Many business owners who have heard of search engine optimization, or SEO, probably have a few misconceptions about this form of internet marketing. For those who know of SEO from its early days, they may think it’s a sort of “get rich quick” scheme that pushes your website to the top of Google results with a few strategically placed keywords or directory backlinks.

However, that’s not how it works any more. Because Google has gotten stricter with its requirements for quality websites, the old tricks no longer work. Small business owners, as a result, need an SEO management company on their side that will provide white hat services that will get rewarded — not punished — by search engines.

If you’re a business owner who is struggling with making a splash online, you’re not alone. Before your company makes the move to hire a small business SEO consulting agency, make sure to review your own expectations for this process. For example, you might look for the following in your campaign:

1. A company that believes in long term investment: Success with SEO doesn’t happen overnight, even though you may want it to. There are actually several phases of an SEO campaign, and today it’s about a lot more than simply keyword research and easy article marketing. If you want professional SEO services, be prepared to stick with your campaign for a longer duration of time — usually six months to a year or more!

2. Strong emphasis on website design: Because Google and other search engines are so stringent in their requirements for a quality website, businesses need to ensure they have everything in place. Not only should SEO information, such as location and business hours, be listed on a website’s home page, but websites should also be easy to navigate. A good website with well-placed content is one of the first steps on a solid small business SEO campaign.

3. Diversified marketing strategies for small businesses: SEO is about more than just web design, too. Having a diversified web presence is also important and includes listings on online directories (like Google’s business pages or Yelp), search engine marketing and advertisements, and even social media. Yes, having a Facebook and Twitter profile is actually a great way to get customers. A good SEO consulting firm should be able to develop a campaign that is perfectly suited to your business’s clients and products or services.

Have more questions about what you should expect from your small business SEO and social media management company? Ask away in the comments, and find expert SEO services that will be able to help you with your online presence!