Guide In short: there is no single best SEO agency. The right one understands your industry, measures before quoting, discloses results and today also accounts for visibility in AI answers. Seven criteria help you choose. Last updated 6 October 2026 · Guide for Swiss SMEs and mid-sized companiesFinding the right SEO agency in Zurich.
Selection
Seven criteria.
- Measurement before the quote. A reputable agency shows you your starting point first, then the price.
- Industry understanding. Especially in B2B, the agency must understand what your experts understand before writing about it.
- Open reporting. Raw data and traceable metrics instead of summary charts.
- A named contact. Who actually works on your account?
- Clear deliverables. What is included, what costs extra, what is excluded?
- Fair contract terms. Terminable terms and data that belongs to you.
- AI search included. Does the agency also measure whether ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity and Google AI Overview name you?
Caution
How to spot dubious offers.
Guaranteed #1 rankings
Nobody controls Google or a language model. Anyone guaranteeing positions promises something they cannot deliver.
Long lock-in without measurement
Twelve-month terms without agreed metrics shift all the risk to you.
Link packages and mass content
Bought links and auto-generated text can harm visibility rather than help it.
Comparison
Agency or freelancer?
| Freelancer | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Suited to | Clearly defined single tasks, such as a technical audit | Ongoing work across technology, content and sources |
| Capacity | One person, limited if unavailable | Team with cover |
| Breadth | Often specialised | Technology, content, measurement, AI search |
| Cost | Usually lower per hour | Higher, but more output per month |
First meeting
Five questions for the first meeting.
- What does our starting point look like today, in Google, Bing and the AI systems?
- Which three measures would you implement in the first 30 days?
- Who exactly works on our account?
- Which metrics do you report monthly, and do we get the raw data?
- What happens if a promised deliverable is missing?
Frequently asked