Best Remote Access Software

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Have you ever been in your office and realized the files you need are on your home computer? Maybe you’re working remotely or meeting a client, but need to access an app from your office PC.

With remote access software, you can view or access another computer from anywhere in the world. 

This functionality is extremely versatile. You might use it to log into a client’s computer and help them overcome technical questions. Or you can share your screen with colleagues as you run a demo on your device. You can also transfer files between two computers without having to go through email or file-sharing software—even from unattended devices. 

It’s a common misconception that remote access software is only for help desks, but these tools can be used by anyone. 

Which remote access software is the best? After researching and testing dozens of options, I’ve narrowed down my list to five that I can recommend with conviction. 

The Top 5 Options For Remote Access Software

1. Parallels Access
2. TeamViewer
3. Remote Utilities
4. Zoho Assist
5. LogMeIn Pro

How to Choose the Best Remote Access Software For You

Finding the right remote access software can be tough if you don’t know what to look for. But there are certain feature sets and considerations that must be evaluated as you’re comparing different options.

I’ll break these factors down into greater detail below, so you can make an informed buying decision.

Compatible Devices

The first thing you need to do is figure what types of devices and operating systems you’ll be using. All of the best remote access tools should have cross-platform access.

Examples include Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Raspberry Pi, Windows Mobile, etc.

With that said, if you’re just using the remote access software for personal use or for a small team, you might not need a tool that’s compatible with every device under the sun—just the device’s that you’re using. But if you need remote access software to assist clients or thousands of employees, you’ll want to have more versatility. 

Security

When it comes to remote access, security will always be a top concern. Is it really that easy for a third party to just access your devices? What type of sensitive information will they have access to?

Software vendors understand this concern. That’s why they add security features like 256-bit encryption, one-time access codes, two-factor authentication, etc. Always make sure that the remote access software you’re evaluating meets any industry-specific security requirements, such as HIPAA for healthcare.  

Number of Devices

Not every remote access software is built to scale. If you’re deploying it with a team of five employees, you likely won’t be using the same software as an SME that needs the software to access 500 or 5,000 devices. 

All plans will have limitations in terms of device quantities. 

You might come across certain tools with unlimited user access. But unlimited users and unlimited devices are two different things. So be prepared to purchase additional licenses if you have a larger team and need the software on lots of devices.

Functionality

The term “remote access” is pretty broad. Within that category, there are lots of potential functionalities and use cases for the software. 

Features to keep an eye out for include third-party integrations, remote printing, multiple monitor access, file sharing, live chat, screen recording, unattended access, etc. 

You don’t necessarily need all of these features. It’s just a matter of how you plan to use the software for your personal and business needs. There’s no reason to pay extra for plans with extensive feature lists that you’ll never actually use. 

Support

Generally speaking, remote access software should be fairly easy to deploy. But certain solutions are a bit more complicated, especially at scale.

If you need assistance with the setup process, the software vendor should be there to make sure things go smoothly for you. When something goes wrong or if you have questions, you don’t want to be left on an island to figure it out by yourself. 

For those of you who have a dedicated IT team, they should be able to manage everything without an issue. But not every business has those in-house resources, so support from the software provider should be a top priority. 

The Different Types of Remote Access Software

Not every remote access solution is the same. This software can be segmented into a handful of different categories. However, some software will offer a combination of these types within a single solution. 

On-Demand Access

On-demand tools require permission to gain access. Let’s say an IT agent wanted to help a remote employee with a problem on their computer, that employee would need to grant the IT team access in order for them to view and take actions on the screen.

In short, two people must be present (one on each device) for on-demand access software to work. 

Unattended Access

Unattended remote access software is the opposite of on-demand. This solution allows you to access devices even if nobody on the other computer. 

In most cases, people use unattended access software for their personal devices. For example, you could be in the office and access a presentation, file, or application on your home computer.

But a prospect or client wouldn’t give you unattended access to their personal devices. You’d have to get permission every time (on-demand access).

Cloud-Based Remote Access Software

A cloud-based remote access solution doesn’t need to be installed locally on the device. This is also known as browser-based remote access software.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to access the device of a client to help them troubleshoot a software issue. Or maybe you want a prospect to view your screen as you run a demo. These users shouldn’t be forced to install anything locally. Access to the device can be granted using a web-based link. 

Installation-Based Remote Access Software

As the name implies, an installation-based remote access solution must be installed locally on a device to work. 

All unattended access software must be installed on at least one device. Otherwise, there would be no way for you to gain access since a person won’t be there to grant permission. 

Help Desk Software

Help desk software is in a category of its own. It’s worth noting that not every help desk solution comes with remote access capabilities. Lots of times, help desk software is used for things like ticket support and customer service.

However, some help desk tools do offer remote access functions. This feature is prominent in IT help desk software, designed for in-house support. 

#1 – Parallels Access Review — Best For Remote Desktop Access

Parallels Access is a quick, simple, and reliable way to access your computer from anywhere. It’s one of the best ways to retrieve all of your files and applications, no matter where you are in the world.

With just a few clicks, you can connect to your desktop from any mobile device or web browser.

