How to Find an SEO Agency for Your Maid Service – 2024 Guide

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by The ZenMaid Team

For maid service and cleaning service owners, search engine optimization (SEO) is pivotal in ensuring your business is visible in search engines when users search for cleaning services like yours.

Think about it: if you were to search for cleaning services, what would you search for? Put yourself in the shoes of your ideal customer. They would likely search for something like “cleaning service near me,” or “maid service near me.” If you haven’t flipped the table and conducted some searches of your own to see if your business is visible, this is a great time to test this out.

For maid services that want to attract more clients and outrank their competitors, partnering with an experienced SEO agency, contractor, or freelancer is something to consider. However, with the abundance of options available, it can be overwhelming to find the right SEO professional.

In this article, we will explore how cleaning companies can find an SEO partner that meets their specific needs while shedding light on important considerations and pointing out red flags.

1. Understanding the Importance of SEO for Cleaning Companies

The role of SEO in the cleaning industry

The cleaning industry is highly competitive, and with more solo cleaners and people interested in creating multiple streams of income, starting a cleaning service has become a popular option. For that reason, having a strong online presence is crucial for attracting potential customers.

SEO helps cleaning companies improve their website’s visibility in search engine results, increase organic traffic, and drive relevant leads to their business. In other words, it allows potential customers to find you locally when they search for relevant things, like “maid service in Los Angeles, CA.”

Optimizing your website for these types of searches signals to the search engine that you’re a relevant option; if you’ve invested in a professional website for your business, but haven’t optimized it, there is likely room for improvement. 

Benefits of investing in SEO for cleaning businesses

Investing in SEO can result in many benefits for cleaning companies, including increased visibility, improved website rankings, targeted lead generation, and higher conversion rates. By appearing on the first page of search results, cleaning companies can establish credibility and trust among potential customers, leading to higher chances of conversion.

The best part? Not everybody is doing it, and for those who play the long game, the better the SEO fruit it yields for years to come. We wanted to get an understanding of how many ZenMaid customers are currently leveraging SEO, and here are some of the results from our ZenMaid Facebook communities.

The ZenMaid Mastermind (8,000+ industry members)

The ZenMaid Inner Circle (2,000+ active ZenMaid customers)

As you can see, the majority of maid service owners in our communities have either invested in SEO in the past, or are currently investing in SEO. 

2. How to Find Cleaning Company SEO Agencies

Referrals and recommendations

One of the best ways to find a trusted, proven SEO partner or agency is to ask for a referral. If you know any other business owners who own their own cleaning or maid service, you might consider asking them to make an introduction if they’ve found an ideal SEO partner.

Personal referrals can provide valuable insights and save time in the search process. If someone has already done great work, has proven results, and has a great reputation with someone you know, they’re already a great option when it comes to assessing SEO partners.

As mysterious as SEO can be, referrals can be a great way to get ahead of the curve in understanding who has a proven track record of providing tangible results. 

Online directories and listings

Utilize online directories and listings specifically curated for SEO agencies. These directories allow you to filter results based on location, industry experience, and client reviews, making it easier to find reputable agencies specializing in SEO for cleaning companies.

A few trusted directories to consider:

• https://clutch.co/seo-firms
• https://www.designrush.com/agency/search-engine-optimization
• https://www.g2.com/categories/seo-services
• https://www.capterra.com/sem-compare-services/seo

Within these directories, you can read about their pricing, case studies, reviews, and plenty of other information that will allow you to assess other options. 

Industry communities

As mentioned above, we have built an amazing online community of maid service and cleaning service owners. Our community is always willing to help, and referrals are a big part of the discussion.

Note: you must be a cleaning service owner to join our community; no outside agencies, please. 

The ZenMaid Mastermind (8,000+ industry members)

The ZenMaid Inner Circle (2,000+ active ZenMaid customers)

3. Assessing an SEO Agency’s Credibility and Track Record

Case studies and success stories

Examine an SEO agency’s case studies and success stories to evaluate their expertise not just in the cleaning industry, but in regards to SEO in general. The SEO industry can come with a lot of “fluff,” and it seems like everyone can “do SEO” without being able to back it up with tangible results.

It’s important to analyze their past projects and evaluate the results achieved for similar cleaning businesses. Look for agencies or consultants that have consistently helped clients improve their search rankings and achieve tangible results.

Client testimonials and reviews

Read client testimonials and reviews to gain insights into the experiences of previous clients. Great places to look for reviews would be Google, Clutch, and other social media like Facebook.  Look for testimonials from cleaning companies similar to yours, as this indicates the agency’s ability to understand industry-specific challenges and deliver effective solutions.

Expertise and experience within the cleaning industry

Consider partnering with an SEO agency that has experience working with cleaning companies or other service-related industries. Agencies well-versed in the cleaning industry’s unique requirements are more likely to offer tailored strategies and targeted solutions.

For example, someone who is good at software (SaaS) SEO may not understand the importance of local SEO, and likely has an entirely different approach. 

Awards and recognition

Take note of any awards or recognition an SEO agency has received. Industry accolades can indicate their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to delivering top-notch SEO services.

