10 Questions To Ask an SEO Company Before You Hire Them
When choosing an SEO agency, making the right decision is paramount. You want someone who understands your business, can deliver results, and works transparently. But with so many companies promising the world, how do you separate the good from the bad?
Here are ten questions you should ask an SEO company before you sign on the dotted line. These will help you avoid pitfalls and get the service your business deserves.
Every SEO company has its own way of doing things. Some focus on content, others on backlinks or technical fixes. Make sure you understand their process from the beginning. Ask for examples of the strategies they use. This will give you a clear idea of whether their methods align with your goals.
Look out for vague or generic answers. If they cannot explain their approach simply, it might be a sign to move on.
You are hiring an SEO company to get results, but how will they do it? Ask them to explain the steps they take to improve rankings. Whether it’s fixing on-page elements, improving site speed, or building quality backlinks, they should be able to explain it clearly.
Get them to set realistic expectations too. If they promise overnight success, be wary. SEO takes time, and any legitimate company will be upfront about that.
A reputable SEO company will have a portfolio of success stories. Ask for case studies or client testimonials that show how they have helped other businesses achieve their goals. This will give you confidence in their skills and ability to deliver.
Do not settle for vague success claims. Ask for specific examples, such as how much they increased a client’s traffic or how they improved conversions.
SEO companies’ tools can tell you a lot about their expertise. While tools alone do not guarantee success, they are an important part of the process. Ask them what software they use for keyword research, site audits, and tracking performance.
This also gives you insight into their transparency. If they are open about the tools they use, they are likely to be more transparent with their work as well.
There is no point in investing in SEO if you cannot measure the results. Ask the company how it tracks progress and what metrics it uses to measure success. Common SEO metrics include organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates.
They should also offer regular reports to see how your website is performing over time. If they cannot provide concrete data or shy away from sharing it, that is a red flag.
Google’s guidelines are constantly evolving, and the SEO company you hire must keep up with them. Ask them how they stay updated with Google algorithm changes and whether they follow white-hat techniques.
Companies that follow Google’s best practices are unlikely to get your site penalised. Avoid any company that uses dodgy shortcuts or black-hat tactics to grow your rankings quickly. The risk is not worth it.
Google’s algorithms change frequently, and these updates can greatly impact your site’s performance. You need to know how the company will handle these changes. Will they be proactive or reactive?
An experienced SEO company will monitor these changes closely and adjust as needed to keep your site compliant and performing well.
Clear communication is essential when working with an SEO company. You want someone who will regularly update you and be available to answer your questions. Ask how often they will provide updates and what methods they use to stay in touch.
This will give you a sense of how accessible they are. You do not want to be left in the dark when it comes to your website’s progress.
SEO pricing will vary widely depending on the services offered. Some companies charge flat fees, while others use a monthly retainer model. Be clear about what you are getting for your money.
Ask them to outline precisely what is included in their fee. This will help you avoid any nasty surprise charges down the road. A good SEO company will be upfront about their pricing and transparent about the work they will deliver.
SEO is not a quick fix. It takes time to see meaningful improvements in your rankings and traffic. Be wary of companies that promise fast results. A legitimate SEO company will give you a realistic time frame for when you can expect to see changes.
Typically, it takes around three to six months to start seeing improvements, but this can vary depending on your site and industry.
Hiring the right SEO company is a major decision for a company. You want someone who will not deliver results but also communicate clearly and work with integrity.
By asking these questions, you will get an understanding of how the company operates and whether they are the right fit for you. Remember, SEO is a long-term investment, so take your time and choose wisely.
I am Aiden Wakeford, and I have worked in the SEO department at Smoking Chili Media for 4 years. As an SEO consultant, my work includes performing comprehensive site audits, identifying on-page technical errors, planning content creation, building client’s backlink portfolios, making sure each page is optimised for its key phrase, and a whole lot more!
If your website is not ranking well, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will happily answer all the questions noted in this article, and any others you may heave regarding out SEO services.
As a professional SEO company, we will improve your website's overall user experience. This includes faster loading times, easy navigation, and optimised mobile design, which not only helps rankings but also keeps visitors on your site longer.
As a professional SEO company, we will improve your website's overall user experience. This includes faster loading times, easy navigation, and optimised mobile design, which not only helps rankings but also keeps visitors on your site longer.
Our SEO experts use keyword research and analysis to drive traffic from users who are specifically looking for your products or services. This means you attract visitors who are more likely to convert into paying customers.
With our SEO experts working on your site, you can stay ahead of competitors who are also trying to rank for similar keywords. A well-optimised site helps you maintain or improve your position in search results.
Call to discuss your project or arrange a time for a callback. Share your current issue, goals, and what you hope our services will achieve.
We will do a thorough audit of your website, identifying problem areas that we can improve. After the audit, we will provide you with a no-obligation quote.
You review our quote and work proposal, communicate any changes you would like, and once we are confident we can deliver, a contract is agreed and signed.
We will start work on your SEO, working through out 200 ranking signals checklist, Clients normally see noticeable changes within 3-6 months.