Choosing the right SEO consultant can make or break your digital success. Whether you’re a startup, small business, or established brand, asking the right questions during an SEO consultation helps you find a professional who truly understands your goals—and can deliver results.
Here’s a deeper, more insightful breakdown of the top questions you should ask when interviewing an SEO consultant (or agency), and why each one matters.
1. Do You Understand My Business and Goals?
A great SEO strategy starts with a solid understanding of your business model. Make sure your consultant asks questions about:
- What are your main goals? Is it more traffic, local visibility, more leads, or online sales?
- Who is your target audience? Do they understand your buyer personas, niche, and what your ideal customers are searching for?
- What keywords are important to your business? They should talk about intent—not just volume.
- Do you have examples of strategies that worked for similar businesses? This tells you they’ve been in the trenches.
Pro Tip: SEO isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. A consultant should tailor their approach based on your goals, not just offer a pre-built package.
2. What’s Your Process for Starting a New SEO Campaign?
A trustworthy SEO consultant should have a structured onboarding process that includes:
- Website and technical audit
- Keyword and competitor research
- Setting KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
- Content planning and optimization
- Clear communication channels
Also ask:
- What will you need from me to get started?
- How long will it take to see progress?
3. What’s Your Approach to Competitive Analysis?
You want someone who doesn’t just focus on your website—but understands your competition.
Ask them:
- How do you identify and analyze competitors?
- What tools or methods do you use?
- How do you use that data to gain a competitive edge?
4. What’s Your Content and Link-Building Strategy?
Content and backlinks are still the pillars of strong SEO.
Make sure to ask:
- How do you create or optimize content? Are they focused on helpful, relevant content aligned with Google’s helpful content update?
- Do you have a blog strategy or content calendar?
- What is your link-building approach? Do they follow white-hat practices or take shortcuts?
Watch out for anyone promising “100 backlinks in a month.” Quality matters far more than quantity.
5. How Do You Stay Updated With SEO Trends?
SEO changes fast. From algorithm updates to AI tools like Google SGE, your consultant needs to stay sharp.
Ask:
- How do you stay current with changes in Google’s algorithm?
- Do you regularly attend SEO webinars, workshops, or follow key industry leaders?
- How do you adapt strategies when updates roll out?
6. How Do You Use AI in SEO Strategy?
AI is no longer a future trend—it’s part of how SEO works today.
Ask your consultant:
- Are you using AI for content generation, keyword clustering, or competitor insights?
- How do you ensure AI tools don’t compromise quality or search intent?
- Do you combine human oversight with AI-driven insights?
7. How Do You Measure Results and ROI?
Transparency is key. A solid consultant should have a clear plan for tracking SEO performance.
Ask them:
- What tools do you use to track results? (Google Analytics, Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, etc.)
- How often will I receive reports?
- What metrics will you report on? (Traffic, rankings, conversions, bounce rate, etc.)
- Can you show examples of SEO reports you’ve delivered to clients?
8. Can You Share SEO Campaign Success Stories?
Proof matters.
Ask for:
- Case studies or real-life examples of campaigns they’ve managed.
- Details on the strategies used, challenges faced, and measurable outcomes.
9. How Do You Communicate With Clients?
Effective communication builds trust.
Questions to ask:
- How often will we meet or talk? Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly?
- Will I have a dedicated point of contact?
- How do you handle changes, questions, or urgent requests?
10. What’s Your Pricing Structure?
Lastly, don’t forget the budget.
Ask:
- Do you charge a flat monthly rate or project-based pricing?
- Are there any extra fees for audits, reports, or strategy calls?
- What does your package include—and exclude?
Final Thoughts
When you ask smart questions, you’re not just hiring an SEO expert—you’re choosing a long-term partner for your digital growth.
As an SEO expert in the Philippines, I believe in building transparent, data-driven strategies that focus on what truly matters: helping your business grow.
If you’re considering hiring an SEO consultant, let’s chat. I’d be happy to walk you through my process, show you real results, and help you determine whether we’re a good fit.
Looking for the latest info on SEO salary in the Philippines?
Whether you’re planning to work in SEO or hire someone local, it’s helpful to know that the average SEO salary in the Philippines ranges from PHP 25,000 to PHP 80,000 per month depending on skills, experience, and niche. High-level experts and consultants can earn significantly more—especially those working with global clients.
Ready to schedule an SEO consultation?
Get in touch with Shara Idnay for professional SEO consultation services in the Philippines and take the guesswork out of your strategy.
Shara Idnay is a Filipino SEO specialist with over 11 years of experience in digital marketing. With a background in Information Technology, she’s worked with local and international clients to help improve their search engine rankings. Shara is dedicated to delivering real results and has even earned recognition for her efforts. She focuses on creating personalized SEO strategies that increase online visibility. She builds her work on honesty, clear communication, and staying up to date with the latest SEO trends to help her clients succeed in the long run.