Five Signs Your Dental SEO Agency Costs More Than It’s Really Worth In 2025

Are you paying hundreds or thousands of dollars each month for dental SEO services, but still not seeing new patients from online searches? You're not alone.

Many dental practices find themselves locked into expensive SEO contracts with agencies that promise the world but deliver very little. The problem is that most dentists don't know enough about SEO to evaluate whether their agency is actually doing worthwhile work.

Here are five red flags that suggest your dental SEO agency might not be worth what you're paying:

Your Rankings Haven't Improved After Six Months

SEO takes time, but if you've been working with an agency for six months or more without seeing any improvement in your search rankings, something is wrong. A competent agency should be able to show measurable progress within this timeframe, especially for local dental searches.

They Can't Explain What They're Actually Doing

When you ask your agency for specifics about their work, do they give you vague answers or hide behind technical jargon? A good SEO provider should be able to explain their strategies in plain English and show you exactly what work they've completed each month.

Your Reports are Full of Meaningless Metrics

Some agencies pad their reports with impressive-looking but ultimately useless data. If your monthly report focuses on things like "domain authority" or "backlink count" instead of actual search rankings and website traffic, you might be paying for busy work rather than results.

They Haven't Optimized Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important factors for local SEO, yet many agencies neglect this crucial element. If your profile is incomplete, has outdated information, or lacks regular posts and updates, your agency isn't covering the basics.

You're Locked Into a Long-Term Contract With No Results Guarantee

Reputable agencies stand behind their work. If you're stuck in a contract that's difficult to cancel and your agency won't guarantee any specific outcomes, you might be paying for a service that has no real accountability.

Taking Control of Your Dental SEO

The truth is, dental SEO isn't as complicated as many agencies make it seem. With the right training and tools, you or a team member can handle most SEO tasks in-house. This approach gives you complete control over your online presence while saving thousands of dollars each year.

Her Dental Journey Success offers a comprehensive training program called the Dental SEO Freedom Formula, designed specifically for women-owned dental practices. Founded by Dr. Jennifer Smith, a practicing orthodontist who grew her own practice to over six million dollars in revenue, the company teaches dentists how to take control of their SEO strategy.

The program covers everything from keyword research and website optimization to Google Business Profile management and performance tracking. Participants get lifetime access to course materials, 90 days of group coaching calls, and downloadable templates that make implementation straightforward.

Making the Switch

If you recognize these warning signs in your current SEO arrangement, it might be time to consider a different approach. Learning to manage your own SEO means you'll never again wonder whether your marketing budget is being well spent. You'll have complete transparency into what's working and what isn't, plus the ability to make changes quickly when needed.

The investment in learning these skills pays for itself quickly when you consider the monthly fees most agencies charge. More importantly, you'll have the confidence that comes from understanding exactly how your practice appears online and what you can do to improve it.

Ready to take control of your dental practice's online presence? Consider whether the DIY approach might be the solution you've been looking for.