JORDAN CONSULTING GROUP

1. Do they have extensive experience in this industry? If their site says "since 2006", it might be better to keep looking. There is nothing wrong with a lack of experience, but do you want to pay for them to learn on the job?

2. Do they have many satisfied customers? This industry is results-driven, so if you are unable to get client testimonials, it would be best to keep looking. Keep in mind, however, that some clients will want to remain anonymous for a variety of reasons (including that they don't want their competitors to find out about their SEO experts).

3. How promptly do they respond and how well do they seem to answer your pre-sales questions? If they are unable to provide exceptional customer service BEFORE you pay them, it is highly unlikely that they will be able to promptly and adequately meet your needs AFTER they have your money.

4. Do they have expertise in many areas of online marketing, including PPC campaigns, site design, web site usability, web site copywriting, link building, etc? Your SEO efforts need to tie in tightly with your overall site design and your other online marketing efforts. If an SEO company seems to be able to do little in-house other than give you some altered site code, then it is possible that they don't understand the "big picture" necessary to help your online marketing efforts flow smoothly.

5. Do they seem to have the ability to train your staff to market your site? Perhaps you have lots of money to throw at SEO and you presume that you will continue to outsource this important part of your online marketing, but most companies would prefer to have in-house expertise in something so central to their site's success. If the SEO company can't explain their services to you and they don't seem to have any involvement with SEO training, it is best to keep looking for the SEO business that could mean so much to the success of your business.