A solid agency begins with clarity. You should see these items in writing:
If they cannot outline month 1 to 3, walk away.
Rankings are not the goal. They are a signal. Track these instead:
A good agency sets this up with Google Analytics 4 and Search Console.
A real month 1 starts with four audits:
Then you get baselines:
This is where you also build a keyword map. It links keywords to pages. No page, no target.
Most Perth sites lose traffic for boring reasons. Pages are blocked, duplicated, or slow.
In week 2, you should expect:
Now you tune the pages that make you money. Think service pages and key categories.
Deliverables should include:
Perth SEO is often local SEO. That means the map pack matters.
In week 4, a good agency will:
The BrightLocal review survey shows many people compare reviews across sites.
Reviews also need to be genuine, which matches ACCC guidance on online reviews.
Your structure should match how Perth people think.
For example:
This is not about pumping out thin suburb pages. It is about useful clusters with clear internal links.
Most agencies write blogs that never rank. A real plan starts with proven topics and helpful depth.
In month 2, you should publish:
Use real photos, simple steps, and examples from your jobs.
To avoid churn, ask for a one-page content brief for every new page. It should list the target query, search intent, the best competing pages, key points to cover, and the CTA.
It should also note internal links, images to source, and any local proof like licences or projects. This keeps writers, designers, and owners aligned, and it speeds up approvals. If you are time-poor, this brief is your shortcut to quality week after week.
Imagine a plumber in Morley. They want more blocked drain calls.
Month 1 fixes indexing and rewrites the “Blocked Drains” page. It adds pricing cues and a call button.
Month 2 adds a guide on warning signs and an emergency page. Both pages link to each other.
Backlinks still matter. The top organic result can earn a large slice of clicks, as shown in Backlinko’s CTR research.
A real Perth plan includes:
Avoid spammy link packages. They are cheap, until they are expensive.
SEO without conversion is a vanity project.
In month 3, you should test:
A real SEO report answers four questions:
Many agency pages talk about “strategy” but hide the plan.
Common gaps include:
Use these questions on your first call:
Ask for examples of real deliverables. Not just screenshots.
A real SEO plan is straightforward: establish solid foundations, create pages that address genuine search queries, and establish trust with tangible evidence. If your month 1–3 roadmap is clear, you can track progress in leads, not guesses.
If it’s vague, you’ll keep paying for “activity” with no outcome. Want a plan you can actually follow? Planted Web Design can audit your site, map your first 90 days, and prioritise the quickest wins, so you know exactly what happens next.