If you are looking for an SEO company to increase your site’s visibility on Google and other search engines, there are some simple questions you can ask to help you decide if they are going to help or harm your business.

What promises are they making?

Here are some red flags to watch out for when talking to an SEO company about what you can expect from their services:

• A guarantee to get you the top spot on the first page of Google results.
• Any mention of ‘secret methods.’
• A promise of overnight results.

SEO is not an exact science, and does not happen instantly. Achieving the top spot on Google is possible, but takes research, careful work, and time. A ‘secret method’ is likely an unethical ‘black hat’ method, which can hurt your ranking potential or get you dismissed by Google entirely.

Who have they worked with in the past, and how was their experience?

Did they offer a portfolio or examples of previous clients? Do they have any Google reviews? Unless you are their first customer, there should be some way to see their track record or reputation. Be wary of an SEO company that can’t show you their past work.

How easy are they to find on the internet?

An SEO company’s own web presence is the best indicator of their skills. How do they rank on Google for their own name or other highly relevant keywords? If you have any trouble finding their website from a simple search, think twice before having them take control of yours.

Can they show you your website’s monthly progress?

Will they be able to show you which methods they are using and the affect they are having on your site month-to-month? It is important that an SEO company breaks this down for you and shows you where your money is going. If they take a ‘trust us, we’re the experts’ attitude, be suspicious.

What will happen when your work with them is complete?

When it’s time for you to part ways with this company, who will get the keys to your site? Will you still need to contact them for maintenance or changes to the site? It’s a bad idea to rely on a company you no longer work with to access your site.

At JSMT Media, we value honesty and transparency. We are proud of our reputation, offer monthly updates to our clients, and give them everything they need to maintain their site once our work is done. Contact us today for your web design and search engine optimization needs.