Parallels Access is feature-rich and extremely versatile. Let’s take a closer look at why this software ranks so high on my list:

• Access your computer from any web browser with no additional hardware required
• Use full-screen applications
• Gain full access over PC applications, as if they were installed locally
• The software is fully optimized for screen resolution and optimal readability
• Access files on remote computers or files stored in the cloud
• Manage files by sorting, copying, renaming, deleting, etc.
• Ability to share files with friends and co-workers
• Copy/paste text and edit files remotely

If you’re going to install Parallels Access on your computers, then I strongly recommend getting the mobile app for your smartphone or tablet. Then your computer can essentially be in your pocket at all times.

Don’t have the smartphone with you? No problem. Just log-in securely to your Parallels Access account from any browser to gain the same access.

Plans for single users and up to five computers start at $19.99 per year. Business plans for unlimited users start at $49 per year. 

#2 – TeamViewer Review — The Best For macOS and iOS

More than 2 billion devices are connected to TeamViewer, making it one of the most popular remote access solutions in the world. This software has quickly become a top choice for remote work.

TeamViewer has a wide range of solutions. In addition to remote access, they have tools for remote support, mobile device support, remote assistance for IoT, remote monitoring and patch management, global video conferencing, and more. 

Years ago, PCs were the device of choice for business use. So when it came to supporting Macs and iOS devices, most software on the market wasn’t compatible. This was a problem for assisting clients and employees using Apple products.

But TeamViewer became a pioneer in the remote access space for Macs, iPads, and iPhones. 

• Cross-platform access to iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android
• Enterprise-grade security and a VPN alternative
• Remote printing capabilities
• Easy to install and set up unattended access
• Admins can use it to access remote servers
• Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices
• In-session collaborations for co-workers and tech support
• Custom modules with company logos and branding
• Centralized management console and device reporting

Today, lots of other remote access tools support Apple devices. But not all of them do it as well as TeamViewer. Individuals can download it for free. Businesses can request a 14-day commercial trial before buying a license.

#3 – Remote Utilities Review — Best Remote Access For IT Teams

Remote Utilities is a bit unique compared to some of the other tools on our list. This software is built specifically for IT help desks. 

The tool gives your team total control over your IT infrastructure. 

Here’s an overview of the software’s noteworthy highlights:

• Download on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android
• File transfer mode
• Two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Unattended access to remote servers and workstations
• Remote access using LAN or VPN
• Deploy the program in an active directory network
• Proxy server support
• You can use a single PC on your LAN as a gateway to peers on the same network
• Easy to scale as large as you need it to be
• No mandatory, automatic, or unexpected upgrades
• Custom configurations, even for the most demanding IT requirements

Again, Remote Utilities isn’t designed for the average Joe or small business owners. This solution is for IT teams and users with more advanced needs. It’s a little bit more complex than some of the other tools on our list, but it gets the job done for technically inclined users. 

Pricing starts at $99 with up to 20 endpoints per tech. 

#4 – Zoho Assist Review — Best For Customer Support

Zoho Assist is a web-based remote support solution for businesses. It’s the best way to provide your customers with support through on-demand remote access. 

The software also has the capability to manage unattended access sessions for in-house devices on PCs, laptops, servers, and mobile devices. 

Zoho Assist is trusted by businesses across a wide range of industries. Whether your company is large or small, this software can accommodate your needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the features, benefits, and noteworthy highlights of Zoho Assist:

• On-demand remote support for troubleshooting with no prior installation
• Integrated voice and video chat for enhanced customer support
• Unattended remote access inside and outside your LAN
• Mass deployment options available (supports Windows and Mac)
• Secure file transfers with SSL 256-bit AES encryption
• Multiple monitor support and automatically detect active monitors
• Reboot and reconnect remote desktops from anywhere with a single click

The software is great for customer support, IT help desks, and outsourced MSP support.

Plans start at $8 per month for a single technician. The unattended access solution must be purchased separately from the remote support software. This also starts at $8 per month and includes 25 unattended computers. You can try Zoho Assist for free with a 15-day trial; no credit card required. 

#5 – LogMeIn Pro Review — Best For Anytime File and Application Access

If you’re looking for a simple way to access files and apps on your computer from anywhere, LogMeIn Pro is the clear winner. The software is easy to use, secure, and extremely reliable. 

It’s a popular choice for SMBs across all industries. 

Let’s take a closer look at the software’s features to see why it comes so highly recommended:

• Simple step-by-step setup instructions for easy deployment
• Access your remote desktop as if you were in front of the screen
• Unlimited users and instant collaboration
• Free access to LastPass to store and manage all passwords
• Multiple monitor display view on a 1:1 local screen
• Remote printing functionality
• 1 TB of file storage to access and share from anywhere
• Quick access to frequently visited websites, cloud apps, and desktop apps
• Remote access on the go with the LogMeIn Pro mobile app

Plans for individual users start at $30 per month. This gives you access to two computers. To access up to ten computers, you’ll need a small business license, starting at $129 per month. 

Summary

Which remote access software is the best? It depends on what you’ll be using it for.

