So you want to hire an SEO firm to help with Search Engine Optimization? Great, here are ten questions to help you make the right choice.

1. How do you get SEO results?
2. Who have you worked for in the past, can I call them?
3. Have you worked in my industry before?
4. What are your long term strategies for my website?
5. Do you have case studies I can read?
6. Do you have to alter my website at all?
7. What tools do you use to track and analyze traffic?
8. What type of guarantee do you offer?
9. What type of relationship do you have with Google?
10. How long until I start seeing results?

How do you get SEO results?

The answer here may vary but make sure the methods are above board, honest and openly discussed with you. Your website’s reputation depends upon how Google (and other search firms) see you. The best way to know if an SEO firm is legit is to ask them bluntly how they get results. Remember, you’re responsible for what they do so don’t be fooled.

Who have you worked for in the past, can I call them?

Make sure your SEO firm provides you with references and that you take the time to call them. Find out what (if anything) they did for previous clients and search for them yourself. Don’t use the keywords given to you, if they did a website for a Vermont inn just go to google and try to find them yourself. Keep in mind, SEO firms are like anybody else, they should be able to send you references.

Have you worked in my industry before?

Try not to think of your industry as your competitors, if your SEO firm has experience in your industry it’s a bonus for you. 

What are your long term strategies for my website?

SEO isn’t a short term game, it takes years of hard work to get (and stay) on the top. Make sure your agency knows this and has plans for your website.

Do you have case studies I can read?

Most successful SEO companies have already put together case studies for previous clients, read them carefully and understand what they’ve done in the past as well as what they’re planning to do for you.

Do you have to alter my website at all?

The answer here must be yes. Altering your website is critical to the SEO process, if they promise to be able to increase your traffic without editing or altering your content then they’re lying.

What tools do you use to track and analyze traffic?

There is no reason for a company to use their own in-house tools for traffic analysis. In fact, I’d worry about anybody who was. At a minimum make sure your website has Google Analytics installed on it. The tool is free and gives you exceptional reporting on not only who is visiting your website but also where they’re originating from.

What type of guarantee do you offer?

Guarantees are difficult to judge in the SEO industry, frankly when I do SEO work I don’t guarantee my clients anything. That might sound harsh but honestly, I can’t guarantee you’ll see any results regardless of how many hours I put into trying to help you.

What type of relationship do you have with Google?

I love asking SEO firms this question … the only answer is none. Nobody has a “special relationship” with Google and absolutely everything an SEO firm can do for you, you can do yourself. The only reason to hire us is because we can do it faster and without a steep learning curve, just like the only reason to hire a chef is because they’ve already mastered the art of cooking … but remember, a chef has the same relationship with the pig that you do.

How long until I start seeing results?

Again … no idea. Man, I love my industry. Honestly though? No idea, it’s not up to me (or your SEO firm). The Search Engine firms (Google, Yahoo, MSN) control everything about the SEO industry, the only things that we can do is help educate our clients and help build your website to the best of our abilities to conform to our interpretations of their previous statements, actions and test results. How long will it take to see a result? That’s a little like asking how long will it take to drive through the city, it depends on when you want to do it, what the road conditions are, if there is construction … all factors outside your control.