Bringing in the right SEO expert can take your website from invisible to unstoppable. But with so many so-called “SEO pros” floating around, how do you find the real deal? The secret lies in asking the right questions. Here’s how to make sure you’re hiring someone who actually knows their stuff, and isn’t just talking a good game.
Ask About Past Success
If someone claims to be great at SEO, they should be able to show their work. Ask for specific examples, websites they’ve helped, rankings they’ve boosted, or traffic they’ve grown. Vague claims aren’t enough. You want to see proof. Look for actual metrics like organic search growth or improvements in keyword rankings.
Understand Their SEO Approach
No two websites are the same, and SEO strategies shouldn’t be either. A solid expert should talk about tailoring their approach to your business, your goals, and your audience. Make sure they’re not just repeating cookie-cutter tactics. Ask about technical SEO, content strategy, on-page optimization, and how they plan to build authority for your site.
Explore Their Knowledge of SEO Trends
Google’s algorithms change all the time. A legit SEO expert keeps up with these changes and knows how to adjust strategies accordingly. Ask how they stay current. Do they read industry blogs, join webinars, or test new tactics on their own projects? Real pros never stop learning.
Request an SEO Audit
Before throwing out recommendations, they should want to take a deep look at your site. A good audit reveals everything from broken links and poor mobile performance to keyword gaps and structural issues. If they skip this part, that’s a big red flag.
Talk About Success Metrics
You’re hiring someone to deliver results, so ask how they define success. Do they focus on traffic growth? Keyword rankings? Better leads and conversions? The best experts will track meaningful metrics, not just vanity numbers. You want someone who knows how to move the needle where it counts.
Get Familiar With Their Tools
SEO pros live and breathe tools. Whether it’s Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Search Console, or Screaming Frog, their toolbox says a lot about how seriously they take their craft. Ask them what tools they use and how those tools inform their decisions. A quick demo of their process can be super insightful.
Clarify Reporting and Communication
You should never be left in the dark. Ask how they’ll keep you in the loop. Will you get monthly reports? Do they offer real-time dashboards? Will there be regular check-in calls? Clear communication is a must, especially when you’re investing in long-term SEO growth.
Gauge Industry Familiarity
It helps if your SEO expert understands your niche. If they’ve worked in your industry before, they’ll probably hit the ground running. If not, ask how they plan to research your market and competitors. Either way, they should show a willingness to dig in and learn fast.
Discuss Their Link-Building Strategy
Good backlinks are still a big deal in SEO, but the way you get them matters. Ask how they build links. Are they pitching content to bloggers? Doing digital PR? Earning mentions through data-driven content? Stay far away from anyone offering to sell you backlinks. It’s a quick way to get penalized.
Set Realistic Expectations
SEO is a long game. No one can promise overnight success or instant page-one rankings. A real expert will give you a clear, realistic timeline, usually three to six months before you start seeing major traction. If they’re hyping quick wins, be cautious.
Understand Offboarding Terms
If things don’t work out, you don’t want to be left in a mess. Make sure you’ll retain access to your website, analytics, and any SEO assets they’ve created. Ask upfront what happens if the relationship ends; transparency here says a lot about their professionalism.
Ask What Sets Them Apart
Put them on the spot in a good way. Ask why you should hire them over the next person. Look for genuine answers, maybe it’s their results, their process, their communication style, or their experience in your field. The right candidate will have no trouble explaining what makes them stand out.
Bonus Tip: Do Your Own Research
Don’t take their word for everything; do some digging. Look at their own SEO presence. Is their website ranking? Do they have solid reviews or client testimonials? Have they contributed to industry publications? A credible SEO expert doesn’t just talk SEO, they live it.
And if you’re looking for a reliable, transparent SEO team that’s helped businesses grow for real, check out Rank Your Page. Their team gets results without the hype.
Finding the right SEO expert isn’t about buzzwords or bold promises; it’s about digging deep, asking smart questions, and trusting your gut. When you find someone who brings strategy, clarity, and real results to the table, you’ll know you’ve got the right fit.
