Questions to ask
- What will you do in the first three months, specifically?
- How will you measure progress, and will we see the raw data?
- Who will do the work, and who is our contact?
- Will we own the content, accounts and listings you create?
- What is the notice period?
Warning signs
- Guaranteed first-page or number-one rankings. Google itself says no one can guarantee a top ranking.
- Reports that show only rankings or traffic, never enquiries.
- Large volumes of cheap links or directory submissions.
- Refusal to explain what work is being done.
- Long lock-in contracts with no exit.
What a fair proposal includes
A clear scope, agreed deliverables, who owns what, how you can end the contract and how results will be reported. For local businesses, it should also cover your Google Business Profile and business listings. See our guide to local SEO costs.
Frequently asked questions
Should we choose a specialist agency?
Sector knowledge can help, especially in regulated fields, but ask for evidence of relevant experience rather than relying on the label.
How long before SEO works?
It varies widely. A good agency explains what is realistic for your situation instead of quoting a fixed timeline.
Can we do some SEO ourselves?
Yes. Keeping your Google Business Profile accurate and asking happy clients for reviews are good starting points.