totally get how the sales pitch can sway your decision. when picking an seo company, focus on a few key things: look beyond the traffic numbers and ask about how they’ve improved actual conversions, not just visits. transparency is crucial too – make sure they’re providing clear, regular reporting and being upfront about their methods. avoid anyone making big promises like “guaranteed #1 rankings” because that’s usually a red flag. lastly, make sure their approach is focused on long-term growth, not just quick fixes, since those can end up hurting you later

as for choosing between a specialist or a company, it depends on what you need. specialists can offer more personalized attention, but companies usually have more tools and resources at their disposal. hope that helps!