Top Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Companies, Firms and Services

 Do you follow all the design and technical guidelines as set forth by the major search engines including Google, Yahoo and MSN? (Google Webmaster Guidelines, Yahoo! Search Quality Guidelines, MSN Guidelines for Successful Indexing)

 Do you have examples of your previous SEO work or case studies?

 How long have you been in business?

 What type of SEO techniques do you typically employ for your clients?

 Do you have a list of both satisfied and disatisfied customers I could speak with?

 Do you have any unresolved complaints with the Better Business Bureau?

 Has one of your clients been penalized by a major search engine?

 If I use your SEO services how frequently will we communicate and how will we communication?

 Will you explain to me the reasoning behind your SEO recommendations and revisions to my site?

 The SEO company guarantees you a #1 position in Google, Yahoo, MSN or another large algorithm driven search engine. No one can guarantee rankings in relevancy driven, algorithm based search engines.

 An SEO company contacts you out of the blue with a generic looking email form letter.

 The SEO company is vague in their description of exactly what they are going to do to "optimize" your site. Chances are if an SEO can't or won't explain what they are going to do or act like its too complicated for you to understand then they (1) are going to provide you with an, albeit expensive, cookie-cutter solution that likely won't yield long-term results or (2) they are going to so something that is not in line with a best practices approach to search engine optimization.

 If an SEO company requires that you link to them as part of their service you should be very wary of using them for SEO. A link should not be required as part of your service. An it will not necessary benefit your website optimization efforts.

 KNOW WHERE YOU'RE MONEY IS GOING! It is very typical for SEO companies to charge a rather substantial upfront "setup" fee and then a monthly "maintenance" fee on an ongoing basis. Sometimes these fees are legitimate, sometimes they are not. For example, an SEO company may provide as part of their SEO service indepth competitive research and analysis that requires time and resources -- this is very legitimate. However, some SEO companies will simply charge a large upfront fee in order to pad their wallet. Again, just make sure you understand how the money is being spent.

 There are a number of illicit practices employed by many SEO companies that can get you're site in trouble with search engines. As a rule of thumb, an SEO strategy that incorporates a relevancy based approach is what you're looking for. If what an SEO company is suggesting doesn't include improving the relevancy of your website (relative to the competitors in your industry) and sounds like it is an attempt to fool the search engines then you should look for a new SEO firm.