Between Parallels Access, TeamViewer, Remote Utilities, Zoho Assist, and LogMeIn Pro, I know that one of these tools can accommodate your needs.

Just use the methodology I described earlier in the guide to help you choose the right option for your business. There’s something for everyone on my list.

The post Best Remote Access Software appeared first on Neil Patel.

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How to Choose The Right Analytics Agency

In our modern digitally enhanced world, data and information underpin all of our activities. 

But are you making your data work for you, or is it something that you are yet to take full advantage of?

For many business owners and marketers, analyzing and deploying data can be an intimidating prospect. 

For that reason, analytics agencies have emerged, whose aim is to help businesses leverage their data for better decision making and improved outcomes. 

If you are thinking about hiring an analytics agency, here is everything you need to know. 

Know Your Goals and Desired Outcomes

Like when working with any agency partner, you first need to consider your current situation and goals. 

The reason for this is that not every analytics agency is built in the same way.

Some agencies work with certain industries or companies at different stages of maturity.

Other agencies specialize in certain areas of analytics such as marketing vs operations.

There are also differences in how they execute. For instance, one agency may rely heavily on technology to power their insights. Whereas another may rely more on their years of experience and human intuition. 

When thinking about your goals, consider these aspects:

• Your existing data – Think about the data assets that you are currently building. This can include things like marketing channels (search, PPC, content), operations or product data. 
• The role of data in your business – Next, you will need to think about the role that data plays in your business. For instance, do you need to use data to predict and manage your inventory? Or perhaps you may need to leverage data to scale an existing marketing channel. 
• Your budget – Naturally, there is a varying service fee depending on which agency you work with. Depending on what you want to achieve, you need to think about how much budget you can allocate to an analytics service. 
• Business priorities – Ultimately, you will need to think about what is a priority for your business at the moment. This is where you should spend most of your time thinking and see how data and analytics syncs up with your main priority. Maybe you need to optimize your processes to reduce costs. Or perhaps you need to discover new market segments by leveraging customer data. 

Before rushing into hiring an analytics agency, take the time to conduct a full audit of where you are today and where you want to be, while being conscious of how leveraging data can help you get there. 

6 Characteristics That Make a Great Analytics Agency 

Choosing the right analytics agency can be tricky if you don’t know much about analytics yourself. 

In addition to a partner that can provide all the technical fundamentals of analytics, you will need someone who guides you and helps you make sense of what’s going on with your data.

And in the ideal case, a partner that can help take over the execution of your new data-informed strategy, particularly when it comes to the marketing aspect. 

When evaluating an analytics agency, make sure that you vet for these characteristics.

Thought Leadership 

Thought leadership describes the esteem and authority a company is held in in a particular industry. 

This position is typically achieved by that company producing content that educates, solves industry problems and demonstrates superior expertise. 

Take a look at the type of content that a given analytics agency is producing. 

Are they even creating content at all? 

Is the content insightful and communicated in a clear and concise manner (this also affects how they will communicate with you)?

An analytics agency that is producing good thought leadership content also signifies whether that company is on top of the latest trends, which is needed in fast-evolving fields. 

Powerful Technology 

Your analytics agency partner will need to have the appropriate technologies built that can help you aggregate and make sense of your data. 

Their technology will need to be able to integrate with your data sources such as Google Analytics or Shopify, depending on the platforms that you use. 

They should also have a platform that allows you to view and make sense of this data in a way that provides an intuitive user experience – such as the ability to visualize data with graphs or easily download reports. 

In an ideal case, your analytics agency will have more advanced technology such as machine learning algorithms which can crunch and manipulate data for deeper analysis.

A Well-rounded Team

Analytics sits at the intersection between the world of numbers and the world of words.

There’s no point in collecting data if you can’t turn that data into actionable insights and strategy. 

For that reason, the analytics agency that you work with will need to have a diverse set of team members who are both analytical but also creative. 

This could include team members such as data scientists, psychologists, and digital marketers. 

Bonus points for analytic agencies that have strong founders, as the insight and disposition of the founder is often imprinted onto the companies culture – affecting how they think and execute. 

A Solid Client List

Sometimes, you can gauge the value of a company simply by looking at who they’ve worked with in the past.

If the analytics agency you are considering has an impressive track record of working with big names such Google or Intuit, then chances are that they know their stuff. 

One caveat though: even if the agency has worked with impressive brand names, it doesn’t mean that they will necessarily be the right fit for you.

For a start, you may not even be able to afford their fees. And even if you could, they may be more optimized to working with bigger clients or clients with different needs.

So consider also the relevance of their client list in relation to your particular situation.

Clear Communication

If you are working with an analytics agency, you want a partner that can explain to you the story behind your data. 

The first way they need to do this is through their technology, which should allow you to visualize your data through graphs, charts, and other meaningful ways.

The second way they should do this is through how they communicate actionable insights through storytelling, and ideally strategy creation. 

Remember that although data is objective, it doesn’t guarantee that the interpretation of that data will be objective too. 

For that reason, your partner should always have a strong, clearly communicated, and logical case for their analysis. This way, you can know that you are making informed decisions.

