Expert Guide Working with SEO Service Providers

Whether it’s your first or third time hiring an SEO company, it is a step that requires time and resources. Based on our long-term experience in the SEO field, we have learned the best questions to ask an SEO agency to find the best SEO services for your business, and we are sharing them below : 

What is SEO Consulting Services​?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) service providers help websites achieve higher rankings in search engines by applying various strategies and techniques. The SEO consulting services these companies offer can generally be grouped under the following categories:

• Keyword Research and Analysis
• On-Page SEO
• Off-Page SEO
• Technical SEO
• Local SEO
• Multilingual SEO
• Content Marketing
• Performance Tracking and Reporting
• Competitor Analysis

SEO service providers use these efforts to make websites more visible in search engines, increase organic traffic, and, in the long term, lead to more customers and revenue.

SEO Services Market Overview (2024-2029)

The global Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services market is projected to grow significantly, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.2%. Key financial figures include:

• 2024 Market Size: $90.35 billion
• 2025 Market Size: $106.9 billion
• 2029 Market Size (Projected): $194.6 billion

This growth reflects the increasing demand for SEO services as businesses prioritize digital visibility and online marketing strategies.

Source: The Business Research Company

Top Questions to Ask an SEO Agency

Hiring an SEO agency, whether it’s your first or third time, is a step that requires time and resources. Based on our long-term experience in the SEO field, we have learned the best questions to ask an SEO agency to find the best SEO services for your business, and we are sharing them below:

1. What type of SEO will you optimize my website for?

No matter what the SEO agency’s website says, always ask them this question.
We have seen many businesses sign contracts with agencies expecting XYZ, only to get ABC instead. Ask this question to confirm whether this firm will meet your needs, such as creating your backlink profile or optimizing your technical SEO.

2. Are you specialized in SEO for specific markets?

Working with an SEO agency that specializes in your business model, such as manufacturing or B2B, can give your SEO strategy a competitive advantage because the agency understands your market, challenges, and more.
If the agency has experience in your industry, ask questions like:

• How many businesses in my industry have you worked with?
• Will a specialist for my industry be assigned to my account?
• Can you share any references or case studies?

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3. Do you work with any of my competitors?

Even if an agency isn’t specialized in your industry, it’s important to ask if they work with any of your direct competitors.
Reputable SEO providers generally won’t work with direct competitors, and they may research this before continuing discussions with you.

4. How do you define success in SEO?

When signing a contract with an SEO company, this is one of the most important questions to ask.
People define success in SEO differently. Some focus on rankings and traffic, while others focus on leads and revenue. With this question, you can understand how the agency measures SEO success.
Ideally, you want a firm that:

• Asks how your organization defines SEO success.
• Shares their definition of SEO success.

We add the second point because relationships tend to be more successful when you and the SEO agency share the same view on what makes an SEO strategy successful.

5. How do you incorporate SEO into a broader marketing strategy?

You’re likely investing in more than just SEO for your website. When SEO is part of a multi-channel marketing plan that also includes paid ads, email marketing, and others, it works best.
Therefore, ask how the agency integrates SEO with your overall marketing strategy.
For example, when they create content on your website, do they consider potential leads for your email marketing efforts? Or do they help ensure paid landing pages follow SEO best practices like no-index tags?
Agencies that provide this support are often more of a partner than just a service provider. Having this level of attention is especially important for businesses of all sizes.

6. Will you work with my other agencies?

Many businesses partner with multiple agencies to meet their marketing needs, such as web design agencies or social media management firms. If this applies to you, it’s critical to ask SEO providers if they’ll work with your other agencies.
The benefits of agency collaboration include:

• Easier project management
• Meeting project deadlines
• Synchronizing marketing efforts
• And more

Agencies that do not collaborate with others often encourage companies to partner with full-service agencies, which offer all the solutions a company might need.

7. Do you need access to my website?

SEO optimizations often require site updates, from publishing new content to updating title tags or making page speed fixes. Some SEO agencies can work without site access, while others require it.
If you’re unable to provide site access, ask this question! As a follow-up, inquire about how often they work without access to your site and how it affects their process and performance.

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8. When should I expect to see SEO results?

Based on our experience, this question usually reveals spammy SEO companies.
These businesses often promise unrealistic timelines for SEO results, such as 30 days or a few months. Typically, SEO results take three to six months to show, and some websites may require up to 12 months of work.
If the agency has audited your site, they can likely provide a more personalized estimate.

9. What kind of SEO reporting do you provide?

Every SEO provider should offer SEO reporting. But asking this question can help you better understand how they report, what metrics they track, and which attribution models they use. It’s also not unreasonable to ask for a sample report.

