Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Marketing Agency (SEO + Branding Checklist)

Stop Guessing. Start Hiring Smarter.

Hiring a marketing agency shouldn’t feel like rolling the dice.

If you’ve ever heard:

“Trust us, we’ve got a secret system…”

“We can get you #1 on Google in 30 days…”

“Just give it time…” (with no deliverables)

This checklist will help you ask the right questions, spot red flags early, and make sure the agency you hire is focused on real results and real accountability—not vague promises.

1) The Local SEO Questions (Houston + Surrounding Areas)

If you’re marketing locally, “Houston SEO” isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Ranking in The Heights is different than Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, or Fulshear.

Ask these questions:

How do you handle hyper-local SEO for different sub-markets?

A strong answer includes:

  • city/service area strategy
  • neighborhood targeting
  • city-specific landing pages (without spammy duplicate pages)

Will you create or improve city + service pages for the areas we serve?

A strong answer includes:

  • clear page structure
  • real localized content
  • internal linking strategy (so pages support each other)

Can you show me a Google Business Profile you actively manage right now?

Look for real proof, not a sales pitch:

  • recent posts
  • review responses
  • updated photos
  • service/category optimization

How do you keep our NAP consistent across the web? (Name / Address / Phone)

Inconsistency here can hurt local rankings fast—especially if you’re growing, moving, or rebranding.

2) The Technical + Website Performance Questions

If your site is slow, messy, or broken on mobile… SEO struggles no matter what.

Ask these questions:

What’s your plan to improve our Core Web Vitals?

They should be able to explain (in plain English):

  • page speed
  • mobile performance
  • layout shifting
  • why speed affects rankings and conversions

Will you run a technical audit, or do you recommend a full rebuild?

A good agency won’t automatically push a rebuild.

A strong answer includes:

  • what’s broken
  • what’s holding you back
  • what to fix first for ROI

Do you implement Schema Markup?

Schema helps Google better understand your business and can improve how you show up in search results.

A strong agency will know how to apply schema for things like:

  • local business data
  • services
  • reviews
  • FAQs

3) The SEO Strategy + Content Questions

The best SEO isn’t just “more traffic.”It’s better traffic that turns into calls, forms, and sales.

Ask these questions:

How do you choose keywords that actually convert (not just get clicks)?

A strong answer includes:

  • service + intent based targeting
  • “near me” searches
  • high value service keywords

What content will you create and why?

A strong answer includes:

  • topics that match customer questions
  • service + location relevance
  • a plan for ongoing content growth

How do you build authority without risking our website?

If they mention spammy backlinks or vague “link systems,” that’s a problem.

A strong answer includes:

  • safe authority-building strategies
  • quality-first outreach
  • local relevance

4) The Branding + Marketing Questions (Where Most Agencies Miss It)

Branding and SEO are connected.

If your branding is inconsistent, your online presence looks untrustworthy—even if your service is great.

Ask these questions:

How do you keep our brand consistent across website, listings, and social content?

A strong answer includes:

  • brand voice + visual consistency
  • consistency across local pages and profiles

If we do a brand refresh, how do you protect our SEO rankings?

A strong answer includes:

  • redirects
  • URL planning
  • preserving existing authority

How can physical branding (shirts, signage, wraps) drive online growth?

A strong answer includes:

  • QR codes that track leads
  • review landing pages
  • campaign tracking links (so you know what worked)

5) Reporting + Accountability Questions (The Dealbreakers)

This is where you separate “marketing activity” from real performance.

Ask these questions:

What does a successful first 90 days look like?

A real agency won’t promise instant rankings.

A strong answer includes milestones like:

  • technical fixes completed
  • indexing improvements
  • tracking setup and baseline reporting
  • early impressions + visibility growth

Who is my point of contact for day-to-day changes?

You should know exactly who owns communication and execution.

Do I own all the assets you create if we stop working together?

You should have:

  • admin access
  • ownership of content
  • ownership of your website + listings
  • the ability to leave without losing everything

Red Flags to Watch For During the Call

If you hear these, be careful:

“Guaranteed #1 rankings”
Nobody can honestly guarantee that.

Vague “proprietary strategy” they won’t explain
If they can’t explain the work clearly, that’s not expertise—that’s smoke.

No real proof of active work
No examples, no reporting, no live accounts = not good.

No local knowledge
If they can’t talk confidently about your service areas, they’re probably running generic SEO.

Want an Agency That Operates With Accountability?

If you want marketing that’s built on:

real deliverables
transparency
measurable progress
local strategy that makes sense

Then let’s talk.

 Book a conversation

Call Us Directly 346-658-7354

Frequently asked questions
Can an SEO or marketing agency guarantee rankings?

No legitimate agency can guarantee specific rankings. Google’s algorithm changes constantly, and rankings depend on competition, market conditions, and your website’s current state. A trustworthy agency focuses on measurable progress—not promises they can’t control.
How long does SEO actually take to work?

SEO is a long-term strategy. Most businesses see early improvements within the first 60–90 days, with stronger results building over time as authority, content, and technical improvements compound.
Should I choose a local marketing agency or a national one?

Local agencies often have an advantage when it comes to understanding service areas, competition, and local search intent. This is especially important for businesses that rely on city-based or “near me” searches.
Will I own my website, content, and listings if I leave an agency?

You should. Always make sure you retain admin access and ownership of all assets—including your website, content, and Google Business Profile—if the relationship ends.
What should I expect in the first 90 days with a marketing agency?

The first 90 days should focus on audits, fixing technical issues, improving tracking, and building a clear foundation. Be cautious of agencies that promise instant results instead of explaining the setup and optimization process.