What kind of access should I provide an SEO agency to our website and analytics?

When working with an SEO agency, grant them access to your website’s CMS and Google Analytics. This access allows them to analyse site performance, optimise content, and track the effectiveness of their strategies. Ensure you provide the right level of access, balancing security with the need for the agency to perform their work effectively.

Why Access is Important

Think of your website as a car. To improve its performance, a mechanic needs to look under the bonnet, right? It’s the same with SEO. Your agency needs to see how your site is built and how it runs. Without this, they’re working blindfolded.

For B2B or SAAS companies, the stakes are even higher. Their websites aren’t just digital brochures. They’re lead-generating machines. If your SEO agency can’t access your analytics, they can’t see which pages convert visitors into leads. And if they can’t see that, they can’t improve it.

Steps to Providing Access

Handing over the keys to your website might feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a simple guide:

• CMS Access: Grant editor-level access to your Content Management System. This allows the agency to make content tweaks without risking site integrity.

• Google Analytics: Provide ‘Read & Analyse’ access. This lets them view traffic data and user behaviour without altering settings.

• Google Search Console: Give ‘Full’ access. This tool is crucial for identifying and resolving search performance issues.

• Security Considerations: Use a password manager to share credentials securely. Regularly update passwords and review access permissions.

Once you’ve shared access, keep an open line of communication. Discuss any changes they plan to make. This ensures everyone is on the same page and minimises surprises.

A Matter of Trust

Trust is key here. You’re letting someone into your digital house. Make sure they’re reputable. A top seo agency will ask for just enough access to do their job, not more.

You might feel protective of your data. That’s natural. But remember, an seo optimisation expert needs to see what’s under the hood to help you get better rankings. Without access, their hands are tied.

So, have that coffee with your agency. Discuss what they need and why. Understand their approach. It’s your site, your data. But with the right partnership, it’s also your success story.