4. Important Questions to Ask Potential SEO Partners

Strategy and approach

Inquire about the agency’s SEO strategy and approach. Ask about their on-page optimization techniques, off-page link building strategies, and content creation and marketing plans. A transparent and well-defined strategy is essential for long-term success. Generally speaking, they should be working on on-page SEO, backlinks, content, and online directories.

Reporting and analytics

Understand how the agency tracks and reports on progress. Inquire about the frequency and types of reports provided, key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be tracked, and the tools they use for analytics and monitoring. Regular reporting and analytics are crucial for staying informed and making data-driven decisions.

Things to ask for:

• Proven results and rankings – it’s important to not just ask for screenshots; SEO rankings are based on location, time of search, and a variety of other factors. It’s easy for someone to “show” an SEO ranking, but their ranking results may be different, especially if they’ve visited their client website more frequently.
• Google Search Console results – if they can’t provide anything positive from GSC, that’s a red flag.
• Google Analytics 4 data – ask for organic traffic growth when they worked with past clients. 

Pricing and deliverables

SEO pricing can vary greatly, depending on who you work with (consultant versus agency), and how they charge (hourly versus monthly retainer). Some agencies even charge an up-front optimization fee and then a monthly fee. So, make sure you ask for pricing specifics during the initial conversations. It’s also important to understand what deliverables to expect, such as keyword research, website optimization, content creation, link building, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

Communication and transparency

Clarify communication expectations with potential SEO partners. Inquire about the frequency of updates and progress reports, who will be the main point of contact, and how communication and collaboration will be facilitated. Open and transparent communication is key to a successful partnership.

5. Red Flags: What to Be Wary of When Choosing an SEO Partner

Guarantees of immediate or overnight results

Be cautious of SEO agencies that promise immediate or overnight results. SEO is a long-term process, and achieving sustainable results takes time and ongoing effort. It’s common for SEO agencies or consultants to promise results, but the truth is, there are far too many variables to be able to promise results; especially overnight.

Generally speaking, if an SEO agency is abiding by best practices, you should start to see rankings increase steadily over time. If they’re writing content for your blog or website, you may also see organic traffic pick up from that, too.

However, it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to wake up the day after agreeing to services and see your website in the #1 ranking on Google for “maid service in [geographical area]” unless you were already ranking high to begin with.

SEO takes time, sort of like going to the gym for several months when you start to see true progress.

Black hat SEO techniques

Avoid agencies that employ black hat SEO techniques, such as keyword stuffing or link cramming. Such practices can lead to penalties from search engines, damaging your website’s reputation.

Lack of transparency and unwillingness to share information

Beware of SEO partners who are unwilling to share information or explain their strategies and methodologies. Transparency is essential in establishing trust and ensuring ethical and effective SEO practices.

If you find yourself asking far too many questions and you’re not being reciprocated with information, reporting, etc.; that’s a red flag. 

Poor communication and unresponsiveness

Choose an SEO partner that values effective and prompt communication. Poor communication and unresponsiveness can hinder progress and compromise the success of your SEO campaigns.

Unrealistic pricing or hidden costs

Exercise caution when encountering SEO agencies that offer excessively low or discounted prices. Quality SEO services require expertise, time, and resources. Unrealistic pricing may indicate subpar services or hidden costs that can add up over time.

If it feels too good to be true, it might just be. This brings us to the final section: Understanding SEO costs for maid services. 

6. Understanding SEO costs for Maid Services

SEO pricing is not one-size-fits-all; it largely depends on the scope and complexity of your needs. Generally, local SEO efforts for small to medium-sized cleaning services can range from $500 to $2,000 per month. 

For those just starting out or located in more rural cities, the lower end of this spectrum may cover basic services like keyword optimization and local directory listings. More comprehensive SEO strategies that include content creation, backlink building, and technical SEO improvements might lean toward the higher end.

Consider these factors influencing SEO pricing.

Agency expertise and track record

More experienced agencies or those with a proven track record of success tend to charge more. However, be wary of agencies that promise guaranteed results without a clear explanation of their strategies and promised deliverables. Genuine agencies will offer transparency about their methods and realistic expectations about outcomes.

Scope of service

The cost will also depend on what’s included in the service package. Basic packages might only cover essential SEO tactics like on-page optimization and local citations, while more advanced packages could include extensive content creation, ongoing consultancy, and comprehensive analytics.

Geographical and competitive factors

Costs can also vary based on your business’s location and the competitive landscape. For instance, SEO services in larger metropolitan areas or for highly competitive keywords may be priced higher due to the increased effort required to achieve rankings.

Customization and specialization

Customized strategies tailored specifically to the cleaning industry, which consider unique business models and customer demographics, might also carry a premium.

Verifying and assessing value

To ensure you’re making a cost-effective investment:

• Request detailed proposals from several SEO agencies to compare what each offers for their quoted price.
• Check for transparency and beware of guarantees that seem too good to be true. Legitimate agencies will provide detailed explanations of their strategies and realistic projections of what they can achieve.
• Consider the long-term value of SEO. Effective SEO strategies can significantly increase your online visibility and customer acquisition costs over time, making it a worthwhile investment.

Next Steps

By now, you’ve hopefully realized how important SEO is for any cleaning business or maid service. There are so many factors to consider when choosing an SEO agency, consultant or freelancer, but when you start to have those considerations, we hope you’ll be well-equipped!