How do I know if a marketing agency is legit?
Ask every agency the same questions before you sign: what it costs and for how long, who owns your website and Google Business Profile, what happens if you stop, what work you can see, and how you'll measure results. A good agency answers each one plainly, in writing. We publish our answers, prices included.
Why ask first
You don’t need to know SEO & AEO to choose the right agency. You need plain answers, in writing, before you sign.
Five questions to ask
Ask every agency the same five. Here’s what a good answer sounds like, and ours.
- What does it cost, and for how long? A good answer is a price and a term, before you sign. Ours is published: SEO & AEO for $200 a month for 12 months, or $2,200 upfront, with a bilingual website and first-year hosting included. A $3,700 value. See our prices →
- Who owns my website and Google profile? A good answer says what’s yours, and when. With us, your website is yours once it’s paid for: upfront, or after all 12 monthly payments. Your Google Business Profile is yours too, even if we set it up. We’re added as a manager. Who owns what →
- What if I want to stop? A good answer tells you what you keep. With us, if you stop the monthly plan early, you can keep the website for its price, $1,000. And you can remove our access to any account you connect, at any time.
- Can I see your work? A good answer names real businesses, with dates. Here’s one of ours. On October 24, 2026, Google AI Mode was asked for a “stone veneer contractor Hemet CA.” It named One Touch Masonry its Top Pick: Stone Veneer Specialists. See our work →
- What results can I expect? A good answer is a plan and a way to measure it, not a guaranteed ranking. Google itself says: “No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.” (Google Search Central) With us, you get a monthly report, and we set up Google Search Console and Analytics, so there’s something to measure.
Questions
Does Google say what to ask?
Yes. Google Search Central lists questions to ask before you hire, starting with: "Can you show me examples of your previous work and share some success stories?"
What if an agency doesn't list its prices?
Ask for them. Some work has to be quoted, and we quote some of ours too. What matters is the price and the term, in writing, before you sign.
Are your terms in writing?
Yes. They're on our Terms of Service page, and in the proposal, quote or invoice you accept for each piece of work. If the two disagree, the signed document wins.
Can I ask you these questions first?
Yes. The first 30-minute call is free. Bring this list.
Start with search. Build from there.
A year of SEO & AEO, with a $1,000 bilingual website and first-year hosting included. $200 a month for 12 months, or $2,200 upfront.
More answers
- What is AEO (answer engine optimization)?
- How much does SEO cost for a contractor?
- Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
- Does my business need a website in Spanish?
- Do I need SEO if most of my work comes from referrals?
- Who owns my website, domain and Google profile?
- What do I get each month with SEO & AEO?
- Should I build my own website or hire someone?
- How do I get my business to show up in ChatGPT and Google AI?
- Who handles SEO for trade contractors in Riverside County?