What to ask SEO consultants
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What to ask SEO consultants?

Who is an SEO Consultant?

An SEO consultant is a digital marketing expert who specializes in improving a business’s visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Their main goal is to drive organic (unpaid) traffic and conversions to a website by optimizing various aspects of the site and its online presence.

Before You Start: Define Your SEO Goals
Before hiring an SEO consultant or starting any optimization efforts, it’s essential to clearly define your SEO goals. Clear goals help shape your strategy, set realistic expectations, and provide a way to measure success.

5 Top Questions to Ask SEO Consultants (with Explanations):

  1. What’s Your SEO Process or Strategy?

Asking, “What’s your SEO process or strategy?” is one of the most important questions you can pose. A seasoned consultant should be able to clearly explain a structured approach tailored to your business goals.

Here’s what a solid SEO process typically looks like:

  1. Initial Discovery & Goal Setting – Understanding your business, audience, and defining measurable SEO goals.
  2. Website & SEO Audit – Analyzing your current site performance to identify issues and areas for improvement.
  3. Keyword Research & Content Mapping – Finding the right keywords and planning content that aligns with search intent.
  4. On-Page Optimization – Optimizing meta tags, headers, content, and internal links for better relevance and rankings.
  5. Technical SEO Fixes – Addressing technical barriers like site speed, mobile usability, crawl errors, and indexing.

2) Can You Share Case Studies or Results from Past Clients?

This is a key question to ask an SEO consultant, as it helps you assess their effectiveness and real-world experience. A reliable consultant should be able to provide examples of past work, the strategies they implemented, and the measurable results they achieved.

What a Comprehensive SEO Process Typically Includes:

  1. Discovery & Goal Setting – Understanding the business, target audience, and defining SEO objectives.
  2. SEO & Website Audit –  SEO Site Audit Identifying current strengths, weaknesses, and technical issues.
  3. Keyword Research & Content Mapping – Finding high-potential keywords and aligning them with relevant content.
  4. On-Page Optimization – Improving title tags, meta descriptions, headers, content, and internal links.
  5. Technical SEO Fixes – Resolving crawl issues, improving site speed, and ensuring mobile and indexing readiness.
  6. Content Strategy & Creation – Developing valuable, search-focused content aligned with user intent.
  7. Link Building & Off-Page SEO – Building authority through high-quality backlinks and mentions.
  8. Local SEO (if needed) – Optimizing for local searches, map listings, and location-specific queries.
  9. Tracking, Reporting & Iteration – Measuring performance, reporting results, and refining the strategy regularly.

Bonus Tip:
Don’t forget to ask “How do you conduct keyword research?” — it’s a foundational step in any SEO plan. A strong answer will reflect how well the consultant understands your audience, business goals, and content opportunities.

3) How Do You Approach Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. Asking this question helps you understand how well the consultant can align search terms with your business goals and audience intent.

A strong keyword research process usually includes:

  1. Business & Audience Understanding – Gaining clarity on your industry, target customers, and business goals.
  2. Seed Keyword Generation – Identifying initial keyword ideas based on core topics and services.
  3. Keyword Tools & Data Sources – Using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to expand keyword lists.
  4. Keyword Metric Analysis – Evaluating search volume, competition, and relevance.
  5. Competitive Analysis – Analyzing what keywords your competitors are ranking for.
  6. Keyword Clustering & Mapping – Grouping keywords by topic and assigning them to specific pages.
  7. Long-Tail & Short-Tail Keywords – Balancing high-traffic terms with more targeted, niche queries.
  8. Continuous Keyword Refining – Updating and refining keyword targets based on performance data.

4) How Will You Track Progress and Report Results?

Asking “How will you monitor progress and report outcomes?” helps you understand how the SEO consultant plans to keep you informed, demonstrate ROI, and stay accountable.

