Picking the Right SEO Company: Essential Survey Questions to Ask

The internet is a vast ocean of information, and your website is just one drop in that sea. How do you make sure your drop stands out? That's what search engine optimization (SEO) is for. But not all SEO companies are created equal. To find the right fit for your business, you need to ask the right questions.

Let's dive into the key questions you should ask when outsourcing SEO to a professional SEO agency. These questions will help you separate the wheat from the chaff and find a partner who can truly boost your online presence.

To further enhance your decision-making process, consider incorporating a survey when evaluating potential SEO partners. A well-structured survey can help you gather clear, comparable data from multiple companies. You can ask questions based on the key points outlined in this blog, such as their approach to SEO, case studies, and communication practices. By standardizing your questions, you'll make it easier to weigh each company's strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, surveys provide transparency and help keep your evaluation objective, ensuring you select the best SEO company for your unique business needs. Consider these questions below while creating your survey to guide your evaluation process.

What's Your Approach to SEO?

This question is crucial because it gives you insight into the company's overall strategy. A good SEO company should have a clear, well-defined approach that they can explain in simple terms. They should talk about:

• On-page optimization: How they'll improve your website's content and structure.
• Off-page optimization: Their strategies for building high-quality backlinks.
• Technical SEO: How they'll address issues like site speed and mobile-friendliness.

Red flags to watch out for:

• Vague answers or industry jargon without clear explanations
• Promises of quick results or guaranteed rankings
• Focus on manipulative tactics like keyword stuffing or link farms.

Can You Share Some Success Stories?

Ask for case studies or examples of websites they've improved. A reputable SEO company should be able to show you:

• Before and after metrics (traffic, rankings, conversions)
• The strategies they used to achieve those results
• How long it took to see significant improvements.

Be wary of companies that can't provide concrete examples or those that only show vanity metrics without tying them to business outcomes.

How Do You Stay Current with SEO Best Practices?

SEO is a field that changes rapidly. Google updates its algorithm hundreds of times a year. A good SEO company should:

• Regularly attend industry conferences and workshops
• Follow reputable SEO blogs and thought leaders
• Conduct their own tests and experiments to verify best practices.

If a company can't explain how they stay up-to-date, they might be using outdated tactics that could harm your site.

What's Your Reporting Process?

You need to know how the SEO company will keep you informed about their work and your site's progress. Ask about:

• The frequency of reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
• What metrics they include in their reports
• How they explain the data and its implications for your business.

Look for companies that offer clear, actionable reports that tie SEO efforts to your business goals.

How Do You Approach Content Creation?

Content is a key part of SEO. A good SEO company should have a solid content strategy that includes:

• Keyword research to identify valuable topics
• Creating high-quality, original content that serves user intent
• Optimizing existing content to improve its performance.

Be cautious of companies that focus solely on keyword density or propose churning out large volumes of low-quality content.

What Link-Building Methods Do You Use?

Backlinks are still a crucial ranking factor. Ask potential SEO companies:

• How they find link-building opportunities
• Their process for reaching out to other websites
• What types of links they aim to acquire.

Avoid companies that use automated link-building tools or engage in link schemes that violate Google's guidelines.

How Do You Handle Algorithm Updates?

Google's algorithm changes can have a big impact on rankings. A good SEO company should:

• Have a process for monitoring algorithm updates
• Be able to quickly analyze the impact on your site
• Have strategies to adapt to major changes.

Companies that ignore algorithm updates or lack a clear plan for handling them may put your site at risk.

What Tools Do You Use?

SEO professionals rely on various tools to do their job effectively. Ask about:

• SEO auditing tools
• Keyword research tools
• Analytics platforms
• Rank tracking software.

A reputable company should be transparent about its toolkit and explain how these tools benefit your campaign. If the agency has its own in-house SEO tools, they may be a great advantage for your strategy. The fact that they created their own solutions means that they have used other tools and decided to build better solutions according to their expertise.

The use of their exclusive tools can give you an edge over your competitors. However, it can be a bit suspicious if the company relies solely on its own solutions, so check if it also uses other reputable software or platforms.

How Do You Measure Success?

Different businesses have different goals. Your SEO company should tailor their success metrics to your specific objectives. They might focus on:

• Organic traffic growth
• Improvements in keyword rankings
• Increases in conversions or sales
• Growth in local search visibility.

The specifics of your strategy may also require monitoring other KPIs. However, be wary of companies that define success solely by rankings for a handful of keywords.

What's Your Pricing Structure?

SEO services can vary widely in price. To be able to plan an SEO budget, ask about:

• Monthly retainer fees
• Project-based pricing
• Any additional costs for things like content creation or link building.

Make sure you understand exactly what's included in their pricing and what results you can expect for your investment.

How Long Will It Take to See Results?

SEO is a long-term strategy. Here’s what honest agencies should tell you:

• It typically takes 4-6 months to see significant results.
• Some tactics may show quicker wins, while others take longer.
• Results can vary based on your industry, competition, and current site status.

Be skeptical of any company promising immediate results or guaranteeing specific rankings.

How Do You Handle Communication?

Clear communication is key to a successful SEO partnership. Ask about:

• Your main point of contact
• How often you'll have meetings or calls
• Their response time for questions or concerns.

Look for companies that prioritize regular, proactive communication.

What Happens If We Part Ways?

It's important to know what to expect if you decide to end the cooperation. Ask:

• Will you retain ownership of all content created?
• How will they handle the transition of accounts and data?
• Will they provide a detailed handover report?

A professional company should have a clear exit process that doesn't leave you in the lurch.

To Conclude

Choosing the right SEO company is a big decision that can have a major impact on your online success. By asking these questions, you'll gain valuable insights into each company's approach, expertise, and fit for your business. Your goal should be to find a partner who can help you achieve sustainable, long-term growth in organic search.

Don't rush the decision. Take the time to thoroughly vet potential SEO companies. Ask for references, read reviews, and trust your instincts. The right SEO partner will be transparent, ethical, and focused on driving real business results for you.

In the end, the best SEO company for you is one that understands your business goals, communicates clearly, and has a proven track record of success. Armed with the answers to these questions, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed choice and set your website on the path to SEO success.