Questions to Ask an SEO Provider

# Questions to Ask an SEO Provider

The questions asked before signing usually reveal more about a provider’s actual approach than anything in the sales pitch.

## About the Strategy

What specifically will be done in the first 90 days. How was the strategy built for this specific business, not a generic template. What is the realistic timeline for this specific competitive situation, and why.

## About Reporting

What gets reported each month, and does it connect to actual business outcomes like qualified inquiries, not just rankings or traffic. How often will there be real communication, not just an automated report.

## About Execution

Who specifically will be doing the work day to day. Is any part of the work outsourced, and to whom. What happens if the strategy needs to change based on what is actually working or not working.

## About Link Building

What kind of links will actually be built, and from what kind of sources. A vague or evasive answer here is one of the clearest red flags, since it often means the tactics carry more risk than the provider wants to disclose upfront.

## About Guarantees

Does the provider guarantee specific rankings or timelines. See [why we do not promise 30-day rankings](/why-we-do-not-promise-30-day-rankings/) for why a guarantee on competitive terms is a red flag rather than reassurance.

## Next Step

Run any provider you are evaluating through these questions directly. If you want to compare answers against ours, [get in touch](/contact/).