How To Succeed in the Enterprise SEO Procurement Process

Everyone knows SEO is the heart that keeps the life of a business going, yet the process can be very different depending on a company’s needs and size. A big business, for example, has more responsibilities: hundreds of web pages, more competitors, larger teams, etc. So, they may require more sophisticated SEO tools to control each aspect, from content creation to link-building. 

And that’s where the challenges start. How do you ensure you procure the right tool or service to handle all your needed tasks? Read on to learn how to integrate the procurement process into your SEO enterprise strategy for the desired outcome.

What Is SEO Procurement, and How Does It Help Businesses?

According to Databox, more than 80% of companies use paid SEO tools, and only 17% rely on free tools. But how do they know which of the many SEO software on the market will be suitable for them? That’s where SEO procurement comes in. But what exactly is an SEO procurement process? Basically, it is a complicated way to describe the process of getting an external SEO service or software. It includes research, strategizing, risk management, and much more. 

After all, helping a business snag the tools or services needed for growth is not the same as shopping around for a piece of new furniture. You want to know exactly what the business needs, how well it works with the tools the company already uses, and how you can get the best deals possible. 

For example, if you want to choose a backlink service to enhance your online visibility, you won’t jump at the first provider you find on Google, no matter how high its rating may be. You will do some checks.

But the truth is not everyone can do this job since a wrong decision can cost the company a lot of money and create issues. On the other hand, an experienced procurement professional can contribute to the smooth running of the company by helping you choose the right tools. 

Why Procurement of SEO Tech Systems Is Important?

Everyone who has done procurement long enough knows it is far more challenging than it seems. You have to consider every single pitfall, remember about risk management, and align with the company’s goals. Yet, when the work is done, every business will be surprised with the results procurement can yield for SEO tech systems, such as:

• Establishing effective vendor management
• Mitigating risks (including overlap and security issues)
• Being up-to-date with technological advancements
• Reducing the workload by automating processes
• Fostering transparency, as you can track all stages of the work 
• Enhancing your competitive advantage
• Getting better returns from your investments

4 Best Practices To Integrate Procurement Process Into Enterprise SEO Strategy

There is no reason why the procurement process of the SEO enterprise strategy tools should be frustrating. There are tons of free guides and resources on SEO tools to get started now. Still, the process can be time-consuming, so here are some tips for you: 

1. Do Thorough Research Before Making a Decision

Here’s the truth: every single platform or SEO service you are considering makes hundreds of appealing promises that outweigh each other. So, compare the best ones to ensure they align with your company’s goals. Of course, this means that you already understand what your business needs are and what the tool or agency can do for you. 

You might want anything from improving your search ranking position to building your backlink profile. With these in mind, choose a suitable service or tool. Remember, if the vendor claims to do all, you will probably be disappointed. So, get information from verifiable sources: read reviews and check out blog posts like this. But your best bet might be to sign up for trials.

Plus, learn about the procurement costs to see how you can save money. Call the vendors or providers to ask for demos or check with colleagues in your industry. Be sure to consider each proposal carefully and pick the one that not only offers the best service and price but also long-term support.

2. Don’t Ignore NDAs and MSAs

Before buying an enterprise SEO strategy solution from a third-party vendor, consider signing a comprehensive non-disclosure agreement that protects your business’s interests. Be clear about your terms and conditions as well as your expectations.

For example, if you are hiring a content writer, you have them sign an agreement that forbids sharing the posts written for you with another blog, right? You should do the same when onboarding the vendor of a tool or service.

If you make any adjustments based on renegotiated terms, always have the legal team go through it thoroughly and explain the details to you. The same goes for the master service agreements (MSAs for short), which cover the scope of work, duration, financial obligations, termination clauses, etc. Store safe copies of all documents for future reference. 

3. Use Several Tools if Budget Allows

Enterprise SEO tactic requires more extensive data collection than a small business. With big companies, it’s risky to try new trending things because every decision can potentially bring more severe consequences.

Combine as many SEO tools as possible. The more diverse your data sources are, the better. You can also choose to outsource different aspects of your SEO to more than one agency. Just be sure to focus on those who have experience with companies that are as big as yours. 

4. Build Relationships and Keep Everyone in the Loop

More than half of all transitions fail, which happens when parties are not on the same page. Top managers could have a totally different point of view from the employees, who, in turn, might have their own expectations and struggle to accept changes. Thus, you should find ways to minimize factors that can cause a rift in the relationship and harm the working process. 

How can you do that? Ensure that everyone is involved, not just the managers. Thus, you’ll get the feedback needed to make the switch or integration process go smoothly. Plus, everyone knows exactly how their role adds value to the company. 

5. Be Patient While Tracking Progress

Change takes time, and SEO can be a long process. You might want things to happen faster, but there’s little you can do to speed up the process, so be patient. At the same time, try to track the progress by checking measurable data that tells you if the new platform or tool is working as expected. This approach helps you understand what’s happening and what steps to take next.

Conclusion

It takes a lot of effort and commitment to succeed in the enterprise SEO strategy procurement process. Still, if you are ready to be patient, you will find that the experience can be rewarding. Use the tips in this post and remain open to learning and changes, as that is your best chance for success and continual growth.