10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Local SEO Agency

Plenty of contractors have paid an SEO company for a year and still can't say what was done. Before you sign anything, ask these ten questions.

#1. What exactly will you do each month?

You want a list: profile posts, pages, citations, links, review replies. "We'll optimize your SEO" isn't an answer.

#2. How will I see the work?

Ask for a sample report. It should show tasks done, not only a ranking chart.

#3. Is there a contract? How do I cancel?

Long contracts protect the agency, not you. Ask about cancellation in writing.

#4. Do you guarantee rankings?

The right answer is no. Nobody controls Google. A guarantee is a red flag.

#5. Who owns my Google profile and website?

You should. The agency should be added as a manager, never as the owner. Your accounts stay yours if you leave.

#6. Do you need my passwords?

For Google Business Profile, no. You add them as a manager. Be careful with anyone who asks for your Google password.

#7. How do you build links?

Listen for real profiles, local organizations and partners. Walk away from "hundreds of links fast" or private networks.

#8. Have you worked with my trade?

A roofer's year looks nothing like a plumber's. Ask how they'd handle your busy season.

#9. What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Setup fees, page writing, citations and reporting. Get it all upfront.

#10. Who will I actually talk to?

An account manager who changes every few months, or the person doing the work?

#Our answers

1. A published list per plan.
2. A line-by-line monthly work log.
3. No contract. Cancel with one message.
4. No guarantees. We guarantee the work.
5. You do.
6. No.
7. Real profiles and local links, with every URL reported.
8. We work only with home-service trades.
9. Prices are public, with no setup fee.
10. The founder.

Ready to see what we'd do for you? Get a free audit.