Navigating SEO Setbacks: What’s Next for My Small Business?
Hello, readers!
As the owner of a small family-run painting business based in Sydney, Australia, I want to share my experience with SEO investment and seek insights on how to move forward. Each year, our business generates approximately $250k to $300k in revenue with a team of three dedicated members. In an effort to enhance our marketing efforts, I made a substantial commitment to Search Engine Optimization.
A couple of years ago, I partnered with a well-regarded SEO agency in Sydney. With an annual marketing budget of $60k in mind, I now realize that I may have inadvertently led the agency to push for a maxed-out plan, rather than crafting a tailored strategy that aligns with my business needs and capacity.
Admittedly, my knowledge of SEO at that time was limited. I was hopeful that the agency would support our growth gradually; however, the reality was quite different. Within a year, we exhausted our entire budget without seeing any tangible results. Unfortunately, our investment didn’t yield the expected returns, leaving us without any funds for further marketing endeavors.
In a moment of frustration, I posted a negative Google review detailing my experience. To my surprise, the CEO of the agency responded by threatening legal action, asserting that I had received all that was promised and labeling my feedback as defamatory. This left me feeling even more disillusioned. I had anticipated significant growth for my small, local business, and now I’m questioning whether my expectations were realistic.
At this juncture, I’m reaching out for advice on several crucial points:
- Is SEO the right strategy for a small, local business like mine?
- If I were to set aside an additional $5k to $10k for marketing, where should I allocate those funds?
- What does an effective and budget-friendly SEO or marketing strategy look like for a trades-based business?
- Are there legal avenues I can explore? How can I verify if the SEO agency provided the services they promised?
I appreciate any insights or experiences others might share. I’m eager to learn from this situation and make informed decisions moving forward.
Update: The agency has since offered me a complimentary six-month plan, but after our previous experience, I’m naturally skeptical about the outcome.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any guidance you can provide. Your support means a lot as I navigate this challenging