Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Local SEO Company

The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, and one of the most important aspects for businesses to consider is local SEO. As more and more customers turn to the internet to find local products and services, it's crucial that businesses optimize their online presence to be easily found in local search results.

 

However, local SEO can be complex and time-consuming, which is why many businesses choose to hire a local SEO company to help them achieve their goals. But with so many options out there, it's important to know what questions to ask before choosing a company.

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 questions you should ask before hiring a local SEO company to ensure that you make the best decision for your business.

 

Question 1: What is Your Local SEO Strategy?

When looking to hire a local SEO company, one of the most important questions to ask is about their strategy for improving your local search rankings. A solid strategy is essential for any successful local SEO campaign, as it provides a roadmap for achieving your goals.

An experienced SEO company will have a clearly defined strategy in place that takes into account your specific business needs, as well as the latest best practices and trends in local search. By asking this question, you can gain a better understanding of how the company plans to approach your campaign and what specific tactics they will use to improve your rankings.

This will help you determine whether their approach aligns with your business goals and whether they have the expertise and resources to help you achieve them.

 

Question 2: What Tools Do You Use for Keyword Research?

Keyword research is a crucial component of any successful local SEO campaign, as it helps identify the most relevant and high-value keywords to target for your business. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask about the tools they use for keyword research.

A good SEO company should have a range of tools at their disposal to conduct in-depth keyword research, including both paid and free tools. Some of the most commonly used tools include Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's process for conducting keyword research and ensure that they are using up-to-date and effective tools to identify the best keywords for your business.

This will help you determine whether the company has the expertise and resources necessary to develop an effective keyword strategy for your campaign.

 

Question 3: How Do You Optimize Google My Business Listing?

Google My Business is a critical component of any local SEO campaign, as it provides valuable information about your business to potential customers who are searching for local products and services. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask how they plan to optimize your Google My Business listing.

A reputable SEO company should have a well-defined process for optimizing your listing, including ensuring that all information is accurate and up-to-date, creating a compelling description of your business, adding high-quality photos, and encouraging customer reviews.

By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to optimizing Google My Business and ensure that they have the expertise and resources necessary to improve your online visibility and drive more traffic to your website.

 

Question 4: Can You Provide Examples of Successful Local SEO Campaigns?

When considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask for examples of their past successes. A reputable company should be able to provide case studies or examples of successful local SEO campaigns they have implemented for other clients.

This will give you a sense of their expertise and experience in the field, as well as their ability to deliver results. When reviewing their examples, pay attention to the specific strategies and tactics they employed, as well as the outcomes they achieved. This will help you determine whether the company has a track record of success and whether they have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop an effective local SEO campaign for your business.

 

Question 5: What is Your Approach to Local Citations?

Local citations, or mentions of your business on other websites and directories, are an important factor in local search rankings. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask about their approach to local citations.

A good SEO company should have a well-defined process for building and managing local citations, including identifying high-quality citation sources, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all citations, and monitoring and updating citations as needed.

By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to local citations and determine whether they have the expertise and resources necessary to effectively manage your citations and improve your local search rankings.

 

Question 6: How Will You Improve My Website's On-Page SEO?

On-page SEO is a critical component of any successful local SEO campaign, as it ensures that your website is optimized for the keywords and search terms that are most relevant to your business. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask how they plan to improve your website's on-page SEO.

A reputable SEO company should have a clear process for optimizing your website's on-page elements, including title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and content.

They should also be able to identify and address any technical issues that may be hindering your website's performance in search results. By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to on-page SEO and ensure that they have the expertise and resources necessary to help improve your website's search engine rankings.

 

Question 7: Do You Have Experience with Schema Markup?

Schema markup is a type of structured data that provides search engines with additional information about your business, such as your address, phone number, hours of operation, and more. This can help improve your website's visibility in search results and make it easier for potential customers to find your business online.

 

Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask whether they have experience with schema markup. A good SEO company should have a clear understanding of schema markup and how to implement it effectively on your website.