Syncing With Your Team

Working with an analytics agency requires synchronization between both your technology and your teams. 

Your development team will need to be able to easily integrate and set up with your partners.

Your marketing team will need to feel confident and informed enough to adapt their strategies based on the insights your partners are providing.

To work successfully with an analytics agency, both your teams need to be on the same wavelength. Strategy, expectations, and skill sets need to be well aligned to get the best results.

How to Work With an Analytics Agency 

Each analytics agency that you work with will have a slightly different process. In general however, there is an overriding structure that will be the same from company to company.

In order to reach a successful outcome when working with an analytics agency, you should typically go through these steps. 

1) Share your goals – Your agency partner should have a complete understanding of your goals including services, timeline and results. You will need to be as transparent as possible at the start of your relationship to ensure that you both have the appropriate expectations going forward. For instance, if you will actually need help with the marketing execution but you’ve partnered with a tech focused agency, there will likely be an issue later on.

2) Manage expectations – It’s important to also manage clear expectations about what’s possible early on. Some agencies offer a variety of additional services such as helping with strategy or machine generated analytics. Others may just offer a simple dashboard. It’s also important to understand the role of analytics in general and what it’s uses and limitations are. 

3) Map out your assets – Your data assets represent the existing ways that you are collecting and storing data across your business. You will need to map out all your existing assets such as marketing channels (Google Analytics, etc), operations (inventory management, etc) and technology. These will then be used by your analytics agency for integration and analysis.

4) Integration – With your assets in place, you will then need to integrate them with your analytics partner. In the best case, your partner will have their own platform and will work with your development team to connect your data assets. If you are working with a smaller agency however, they may choose to access your data directly, in which case you would need to provide them the login credentials to the software you use.

5) Reporting –  Once everything has been connected, your analytics agency will begin conducting an audit of your existing data assets. If they have a platform, you will be able to access and view all of your data in one place. The best agencies will allow you to view and manipulate your data in a user friendly way through graphs, charts and reports. They may also have machine learning technology that makes sense of your data without any human input.

6) Analysis – With technology, the human eye or a combination of both, your analytics agency will help you make sense of your data by telling you the story behind the numbers. They should then help you produce actionable insights which will inform your strategy going forward. 

7) Strategy – With your existing data fully analyzed, you will then need to update your strategy, depending on the insights produced. For instance, you may choose to double down on a particular sales channel, or realise that you need to remove a bottleneck in your operations. 

8) Execution – Some analytics agencies offer services beyond analytics, such as marketing execution. Your data may signify that you lack the necessary human capital to generate results with your existing or new strategy. Here, your agency partner may be able to help by taking over the reigns of wherever you are coming up short.  

9) Monitoring – On an ongoing basis, your agency partner will work with you to ensure that your data, strategy and execution are all synced up. You should be having analysis and strategy meetings with them at least once a month, but also be able to access your data and any computer generated insights on demand.

How to Find The Right Analytics Agency For You

Finding the right analytics agency requires that you look out for and vet certain things. We have spoken about some characteristics to look out for here and what to expect when working with an analytics partner.

Here is a quick summary of the things to look for when finding the best analytics agency (LINK HERE):

Characteristics:

1. Full stack marketers – When analyzing your marketing data, it helps a lot if your analytics agency are marketers themselves. That way, they can help turn your data into strategies that actually get results.
2. Strong technology – An analytics platform is the bare minimum your agency partner should have. If they have machine learning and data crunching algorithms, even better. 
3. An all star team – Your analytics agency needs to have a diverse set of team members that understand both numbers and marketing psychology. A strong founding team is also something to look out for.  
4. A strong client roster – Agencies that have worked with big brands is always a good sign. But when inquiring, try to find out if they have worked with brands similar to yours in terms of size and industry. 
5. A great communication style – Making sense of data is one thing, but explaining it in a clear and concise manner is something else. An analytics agency that can storytell in a meaningful way will help you put your data to use. 
6. They take a holistic approach – There are numerous sources of data that you are probably collecting. The more sources of data they can integrate and analyze the better. 

What to expect:

1. Onboarding and integration – The first thing your agency partner should do is onboard you to their platform and talk you through the process. This will include things like syncing up your technology and managing expectations in terms of outcomes.
2. Auditing of assets – Next, they will need to do an audit of your existing data assets and come up with actionable insights which will turn into strategy and then execution.
3. Setting up marketing channels – If your analytics agency offers services beyond analytics, they will work with you to execute your marketing strategy, including channels such as SEO, PPC and social media.
4. Data management – On a continuous basis, you will be able to access and view your data through your agency partner. You will be able to download reports and visualize your data. 
5. Actionable insights and results – The best analytics agencies really stand out when it comes to translating your data into insights, strategy and execution. You should work with your agency to ensure that your data is informing decision making and driving results.

The Top 3 Analytic Agencies

There are hundreds of good analytic companies out there that serve all types of needs.

It is unlikely however that you have the time to go through and vet them all, so we’ve filtered down the top 3 analytic agencies, based on the various criteria we’ve discussed in this article.

