Quick answer
- Ask for relevant work and live examples, not just screenshots of rankings.
- A good agency starts with an audit and a written plan.
- Avoid guaranteed rankings and cheap bulk backlinks.
- Insist on reporting tied to leads, orders and revenue.
10 questions to ask
- Have you worked with businesses like mine? Ecommerce SEO, local SEO and B2B SEO need different skills.
- What will you do in the first 30 days? Expect an audit, keyword research and a prioritised plan.
- How do you build links? Look for relevant, editorial links, not packages of hundreds of directory links.
- Will you fix technical issues or only advise? Find out who actually implements changes on your site.
- Who writes the content? Ask about their writers' experience with your industry.
- What do you report on? Rankings and traffic are useful, but conversions and revenue matter most.
- How often will we talk? Know the meeting rhythm and how quickly they reply.
- What does the contract say? Check the minimum term, notice period and what happens to your content if you leave.
- How do you approach AI search? Google AI Overviews and AI assistants are changing search, so ask how they plan for it.
- What results can I realistically expect, and when? Honest agencies give ranges and timelines, not guarantees.
Red flags to watch for
- Guaranteed number-one rankings or traffic numbers.
- Very cheap monthly packages with vague deliverables.
- Secret methods they will not explain.
- Reports full of rankings for keywords nobody searches.
- No access to your own Google Search Console and Analytics.
What does SEO cost in Mumbai?
Pricing ranges widely, from small freelancer retainers to large agency contracts. Cost depends on your site size, competition, how much content you need and whether link building is included. Compare what is included, not just the monthly price.
Extra questions for ecommerce brands
- How will you optimise category and product pages at scale?
- How do you handle filters, variants and duplicate content?
- Can you also improve our Amazon and Flipkart listings?
- How will you measure organic orders and revenue?
Learn how we approach this on our SEO company in Mumbai page.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I give an SEO agency?
Give most SEO engagements at least six months before judging results, while expecting visible progress in technical fixes and early rankings sooner.
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers can be great for focused tasks. Agencies are better when you need technical, content and link building work done together.
Is local SEO different from regular SEO?
Yes. Local SEO focuses on Google Maps, your Google Business Profile, reviews and local pages, which matter most for searches like near me.