When it comes to SEO tactics, there are many ways for clients to be deceived.
Make sure you’re NOT one of them…
- Ranking No:1 in Google: Let’s face it there are hundreds of terms an SEO can rank first for & on the first page for in Google. Now, you have to remember it’s the quality of the search term you rank for that’s important. So how do you decide between a good search term and one that is just simply Ok? Well to start with if you count the number of words in the search term it’s usually harder to achieve high rankings the less words you have, however, if a short search term has an obscure word within it, it may be less competitive i.e. ‘SEO superstar’ would be a much easier search term to rank for than ‘SEO specialist‘ because the latter is searched for more often, meaning it is far more competitive.
- Ranking No:1 in Google: Does the SEO’s own domain name incorporate the search term used? It’s a fact, if you have the desired search term within your domain name you hold a distinct advantage. In fact if your SEO consultant ranks on the first page for a term that he/she has contained in his/her domain name it’s likely their knowledge of SEO is very limited indeed!!
- Ranking No:1 in Google: Using Google Places – Yes, that’s right, there are businesses out there that will still maintain this is ‘proper SEO’ and it can be argued that they’re right – in a way. However, the skill required in achieving this ‘ranking’ is absolutely zero and we are all likely to diminish the ‘achievement’ further by asking “Did you add your business to Google places”, it’s that simple to do!
- Rank 1st page in Google: How often do you hear SEO companies promise that they will get you on the first page of Google results? What they should be talking about is how much relevant traffic they think they can achieve from natural online searches for your products or services.
- Ranking 1st page in Google – Guaranteed: It’s so easy to achieve if you target those particular keywords that no-one searches for or if there is very little competition for them! i.e. “Aoratherapy Technician in Bungay, Norfolk”. However, this tactic is definitely used as a hook by some SEO companies to drive enquiries through to their sales teams.
- First page On Google: Ok, so let’s say your SEO consultant convinces you that they can optimise your site properly and get you decent first page positions. What next? Have they discussed training? Have they shown you how to use your website properly?
- Is SEO purely about getting to the first page on Google?: Absolutely not, ask what experience the company has in helping to achieve online sales? What do they know about payment options? And what things should you look out for with credit card fraud? How good is their overall knowledge in your field of business? Let’s face it if an SEO consultant has enough knowledge wouldn’t they use it to set up their own rival business?! If not, then why not?
- Don’t be afraid to ask for references: Make sure you follow this up, regardless of how nice or knowledgeable the SEO/Developer seems!
- Dealing with international SEO Companies: It’s likely your SEO company will be based in India. Is it a problem? Well it depends on whether your business depends on the Queens english, there is a massive difference between Search Engine OptimiZation & Search Engine Optimisation. A bigger SEO company doesn’t automatically mean a better one, and a larger SEO company usually involves call centres or could even be just that – a call centre with operators who know a limited amount about SEO. Do you really want to work with an SEO company that asks for your account number before discussing why your SEO campaign is underperforming?!
- SEO for $39.99 pcm: If you see offers like this you can guarantee you will get what you pay for – very little! Let’s say you are in the retail business and your biggest competition is the high street. Do you really think you will be able to compete by spending this little on SEO?