The top 3 agencies listed here have different strengths and weaknesses, so you will have to decide which is the best fit for you. 

1) NP Digital — Best For Marketing Execution

If you think that you will need helping putting the insights from your data into practice, then you should work with NP Digital. The agency was founded by Neil Patel, one of the most influential digital marketers in the world. And in addition to the analytics services they provide, they can also help you set up and execute a results driven marketing strategy. They have worked with big brand names including companies such as Google and Intuit. 

2) Artefact — Best For Technology 

Perhaps you are in an industry where you have a ton of data to analyze, or data plays a critical role in your ability to compete in the market. In this case, you should consider Artefact, an agency that has a robust technology stack which leverages artificial intelligence to really get the most out of your data. They have a strong and diverse team, ranging from social scientists to statisticians, and have worked with companies such as Greenpeace and Carrefour. 

3) Adverity — Best For Smaller Businesses

For smaller businesses who may not be able to afford high end agency fees, Adverity may be a better match. Although Adverity is more of a technology platform than an agency partner, you will be able to amplify your analytics strategy at a fraction of the cost. The platform allows you to integrate data sources from operations to marketing. The drawback of course is that you don’t have the human level insight and execution that consultative agencies provide. Adverity currently has a 4.5/5 star rating with over 100 reviews on the G2 website. 

Conclusion

At this point, you should have a good idea of how to choose an analytics agency. 

Keep in mind that everything written is from our perspective, and there may be other things you should consider when evaluating an agency. 

Before you finally pull the trigger and sign any contract, make sure that the analytics agency you want to work with has worked with companies similar to yours and that they can demonstrate some results. 

The post How to Choose The Right Analytics Agency appeared first on Neil Patel.

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SEO Consulting

Do you want to outrank all of your competitors on Google?

Of course, you do. After all more traffic equals more followers.

And more followers leads to more new customers buying your products and services.

But outranking your competitors with well-optimized SEO pages is not that easy.

You need to use a proven strategy that’s going to work for your specific business.

Search Engine Optimization is a long term commitment.

If you’re going to get into it, you’d better ensure results through well-thought-out SEO strategies customized for your specific website.

Luckily, there are two things you can do to maximize your SEO results.

1. Hire an SEO marketing agency with a proven track record like NP Digital
2. Hire an SEO Consultant who can build your entire SEO strategy.

Today we’re going to focus on the second option — How to choose the best SEO Consulting Services for your business.

So if you’re searching for the best way to guarantee your website ranking spot, you’re going to find the answer further down this post.

The Top 3 Options For SEO Consulting:

1. Neil Patel Digital for the best Blog and Website SEO Consulting
2. Louder.Online for dedicated Sales Funnel SEO Consulting
3. Ecommerce Guide for dedicated Ecommerce SEO Consulting

How to Choose The Best SEO Consulting For You

You need to look at a couple of important factors if you want to find the SEO Consulting Services that are going to help rank your website optimally. 

Many SEO Agencies and SEO Consultants offer multiple ways to improve your ranking. And there’s nothing wrong with that…

You just have to find which are the most profitable ones for you.

So if you don’t want to get lost in ideas and actually implement the best practices in the world, here’s what we specifically look for when searching for SEO Consulting Services:

#1 Detailed SEO Strategy Development

Before you hire an SEO consultant/agency, you need to make an introduction call.

Your goal for the call is to see if the person speaking with you is an actual expert.

How do you do that if you don’t understand SEO?

Simple!

See if the consultant on the other side is focused on helping you understand the process.

Even the toughest methodology can be explained through simple and result-oriented language.

If you feel like you’re speaking to a robot that just knows to recite his script, then he’s not the expert for you.

But if the consultant actually develops the SEO Strategy and explains it well on the call, then you know you’re talking with a real professional.

Then you move on to the next step:

#2 Monthly Content Calendar and Scheduling

Having a Content Calendar is the only way to not get lost in the tons of articles, blog posts, and pages you’re about to optimize.

The first step is to agree upon an optimal strategy with your consultant.

Then you need to make sure everything’s going according to plan at all times.

That factor shines when you’re trying to scale BIG.

We’re talking about 10-20 articles per week. One mistake in this process can delay months of results.

Dozens of different software will help with this. If you’re currently using one, just continue with it.

If you’re new to this, just ask your consultant for the one they use. 

Typically, the tools are pretty self-explainable and intuitive, especially if a professional consultant manages the process for you.

#3 Clear Expectations for both sides

You can’t expect to get your posts ranked for competitive keywords in the first week.

Sometimes it takes several months to even get close to the results you might be envisioning right now.

So making a detailed Keyword Research is crucial to get the hottest traffic with the least amount of posts.

Ranking for buying keywords is the best way to get sales if that’s your initial goal for the project.

But of course, they’re targeted by everyone, so you can’t rely simply on them.

The more posts you rank, the better your domain rating gets. The better domain ranking the easier it gets to rank your future posts.

So let your consultant make thorough keyword research and analysis of your market and niche.

Then ask them for what you can expect.

For which keywords can you get ranked immediately?