A reliable consultant should provide regular, data-driven reports that are clear, actionable, and aligned with your business goals. These reports typically include:

  • Keyword Ranking Updates
  • Traffic Growth Analysis
  • Conversion Tracking
  • Backlink Profile Monitoring
  • Technical SEO Improvements
  • Content Performance Metrics
  • Next Steps or Action Plan

Consistent reporting not only shows what’s working but also highlights where strategy adjustments may be needed

What Good SEO Reporting Practice Should Entail:

Effective SEO reporting is essential for tracking progress, understanding ROI, and maintaining transparency. When discussing reporting practices, make sure the consultant covers the following key elements:

  1. Defined KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) – Clear metrics aligned with your goals, such as traffic, rankings, conversions, or engagement.
  2. Reporting Frequency – How often you’ll receive updates—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
  3. Reporting Tools Used – Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush that provide reliable data.
  4. What the Reports Contain – A breakdown of keyword rankings, traffic changes, backlink growth, content performance, and technical fixes.
  5. Client Involvement – Opportunity for meetings or calls to review reports, clarify insights, and plan next steps.

Good reporting is not just about numbers—it’s about insights, strategy refinement, and collaboration.

5)What SEO Tools Do You Use?

Asking “What SEO tools do you use?” helps you understand how the consultant analyzes, monitors, and optimizes your website. A skilled SEO professional should be using a mix of trusted, industry-standard tools to cover all critical areas of SEO—from technical analysis to keyword research, content optimization, and reporting.

Popular and Reliable SEO Tools by Category:

Keyword Research & Competitor Analysis

Technical SEO & Audits

  • Screaming Frog
  • Sitebulb
  • Google Search Console

Content Optimization

Analytics & Reporting

  • Google Analytics
  • Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio)

Link Building & Backlink Monitoring

  • Ahrefs

The tools a consultant uses can give you insights into their process, thoroughness, and how well-equipped they are to handle your SEO needs.

Red Flags to Watch Out For 

Not all SEO consultants follow best practices. Some may use outdated or unethical techniques that can harm your website’s performance in the long run. Here are key warning signs to look for during your selection process:

  1. Promises #1 Google Rankings – No one can guarantee top positions on Google.
  2. No or Vague Reporting – Lack of clear, regular updates is a red flag for transparency and accountability.
  3. Claims of “Secret” or “Proprietary” Techniques – Good SEO is based on proven, transparent methods—not mystery tricks.
  4. Focuses Only on Rankings – SEO success goes beyond rankings—it’s about traffic, conversions, and ROI.
  5. Uses Black-Hat SEO Tactics – Shortcuts like keyword stuffing or shady link schemes can get your site penalized.
  6. No Personalized Strategy – One-size-fits-all approaches ignore your unique goals, audience, and industry.
  7. Don’t Ask About Your Business Objectives – An SEO plan should align with what you actually want to achieve.
  8. Lacks Technical Knowledge – A consultant who can’t speak to site structure, speed, or crawl issues isn’t full-spectrum.
  9. No References or Case Studies – A trustworthy consultant should be able to show proof of past success.
  10. Pushes Long Contracts Without Proof – Beware of long commitments without results or trial phases.

Choosing the right SEO consultant means partnering with someone who prioritizes transparency, strategy, and long-term growth.

Bonus: Questions to Ask Yourself After the Meeting

Once you’ve spoken with an SEO consultant, take a moment to reflect. Even if their pitch sounded impressive, it’s important to evaluate the overall fit, transparency, and trust before making a decision. Ask yourself:

  • Did they listen carefully and understand my business goals?
  • Were they clear and honest in explaining their process?
  • Did they offer realistic expectations and timelines?
  • Was their communication style a good match for mine?
  • Do I feel confident they can deliver results—and be accountable for them?

Choosing an SEO consultant is more than just hiring a service it’s building a partnership for long-term growth.

Final Thoughts

Hiring an SEO consultant isn’t just about improving search rankings—it’s about choosing a partner you can trust to grow your online presence, increase traffic, and support your long-term business success.

Key Takeaways to Keep in Mind:

  • Define Your Goals First – Clarity from your side sets the direction.
  • Ask the Right Questions – Dig into strategy, tools, and experience.
  • Watch for Red Flags – Avoid shortcuts and empty promises.
  • Assess the Fit Post-Meeting – Trust, communication, and alignment matter.
  • Seek a True Partnership – Look for someone invested in your growth, not just a service provider.

Choosing the right consultant can make a lasting impact—so take the time to get it right.

Let’s Elevate Your Digital Marketing Strategy! 

Are you looking for professional digital marketing services to enhance your brand’s online presence? At Flying Elephant, we specialize in on-page SEO services, digital marketing consulting, and social media marketing. 

Reach us today for an affordable SEO consulting services from India to the world!

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