Before you go and hire the first SEO company you happen upon, save yourself some major time and money by ensuring that the company is the best one for your needs. The best way to do this is by doing your research. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask plenty of questions. Here are the top questions to ask an SEO company before hiring them.

1. Ask to see similar projects in their portfolio.

· By doing so you are able to view their previous work, check for quality and professionalism, and ensure that your goals are ascertainable within the set budget.

2. Ask to discuss a project plan in detail.

· The easiest way to communicate your goals is to actually communicate. This opens up a line of communication between you and the SEO team so that goals, design construction, costs, and time lines are clearly understood. Don’t forget to ask whether or not the project has a fixed rate or an hourly one. You don’t want to be surprised in the end.

3. Determine who will manage the site.

· When the design is finished, who will be in charge of the long-term management? Because content will need to be continuously updated and fresh, as well as other factors that are ongoing, a website should never be left to maintain itself after the launch. Ask your SEO consultants if there is software out there to assist you in site management as well.

4. Ask the SEO company to explain some of the technologies that they will be using.

· You’re first thought is “why should I care?” but you should care. Although the answer doesn’t matter as much as how they answer. See how willing they are to communicate with you, as well as how clear they communicate.

5. Ask what is expected of you.

· You still have a part in all of this. Make sure you understand your role and what is expected of you throughout this process.

Remember, this is your website…be smart and make it work for you.

Patricia Montes is the co-founder of WorldWide Optimize LLC., a Berkley, Michigan based SEO firm.  Patricia is an industry leader in Business Web Design, Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.

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