On average how much time do you need to wait to rank for the more competitive keywords?

There shouldn’t be any vague answers here, you should feel like the consultant really knows what they’re doing.

Then if you like what you hear, begin a long-term contract that would be beneficial to both sides.

#4 SEO Software

SEO Software is an SEO consultant’s right hand.

You have to make sure your consultant uses the most up to date software in the industry.

Here’s a detailed list of the best SEO tools you should be using to rank your posts on the first page of Google.

If your consultant doesn’t use tools, then he is not the right consultant for you.

At the very least he should be using Ubersuggest for his keyword research, simply because it’s the best SEO tool on the market.

Give it a shot yourself if you want to manage that part of the project:

The Different Types of SEO Consulting

Now after you know what to look for when searching for professional SEO Consulting Services… 

You need to know the different ways an SEO Consultant can help YOU rank your content.

Search Engine Optimization is not just writing text and using keywords.

There are countless factors when it comes to your ranking on Google.

So before you begin, you need to clarify what exactly you need help with.

An easy way to find that out is to ask yourself — Which part of my business brings the most sales?

You’ve got the answer? Good!

Here’re a couple of ways an SEO Consulting Services can help your business.

Choose the one that fits your needs:

#1 Company Website SEO Optimization

If your website is responsible for most of your sales and market positioning, then there’s a high chance that it’s the best place to drive traffic to.

Is that the case with you? 

Then you need to start writing more and more posts on subjects relevant to your products and services.

Here’s a couple of examples you can start with:

• Product Reviews (in you niche — link your products) 
• Step-by-Step guides that genuinely help the reader
• Tutorials and Walk-throughs for people that are just getting started
• TOP 3-5-7-10 lists (products, services, software, companies)

All of these are going to get you a lot of relevant traffic that you can redirect to your products and services.

#2 Ecommerce Store SEO Optimization

Are you in the Ecommerce space? Then you need to start optimizing these so valuable to your business product descriptions.

Of course, a consultant can help you optimize pages like your Home Page, About Us Page, Products/Services Page…

But without effectively ranked products you can forget about getting consistent sales from SEO.

That’s why you need to follow a proven SEO Product Description Strategy that can be easily implemented for all your current and future products.

#3 Sales Funnel SEO Optimization

More and more businesses nowadays move from websites to funnels.

That means you have singular pages that are interconnected through multiple buttons and links.

Typically people running sales funnels rely solely on paid ads to get as much targeted traffic as possible.

As that’s a good strategy on its own… It is NOT the best way to approach your long-term scaling.

If you begin with ranking your sales funnel pages and then move on to the paid ads, you’ll be able to run multiple split tests and ad campaigns until something clicks with the market.

That can take from 1 month to 2 years — just like SEO ranking. 

And the moment you achieve the best version of your funnel, you’ll already have consistent SEO traffic on top of the ads you’re running.

So if you’re using lots of sales funnels in your business, you should look at SEO Consulting Services as your best way to scale optimally.

Now to get into the fun part…

I’ll list the 3 SEO Agencies with the best Consulting Services in the business.

Why agencies and not individual consultants?

The best consultants in the TOP agencies have access to countless results, stats, and strategies that work right now.

So it’s in your best interest to have a call with someone of that caliber.

Just visit the agency that fits your needs and schedule a quick call with a professional who can make a detailed step-by-step SEO Strategy specifically for your business growth.

#1 – Neil Patel Digital — The Best For Website and Blog SEO Consulting

Given that you’re reading this article, you can see why Neil Patel has the SEO knowledge that’s going to scale your blog to the next level.

After all this exact blog you’re reading is ranked for every marketing term you can think of.

And NP Digital focuses uses the same exact strategies that got this blog to the TOP of Google.

It’s the best marketing agency when it comes to optimal Search Engine Optimization together with Website Conversion Rate Optimization.

That’s a proven system to have your readers come back for more content while also converting a high percentage of them for your products and services.

It’s simply the best way to grow your blog.

So if you’re looking to outgrow all of your competitors through well-thought-out SEO Strategies that are proven to bring consistent results…

Book a call with a professional now and prepare yourself for the best:

#2 – Louder.Online — Specialized Sales Funnel SEO Consulting

Are you more into Sales Funnels?

Do you want to optimize your Sales Pages for SEO while also maintaining high conversion rates?

Then you should speak with a leading consultant in an agency that specializes in bringing consistent, trackable results for Sales Funnels.

In our experience Louder.Online has been an atomic weapon.

Meaning their consultants are people that have years of experience and more importantly results.

So if you’re looking to optimize your sales pages, you should check out what Louder.Online has to offer.

Book a call with a consultant and they will show you the clear path to your funnel success: 

#3 – Ecommerce Guide — Specialized Ecommerce SEO Consulting

As we covered earlier, Ecommerce Stores MUST optimize their website if they want to be in business for a long time.

You should be optimizing all of your pages and product descriptions so you get all the traffic you can get your hands on.

The SEO strategy development here is far from simple. 

To make things easier for you, here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to optimize your Ecoomerce Store’s SEO.