By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's expertise in this area and ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to help improve your website's search engine rankings through the use of structured data.

 

Question 8: How Do You Measure Success for Local SEO Campaigns?

Measuring the success of a local SEO campaign is critical to understanding its impact on your business. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask how they plan to measure the success of your campaign.

A reputable SEO company should have a well-defined process for tracking and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, rankings, and conversions. They should also be able to provide regular reporting on these KPIs and use the data to make informed decisions about campaign optimization.

By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to measuring success and ensure that they have the tools and expertise necessary to help you achieve your local SEO goals.

 

Question 9: What is Your Content Strategy for Local SEO?

Content is an important factor in local SEO, as it provides search engines with valuable information about your business and helps attract potential customers to your website. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask about their content strategy.

A reputable SEO company should have a clear process for developing and implementing a content strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience. They should be able to identify relevant topics and keywords, create high-quality content that provides value to your audience, and optimize that content for search engines.

By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to content and ensure that they have the skills and resources necessary to help you create a strong online presence through effective content marketing.

 

Question 10: What is Your Reporting Process?

Regular reporting is an important aspect of any successful local SEO campaign, as it helps you understand the impact of your investment and make informed decisions about optimization strategies. Therefore, when considering a local SEO company, it's important to ask about their reporting process.

 

A good SEO company should have a well-defined process for tracking and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, rankings, and conversions. They should be able to provide regular, transparent reporting that includes detailed analysis and insights on campaign performance. Additionally, they should be willing to work with you to develop custom reporting that meets your specific needs and goals. By asking this question, you can gain insight into the company's approach to reporting and ensure that they have the tools and expertise necessary to help you achieve your local SEO objectives.

 

Conclusion

Hiring a local SEO company can be a crucial step in growing your business and improving your online presence. However, with so many companies to choose from, it's important to ask the right questions and make an informed decision. By asking about the company's local SEO strategy, keyword research tools, Google

 

My Business optimization approach, successful local SEO campaigns, local citation approach, on-page SEO optimization, experience with schema markup, measurement of success, content strategy, and reporting process, you can gain valuable insight into their approach to local SEO and determine whether they are the right fit for your business needs. By taking the time to ask these questions and evaluate your options, you can increase the chances of a successful local SEO campaign that drives traffic, increases visibility, and grows your business.

 

FAQs

 

What is local SEO, and why is it important for my business?

 

Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your website and online presence to increase visibility in local search results. It's important for businesses that want to attract local customers and increase foot traffic, as well as those that want to compete against other local businesses in their industry. By optimizing for local search, you can improve your chances of appearing in Google's "Local Pack" and attracting potential customers who are searching for products or services in your area.

 

How long does it take to see results from a local SEO campaign?

 

The timeline for seeing results from a local SEO campaign can vary depending on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of your industry, the strength of your current online presence, and the strategies used by the SEO company. Generally speaking, you can expect to start seeing noticeable results within 3-6 months of starting a local SEO campaign, but it may take up to a year or more to see significant improvements in traffic and rankings.

 

How much should I expect to pay for local SEO services?

 

 The cost of local SEO services can vary depending on the size and complexity of your campaign, as well as the reputation and experience of the SEO company you choose. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars per month for basic local SEO services to several thousand dollars per month for a comprehensive, ongoing campaign that includes multiple strategies and tactics.

 

What happens if I stop working with a local SEO company?

 

If you decide to stop working with a local SEO company, it's important to understand the potential impact on your online presence and search rankings. Depending on the strategies and tactics used by the SEO company, you may see a temporary drop in rankings or traffic, but these effects should be temporary and can be mitigated by implementing a new SEO strategy or working with a new SEO company.

 

How can I evaluate the success of my local SEO campaign?

 

To evaluate the success of your local SEO campaign, it's important to track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, search rankings, and conversions. You should also consider the impact of your local SEO efforts on overall business metrics such as revenue, foot traffic, and customer engagement. A reputable SEO company should provide regular reporting on these KPIs and work with you to identify areas for improvement and optimization.