4 Easy Ways to Spot an SEO Expert Scam Today

Featured article Vinod Jethwani, CEO and Founder of Walnut Solutions

Search engine optimization (SEO) is necessary for every business website. Google reckons that while millions of websites are indexed daily only 52% actually meet their objectives. You might have the best website but if it is not optimized for search engines, it is as good as dead. With the rapid Google algorithms changes the place of SEO in online marketing has become more prominent. This has also led to a proliferation of online SEO experts.

Well, most website owners have complained to BBB about the quality of services offered by some of these experts. SEO scammers will attract you with a good offer only to ruin your website with penalties. Worse still, you might find yourself with legal issues if the SEO Company does not handle your clients’ information confidentially.

So how do you identify an SEO scammer? Her ear a few ideas:

1. Guaranteed Rankings

If an SEO consultant promises guaranteed number one ranking on Google or any other search engine run and don’t look back. Google has already said no one guarantee first ranking for any targeted keywords and you need to think about getting more organic links than concentrating on black hat techniques. Simply put no one can play Google in this game.

2. Random Advertising

If you are getting unsolicited calls from an SEO guru promising magic, you had better ignore them. Scammers are always looking for startups to try to trap them into subscription services. Emails and cold calls are the equivalent of the old sales representatives and most of these solicitations come from outside the country.

3. No Address

If you want to work with an SEO expert, make sure you know where to find them. Most businesses have an online presence but you need to check their licensing and more importantly the physical address. While most SEO experts claim to provide local services they are most likely going to outsource which leads to poor quality services.

4. Free Trial Services

This might sound unreal but how do you give someone access to your website and expect services for nothing? This is as good as giving your ATM PIN to someone for a service you haven’t even tried.

Simply put don’t go for guarantees and freebies. The idea is to promote your website using proven techniques because SEO shortcuts will always backfire.

About the Author

Vinod Jethwani is the CEO and Founder of Walnut Solutions and he helps web based companies withhis SEO strategies to grown their revenue. He started his career in 2007 as a software developer with an Indian based MNC and later in 2011 became an entrepreneur. Follow him on Twitter@VinodJethwani or through his blog.