Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an SEO Company in 2025
Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an SEO Company in 2025 Published June 5, 2025 Get A Free Quote Did you know that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google search results? Many businesses rush to hire an SEO company, hoping to land on that first page—but end up choosing the wrong team simply because they didn’t know the right questions to ask. At Phoenix Dial, we’ve worked with healthcare professionals and businesses that were previously misled by poor SEO strategies. Through our trusted partners, we ensure our clinic’s visibility is based on proven practices and transparent results—because we know what it takes to succeed in competitive search spaces. In this post, we’ll share the most important questions to ask when hiring an SEO company—so you can avoid costly mistakes and choose the right team to help your business grow online. Keep reading to get the full guide. Start Growing Your Business Today Get a free, personalized quote via WhatsApp for your business. No pressure—just smart solutions tailored to your goals. WhatsApp Smart Questions to Ask (And What to Look For) Before you hire anyone, ask the right questions can save you time, money, and headaches. This part will help you know what to ask and what to look for in an SEO agency—so you don’t end up guessing in the dark. Let’s get into the smart questions that really matter. Experience and Past Results When you’re thinking about hiring an SEO agency, experience matters. You want a team that has been through Google updates, industry shifts, and real-world challenges—not someone just learning the ropes. Here’s what to ask and what to look for: How long have you been in the SEO industry? A seasoned agency has tested different strategies, learned from mistakes, and knows what actually works. Experience shows they’ve handled different types of websites and issues. What to look for: Look for an agency with at least a few years in the SEO space. Ask if their team members are trained and certified—not just the owner. For example, if one person handles keyword research while another works on technical SEO, make sure both are skilled in their roles. Can you provide examples of successful SEO campaigns you’ve worked on? Results speak louder than promises. You want proof that they’ve improved search rankings and brought in more traffic for real clients. What to look for: Ask for real numbers. Did they boost a client’s traffic by 70%? Did they help a local business rank #1 for its main keywords? Also, check if they’ve worked with businesses similar to yours—this gives you confidence that they understand your industry. Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients? Hearing from other clients helps you see if the agency actually delivers what it promises. What to look for: Look for long-term clients who speak about real outcomes, not just friendly service. If people stick with the agency for years, that’s a good sign. And if possible, reach out to one or two of these references to ask your own questions. SEO Approach and Strategy Every agency has a different way of doing things—but when you’re trying to hire SEO help, you need one with a clear, smart, and honest approach. These questions will help you understand how they plan and execute their SEO strategy. What is your overall SEO philosophy or strategy for getting results? A good agency focuses on long-term, steady growth—not quick tricks that could harm your site later. What to look for: Listen for answers that include building quality content, improving user experience, and following search engine rules. Stay away from agencies that talk about guaranteed rankings or use shady methods. Those shortcuts can lead to penalties. How will you adapt your strategy to fit our brand or industry? No two businesses are the same. Your SEO strategy should reflect your goals, audience, and competition. What to expect: Look for a team that asks about your products, services, and audience before offering solutions. For example, if you run a local business, you should focus more on maps and local keywords, not global search terms. A strong agency creates custom plans, not one-size-fits-all strategies. What strategies do you use to improve rankings and traffic? You need to know the tools and tactics they’ll use to boost your website’s performance. What to look for: Their answer should include content updates, technical SEO (like fixing broken links and improving page speed), mobile optimization, and quality link building. These are all signs of a well-rounded, safe, and effective approach. How do you conduct keyword research and choose the right keywords for us? The right keywords attract the right people. If your site ranks for the wrong terms, you’ll get traffic that doesn’t convert. What to expect: A reliable agency uses tools to study search volume, competition, and keyword relevance. They also check what your competitors are ranking for. The goal is to find keywords that people are actually searching for—and that match your business goals. How do you perform competitor analysis and use that information? A smart SEO agency doesn’t work in a bubble. They keep an eye on your competition to help you stay ahead. What to look for: Ask what tools they use—like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google tools. More importantly, ask how they use that data. Do they check what keywords your competitors rank for? Do they study your competitors’ content, backlinks, and site structure? A good team will find gaps in your strategy and new ways to win traffic. For example, they might notice that your competitors get a lot of traffic from one blog topic—and suggest you write something better. What is your approach to on-page optimization and content creation? Good on-page SEO helps search engines understand your site. It also makes sure your content speaks clearly to visitors. What to look for: Look for answers that include fixing title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and internal links. They should also talk about helping you…