TVG Editorial Team 
Hiring a vendor shouldn’t feel like a gamble. With the right framework, you can dramatically reduce your risk and increase the likelihood of a successful engagement. Here’s what to look for.
1. Independent Credentials Over Self-Promotion
The single most reliable indicator of a trustworthy vendor is recognition from an independent third party. Not a badge the vendor designed themselves. Not a “Top 10” list from a pay-to-play directory. Look for credentials earned through structured evaluation by organizations with no financial stake in the vendor’s success.
2. Consistency Between Claims and Evidence
Visit the vendor’s website, social media, and public profiles. Do their claims align with observable evidence? If they claim 10 years of experience, can you find a business history that supports it? Inconsistency between stated claims and observable reality is the most reliable predictor of future disappointment.
3. Transparent Process and Methodology
Ask the vendor to walk you through how they work. Professional vendors have a clear, repeatable process they can articulate without hesitation. They’ll tell you what to expect, when to expect it, and what happens if something goes wrong.
4. Responsiveness as a Leading Indicator
How quickly and thoroughly a vendor responds to your initial inquiry tells you everything about how they’ll treat you as a client. If they’re slow or disorganized during the sales process, it only gets worse from there.
5. Willingness to Be Evaluated
The best vendors welcome scrutiny. They’re confident in what an evaluation will find because they know their work speaks for itself. Vendors who resist evaluation or dismiss third-party credentialing are telling you something important.
The Framework
Before hiring any vendor, run through this checklist:
- Do they have independent, third-party recognition?
- Are their claims consistent with observable evidence?
- Can they clearly articulate their process?
- Were they responsive and professional from first contact?
- Are they willing to be evaluated and transparent about their work?
If a vendor checks all five boxes, you’ve dramatically reduced your risk. If they don’t, keep looking.
