations that follow a B2B business model.
These companies are called B2B SEO services providers.
Here are some SEO-related technical terms and their meanings. This list will help you understand this article better.
| Technical Terms | Meanings |
| SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) | A set of techniques used to help a website’s pages rank higher on SERPs. |
| SERP (Search Engine Results Page) | The pages returned by search engines that contain material related to a specific search. |
| Keywords | Terms a searcher puts in the search bar while looking for information on something. |
| Meta-description | An HTML tag in a page’s header that contains a short summary of the page’s content. |
| URL (Uniform Resource Locator) | A web address that takes users to a specific resource on the internet. |
| Schema markup | A set of tags in a webpage’s code that helps search engines understand the page’s content. |
| On-page SEO | A special process of optimising a web page for search engines. |
| Technical SEO | The technique of enhancing a page’s technical performance for better SERP ranking. |
| Sitemap | A file that helps search engines crawl your pages and understand their content. |
| Site speed | Site speed refers to how quickly a webpage loads and displays its content. High site speed provides a better user experience. |
| Conversion | When a visitor to a site takes a desired action like buying a product etc. it is called a conversion. |
| Competitor analysis | Analysing the merits and demerits of your competitor’s SEO strategy to formulate a better SEO strategy for your pages. |
| SEO audit | SEO audit is the process of analysing the performance of your pages in search engines and identifying ways to better it. |
| Mobile compatibility | It refers to how well a website works on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. |
| Tag optimisation | The process of optimising title tags of a website to better its SERP ranking. |
| Landing page | A landing page is a webpage that persuades users to take a desired action like buying a product or signing up for a newsletter etc. |
Benefits of B2B SEO
B2B SEO has the same implications for Businesses that target other businesses as it has for companies that target general consumers.
Utilising effective SEO techniques through proper strategies, a B2B SEO can significantly bump a company’s SERP ranking. A higher ranking means greater visibility and chances of better business. Simple.
Let’s get some more details.
- A high SERP ranking enhances your company’s visibility and brand value.
- By targeting specific buyers, B2B SEO can generate valuable leads with high conversion potential.
- Producing valuable content, it can establish your company as a reputed entity in your industry and a source of authentic information.
- Unlike other marketing channels, B2B SEO is a cheaper but highly effective online marketing method.
- Efficient execution of this SEO will make you an authority in your niche and thus produce long-term sustained results.
- By making your pages rank higher on the SERPs, B2B SEO can help you gain an advantage over your competitors.
- It lets you measure the results of your campaign clearly through analysis of keyword ranking, lead generation and organic traffic.
Now we’ll go deeper into the nuances of B2B SEO services and how to select the right provider for maximum benefits.
Benefits of B2B SEO Services
In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of an efficient B2B SEO execution can’t be overstressed. It is no more an option, but a business imperative.
You’ll have to show up to get noticed and B2B SEO can help you show up on the SERPs.
Why Do You Need B2B SEO Services?
But why do you need to hire an agency to do it for you? Can’t you do it yourself? The answer is, yes you can.
But to do it properly, you need first, a dedicated team of expert SEO professionals specialising in B2B and your particular industry; second, time–a lot of it; and third, a massive investment.
On the other hand, you can opt for an efficient B2B SEO services provider. In a cost-effective but efficient manner, the provider can give you what you want–a high SERP ranking.
Suppose you do opt for such a provider, what benefits will you reap then? Let’s check out the specific benefits of hiring a B2B service provider.
It Will Save You Valuable Time
If you outsource your B2B SEO, it will save you a lot of time which you can invest in other crucial business activities.
There’s a saying that time is money. When it comes to businesses these days, time is not only money but a crucial factor in success or failure in the business spectrum.
So if someone can save you some valuable time, God bless him!
It Will Save you Money
Compared to other marketing channels, SEO is a cost-effective but efficient marketing strategy. Again, you can use what you save here to address other crucial business needs.
It Will Give You Results
An efficient and reputed B2B SEO services provider knows his job. He’ll deliver. Your SERP ranking will improve significantly and with it, your brand’s visibility.
Most importantly, you can measure the results of your SEO campaign regularly and easily. No opacity here.
How to Select a B2B SEO Services Provider
So a B2B SEO services provider can make things much easier for you. But how do you know which one will serve you right? Here are some time-tested methods.
Services They Must Offer
First of all, the agency must provide the following services because they are standard. If one doesn’t, reject it.
Keyword Research
The agency must offer keyword research services. A thorough and intensive keyword research is a key component in the B2B SEO drive.
By using the keywords in the content properly, the agency will help you make your pages align with search queries that look for products or services that you provide.
