1. Check their SEO case studies for raw data with screenshots
Don’t just go by word or by third party data - make sure the data is raw by GA4 and Search Console to make sure it’s legit.
2. Check for reviews from previous clients
Try and find reviews on LinkedIn and Google - not just on their own websites as this is generally manually added.
3. Check their website - does it rank?
The best test for a freelance SEO is if their site actually ranks well - clearly they know what they’re doing if they can optimise and perform with their own site.
4. Figure out the best contract time/reward wise
The partnership has to work for both the freelance SEO and the client - if the business needs consistency try and choose a retainer. If it needs a sprint - dedicate time in a short period.
5. See if they've worked with clients in similar industries to yours
This is a great sign that the organic campaign will be successful. if they’ve had success with websites in similar verticals - this can be a pattern they can repeat.