SEO Should Help You Grow, Not JustTake Your Money
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow your online presence, you might be searching for the best SEO company for small business or the best SEO company Orange County. Great idea! But here’s the thing: SEO can either help your business thrive—or it can be a total money pit if you pick the wrong team.
We’re working with multiple small businesses right now who were scammed out of thousands of dollars. That’s why we’re writing this post—to help you avoid the same fate. Entrepreneurs work way too hard to get taken advantage of by fast-talkers and fake “experts.”
So how can you know if you’re hiring a legit SEO company?
Here are 6 must-ask questions before hiring anyone to do your SEO, plus the red flags to watch out for. Let’s make sure you choose a team that actually helps your business grow.
1. Do You Have Any Case Studies or Proof of Results?
Any real SEO company should be able to show you case studies, testimonials, or at least before-and-after examples of their work. If someone can’t show you how they’ve helped other small businesses get more leads, traffic, or sales, that’s a big red flag.
Ask for:
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Specific results
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How long it took
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What kind of business it was
And yes—you can always ask us to show our wins! We love sharing them. You can also learn more about what we do on our Home Page.
2. Do You Work with Local SEO, National SEO, or Both?
Some SEO companies only work with big, national brands. That’s fine—but if you’re a small local business in Orange County, California, you need someone who understands local SEO.
Local SEO is all about showing up in Google Maps, local searches, and nearby recommendations. National SEO is more about showing up across the country. If they say they do both, ask for examples of each.
If you’re a service business or storefront here in OC, you’ll want someone who knows how to get your name in front of local people. That’s what we specialize in.
Check out our SEO Services Page for more info on how we help businesses rank locally and nationally.
3. Who Do You Follow in the SEO World?
This is a fun one. Ask them who they follow or where they get their SEO knowledge. Some great names you might hear include:
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Rand Fishkin (Founder of SparkToro and former Moz CEO)
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Neil Patel (neilpatel.com)
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Marie Haynes (Focuses on Google algorithm updates)
If they name-drop people who are actually respected in the SEO world, it’s a good sign. If they don’t know anyone and act like they made it all up themselves… run.
You want someone who’s constantly learning—because SEO changes all the time. For example, Google just rolled out an AI-powered update that changed how websites are ranked.
4. Can You Guarantee Me Results?
If they say “Yes!”—run. Seriously.
Nobody can 100% guarantee SEO results. Google’s algorithm changes constantly. It could decide that Reddit posts or AI content is more important than your website tomorrow.
Here’s the truth: good SEO companies will say something like:
“We can’t guarantee #1 rankings, but we can promise a solid strategy that grows your traffic, improves your visibility, and helps generate more leads over time.”
That’s how we approach SEO at My Business Blitz. We believe in strategy over hype. See our About Page to learn more about our honest approach.
5. Will I Receive Monthly Reports?
A great SEO company keeps you in the loop.
You should get:
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Monthly reports with clear insights
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Explanations of what was done
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What’s working and what’s next
And not just “you had 500 visitors”—you need to know why that matters. We believe in full transparency and always deliver reports to our clients each month.
No reports = red flag!
📊 6. How Do You Measure Performance?
Ask this and listen closely. If they only talk about:
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Traffic
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Keyword rankings
…that’s only part of the story. Ask them:
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“Are my leads increasing?”
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“Are more people contacting me or buying from me?”
A good SEO strategy should lead to more leads and sales—not just better numbers on a graph. Our SEO strategy starts with understanding your goals and your target audience. Learn more in our post, “SEO for Small Business Growth: Everything You Need to Know”.
Signs to Run the Other Way
Even if they check some boxes, be careful of these sneaky red flags:
1. They Guarantee Results (Especially Fast Ones)
Google doesn’t work overnight. Any promise of “first-page rankings in 7 days” is a lie.
2. They Hold Your Website Hostage
If you stop paying them for SEO services and lose your whole site? Bad sign. You should always own your domain, website, and content.
3. They Don’t Give Reports
You have the right to see what’s going on. If they hide things, it’s a scam.
4. They Never Say “Let Me Research That”
Real SEO experts are always learning. If someone always has a fast answer and never admits they need to look something up, they’re probably bluffing.
5. They Say Everyone Needs SEO
Not true. Some businesses need Google Ads or social media before investing in long-term SEO. A good company will tell you what’s best for you.
6. They Don’t Ask About Your Business
SEO only works when it’s customized. If they never ask about your goals, audience, or services… that’s not a real strategy.
The Stats Don’t Lie: SEO Scams Are Everywhere
A shocking percentage of business owners don’t know what their SEO team is doing. And unfortunately, many are getting scammed.
That’s why we’re so passionate about helping small businesses in Orange County. We offer transparent SEO services with no pressure. Just a friendly chat and solid info.
🌟 Looking for the Best SEO Company for Small Business in Orange County?
Hey—we know how hard it is to find someone you can trust. If you’re looking for the best SEO company Orange County has to offer, we’d love to be on your list.
We’ve helped small businesses grow their online presence without the fluff. Our SEO program combines SEO, design, and strategy so your site actually converts visitors into paying customers.
TL;DR – Your SEO Hiring Checklist:
✅ Ask for case studies
✅ Confirm they know local vs. national SEO
✅ Ask who they follow in the industry
✅ Watch out for guarantees
✅ Demand monthly reports
✅ Ask how they measure real success
And if they act shady or try to overpromise—walk away.
Let’s keep Orange County’s business owners protected and profitable.