Many of you must have heard misconceptions about white-label SEO, which probably discourages you from outsourcing these services.
Are these myths really true, or are they just passing down?
To separate fact from fiction, we talked to top industry experts in white-labeling, our internal team, and agencies already outsourcing SEO.
Consulting with them helped us dispel not only myths but also gather essential information that an outsourcer agency should be aware of.
Through this article, we’ve tried our best to reveal the real and true picture of white-label SEO outsourcing for both those starting to plan and those already outsourcing.
Without further delay, let’s get started!
Myth 1 – White Label SEO Companies Work the Same Way for Every Agency
White-label SEO firms often describe themselves in very generic terms. They do not provide detailed information, which makes it difficult to understand what sets them apart or how uniquely they address their different client’s needs.
Agencies planning to start outsourcing assume that firms have the same optimization strategies for all.
That’s not the reality. Companies outsourcing white-label SEO take a different approach for each client. First, they consider the business type (b2b or b2c), niche, target location, etc. Then, accordingly, they strategize.
Suppose a company with e-commerce clients hires them for outsourcing. In that case, they will put their efforts into optimizing product pages, category pages, and user experience factors, as end users in these businesses are more interested in exploring products.
However, if an agency with on-demand service clients, like plumbing, dentistry, and cleaning, approaches them for SEO outsourcing, they will focus on local SEO. The target audience of such clients needs a vendor nearby, and optimizing Google My Business and niche-related local business directories like Yelp and Yellow Pages can only help.
For B2B and SaaS clients, optimization strategies entirely change. Their target audience is big decision-makers, and to convert them into leads, one needs to provide in-depth information. So, in this case, the SEO firm will work on blog and content optimization strategy.
As you can see, a unique optimization strategy will work for each business. What works for one is not practical for another. Then how can an SEO firm work the same way for every agency?
Myth 2 – Only Big Agencies with Large Client Base Can Outsource White-Label SEO Services
White-label SEO companies offer broad optimization services, which creates a misleading impression among small and medium businesses (SMBs) that these companies serve only big agencies.
However, that’s not true. White-label SEO firms aim to serve everyone, which is why they offer flexible and scalable services. Whether you have 1, 2, 3, or even 100 clients, the firm usually has a specific plan and package to accommodate your needs.
As you can see, we offer basic, advanced, and premium plans to cater to the needs of all agency holders. This helps us make our SEO services more accessible and affordable for all our clients. If you are interested to get a customized package for your agency, click here.
Myth 3: Outsourcing White-Label SEO Means the End Client Will Receive Lower-Quality Work
White-label SEO companies handle a large amount of work, which creates a misconception in the client’s mind that if they hire such teams, they will have to compromise on quality.
But that’s not how it is! A successful outsourcing firm accepts only as much work as it can handle. It hires an expert internal team and invests in advanced SEO tools for keyword research, site audits, and performance tracking.
Rather than claiming lower quality, it would be better to say that reputed white-label SEO companies bring value and expertise to their clients’ work. They must also ensure this as they have to manage their reputation.
Myth 4: White-Label SEO Firms Take Over Brand’s Identity
This thought persists because white labeling is assumed to be a process in which an SEO provider’s brand overshadows its client’s brand. But the truth is entirely different.
White-label firms provide services to operate behind the scenes so that the agency hiring them can enjoy complete control over their identity. The whole work is published under their client’s logo and messaging.
A proper contract in the form of an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with all the terms and conditions mentioned, favoring both the SEO agency providing white-label services and the outsourcer company, is signed. This way, confidentiality is maintained between both parties.
Myth 5: White-Label SEO Firms Do not Deliver Work on Time, Leading to Delays and Missed Deadlines
This does not hold for all. Yes, smaller firms dealing with a large client base struggle to meet deadlines as they have limited resources. Also, a few providers make fake, quick promises to win businesses.
However, result-oriented white-label SEO firms work within their partner agency’s workflow. They adhere to timely task delivery and communicate consistently.
They specifically appoint a dedicated account manager as the direct contact point. In addition, they use project management tools (whose access is shared with their clients) and ensure timely work delivery.
They discuss deadlines during onboarding of every client so that both parties can lock in their collaboration quickly and transparently.
