What Does An SEO Company Do? Full Guide To SEO Services
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is not just stuffing keywords onto a page and hoping Google takes the bait. It is a mix of research, strategy, technical know-how, and constant fine-tuning.
Whether you are thinking about hiring an SEO agency, exploring SEO provider services, or even starting an SEO company yourself, understanding the process can feel like a maze.
So, what does an SEO company actually do day to day? And more importantly, do SEO services work? Let’s dig in.

SEO Company Definition: What Is An SEO Agency?
First things first. The SEO company definition.
An SEO company (Or SEO agency) is a business that helps other businesses improve their visibility in search engines like Google. The goal is simple: Get your website to show up higher in search results when people look for products or services like yours.
Put another way, the SEO agency’s meaning comes down to expertise. Instead of trying to figure out algorithms, keywords, and website fixes on your own, you partner with professionals who do this work every day.
What Do SEO Services Actually Include?
When you hire an SEO company, you are investing in a bundle of services designed to improve your website’s authority. Here are the main components:
Website Audit & Strategy
Most agencies start by doing a thorough audit of your current website. They will look at:
- Site structure
- Page speed
- Mobile responsiveness
- Technical errors
- Existing keyword rankings
- Content gaps
After the audit, you will receive a customised strategy that outlines what needs to be fixed, improved, or added. This highlights the most urgent issues, opportunities, and next steps. It guides everything from technical fixes and updates to keyword targeting and link building.
Keyword Research
Keywords connect what people are searching for with the content you create. When someone types a phrase into Google, the search engine scans millions of pages to find the best matches.
If your website includes the right keywords in the right places, it has a much better chance of appearing in those results. A good provider will research and select search terms that:
- Your ideal customers are actually typing into Google
- Have enough search volume to be worthwhile
- Are realistic to rank for based on competition
Once chosen, they are used to shape your website content, meta descriptions, headings, and more. This makes it easier for Google to understand what your pages are about and when to show them to potential customers.
On-Page Optimisation
Once keywords are sorted, your SEO team will optimise your website’s content and structure to match. On-page SEO includes:
- Updating title tags and meta descriptions
- Improving headings and subheadings
- Adding internal links to keep people on your site longer
- Optimising images and videos
- Making sure URLs are clean and descriptive
This step helps Google understand what each of your pages is about, how they relate to specific search queries, and why they deserve to rank above your competitors. On-page optimisation makes it easier for search engines to index and match your content to the right audience.
Technical SEO
Technical SEO is all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps your website healthy. Some of the common tasks are:
- Fixing crawl errors and broken links
- Improving site speed
- Setting up proper redirects
- Creating an XML sitemap
- Adding structured data markup
Search engines prioritise sites that load quickly, work properly on mobile devices, and are free of technical errors. That is why fixing these issues is such a big part of what an SEO company does. Technical SEO lays the groundwork so all your other efforts can pay off.
Content Creation and Optimisation
You have probably heard the phrase “Content is king.” That is because quality content builds trust, earns backlinks, and keeps your audience engaged.
SEO companies often help with:
- Writing new pages or blog posts
- Refreshing outdated content
- Adding FAQs and guides
- Creating landing pages for specific keywords
This work builds the foundation for steady growth in your search rankings. Useful content shows Google that your website stays relevant. Over time, consistently adding and improving content helps you earn more visibility, attract backlinks, and keep visitors engaged longer.
Link Building
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to yours. Google sees them as endorsements, like a vote of confidence that your content is valuable. The more high-quality backlinks you earn, the more authority your website builds in search results.
A professional SEO company uses a mix of outreach, relationship building, and content marketing to secure these links from reputable sites in your industry. This might involve creating shareable resources, writing guest articles, or collaborating with other businesses and publishers.
Local SEO
If you are targeting customers in a specific area, you will need local SEO. This involves:
- Optimising your Google Business Profile
- Building local citations and directory listings
- Gathering and responding to reviews
- Adding location-focused content to your website
Local SEO helps your business appear when people search for services in your area. It makes sure your name pops up in “near me” searches, Google Maps results, and local directories. Done well, local SEO helps you stand out in your community.
Reporting and Analytics
Finally, you need to know if your SEO is working. A reliable SEO company will track your progress with:
- Monthly or quarterly reports
- Keyword ranking updates
- Traffic insights from Google Analytics
- Conversion tracking
A good SEO company will give you regular reports that track important metrics like keyword rankings and conversions. These updates help you understand how your investment is performing, which strategies are working best, and where there is room to improve.
Do SEO Services Work?
This is the million-dollar question. Do all these services deliver results?
In short, yes. When done properly, SEO absolutely works. But it is not an overnight miracle.
SEO is a long-term strategy that builds momentum over time. You might start to see early improvements in 3 to 6 months, with bigger gains often appearing around the 12-month mark.
Be wary of anyone promising instant page-one rankings. Sustainable SEO takes ongoing effort.
Benefits of Hiring an SEO Company
If you are still unsure whether you need help, here are a few reasons why businesses choose to work with an agency:
- You save hours each week by outsourcing complex tasks.
- You get access to specialist tools and knowledge.
- Your website stays up to date with the latest search engine changes.
- You avoid common mistakes that can damage your rankings.
- You have a clear strategy tailored to your goals.
For many Kiwi businesses, partnering with an SEO provider is the fastest way to grow online without adding more stress to the to-do list.
Thinking About Starting An SEO Company?
If you are on the other side of the fence and considering starting an SEO company, you are entering a high-demand industry. More businesses than ever are moving online, and they need guidance. Some tips if you are planning to get started:
- Learn the fundamentals first. Take courses in technical SEO, content marketing, and analytics.
- Build your own website to test strategies.
- Create clear service packages so clients know what they are getting.
- Be transparent about timelines and deliverables.
- Focus on long-term relationships, not quick wins.
Ready To Work With An SEO Company?
If you are looking for reliable SEO provider services that deliver real results, Chalk n’ Cheese can help.
From audits and strategy to content and technical fixes, we handle the details so you can focus on running your business.
Check out our SEO company in Auckland to see how we can boost your rankings, bring you more traffic, and make your website work harder.
Final Thoughts
An SEO company is a partner that helps you navigate the fast-changing world of search and keeps your business visible where it matters most.
Whether you are curious about SEO agency meaning, comparing options, or plotting out how to start an SEO company, understanding these services is the first step.
If you are ready to step up your online presence, we would love to chat. Reach out today, and let us help you grow.