Ianmaco's Blog

Beware the SEO Conman! April 9, 2010

As an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) consultant, the most important thing to me is to be completely open and honest with my clients and, of course, prospective clients.  I make absolutely sure that if I promise something, I can and will deliver on that promise.

It is old news that SEO consultants cannot guarantee a position on first page or top spot on Google.  It is simply impossible to make this claim.  Google are regularly adjusting and modifying their algorithms to ensure that the user has the best possible experience when searching.  Other major search engines tend to follow Google’s lead.

Why then, do certain “SEO Consultants” find it necessary to make claims to prospective clients that they cannot possibly deliver upon?

For example, a client told me that a fairly reputable web design and hosting company in South Africa had promised them the first position on Google, but for only two hours a day.  Another client said that they were promised top position on Google, but for only 30 impressions, also by a well-known web design company.

Say what????

Looking at these claims (and I am sure there are many more) I can only assume that they think the client is an absolute moron and will believe anything.  Also, they can only be interested in the short term rewards, instead of the long term, mutually beneficial relationship.

If the client says that their website is not in first position, they can quickly respond by saying that the 30 impressions were used up within a couple of minutes.  Or they can say that the 2 hours first position was between midnight and two in the morning when everyone was asleep.  Either way, the client doesn’t have a leg to stand on.  While the “SEO Consultant” can’t prove his claim, the client also has no way of proving otherwise.

Let the buyer beware!

Make sure that the consultant you are dealing with can deliver on his/her promises.  Check references and also check their position on Google, Yahoo and Bing.  If they are making claims of being able to move your website up on search engines, then they should also be moving their own website up in the same way.  They don’t have to be on top position, but they need to show you where they were in the past and where they are now.  And they need to explain to you how they got these results.

Check their website content.  Do they offer lots of information on SEO or do they keep you in the dark?  Get them to explain how they plan to get the results you are looking for.  If they make guarantees, show them the door – they are lying.

Ask them about things like keyword analysis, on page factors, link building etc.  See what the response is.  If you are uncomfortable with the answer, kick them out.

Check out my website for the kind of information you need before meeting with the SEO consultant.  Click on Wizard Marketing

Don’t let these sort of sales tactics put you off SEO.  SEO is fast becoming an essential service and is a complicated and lengthy process, but the rewards are outstanding.