HOW TO AVOID SCAMS IN SEO?
Search Engine Optimisation is supposed to provide your website/company more and relevant traction on smart search engines like Google. But just like any other service, it has its bad apples too, that spoil the bunch and search engine.
SEO best practices include setting up site architecture with clean URLs, avoiding redirects and changing page content, ensuring links are natural and editorial rather than promotional in nature using link building services, not buying or exchanging links, and ensuring proper use of keywords.
Search engines are in constant change because they are not static. Google is particularly known for changing its algorithm over 400 times every year. This means the field of digital marketing needs to evolve quickly.
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What is a scam in SEO?
A scam can be defined as something that is fraudulent but appears legitimate to the average person. Just as these services are gaining popularity, so are they gaining malpractices over time. Examples of scams in SEO include pressure tactics, “brokering” agreements to receive kickbacks, guaranteeing first page rankings, using “cookie-cutter” approaches, not asking for client references, and offering instant results.
Unethical SEO providers pressure clients into making rushed decisions about their website content or architecture.
– They guarantee first-page rankings for clients, which is nearly impossible because Google’s algorithms keep changing.
– They give clients generic recommendations and tell them they can achieve first page rankings within a short period of time (two weeks or less).
– Unethical SEO providers also try to receive payment for client references they cannot provide.
– It is best to work with an ethical search engine optimization consultant that tailors recommendations to your specific industry, market, and competitors.
– Transparency is key. If an SEO agency does not want to provide references or thorough explanations, then you should consider that as a warning sign
How can you avoid falling victim to a scam in SEO?
The following are six tips to help you avoid being scammed by your SEO consultant or agency:
1) Pressure tactics
As soon as the initial contract is signed, some shady search engine optimization consultants will pressure you to make a decision about each and every one of your website changes. As part of their process, they’ll send you weekly or monthly reports that include detailed tasks for you to work on in the upcoming week. While it’s important to know what needs to be done, don’t let anyone bully you into making rushed decisions about your website content or architecture.
2) “Brokering” agreements to receive kickbacks
We all know that buying in bulk can save you money, but this doesn’t apply to SEO. If your SEO consultant pressures you into signing a contract for an abnormally large amount of work at once, it could be because they’re receiving some kind of commission based on the total contract value. They should never try to receive payment for client references they cannot provide.
Your search engine optimization provider should be able to show you results that are realistic and applicable to your business model.
3) Guaranteeing first-page rankings
There’s no way to know the future, especially when it comes to Google’s ever-changing search algorithms. Even if your SEO provider has access to insider information or works for Google, they can’t guarantee you’ll achieve a particular ranking in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
If someone claims they can do this, then they’re most likely not an ethical search engine optimization consultant. They should not give generic recommendations and tell you they can achieve top Google rankings within a short period of time (two weeks or less).
4) Using “cookie-cutter” approaches
Your search engine optimization provider should tailor their recommendations to your specific industry, market, and competitors.
There’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to SEO. What works for website A may not work for website B, so don’t allow your provider to give you generic recommendations. Make sure your provider tailors its recommendations to your specific industry, market, and competitors.
5) Not asking for client references
One of the easiest ways of finding out if someone is trustworthy or not is by checking their client list. A good SEO consultant will be more than happy to provide you with a list of reputable companies that they’ve worked within the past. They should provide client references who they’ve worked with successfully in the past.
If your SEO consultant hesitates or provides you with a list of websites that aren’t related to your own industry, it could be because their client list isn’t as impressive as they’d like you to think.
6) Offering instant results
If an SEO provider guarantees top rankings within two weeks or less, it’s most likely not an ethical search engine optimization consultant. SEO is a slow process, so don’t be surprised if it takes months before you see any notable improvements in your website rankings. Good SEO firms should not guarantee first-page rankings for clients, as Google’s algorithms keep changing.
Conclusion
To avoid becoming a victim of an unethical SEO service provider, you should be wary of services that seem too good to be true. Google does not guarantee first page rankings because the search engine algorithms are constantly changing to provide better quality search results for its users.
It is also best to work with a search engine optimization agency that tailors recommendations specifically for your industry, market, and competitors. Because not all practices of SEO are generic. Rather SEO service providers should be aware of what best to do for the requirements of their specific clients.
If your SEO consultant falls under any of these categories, then they’re most likely not an ethical search engine optimization consultant. If any of these red flags occur, then it’s best to work with an ethical search engine optimization consultant.