Choosing the right partner for ecommerce SEO matters more than choosing the cheapest quote. The wrong choice usually costs twice: once for the first attempt and again to fix or rebuild it. These are the questions, warning signs and contract points that separate a reliable company from a risky one.
Questions to ask every company
- Will you report organic revenue, not just traffic? A good answer is specific and written down, not a promise on a call.
- How will you handle filters and pagination? A good answer is specific and written down, not a promise on a call.
- What will you do with out-of-stock products? A good answer is specific and written down, not a promise on a call.
- Will you write category content? A good answer is specific and written down, not a promise on a call.
- Will you set up Merchant Center? A good answer is specific and written down, not a promise on a call.
Red flags
- Indexing every filter combination
- Reports with rankings but no revenue
- Deleting products without redirects
- Pressure to sign quickly with a large upfront payment
- No named person responsible for your project
Freelancer, agency or in-house team?
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | Small, well-defined tasks and tight budgets | Availability, continuity and limited skills outside one area |
| Software house or agency | Projects needing several skills, deadlines and accountability | Make sure senior people actually work on your project |
| In-house team | Long-term core products with constant work | Hiring time, salaries and management overhead |
What to compare in proposals and contracts
Compare the written scope, milestones and payment schedule, warranty and support, and ownership of code, designs and accounts. The contract should include an NDA, IP assignment on payment, a change-request process and an exit plan with full handover.
Typical price levels to expect
| Level | Price (PKR) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Small store | 70,000 – 120,000 per month | Up to a few hundred products, per month |
| Growing store | 120,000 – 300,000 per month | Larger catalogues with content and links, per month |
| Large or multi-market | 300,000 – 800,000 per month | Thousands of products or several countries, per month |
At RankGhar we put these answers in writing before you commit. See how we deliver ecommerce SEO, read our process, or ask for a proposal.