Ask how they report, and ask to see a sample
A credible SEO partner sends a monthly report showing rankings, traffic and conversions in plain English, not vanity metrics. Ask to see a real (anonymised) report before you sign.
If the report is just 'we built 30 links this month' with no movement in traffic or revenue, that's activity, not results.
Ask about their link-building approach
Google penalises low-quality, bought or spammy links. A good agency earns links through genuine content, digital PR and relationships. Ask exactly where your links will come from and avoid anyone who promises 'hundreds of links'.
Ask about contracts and exit terms
Avoid long lock-ins you can't exit. A fair SEO engagement runs month-to-month or in 3-month blocks with a clear notice period, and you should keep all the work done to date, content, optimisation and reports.
Frequently asked questions
How soon will I see SEO results?
There is no universal SEO timetable. Technical fixes, established pages and brand-new content can all be processed differently, and competitive searches may need sustained work. Ask an SEO provider how they will establish a baseline, measure progress and explain changes rather than for a guaranteed ranking date.
Do I need to sign a 12-month contract?
Not with a reputable partner. Look for rolling monthly or quarterly terms with a clear notice period so you're never trapped.
What's a realistic SEO budget for a small UK business?
Effective ongoing SEO for a small UK business typically starts from around £149–£495 per month plus VAT. See our UK SEO costs guide for detail.
Related services