On the other hand, if you’re searching for the agency that’s going to do it for you…

Ecommerce Guide is one of the most known marketing agencies that helps Ecommerce Stores optimize their SEO Strategy.

Contact them and get a full SEO audit that will help your exact store situation.

And to summarise…

No matter where you’re right now, investing in SEO Consulting is a must if you want to scale your business efficiently.

Especially with the Corona Situation right now, you need to think about investments that are going to bring multiple X returns after the virus is gone.

And remember that this could take months and maybe even years.

That’s more reason to look into SEO Strategies and how they can help you get consistent long-term traffic.

I shared with you how to choose the right SEO Consulting Services for your business.

Now it’s time to go and get them.

Reading articles curiously is not going to get your desired results.

You MUST take action!

The faster you do it the better the results you’ll get.

The more you delay it the more you’re going to struggle to start…

And most likely you’re going to come up with an excuse to miss out on these results your business desperately needs.

So go schedule some calls and don’t step back!

Have you ever paid for SEO Consulting Services before? Were the results what you expected and why?

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How to Choose The Right Conversion Rate Optimization Agency

Did you recently find out that your conversions are low compared to the industry average?

If that’s the case, then you need to hire a Conversion Rate Optimization Agency that can help you fix this issue.

Today we’ll go over everything you need to be aware of before hiring the right agency for your business.

First of all, you should…

Know Your Goals and Desired Outcomes

You are about to hire a CRO Agency and there are countless Conversion Rate Optimization companies out there.

In order to choose the one that will suit your exact situation, you’ll need to ask yourself what do you need?

Because many times these agencies specialize in multiple marketing skills such as SEO, Business Strategy, SMM, Consulting, Pay Per Click, A/B testing, Funnel Optimization, Consulting, etc.

Your best approach is to find out the exact things you need help with and then hire the agency that specializes in those 2 or 3 desired services.

Again, you want to build a strong, long-term relationship with this company.

So don’t treat your choice today lightly. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What part of my business is stuck right now?
• What can I add so I get to more traffic (paid or organic)?
• What do my followers say, what do I miss on?
• What is the one most profitable activity I can focus on right now?

These are all extremely important questions.

If there is a part of your business that feels stuck, then you need help there.

If your traffic lacks, then you need more so you can focus on converting the new traffic as well.

Always look in the comments of your Articles, Youtube Videos, Facebook and Instagram Posts, and ads.

Your followers share gold there. You just have to be active enough to collect the most valuable information and put it into action quickly.

And also think about the business you’re running.

For example, if you’re an E-commerce store that is not using Email Marketing, you’re missing out on a lot of conversions.

That means Email Marketing would be your most profitable activity at the moment.

Be specific and honest with your answers so you can choose the CRO Agency that’s going to generate results for your business in the future.

3 Characteristics That Make a Great CRO Agency

In the process of choosing the best CRO Agency, you’ll probably find yourself visiting a couple of different websites.

For that reason, you need to know what to look for before initiating the next step.

So here are the 3 characteristics to look for before you go into a partnership with a CRO agency.

#1 Dedicated Services

As mentioned previously, the best practice is to hire a marketing agency that specializes mainly in the skills you need right now.

The thing is that most agencies focus on many services all at once. 

For example here at Neil Patel Digital, we focus specifically on SEO, CRO, SMM, and Paid Advertising.

That helps us maximize our clients’ results by using the best strategies that work right now.

When choosing your winner today,  you should clearly see how these services can help your business now or in the near future.

#2 Budget and Pricing

You should NOT enroll in a long-term partnership with a marketing agency if you can’t afford them.

A good rule here is to see if you can pay 3 months of services upfront.

You must NOT try to pay off the services from the profits they generate for you.

Investing in a good marketing agency can be extremely profitable but don’t expect to double your profits from day one.

So be careful because the agency that charges $20,000/month is not always the best choice for your situation.

#3 Communication Skills

You are running a business so things change fast.

Roadblocks are inevitable and that’s the reason why you need to hire an agency that updates you with occasional data reports.

And more importantly anytime you have a question, they come and help you understand what’s going on.

The best marketing agencies don’t just use the same offer for everyone.

If they just slapped a general offer on their website, they are probably not your best choice.

The best way to ensure you get what you want is to schedule a call where a professional goes over your current situation and comes up with the best strategy that’s going to work for YOU.

How to Work With a CRO Agency

You’ll need this section if it’s your first time working with a marketing agency or you’ve tried it before but it didn’t work quite as you expected.

You’re here because you need to convert more of your traffic into active followers and customers for your products and services.

And Conversion Rate Optimization is not a walk in the park.

You need a real professionals that know what works in today’s fast-paced world.

Because everyone can give you random suggestions on what you can optimize or which color to use for you button.

But you don’t need suggestions… You need results!

That’s why when starting your partnership you need to set up some ground rules.

Ask your agency what they normally do with similar clients but it’s essential to not get sucked up in their explanations and…

Demand What You Need

If they can’t provide it then they’re not your best choice.

Before jumping on a call with them, first clear out exactly what you need using the questions I shared with you at the beginning of this post.

