Before Hiring an SEO Company, Ask These 8 Questions

There are many search engine optimization (SEO) companies out there. But which company is right for you?

The way to find out is by asking the right questions.

In this Search Engine Optimization Frequently Asked Questions (SEO FAQs) video blog, I address the question, What questions should I ask an SEO before hiring them?

(The article below is a summary of the video, but you’ll get more details and examples if you watch the video.)

8 Questions to Ask an SEO Company Before Hiring

Let’s delve into the eight essential questions you should ask any SEO company to help you determine if they are the right fit for your organization.

1. What’s your mission?

The very first thing you should know is whether the SEO company’s mission and values align with yours. At OurChurch.com, our mission is to help Christian organizations live out their mission online. If you’re a part of a Christian church, school, ministry, or Christian-owned business, this alignment can be crucial.

2. How long have you been doing SEO professionally?

Experience matters. In the SEO world, there are professionals, volunteers, and hobbyists. You want to ensure you hire someone with professional experience – someone who has worked with clients and has a proven track record.

3. How many employees do you have?

Consider the size of the company you’re hiring. If it’s a solo operation, that can be risky. What if that person goes on vacation, gets sick or goes out of business? It’s wise to work with an SEO company that employs a team, ensuring there are backup plans in place if anything happens to their employees.

4. Tell me about your work and references in my particular industry.

This is especially relevant for churches. It’s essential to have an SEO company that understands Christian terminology and the specifics of your denomination. Experience in your field ensures they can do the right keyword research and optimize your content effectively.

5. What specific SEO tasks will you do for us?

SEO is a multifaceted discipline, comprising various tasks like technical SEO, keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, local SEO, content marketing, and ongoing reporting. It’s important to understand which of these tasks the SEO company would be doing for your organization.

6. What’s your SEO timeline?

Your SEO should have well-defined processes which they can share with you. Knowing how long each phase of the SEO service will take is vital. It helps you set expectations and have a clear picture of what to anticipate as you work with them.

7. Do you offer a guarantee?

Most SEO companies do not guarantee their work (we explain why here). At OurChurch.com, we guarantee our services, promising a certain number of Top 10 rankings with each service. Make sure you ask about this before hiring an SEO company.

8. What reporting, monitoring, and adjustments are included?

We discussed earlier that SEO is not a one-time sprint but an ongoing marathon. You want to measure results, keep an eye on your website’s performance, and adjust your SEO strategy when necessary. Ask about the reporting, monitoring, and adjustments included in your SEO service.

Asking these 8 questions to any SEO company you’re considering hiring help give you the discernment you need to hire the best SEO company for your organization!

Make sure the SEO company you hire has experience working with your specific type of organization. -Kurt Steinbrueck

Ask us these 8 SEO questions

If you’re interested in church SEO or Christian SEO for your business, school or ministry, we’d love to talk with you and answer these 8 SEO questions as long as any others you have.

Fill out the consultation request form below (mobile) or to the right (desktop) to schedule a call.

We encourage you to ask us these challenging questions and see how we respond. 🙂

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• What questions would you ask an SEO company before hiring them?

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