10. What SEO tools do you use?

While you may not have access to the tools the agency uses, understanding their toolset can help you understand their data sources, processes, and more. Leading SEO agencies often use paid platforms like Ahrefs, Semrush, and others.
If the agency mentions using a proprietary tool, ask follow-up questions like:

• Is this a white-labeled tool or a proprietary tool?
• Will I have access to this tool?
• Where does the tool pull its data from?
• If it uses my business data, is it secure?
• Can you provide a demo?

These questions will help you understand the role of the tool better, and you can continue researching the platform and ask more questions in your next meeting.

11. How do you communicate with clients?

Communication is key to a successful agency-client relationship, so it’s important to understand:

• The communication methods the agency uses (email, phone, video calls, etc.)
• How frequently they’ll communicate with you (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
• Who on your team will be the point of contact
• Whether the agency can accommodate your communication preferences

12. Who will I be communicating with regarding my account?

While the previous question might cover this, it’s worth asking this separately to confirm who your point of contact (POC) will be for sharing information or troubleshooting.

13. How much of my time will you need?

Whether you prefer to be hands-off or more involved, ask SEO agencies about the time commitment they’ll require. Typically, SEO agencies require more time from you initially, but the time requirement may decrease depending on who manages your account.

14. What do you need from my business to be successful?

SEO performance will depend on your agency and team. Therefore, asking what the agency needs from your business or team is valuable.
For example, agencies often need:

• Brand or style guidelines
• Target audience information
• Site access
• Top-selling products or services

Typically, providing this context helps the agency with keyword research, content ideas, and more.

15. Are you willing to travel for in-person meetings?

If you hope to meet with your SEO team in person, ask if they are willing to travel. Some SEO agencies, particularly local ones, may be willing to travel to meet with you, while others may not, especially if the distance is significant.

16. Do you require an SEO contract?

Most SEO companies will require a contract. The length of the contract can vary, with most ranging from six to twelve months, but some may work on a month-to-month basis.

17. What happens if I cancel my contract?

Before agreeing to an SEO agency, it’s important to know what the cancellation terms are, and what happens if you end the contract early.

18. What is your pricing model for SEO services?

Most SEO agencies don’t publish their pricing online, so be sure to ask them directly. The most common pricing models for SEO services are monthly. If you’re hiring an SEO consultant, they may charge hourly or for a one-time project.

19. What deliverables can I expect from your SEO services?

Ensure that the agency provides a clear list of deliverables in the contract. Avoid agencies that do not offer this transparency.

20. Can you provide client references?

Client references are valuable, especially if they’re from businesses in your industry. Asking for references gives you insight into the agency’s performance and experience.

21. Why should I hire you instead of another SEO agency?

We like asking this question because it can give you insight into how the agency compares to others you’ve spoken with. For example, you might find that one company frequently raises its prices or engages in questionable practices like link buying.

Why You Should Work with an SEO Agency?

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Working with an SEO agency is an important step to help your website achieve higher rankings in search engines and increase organic traffic. Here are the main reasons to choose an SEO agency:

Expertise and Experience:

SEO agencies are made up of professionals who specialize in search engine optimization. This expertise ensures that your website is optimized according to best practices.

Time and Resource Savings:

SEO work can be time-consuming and complex. Working with an SEO agency allows your business to focus on other important tasks, leaving the SEO processes to professionals.

Up-to-Date Information and Techniques:

SEO is a constantly evolving field, and search engine algorithms are updated frequently. SEO agencies closely follow these changes and optimize your website using the latest techniques.

Comprehensive Analysis and Reporting:

SEO agencies regularly analyze the performance of your website and provide reports. These reports allow you to measure the effectiveness of SEO strategies and make improvements when necessary.

Competitive Advantage:

SEO agencies analyze your competitors’ strategies and develop more effective strategies for you. This allows you to stay ahead of your competitors and increase your market share.

Long-Term Success:

SEO is not a short-term solution, but a long-term strategy. SEO agencies develop and implement long-term strategies to achieve sustainable and lasting results.

Working with an SEO agency helps your website become more visible in search engines and increase organic traffic. This boosts your online success and helps attract more customers.

Working with an SEO Agency Fees

The costs of working with an SEO agency can vary depending on the scope of the services offered, the complexity of the project, and the targeted outcomes.

Here are the SEO pricing options and packages offered by Digipeak agency:

• Monthly SEO Services
• Project-Based SEO Services
• Hourly SEO Consultancy

For prices and more, you can reach us via our communication channels.

Get the Answers to These Questions from Our SEO Department!

You can get in touch with us to receive SEO services from a comprehensive digital marketing agency like ours and reach your visitors in the healthiest way. SEO consists of many different types and subfields. After conducting an seo audit, we will decide together on the most suitable SEO type for your goals in a meeting.

You can choose us for SEO services and gain a competitive advantage with our expert team.

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