Write them down and stick to them. But don’t block their ideas. It’s always possible that you have a blindspot about the situation of your business.

So ask for the professional’s opinion so you can create the best strategy together.

Don’t Make Exceptions

Keep in mind you’re working with a professional agency that helps dozens of clients each month.

If they are the best, they’ll follow monthly reports and pre-set deadlines.

Always agree on what needs to be done in the next week/month and check if they did it.

Keep a close eye on the most important part of the project daily. Of course, that would be your Conversion Rates.

Make sure you have a reliable way of measuring it so you see the real-time results the agency generates for your business.

Work With Them

It takes two people for a positive relationship. 

The right agency will need access to different accounts and analytics to generate the best results possible.

But they’ll also need ongoing updates from you as well. 

What interesting thing you noticed last week, what you think should be modified this week, etc.

Be open about your thoughts so you can achieve your goals as quickly as you can.

How to Find The Right CRO Agency For You

After reading this post, you should already know what you need, what makes a great CRO Company, and how to build a positive result-generating relationship with a professional CRO Agency.

And if you’re jumping into optimizing your conversions, I hope you have an existing reliable traffic source. 

Because conversion rate optimization is useless if people don’t go through your funnel.

But if you do have a trustworthy source of traffic such as SEO or paid ads then CRO is something you should focus on.

We prepared a whole post going over the best CRO Companies of 2020 where we share some more tips on how to choose the perfect fit for you.

Here’s a summary of that list so you can make the right decision right now:

The 8 Top CRO Agencies in the World

#1 Neil Patel Digital — Best For SEO + CRO

Neil Patel Digital is the best Marketing Agency if you’re looking to optimize your organic traffic and convert it into paying customers.

If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, I’d guess you’re running a blog of your own.

If that’s the case you need the best SEO practices in order to outgrow your competitors.

And given that this blog is ranked for every marketing term you can think of, Neil Patel Digital is the best choice for you.

For Conversion Rate Optimization we use the most relevant tools and strategies that fit with the current marketing trends.

That has helped us get outstanding results for our clients.

So if you want to get more organic traffic and convert it using the most profitable strategies in the world…

Just schedule a call with a professional that will help you achieve all your goals.

#2 Trinity — Best For E-commerce Conversions

Trinity is a well-known CRO company that focuses on helping businesses in the E-commerce space.

If your store’s conversions have dropped lately, then you should look at Trinity’s services.

Their fees are premium but if you’re at a point in your business that you can afford their services, they’re most likely going to generate great results for you.

#3 WebMechanix — Best For All-In-One Services

Very often when you focus on one part of your business, soon you find out five other parts have collapsed in the background.

That’s completely normal when you’re trying to scale your business.

WebMechanix is one of the little agencies that can help you with everything all at once.

That doesn’t mean the results would be optimal but they have separate teams that can help you with everything from paid advertising and organic traffic to building an optimized funnel that converts.

So if you think your whole marketing strategy is falling apart, then you should contact WebMechanix.

#4 SiteTuners — Best For Small to Medium Businesses

SiteTunners is another great agency that you can trust if you’re in the early stages of your business development.

They are well-known for helping start-ups optimize their conversions for optimal scaling purposes.

For almost 20 years now, they’ve been helping the new stars in business shine brighter and brighter.

So if you’re in the beginning stages of growing your online presence, you can trust SiteTuners and their services.

#5 Invesp — Best For Dedicated CRO

If you think that every part of your business but the CRO is optimized, then you should look at what the Invesp team has to offer.

Of course, with their one hundred percent dedication towards CRO, their prices have been rising more and more.

If you’re at the point where you can afford to pay $150-199 / hour for CRO optimization, you should look at Invesp’s services.

#6 Inflow — Affordable Multi-Service E-commerce Option

Inflow is one of the little marketing agencies that give you direct access to the marketing experts that work on your project.

They help mainly E-commerce stores skyrocket their conversions.

It’s a great choice if you like working with freelancers who specialize in the services you need.

#7 Conversion Fanatics — Best For CRO + SMM

Conversion Fanatics is a marketing agency focusing directly on growing your social media presence.

Once you start getting traffic, they optimize your landing pages for traffic coming specifically from the social media they optimized earlier.

So if you think your social media marketing can use some help together with your CRO, then contact Conversion Fanatics and explore more of their options.

#8 Linear Design — Best For PPC + CRO

If you completed the questionnaire at the beginning of this post and found out you need to focus on driving more paid traffic together with optimizing your landing pages, then Linear Design would be a good choice for you.

Having access to your paid ads helps them optimize your funnel’s conversion rate optimally.

But keep in mind that you’re paying them and paying for ads.

If you choose this combination, you should be very careful with your budget and the results that come from it.

To sum up:

First, you need to clear your mind on what exactly do you need from a marketing agency.

Then you should find the agency that specializes in these 1-3 services and make sure they have great communication skills and also fit your budget.

Always start with a call where a professional can assess your situation and come up with the best strategy for your business.

Have you ever worked with one of the agencies listed above? Do you have more valuable tips for choosing the right agency? Share them in the comments below:

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