Updated October 2026
How do you choose an SEO agency?
Choose an SEO agency that can show relevant results, explains exactly what it will do each month, gives you ownership of your data and accounts, and offers fair contract terms without ranking guarantees. Price matters, but the clarity of the plan matters more.
Which questions should you ask an SEO agency?
- What would you fix first on our website, and why?
- Can you show results for a business similar to ours?
- Who will actually do the work, and will we speak to them?
- What will you deliver each month, specifically?
- How do you build links?
- Will we have full access to Google Search Console, Analytics and our Google Business Profile?
- Who owns the content and pages you create?
- How do you report, and what do you measure?
- What is the minimum contract and notice period?
- What happens to our site if we leave?
- How do you use AI in content production?
- What will not be included in the fee?
What are the red flags when hiring an SEO company?
The biggest red flags are guaranteed rankings, vague deliverables and secrecy about link building.
- "Guaranteed page one" or "number one in 30 days"
- Pricing by number of keywords, with no mention of content or technical work
- Large numbers of links each month for a small fee
- Plans to create dozens of location or industry pages from a template
- Refusing to give you access to your own accounts
- Long contracts with no performance review point
Should you choose an agency, a consultant or a freelancer?
Choose an agency for large campaigns that need content and PR teams, and a consultant or freelancer when you want direct access to a specialist at lower cost. See SEO consultant vs agency.
How do you compare SEO proposals?
Compare SEO proposals by the specific actions in the first three months, the evidence behind them, how results will be measured and the total cost over the minimum term. A proposal that spells out exactly what will be done is easier to hold to account than one promising "increased visibility".
Is a Manchester-based agency better?
A Manchester-based agency is helpful for local SEO, because it knows the areas, the local press and the competitors, and you can meet in person. For technical or ecommerce SEO, location matters much less than expertise.