Myth 6. If the White-Label SEO Firm is Situated in a Different Country, Cultural and Communication Barriers Impact Collaboration
This thought prevails because of time zone differences. Agencies feel if they trust such a firm, they will face delays in communication and project updates. Moreover, due to cultural differences or distance, how can the firm understand their clients’ marketing practices?
In these scenarios, white-label SEO firms invest in cultural sensitivity training for their teams. To tackle the time difference issue, they have modern communication and project management tools that help them efficiently bridge the gaps in collaboration and communication.
Providers share updates instantly and efficiently manage client’s tasks regardless of location. To eliminate the scope of any misunderstanding, both parties sign SEO contracts describing clear guidelines.
It’s pretty common for white-label firms to work with agencies from different countries. This allows them to understand and have effective solutions for cross-cultural communication.
Myth 7. It is a Time-Consuming Process to Onboard White-Label SEO Agencies
Agencies that misunderstand the need for customization and detailed sign-up are a sign of inefficiency. Because of this, they perceive the onboarding process as overly time-consuming.
However, reputable white-label SEO firms offer a well-defined onboarding process designed to be efficient and effective for their clients. Moreover, they have tools and integrations that seamlessly fit into their
partner agency’s existing systems and save setup time.
From the initial consultation to service integration, they handle everything with a minimized time investment from the agency’s side.
Myths Busted, Here are the Next Steps
Now that we have tried to shed light on all the possible myths about white-label SEO outsourcing, we hope you are ready to take your next step. But what should it be?
Yes, absolutely focus on hiring the right white-label SEO firm. Look for these 10 qualities, and then consider partnering with the right one for your agency.
You Can Proceed with Asking These 18 Questions to Associate with The Right White-Label SEO Company
Following research, your next step is to evaluate the firm’s ability to match your requirements. You can test this simply by asking a few questions. Here, we are listing them.
1. What SEO services do you offer? (e.g., on-page SEO, off-page SEO, technical SEO, content creation, link building, etc.)
2. Do you specialize in any particular industries or niches? (To determine if they have relevant experience in your clients’ sectors.)
3. Can you provide samples of your previous work? (To assess their track record and results.
4. How will you communicate progress to us? (e.g., regular reports, dashboards, meetings.)
5. What kind of reporting tools do you use? (To ensure they offer comprehensive and transparent reporting.)
6. How customizable are your SEO packages? (To ensure they can tailor services to specific client needs.)
7. Can you accommodate changes in strategy or scope? (To understand how adaptable they are to evolving requirements.)
8. What is your pricing structure? (e.g., fixed pricing, pay-per-performance.)
9. Are there any additional fees or hidden costs? (To avoid unexpected expenses.)
10. What are the terms of your contract? (e.g., duration, cancellation policies, notice periods.)
11. What support can we expect from you? (e.g., account management, technical support, customer service.)
12. Who will be our main point of contact? (To ensure clear communication channels.)
13. How quickly do you respond to queries and issues? (To gauge their responsiveness and support efficiency.)
14. What is your typical onboarding process? (To understand how easily you can integrate their services.)
15. How does your team stay updated with SEO best practices and algorithm changes? (To ensure they use current and effective strategies.)
16. What key performance indicators (KPIs) will you track for my clients’ site? (e.g., traffic, rankings, conversions.)
17. How do you handle data security and confidentiality for our client’s sites? (To ensure they adhere to best practices in data protection.)
18. Do you have any measures in place to prevent data breaches? (To assess their commitment to data security.)
Avoid Partnering if You Spot the Following Red Flags in the White-Label SEO Firm
Asking questions will help you clear a few doubts. But how will you know if the answers they have responded to are in your favor? Confused?
Well, we should call those responses as warning signs. If you get such responses, then you need to watch out!
Here are the ones:
- The firm is not ready to share detailed reports about its SEO activities and results.
- They do not discuss or clarify their pricing structure.
- Promise guaranteed rankings.
- Provide generic success metrics without clear evidence.
- Do not offer a dedicated point of contact.
- Offer rigid, one-size-fits-all packages without room for customization based on specific needs or industries.
- Not sure about handling and protecting sensitive data.
- They do not offer flexible terms to adjust the scope of work as needed.
By being aware of these red flags, you can better assess potential white-label SEO Partners and ensure you choose the right one.
Now It’s Up to You!
With this, we have equipped you with all the information you need while looking for a white-label SEO services partner. But still, if you need more information or personalized SEO assessment for your clients, don’t hesitate to contact us.
