Before hiring an SEO expert, ask what they will do in the first 90 days, how they find the keywords your buyers use, which technical problems they see on your site already, how they build links, how they will measure leads and revenue, whether you keep full access to Search Console and Analytics, and what happens if you stop working together. A good SEO answers with specifics about your site, never with guaranteed rankings.
- Ask for a short audit of your site before signing.
- Results should be measured in leads and sales, not only rankings.
- You must own all accounts and data.
- Ask exactly how links are earned.
- Guarantees of position one are a warning sign.
What are the 10 questions to ask an SEO expert?
| Question | What a good answer includes |
|---|---|
| 1. What do you see wrong with my site right now? | Specific issues: indexing, speed, titles, missing service pages |
| 2. What will you do in the first 90 days? | A month-by-month plan |
| 3. How do you choose keywords? | Buyer intent, search data, competitors, your margins |
| 4. How do you build links? | Real outreach, local partners, PR, useful content; no link farms |
| 5. Who writes the content? | Named writer or process with your review and expertise added |
| 6. How will you report results? | Leads, calls, sales, plus rankings and traffic |
| 7. Do I keep access to everything? | Yes: Search Console, Analytics, Business Profile, website |
| 8. Can you show results for similar businesses? | Case studies or references you can contact |
| 9. What do you need from me? | Approvals, expertise, photos, review requests |
| 10. What is the contract length? | Clear terms; monthly or a short minimum |
What are the red flags?
- “Guaranteed first page in 30 days.”
- Secret methods they cannot explain.
- Hundreds of backlinks for a small monthly fee.
- Reports with only rankings for obscure keywords.
- Holding your Google Business Profile or Analytics in their account.
- Long contracts with no exit clause.
Technical SEO, on-page optimisation, schema and content plans for WordPress sites, from $300. Run the free SEO audit first if you like.
How do you judge an SEO proposal?
Imagine two proposals. One promises “top rankings for 50 keywords” for $99 a month. The other, at $500, lists five technical fixes found on your site, three new service pages for the searches your customers use, a review process and a monthly report of form leads and calls. The second one is specific to your business and measurable. That is the one to trust, even if it costs more.
Should you start with an audit?
Yes. A one-time audit and fix often delivers the biggest early gains and shows you how the SEO person works before you commit to monthly work. You can also run the free SEO audit tool yourself first and compare its findings with what the expert tells you. For pricing context, read what SEO services include and cost.
Ask me these questions
I am happy to answer every question above about your site on a free call. SEO work starts from $300 with full transparency and reports focused on leads. Book a call.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask an SEO company before hiring?
Ask about their 90-day plan, keyword method, link building, content, reporting, account ownership, similar results and contract terms.
Is it a red flag if an SEO guarantees rankings?
Yes. Nobody controls Google rankings, so guaranteed positions are a warning sign.
How much should I pay an SEO expert?
Small businesses commonly pay $300 to $1,500 a month, or $300 to $1,000 for a one-time audit and fixes.
Should I keep access to my Google accounts when hiring SEO?
Yes. You should own Search Console, Analytics, Business Profile and the website, and give the SEO user access.
Sources
Technical SEO, on-page optimisation, schema and content plans for WordPress sites, from $300. Run the free SEO audit first if you like.
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
