Hiring an SEO company is a major investment in your business’s future. When done right, SEO can deliver long-term results that generate leads, grow your visibility, and improve your bottom line. However, if you hire the wrong team, you might end up wasting time and money without seeing the outcomes you need.
If you’re based in Charlotte—or targeting the Charlotte market—you need to make sure the SEO company you hire understands not only the principles of search engine optimization but also the nuances of your local audience. To help you make the right choice, here are the most important questions you should ask before hiring a Charlotte SEO company.
What Is Your Experience With Local SEO in Charlotte?
SEO is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Local SEO requires a different strategy than national or global SEO. When hiring a Charlotte SEO company, ask about their specific experience with local SEO campaigns in your area.
Why it matters: Google’s algorithm considers location when delivering results for certain search terms. A company with experience in Charlotte will understand which keywords resonate locally, how to optimize for Google Business Profile, and how to build local citations that improve rankings.
What to listen for:
- Case studies or examples of local clients
- Familiarity with local directories and review platforms
- Knowledge of local competitors and audience behavior
Can You Show Proven Results With Similar Businesses?
You want to see proof—not promises. Ask for real data that demonstrates how they’ve improved organic traffic, rankings, and conversions for other businesses like yours.
Why it matters: It’s easy for an agency to talk a big game. But seeing actual results offers a glimpse into their capabilities and how they measure success.
Follow-up tips:
- Ask for metrics: traffic growth, ranking improvements, lead generation
- Request before-and-after reports from tools like Google Analytics or Search Console
- Ask if you can speak to a past client (if they’re comfortable sharing references)
How Do You Approach Keyword Research?
Keyword research forms the foundation of a successful SEO campaign. Without it, you’re shooting in the dark. Your Charlotte SEO company should be able to explain how they identify high-value keywords and how they align them with your business goals.
Why it matters: Keyword intent and relevance are everything. For example, “coffee shop Charlotte NC” has very different intent from “how to open a coffee shop in Charlotte.”
Probing questions:
- How do you balance search volume and competition?
- Do you include long-tail, location-specific keywords?
- How do you ensure keywords align with user intent?
What’s Your On-Page and Technical SEO Strategy?
A good SEO company will take a holistic approach. It’s not just about keywords—it’s also about website structure, page speed, mobile optimization, and user experience.
Why it matters: If your site is slow, poorly structured, or not mobile-friendly, your rankings will suffer—even if your content is optimized.
Checklist to discuss:
- Site architecture and navigation
- Meta tags (titles, descriptions, headers)
- Internal linking strategy
- Mobile responsiveness
- Page speed optimization
- Schema markup (structured data)
How Do You Handle Content Creation?
Content is the heart of SEO. Ask how the agency plans to create or optimize content for your website.
Why it matters: High-quality content not only helps you rank but also keeps visitors engaged and converts them into customers.
Key points to cover:
- Who writes the content? In-house or freelance writers?
- Do they perform competitor content audits?
- How is the content optimized for both users and search engines?
- Will they update existing content or only create new pieces?
What Is Your Link Building Strategy?
Link building is one of the most critical and challenging aspects of SEO. But not all backlinks are created equal. Some can boost your site; others can penalize it.
Why it matters: Google sees high-quality backlinks as a sign of trust and authority. However, shady tactics can do more harm than good.
Questions to ask:
- How do you acquire backlinks?
- Do you focus on quality over quantity?
- Can you show examples of links earned for other clients?
- Do you use white-hat (ethical) link-building techniques?
How Do You Measure SEO Success?
If an agency can’t clearly define success, that’s a red flag. Before signing a contract, make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to goals and metrics.
Why it matters: You need transparency and accountability. Regular reporting should show progress and ROI.
Ask about:
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) they track
- Tools used for reporting (Google Analytics, Ahrefs, SEMrush, etc.)
- Frequency and format of reports
- How they tie SEO results to real business growth (leads, sales, etc.)
What Does the Timeline Look Like?
SEO is not instant—it takes time to see results. But you should still have a realistic timeline and milestones.
Why it matters: Some agencies overpromise quick wins, which usually indicates they’re using shady practices. A legitimate agency will emphasize long-term growth.
Clarify:
- When you should expect to see initial improvements
- How often they’ll check in or adjust strategy
- What happens in the first 30, 60, and 90 days
What’s Included in the Pricing, and Are There Any Hidden Fees?
Don’t just ask how much—ask what you’re getting for that price. A cheap SEO package may leave out critical elements like technical fixes or high-quality content creation.
Why it matters: You want a clear understanding of the services included, so you can compare apples to apples when shopping around.
Discuss:
- Monthly retainer vs. project-based pricing
- What’s included (audits, link building, reporting, content)
- Any one-time setup fees
- Contract length and cancellation policy
And don’t hesitate to Get a quote before committing. This helps you assess if their services align with your budget and expectations.
Who Will I Be Working With?
You need to know who’s behind the curtain. Will you have a dedicated account manager? Will you be speaking with strategists or sales reps?
Why it matters: A dedicated contact ensures smoother communication, clearer timelines, and better alignment with your goals.
Ask:
- Will I have a dedicated point of contact?
- How often will we have meetings or check-ins?
- What’s the escalation process if something goes wrong?
Final Thoughts
Hiring a Charlotte SEO company is more than just choosing someone who can write content or build links. It’s about partnering with a team that understands your local market, aligns with your business goals, and provides full transparency every step of the way.
The ten questions above are designed to give you a deep understanding of any SEO provider’s methodology and integrity. Don’t rush the process. Interview multiple agencies, compare their approaches, and see who offers the best strategic fit—not just the best price.
And remember: the right agency won’t pressure you. They’ll educate you, set realistic expectations, and offer a clear plan to improve your online visibility. So before making your final decision, take your time, ask the tough questions, and don’t forget to Get a quote to ensure you’re getting the value your business deserves.
