What Should a Good SEO Onboarding Process Look Like When Working with a New Agency?
A good SEO onboarding process with a new agency should include clear communication, thorough understanding of your business goals, and setting realistic expectations. It involves a detailed audit of your website, competitive analysis, and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. This process ensures alignment between your business objectives and the agency’s strategies.

Why Onboarding Matters
Starting with a new SEO agency can feel like a leap into the unknown. You’re handing over the keys to your digital kingdom, hoping they’ll unlock the treasure chest of higher rankings and increased traffic. This is why onboarding is so important. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about laying a solid foundation for a fruitful partnership.
Imagine you’re a B2B software company. You’ve got a niche product, and your market is specific. If your new SEO agency doesn’t grasp this quickly, they might target the wrong audience, wasting time and resources. Onboarding is their chance to dive deep into your business, understand your unique selling points, and tailor their approach accordingly.
Steps for a Strong Start
So, what should this onboarding process look like? Here’s a straightforward checklist:
- Initial Meeting: Kick things off with a meeting. Discuss your business goals, past SEO efforts, and any pain points. This sets the stage for everything that follows.
- Website Audit: Your site gets a thorough check-up. The agency should inspect technical aspects, content quality, and user experience. Knowing where you stand is crucial for moving forward.
- Competitor Analysis: They’ll identify who you’re up against and what they’re doing right. This helps in crafting strategies that not only catch up but also outpace the competition.
- Keyword Research: This is the backbone of SEO. The agency should align keyword strategies with your business objectives, ensuring they target terms that matter to your audience.
- Setting KPIs: Establish clear metrics to track progress. Whether it’s organic traffic, conversion rates, or specific keyword rankings, KPIs keep everyone focused and accountable.
Once these steps are in place, you’ll have a roadmap. It’s not set in stone, but it provides direction. A good seo optimisation agency will revisit and refine this plan as they gather more data and insights.

The Human Element
Let’s be honest. SEO isn’t just about algorithms and analytics. It’s about people.
The best agencies know this. They communicate openly and often. They listen to your concerns and celebrate your wins. They’re not just service providers; they’re partners in your success story.
It’s like having a good braai. You need the right ingredients, but also the right vibe. Without both, the end result just isn’t the same.
So, when you’re onboarding with a new SEO agency, remember to look beyond the technical steps. Seek out those human connections. They often make all the difference.