The 7 Questions to Ask Any SEO Company in San Diego
1) Can you show local case studies with business outcomes—not just rankings?
Rankings are nice. Revenue and leads are better. Ask for specifics:
“We improved ‘emergency plumber San Diego’ from page 3 to top 3 in 8 weeks, leading to 40% more calls.”
“We increased service-page conversions by 28% after fixing page speed and CTA placement.”
My take: I’ll walk you through 2–3 relevant projects, what we did, how long it took, and what it produced. I’ll also tell you what didn’t work so you know I’m honest about testing.
Anecdote: A Point Loma client was stuck with “pretty” pages that didn’t convert. We simplified the service pages, added local proof (photos, reviews, landmarks near Liberty Station), and swapped a weak “Learn More” button for a bold “Book Now.” Conversions jumped within two weeks.
2) What’s your local SEO strategy for San Diego—beyond just citations?
Great local SEO blends on-page, GBP (Google Business Profile), reviews, NAP consistency, local links, and helpful content with real neighborhood signals.
What I do for locals:
Add San Diego entities and neighborhoods naturally (Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Gaslamp, La Jolla)
Build location clusters (main service page + supporting guides)
Optimize your GBP weekly (Q&A, product/services, posts, review strategy)
Curate local backlinks (Chamber, community features, Patch, local blogs, vendor pages, sponsorships)
3) Who is actually doing the work—and how often will we talk?
You deserve to know if your account is handled by a seasoned strategist or a rotating intern.
With me: You get me—strategy, implementation, and reporting. We do a monthly strategy call and keep tight messaging on Slack or email. When algorithm updates hit, you hear from me first with a plan.
4) What’s your technical SEO process?
Technical issues quietly kill rankings: slow load times, JS conflicts, messy redirects, thin or duplicate content, schema errors.
My process:
Full technical audit (Core Web Vitals, crawling, indexing, 404s, canonicalization)
Schema (LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage, Review)
Internal linking to build topical depth
Page-speed improvements (hosting, image compression, caching, CSS/JS control)
Anecdote: A La Jolla med spa had great content but slow pages. We optimized media, cleaned up render-blocking scripts, and simplified layout. Their “Botox San Diego” page climbed into the local pack within a month.
5) How will you build (and earn) quality links safely?
Links still matter—but quality beats quantity. Ask how they’ll get relevant, local, and editorial links.
What I recommend:
Local press and features (San Diego Magazine-style pitches when appropriate)
Neighborhood guides and resource pages people want to cite
Partnerships (vendors, events, charities, podcasts)
Unlinked mentions outreach and HARO/Press opportunities
Avoid anyone promising “200 links in 30 days.” That’s not a strategy—it’s a liability.
6) What content will we publish—and how does it connect to revenue?
Your blog isn’t a diary; it’s a sales engine. Every post should support a service page or move a buyer closer to “yes.”
My content framework:
Service pages with clear CTAs and proof
Comparison content (you vs. alternatives)
Local guides that build brand search and trust
Pain-point posts that answer real client questions
FAQ hubs built for AI search & SGE snippets
7) How do you measure success—and what will I actually see each month?
Ask for transparent reporting and KPIs that matter:
Organic leads/calls/forms by page
Growth in qualified non-branded traffic
Service page lifts and conversion rate
Local pack visibility for target keywords
Technical health and action items
What you’ll get from me: a no-jargon summary, an action list, and a plan for the next 30–60 days.
Bonus Questions (Ask These, Too)
Do you do month-to-month contracts?
Yes. I offer month-to-month because I believe results should earn the next month.
What’s your stance on AI content?
Use it as a drafting assistant, then human-edit for accuracy, local detail, and brand voice. I write (or rewrite) to ensure it’s useful and rank-worthy—and compliant with Google’s helpful content standards.
How fast will we see results?
It depends on competition and your site’s baseline. Many local clients see early lifts in 30–60 days, with meaningful gains at 90–180 days. Your timeline will be clear after my audit.
How I Work (My San Diego Playbook)
Discovery & Audit
We talk goals, audience, and competitors. I audit your tech, content, GBP, links, and analytics. You get a prioritized roadmap.
Foundation Fixes
Technical cleanup (indexing, speed, schema)
Conversion boosts (CTAs, forms, trust badges, social proof)
On-page rewrites to align with search intent
Local Authority Building
Neighborhood-specific pages (e.g., Hillcrest, North Park)
GBP optimization and review velocity plan
Local links from events, sponsorships, and partners
Content That Wins
Support service pages with “how-to,” “cost,” and “best-of” content
Use FAQ blocks to win AI/SGE answer cards
Build topic clusters to show topical authority
Reporting & Iteration
Monthly insights, not vanity charts. We double down on what works and cut what doesn’t.
Real-World Signals Google Loves (and I Use)
Photos of your team actually in San Diego (storefronts, job sites, recognizable spots like Balboa Park, Petco Park, Seaport Village)
Local FAQ sections with neighborhood names
NAP consistency and category tuning across major directories
Entity terms naturally woven into copy (San Diego, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, East Village, Ocean Beach, Clairemont, UTC)
Choosing the Best Fit: A Simple Checklist
□ Local case studies with results
□ Clear plan for your services and neighborhoods
□ Technical SEO + content + links (not just “blogs”)
□ Reporting tied to leads and revenue
□ Direct access to your strategist
□ Flexible terms
□ Transparent deliverables and timelines
If you want a partner who knows what “parking near University Ave at 5pm” means and why that affects your conversion rate, you want someone local.
Why Many San Diego Businesses Choose Me
Hands-on work by a real person who knows the area
Practical, ROI-first approach
Clear communication and predictable reporting
A track record ranking for competitive San Diego keywords like SEO company San Diego and SEO expert in San Diego
Let’s Talk
If you’ve read this far, you care about choosing the right partner. Let’s make it easy. Call or text me at (619) 719-1315. Tell me your top service, your best customer, and your target neighborhoods. I’ll tell you where we can win—and how soon.
Hiring the best SEO company in San Diego comes down to asking the right questions and expecting clear, local, actionable answers. Look for proof, process, and real partnership. If you want a strategist who lives here, works here, and builds pages for San Diego buyers, I’d love to help.
Call/Text: (619) 719-1315
FAQs
Q1: Can you help if I’ve worked with another SEO agency before?
Yes. I’ll audit what was done, salvage what’s working, and rebuild the parts that aren’t—without wasting time or budget.
Q2: Do you manage Google Ads, too?
I can manage or collaborate on Google Ads, but SEO is my core. Many clients use both for faster, smarter growth.
Q3: Will you optimize our Google Business Profile?
Absolutely—categories, services, posts, Q&A, reviews, and photos. GBP is key for local leads.
Q4: Do you create content or just advise?
I do both. I can write content, edit your drafts, or coach your team—whatever gets us high-quality, conversion-focused pages.
Q5: How do you price your services?
Pricing depends on scope and competitiveness. After a short discovery call and audit, I’ll propose a plan with clear deliverables.