Choosing an SEO agency is hard because most of the work is invisible and results take months. These questions help you judge an agency before you sign anything.
1. What exactly will you do each month?
You should get a clear answer: technical fixes, pages written, links earned, profile updates. Vague answers like "ongoing optimisation" are a warning sign.
2. Who will work on my account?
Ask to meet the person who will actually do or oversee the work, not just the salesperson.
3. How will you report results?
Good reports lead with calls, leads and sales from search, not just rankings and traffic.
4. Do you guarantee rankings?
The right answer is no. Nobody controls Google. Guarantees usually mean risky tactics or fine print.
5. How do you build links?
Look for relevant, earned links: local media, associations, partners and useful content. If they mention buying links or "private networks", walk away.
6. Who owns my accounts and content?
You should own your website, Google Business Profile, analytics and all content, always.
7. How long is the contract?
A few months to start is reasonable. Long lock-ins with no exit are not.
8. Do you have experience with Canadian businesses like mine?
Canadian search, local competitors and, where relevant, French SEO all require specific experience.
9. What will you need from me?
Good agencies need your knowledge and access. If they need nothing from you, they are probably doing generic work.
10. What would you not recommend for my business?
An agency that tells you what not to spend money on is usually one you can trust.
Red flags summary
- Guaranteed first-page rankings
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- No clear description of the work
- They insist on owning your accounts
- Reports full of jargon with no leads data
We are happy to answer all ten. Ask for a free SEO review and put us to the test.