The better this alignment, the higher will be your pages rank on the SERPs. This will let people know that you offer class-leading products or services that they need. This may take them to the next level of the sales funnel.
Competitor Analysis
Let’s face it, you want to beat your competitors to it, don’t you? Well, to beat your competitors you must know their merits as well as demerits.
Applied to B2B SEO services, this means the agency must analyse the merits and demerits of your competitors’ SEO strategies. This analysis will help them formulate a better SEO strategy for your pages.
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO is a process of optimising your pages for search engines so they rank higher than other domains on the SERPs.
This is done by optimising meta-descriptions, title tags, content, internal and external links and URLs. Images are also compressed to lessen download time for a better user experience.
Your B2B SEO services provider must offer this service.
Technical SEO
It also must provide technical search engine optimisation or technical SEO service.
Technical SEO is the method of optimising your pages’ technical aspects like site speed, schema markup, URL structure, mobile compatibility, security, sitemap and site navigation.
Technical SEO is crucial for SERP ranking as it helps search engines understand and index web pages easily.
Content Marketing
Availability of this service means the agency will create and distribute high-value content aimed at attracting targeted audiences.
This component in the B2B SEO will engage your targeted businesses with valuable content and increase conversion rates.
Local SEO
Local SEO utilises SEO techniques to optimise your pages for local search results. This helps a B2B business to attract, engage and convert local companies.
This is one of the most important SEO strategies and your SEO service provider must offer it.
Analytics and Reporting
This is one of the most vital services that a B2B SEO service provider must offer its clients.
This involves the use of analytics to create or analyse reports with a view to measuring the performance of the SEO campaign.
SEO Audit
SEO audit is the service where your B2B SEO services provider will evaluate your website’s search engine performance and take necessary steps to better it.
Regular SEO audits will help you improve the SERP ranking of your pages and hold on to that high ranking. Not only that, they will also help your pages continuously rank higher and enjoy excellent visibility.
Landing Page
The provider must also create an optimised landing page for your website.
Tag Optimisation
Optimising tags is also a vital responsibility of your chosen B2B SEO agency.
Conversion Rate Optimisation
This is another must-have feature in the bundle of services that your B2B SEO services provider must offer.
This particular technique increases the rate of visitors who perform a desired action like purchasing a product or signing up for a newsletter etc.
Qualities They Must Have
Suppose the representative from a B2B SEO services provider promises you all of the above services and then some. Should you immediately pick up the pen and sign the contract?
The answer is a resounding NO. There is no dearth of fraud in this digital marketing business.
Apart from the services they offer, there are other factors to consider before selecting an efficient and honest SEO services provider for your B2B business. I’ll list them now.
No Unrealistic Promises
If an agency promises you results that sound too good to be true, a red flag goes up. No responsible agency will promise you the earth. Remember this.
Experience and Expertise
The agency must possess expertise in B2B SEO and must have SEO experience in your industry.
You can learn about the agency’s expertise and experience by analysing its portfolio, client testimonials and case studies.
Ability to Create Valuable Content
An efficient B2B SEO services provider must have the quality to create high-value content that aligns well with your business objectives and target audience’s needs and preferences.
Technical SEO Prioritisation
Your SEO service provider must prioritise technical SEO and take special care of website architecture, site speed and mobile compatibility.
Clear Communication
The SEO services provider must keep you in the loop always through clear and effective communication. This will help you understand the effectiveness of your B2B SEO campaign.
Customer Reviews
If the agency is good, it should have positive customer reviews in its portfolio. Negative reviews across the board or the absence of any reviews at all may indicate a fraudulent or inefficient agency.
Ethical SEO Practices
There are certain ethical guidelines an honest B2B SEO services agency usually follows. Make sure your chosen agency toes those guidelines.
Conclusion
In the B2B business landscape, expert implementation of effective SEO strategies is a must.
An efficient B2B SEO services provider can provide your business with improved visibility on the SERPs and help it attract and engage target audiences through effective SEO strategies.
While selecting a B2B SEO agency, you must ensure it offers standard services, possesses relevant experience and expertise and has a positive reputation.
FAQs.
Q. What are B2B SEO services?
A. Services that a professional B2B SEO agency offers its clients are called B2B SEO services.
Q. What is B2B SEO?
A. B2B SEO is the SEO utilised by businesses that offer their products or services to other business organisations.
Q. Do I really need a B2B SEO services provider?
A. An efficient provider of these services can save you a lot of money and valuable time and help your pages stand out on the SERPs.
Q. What is the cost of hiring a B2B SEO agency?
A. It varies. But overall hiring such an agency is usually a cost-effective proposition.
