General SEO & Lead Gen
What is an SEO Agency and why do I need one?
An SEO Agency like Shellback SEO optimizes your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. You need one to increase organic traffic, generate leads without paying for ads, and build long-term brand authority.
How long does it take to see SEO results?
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Typically, businesses are told to wait 3 to 6 months for even the smallest bit of traction. Shellback is Different, we're going to get to work right away and you'll see the first set of results within 30 days.
What is the difference between SEO and PPC?
PPC (like Google Ads) stops working the moment you stop paying. SEO builds a permanent asset. Once you rank organically, that traffic is essentially free and tends to have a higher conversion rate.
How do you measure SEO success?
We track keyword rankings, organic traffic growth, and most importantly, conversions (phone calls and form fills). We focus on ROI, not just vanity metrics.
Do you guarantee #1 rankings on Google?
No ethical SEO company guarantees a #1 ranking because Google's algorithm is constantly changing. However, Shellback SEO has a proven track record of dominating local markets and substantially increasing visibility.
What is "White Hat" SEO?
White Hat SEO refers to ethical strategies that follow Google’s guidelines (quality content, technical fixes). We strictly use White Hat techniques to protect your site from penalties.
Why did my website traffic drop suddenly?
Traffic drops can be caused by algorithm updates, technical errors, or negative SEO. Our Site Rescue team can audit your site to identify and fix the root cause.
Is SEO worth it for small businesses?
Absolutely. Small business SEO is the most cost-effective way to compete with larger corporations. It allows you to dominate your local niche without a massive ad budget.
What are "backlinks" and why do they matter?
Backlinks are votes of confidence from other websites. High-quality backlinks signal to Google that your site is authoritative, which is a major ranking factor.
Can I do SEO myself?
You can, but it requires technical skill, content writing, and constant monitoring. Hiring a professional SEO agency allows you to focus on running your business while we handle the rankings.
What is "On-Page" vs "Off-Page" SEO?
On-Page SEO involves optimizing content and code on your website. Off-Page SEO involves building authority elsewhere, primarily through backlinks and Google Business Profile management.
Does site speed affect SEO?
Yes. Google uses "Core Web Vitals" as a ranking factor. If your site is slow, you will lose rankings. We optimize for speed as part of our technical audit.
What is keyword research?
It is the process of identifying the exact terms your customers type into Google. We target high-intent keywords like "Emergency Plumber in Denver" rather than just generic terms.
Why is mobile-friendliness important for SEO?
Google uses "Mobile-First Indexing," meaning it looks at your mobile site first. If your site isn't responsive, your rankings will tank.
How does Shellback SEO differ from other agencies?
We are a Disabled Veteran Owned Business that operates with military precision. We don't offer fluff; we offer "Extreme Ownership" of your results.
Local SEO & Maps
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO optimizes your online presence to attract business from local searches on Google and Maps. It is critical for brick-and-mortar businesses or service-area businesses.
How do I get my business in the "Local Pack" (Map Pack)?
You need an optimized Google Business Profile, consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) citations, and strong local reviews. This is our specialty.
Why are Google Reviews important for Local SEO?
Reviews are a major ranking factor. A high volume of positive reviews tells Google your business is trustworthy and relevant to the local community.
Do I need a physical address for Local SEO?
You need a verified location for a Google Business Profile, but you can hide your address if you are a Service Area Business (SAB) like a plumber or electrician.
What are "Citations"?
Citations are mentions of your business name and address on directories like Yelp, YellowPages, and Bing. Inconsistent citations confuse Google and hurt rankings.
Can you help me rank in a city where I don't have an office?
It is harder, but possible through location-specific landing pages and content strategy. Ideally, you want a physical footprint in your target market.
Do you serve businesses outside of Wyoming?
Yes. While we are based in Cheyenne, WY and Parker, CO, we provide National SEO services for clients across the United States.
How do I optimize for "Near Me" searches?
By ensuring your Google Business Profile is accurate, getting local reviews, and creating location-specific content on your website.
What is a "Service Area Page"?
A page on your website dedicated to a specific city (e.g., "SEO Services Denver"). These pages help you rank organically in cities outside your main headquarters.
How often should I post on my Google Business Profile?
We recommend posting weekly updates, offers, or photos to keep your profile active and engaging for users.
Why is my Google Business Profile suspended?
Suspensions happen due to policy violations (like keyword stuffing business names). Our Site Rescue team can help appeal and reinstate suspended profiles.
Does social media impact Local SEO?
Indirectly. While likes don't equal rankings, social profiles build trust and brand awareness, which are signals Google looks for.
What is the difference between Organic and Local rankings?
