How to Choose an SEO Company in Sri Lanka: 10 Questions to Ask
There are many SEO providers in Sri Lanka, from freelancers to large agencies, and their prices and promises vary widely. Choosing the wrong one can cost months of budget and, in the worst cases, damage your website's standing in Google.
These questions will help you compare providers and spot the warning signs before you sign anything.
1. What will you actually do each month?
A good provider can explain the work in plain language: technical fixes, page improvements, content, local SEO, link building and reporting. Be cautious of vague packages that promise "SEO" without saying what is delivered.
2. Can you show results for businesses like mine?
Ask for examples or case studies in a similar industry or market, ideally with Search Console or Analytics screenshots and the time period involved. Anonymous percentages without context are not proof.
3. How do you build links?
This is one of the most important questions. Ethical providers earn links through outreach, PR, partnerships and useful content. If a provider sells a fixed number of "high DA" links each month at a low price, they are likely buying links or using private blog networks, which can get your site penalised.
4. Do you guarantee rankings?
No one controls Google's rankings, so no honest provider can guarantee a number one position. Guarantees usually mean the provider is targeting obscure keywords nobody searches, or using risky tactics.
5. How will you report progress?
Good reports show rankings for keywords that matter, organic traffic, enquiries from search and the work completed during the month, with an explanation of what changed and what comes next. Reports full of generic charts without explanation are a warning sign.
6. Who will do the work?
Find out whether the person you speak to will work on your account, or whether it will be passed to junior staff or outsourced. Direct access to the specialist doing the work usually leads to better communication and results.
7. Will I own the work and have access?
Your website, content, Google Business Profile, Search Console and Analytics should belong to your business. Make sure you keep full access if you change provider.
8. How long before we see results?
A realistic answer is that early improvements can appear within one to three months, with meaningful growth over four to twelve months depending on competition. Be wary of anyone promising first-page rankings within weeks.
9. What is the contract length and notice period?
SEO needs time, so a minimum term is normal, but you should understand what happens if you want to stop. Avoid long lock-in contracts with no clear deliverables.
10. Do you understand the Sri Lankan market?
Local knowledge matters: how Sri Lankans search, which directories and publications carry weight, how Google Maps competition works in Colombo compared with other towns, and when Sinhala or Tamil searches are worth targeting.
Warning signs to walk away from
Be cautious if a provider shows any of these:
- Guaranteed rankings or "page one in 30 days" promises
- Very cheap packages with a fixed number of backlinks
- No access to your own accounts or data
- Reports that never mention enquiries or business results
- Pressure to sign long contracts immediately