Signs You Need a New SEO Company

SEO can make or break your online presence. Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a large company’s digital efforts, the right SEO company should feel like a true partner—not a mystery machine you never hear from. If your current SEO provider is leaving you in the dark, underdelivering, or simply going through the motions, it might be time to make a change.

Here are some of the most common signs that it’s time to find a new SEO company.

Lack of Clear Communication

One of the first red flags is poor communication. If you're left wondering what your SEO company is doing with your budget each month, that's a problem. A reliable SEO partner should provide regular updates, be transparent about strategies, and clearly explain results without burying everything in jargon.

SEO is complex, but your provider should still be able to break things down in a way that makes sense to you. Whether that’s through regular reports, monthly check-in calls, or a shared dashboard, there should always be visibility. If they’re difficult to get in touch with or dodge your questions, they might not be prioritizing your success.

No Noticeable Results Over Time

SEO takes time, but it shouldn't feel like you're waiting forever. If you’ve been working with the same team for six months or more and you still aren’t seeing improvements in search rankings, website traffic, or conversions, that’s a major red flag.

Look for progress indicators like more organic traffic, better keyword positioning, or growth in leads. These results might start slowly but should consistently trend upward. If all you see is stagnation, your SEO company might not be putting in the effort—or they may lack the skills required to compete in your industry.

They Don’t Adjust Strategies

Google’s algorithm is always evolving, and so are your customers’ expectations. SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it service—it requires regular tweaks, testing, and updates.

A proactive SEO strategist keeps an eye on trends, competitor moves, and shifts in keyword performance. If your current provider hasn’t revised their approach in a year or more, your strategy may already be outdated. Tactics like mobile optimization, schema markup, and topic clustering should be part of the conversation. If not, it may be time to explore more forward-thinking SEO services.

Your Website Isn't Getting the Attention It Deserves

Your website plays a huge role in search rankings. Things like site speed, mobile responsiveness, clean design, and intuitive navigation all impact SEO performance. If your SEO company doesn’t bring these things up or work with a team that includes web designers and developers, they’re likely missing opportunities to improve rankings and user experience.

Think about how you feel when you visit a slow or cluttered website. Chances are, you bounce quickly—and so do your potential customers. A good SEO company will evaluate your website’s performance and provide feedback that helps improve both rankings and conversions.

Poor Content Strategy

Content is at the heart of modern SEO. If your SEO partner isn’t helping you build a thoughtful content plan—whether that’s blogging for business, optimizing landing pages, or developing helpful resources—you’re missing out.

Creating content without strategy is like shooting in the dark. Great SEO companies support your brand by aligning keyword research with customer questions, trends, and competitor gaps. The result is relevant, useful content that performs in search engines and builds trust with your audience.

If your current provider isn’t suggesting new content topics or isn’t optimizing what you already have, it’s worth rethinking the partnership.

They Avoid Accountability

SEO is filled with variables, but accountability should always be clear. If something’s not working, a strong SEO company will explain why, take ownership, and offer a plan to course-correct.

You should never feel like you’re chasing your provider for updates or justifications. A solid SEO partner is proactive, transparent, and collaborative. They know your goals, keep you in the loop, and care about the bigger picture—not just the monthly invoice.

You’re Not Being Educated

If you often feel like your SEO company is talking over your head—or worse, talking in circles—they might be trying to keep you in the dark. The best SEO partners help you understand what they’re doing and why.

When you’re educated about how SEO works, you can better collaborate and make smart marketing decisions. Whether it’s helping you understand domain authority or the importance of internal linking, clear communication builds trust and long-term value.

You’re Just a Number

Cookie-cutter strategies don’t work for everyone. Your SEO company should be tailoring your strategy based on your goals, industry, competition, and audience.

Whether you're focused on local SEO, building authority through blogging for business, or improving your eCommerce visibility, your needs should shape the plan—not the other way around. If you’re receiving the same strategies and reports as everyone else, your potential is probably being left on the table.

SEO is Disconnected from Other Services

SEO doesn’t exist on its own. It connects to every piece of your online strategy, including social media marketing, PPC advertising, and even email campaigns.

If your SEO company doesn’t take these elements into account, their approach may be too narrow. An experienced digital marketing agency sees SEO as part of a broader ecosystem—and knows how to integrate your content, audience insights, and traffic sources into a cohesive strategy.

You’re Searching “Website Designer Near Me” Again

Let’s be honest: if you’re typing “website designer near me” into Google because your current provider hasn’t helped you get noticed, something’s off. Your business should appear when people search for your services, especially if you're targeting a specific local audience.

Ranking locally means optimizing your site for location-specific keywords, managing local listings, and improving mobile usability. If your SEO company hasn’t explored these areas, they’re not helping you compete where it matters most.

They Don’t Understand Local SEO

For many businesses, local SEO is a game-changer. From Google Business Profile optimization to managing citations and getting local backlinks, there’s a lot that goes into being found in your community.

A great SEO company will help you rise above competitors by targeting location-based searches, improving your maps visibility, and making sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) data is consistent across the web. If your SEO company has never brought up local SEO—or doesn’t even know what it is—that’s a major concern.

They’re Not Helping with Social Media Signals

While social media marketing isn’t a direct ranking factor, it plays a supporting role in brand visibility and SEO. Shared content drives traffic, engagement builds credibility, and strong social presence can improve your backlink opportunities.

An SEO provider that understands this will suggest content formats that perform well on social, help optimize post captions and headlines for search, and align social messaging with your SEO goals. If that connection is missing, your strategy may feel disjointed.

No Guidance on Website Design or User Experience

Good design isn’t just about how your website looks—it’s also about how it functions. Your SEO company should collaborate with web designers or advise on things like site architecture, call-to-action placement, page speed, and mobile responsiveness.

A great user experience helps visitors stick around longer, explore more pages, and convert into customers—all signals that support better search rankings. If you’ve never had a conversation about user behavior or design recommendations, your SEO company might not be seeing the full picture.

When to Switch to a New SEO Company

If you recognize one or more of these signs, it may be time to start exploring other options. Choosing a new SEO company isn’t just about finding someone who can rank keywords—it’s about finding a partner who understands your business and is committed to helping it grow.

Make sure you look for a team that values transparency, brings strategic thinking to the table, and is invested in your long-term success. The right fit can make all the difference.

Working with Wasatch Digital Group

At Wasatch Digital Group, we believe that SEO isn’t just about traffic—it’s about building real momentum for your brand. We combine local expertise, strategic content planning, and design-focused thinking to help your business grow online.

If your current SEO company is falling short, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence. From social media marketing to website design and SEO services, we provide strategies that actually make a difference. See all the services we offer to help your business grow.

Contact us at the Wasatch Digital Group to find out how we can support your success. We’ll talk through your challenges, explore what’s possible, and help you see results that match your goals.