Local rankings appear in the Map Pack (top 3). Organic rankings appear as standard blue links below the maps. You want to dominate both.
How do you track Local SEO results?
We track calls, direction requests, and website clicks directly from your Google Business Profile insights.
Is Local SEO a one-time setup?
No. Competitors are always trying to outrank you. Continuous citation building, review management, and posting are required to stay #1.
AI SEO & The Future
What is AI SEO?
AI SEO is the practice of optimizing content to be found not just by Google, but by AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google's AI Overviews.
Will AI replace traditional SEO?
No, but it is evolving it. "Blue links" are decreasing as "Zero-Click" answers increase. You need AI SEO strategies to be the source of those answers.
What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?
GEO is the new SEO. It focuses on structuring content so Large Language Models (LLMs) can easily read, understand, and cite your brand as an authority.
How does Shellback SEO use AI?
We use AI for data analysis, predictive trends, and content scaling, but we always ensure a human "Veteran Perspective" reviews everything for quality and E-E-A-T.
Does Google penalize AI-generated content?
Google penalizes low-quality content, regardless of who wrote it. We use AI to enhance, not replace, high-quality human insights.
How do I rank in Google's AI Overviews (SGE)?
By providing direct, authoritative answers to questions, using schema markup, and having high domain authority.
Can AI help with keyword research?
Yes. AI tools can analyze vast amounts of data to find semantic clusters and "long-tail" questions that traditional tools miss.
What is "Semantic Search"?
Semantic search means Google understands the intent behind a query, not just the keywords. We write for intent to capture these searchers.
How does AI impact content creation?
It allows us to scale content production, but the value comes from adding unique human data, case studies, and opinions that AI cannot replicate.
Is AI SEO expensive?
It is part of our standard packages. We believe utilizing the latest tech is a requirement, not an upsell.
Can chatbots crawl my website?
Yes. Tools like ChatGPT (via Bing) and Google Gemini browse the web. If your site blocks bots, you are invisible to the future of search.
What is "Entity-Based" SEO?
It’s connecting your brand (the entity) to specific topics in Google’s Knowledge Graph. We ensure Google knows exactly who you are and what you do.
How do voice search and AI relate?
Voice assistants (Siri, Alexa) often use AI-generated summaries. Optimizing for AI directly improves your visibility in voice search.
Will AI reduce website traffic?
It may reduce "top of funnel" clicks, but the traffic you do get will be higher intent. Users clicking through AI answers are ready to buy.
Why choose an agency that specializes in AI SEO?
Because the old SEO playbooks from 2020 no longer work. You need a forward-operating agency that understands the new digital terrain.
Site Rescue & Technical
What is the "Site Rescue" service?
Site Rescue is our service for fixing broken, hacked, or abandoned websites. If your developer ghosted you, we pick up the pieces.
Can you fix a hacked WordPress site?
Yes. We remove malware, close security backdoors, and restore your site to health.
My previous developer disappeared. Can you take over?
Absolutely. We specialize in taking over "orphan" projects. We will get your credentials, secure the site, and get you back online.
What is an SEO Audit?
An SEO Audit is a comprehensive health check of your website. We look at technical errors, content gaps, and backlink profiles to build a strategy.
How do I fix "404 Not Found" errors?
We identify broken links and set up 301 redirects to point users to the correct pages, preserving your SEO value.
Why is my website not indexed by Google?
It could be a "noindex" tag, a robots.txt block, or a penalty. We diagnose and fix indexing issues immediately.
Do you offer website maintenance plans?
Yes. Our maintenance packages include security monitoring, plugin updates, and daily backups so you never have to worry about your site breaking.
What is an SSL certificate and do I need one?
SSL (HTTPS) encrypts data between your site and the user. It is a security requirement and a Google ranking factor. We ensure all client sites are secure.
How do I improve my Core Web Vitals?
We optimize image sizes, minify code, and improve server response times to ensure your site passes Google's speed tests.
What is Schema Markup?
Schema is code that helps search engines understand your content. We implement "Local Business" schema to help you get rich snippets in search results.
Can you migrate my site to a new host?
Yes. We handle seamless migrations to better hosting providers to improve speed and reliability.
My site has a manual penalty from Google. Can you help?
Yes. We have experience cleaning up "toxic" backlink profiles and submitting reconsideration requests to lift manual penalties.
Do you fix broken contact forms?
A broken form means lost money. We test and repair all lead capture forms to ensure you never miss a customer.
What is duplicate content?
When the same content appears on multiple URLs, it confuses Google. We use canonical tags to tell Google which version is the "master" copy.
Is my website mobile-friendly?
We test your site on various devices to ensure a seamless experience for smartphone users.
Web Design & Redesign
Do you build new websites?
