Comments on: What to Ask When Interviewing SEO Firms

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:01:29 +0000

Hi Lorraine,

Thanks for your kind words and for reading…I am glad you get useful info out of my blog!

By: Lorraine Grula

Lorraine Grula — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:12:28 +0000

Hello Nick.

Thanks a million for a well thought out and comprehensive list. Since I am currently doing my own SEO, I asked myself these questions and realized how much more I have to learn. I always learn something here. You are a superior provider of quality content on the usually over-hyped subject of SEO and I for one appreciate it.

Lorraine

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:23:39 +0000

Hi Afzal,
Thanks for the comment, this is very true! Client/SEO firm relationship is very important meeting your contact upfront is very important! Since I own and operate a boutique SEO firm (Brick Marketing) and I am the main point of contact for most of our clients, it does wonders in the sales process when people see that I am truly vested in and appreciate every single SEO/SEM client and I am not just an Account Manager on their account

By: Afzal Khan

Afzal Khan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:41:19 +0000

Hi Nick,

I think most of the questions you included but same time I believe it is also important to find an expert/firm and a main contact at that firm with whom you are going to deal and interact on a regular basis (probably the person who will be doing SEO of your site and will be responsible solely)

SEO relationship typically is ongoing, which is where over the period Client keep guessing and went on toss to get SEO status of their websites.

Also as a Client you need to ask in detail about what all are the On-page and Off-page SEO work you can expect from them.

Thanks

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:31:59 +0000

Hi Mike,
Great questions to add to the list. I think a question such as “can you show me proof of your abilities” is a much more powerful question than are you a certified specialist? Often many time newer SEO folks tend to use any certifications (such as SEMPO Institute or Bruce Clay) as leverage, this is often because they don’t have any real or practical experience. It is like a new college graduate entering the job market…anyway, I do think the 2nd question is a great one when a company considers hiring an SEO firm.

By: Mike Harley

Mike Harley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:17:10 +0000

I would agree with answers to the questions noted on this post. I would require one additional question, and that is, ‘are you a Certified Specialist’? Why? Simply because in light of today’s practice where any company states they are an expert in this field, the 10+ year certified companies just roll their eyes. The only other real question is ‘Can you show me proof of your abilities’?

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:26:12 +0000

Hi David,
Great point, this could easily be a #12 in my list

By: David

David — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:56:31 +0000

Great questions there is one left how much is this going to cost? As you get what you pay for….

A very important question who is actually going to do this, as some firms sales teams will say anything to win the contract. Ask if they even perform the work as many agencies may even out source your project…