Yes. We build custom, high-performance WordPress websites designed to convert visitors into customers.
How much does a new website cost?
Pricing varies by complexity, but we offer transparent, flat-rate pricing for most small business builds.
How long does a website build take?
A standard brochure website typically takes 4-6 weeks from concept to launch.
Will my new website be SEO-friendly?
Yes. Unlike many design agencies, we build with SEO in mind from the ground up (clean code, proper hierarchy, fast load times).
Do I own my website?
Yes. Once the project is paid for, you own 100% of your website, content, and design. We don't hold your assets hostage.
Can you redesign my existing site without losing SEO rankings?
Yes. We carefully map out 301 redirects and migrate content to ensure your hard-earned rankings are preserved during a redesign.
What platform do you use for web design?
We primarily use WordPress because it is the industry standard for flexibility and SEO capabilities.
Is my website secure?
We implement best-practice security measures, including firewalls and login hardening, on every site we build.
Do you write the content for the website?
Yes. Our packages can include professional copywriting optimized for your target keywords.
Can you add e-commerce functionality?
Yes. We build WooCommerce stores for clients who need to sell products online.
What is User Experience (UX) design?
UX design ensures your site is easy to navigate and intuitive. A good UX keeps visitors on your site longer, which signals quality to Google.
Do you use templates?
We use flexible frameworks but customize the design to match your unique brand identity. No cookie-cutter sites here.
Can I update the website myself?
Yes. We provide training so you can make simple text and image updates on your own.
Do you provide stock images?
We can, but we highly recommend using real photos of your team and work. Authenticity builds trust.
What happens after the website launches?
We offer ongoing support and SEO plans to ensure your new site continues to grow and perform.
Content Strategy
Why do I need a blog?
A blog allows you to target informational keywords and establish authority in your industry. It is a critical tool for Inbound Marketing.
How often should I publish new content?
Consistency is key. We recommend at least 1-2 high-quality posts per month.
What is E-E-A-T?
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google rewards content that demonstrates these qualities.
How do you find blog topics?
We use keyword research tools to find questions your customers are actually asking, then write content to answer them.
Can I copy content from other sites?
No. Plagiarism hurts your SEO. All our content is 100% original and written for your specific audience.
What is "Cornerstone Content"?
These are comprehensive, high-value articles that cover the core topics of your business. They serve as the foundation of your SEO strategy.
Do you optimize images?
Yes. We add alt text and compress images to ensure they are accessible and fast-loading.
How long should a blog post be?
It depends on the topic, but generally, 800-1,500 words is the sweet spot for ranking on the first page.
Can content help with local rankings?
Yes. Writing about local events, news, or neighborhood guides helps signal your local relevance to Google.
Do you refresh old content?
Yes. Updating old blog posts with new information is a great way to boost rankings without writing new articles from scratch.
About Shellback SEO
What does "Shellback" mean?
A "Shellback" is a title given to sailors who have crossed the Equator. It symbolizes a transition from novice (Pollywog) to veteran. We bring that veteran experience to your marketing.
Are you really a Veteran Owned Business?
Yes. Shellback SEO is a certified Disabled Veteran Owned Business. We bring military discipline and integrity to the civilian market.
Where are you located?
Our HQ is in Cheyenne, WY, with a satellite presence in Parker, CO. We serve clients nationwide.
Do you require long-term contracts?
We prefer to earn your business every month, but SEO works best with a 6-12 month commitment.
How much does SEO cost?
Our pricing is customized based on your competition and goals. Contact us for a free audit and quote.
Do you offer white-label SEO for other agencies?
Yes. We partner with design agencies and consultants to provide backend SEO fulfillment.
How do I get started?
Click the "Get In Touch" button on our site to schedule a discovery call or request a free site audit.
Who will I be working with?
You will work directly with our US-based team, led by Joshua Moffitt. We don't farm your work out to overseas call centers.
Do you work with all industries?
We work with most SMBs, including trades, professional services, legal, and medical. We avoid unethical or "grey hat" industries.
What reporting do you provide?
We provide transparent monthly reports showing your rankings, traffic, and leads generated. No hiding behind jargon.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?
Yes. We are flexible and can adjust your strategy as your business needs change.
Do you handle social media management?
Our primary focus is SEO and Web Design, but we can advise on how to integrate social media into your strategy.
What if I don't see results?
If strategies aren't working, we pivot. We practice Extreme Ownership—we assess the data, adjust fire, and keep moving until we win.
Do you offer training for my team?
Yes. We can consult with your internal marketing team to help them implement SEO best practices.
Why should I choose Shellback SEO over big agencies?
Big agencies treat you like a number. To us, you are a mission partner. We are small enough to care, but experienced enough to dominate.