SEO Scammers: Beware the modern day snake oil salesmen and SEO charlatans!
In today’s digital age, search engine optimisation (SEO) has become an essential component of any successful online business. But with the increasing demand for SEO services comes an unfortunate side effect: the rise of SEO charlatans who prey on unsuspecting victims with empty promises of top search engine rankings.
These charlatans are everywhere, sending out unsolicited emails, cold calling, and even spamming social media platforms. They offer quick and cheap solutions to rank high on Google, and some even go as far as guaranteeing top positions within a few days. Unfortunately, many small business owners fall prey to these scams, thinking that they are getting a great deal on SEO services. But in reality, they are just wasting their money on something that will not deliver the desired results.
A true SEO professional knows that ranking high on Google takes time, effort, and a comprehensive strategy tailored to each client’s unique needs.
How do you spot an SEO charlatan?
So how can you spot these charlatans and avoid falling into their traps? Here are a few warning signs to watch out for:
1. Unsolicited Emails or Cold Calls
These are the most popular. Why? Because it costs nothing and all they need to know to target you, is that you have a website.
Be very wary of SEO companies that contact you out of the blue via email. These companies often purchase email lists or use automated tools to scrape websites for contact information. We’ve shown a typical email here of what these contain.
Firstly, the spam email usually comes from a free email account such as Outlook.com, Gmail or the like. The reason being is that they are generally not legit businesses who have websites proving their track record.They can also easily chop and change at no cost to themselves.
Secondly, sending unsolicited email is illegal in many countries. It is illegal to send unsolicited email in the UK. We absolutley abhor spam. Read our ‘Stop spam’ article here on how you can help to reduce it.
So, if we take it that these people have no qualms in flaunting the laws of a country, do you think they’ll have any qualms about taking your money and not delivering? We think not.
Our advice: Do a Google search for an SEO company near you (or at least in your country where you have some recourse if things go wrong). If you can find them using keywords associated to SEO (eg: seo services, seo agency, seo company etc.) they’ll be able to get your business found.
2. Guaranteed Results
If an SEO company promises you top rankings within a short period or guarantees you a particular ranking, run the other way. No one can guarantee top rankings on Google. Search engine algorithms are constantly changing, and no one has the power to manipulate them to deliver top results.
3. Lack of Transparency
A reputable SEO company will be upfront about its strategies, methods, and pricing. If you feel that the company is hiding something or not disclosing important information, it’s time to move on.
4. Cheap Prices
Beware of SEO companies that offer too-good-to-be-true pricing. Quality SEO services require time, effort, and expertise. If a company is offering you rock-bottom prices, they are likely cutting corners or using outdated tactics that could harm your website’s rankings.
In conclusion, if you receive an unsolicited email or cold call from an SEO company offering quick and easy solutions, be very wary.
Take the time to research the company, read reviews, and ask for references. A true SEO professional will take the time to understand your business needs and create a comprehensive strategy that delivers results over time.
Don’t fall for the charlatans’ tricks and scams, and always remember that good SEO takes time and effort.
Local SEO Silver
- Total of 4 Keyword phrases: 2 for website and 2 for Google map pack
- 1 hour SEO work including:
- Backlink Building
- Citation Building
- Onsite SEO improvements
- Google Profile SEO improvements
- Rank monitoring & management
- Google Review Management
- Quarterly Report
- Setup fee*
Local SEO Gold
- Total of 8 Keyword phrases: 4 for website and 4 for Google map pack
- 1.5 hour SEO work including:
- Backlink Building
- Citation Building
- Onsite SEO improvements
- Google Business Profile (GBP) SEO improvements
- Rank monitoring & management
- Google Review Management
- Quarterly Report
- 1 GBP Post per month
- Setup fee*
Local SEO Platinum
- Total of 14 Keyword phrases: 8 for website and 6 for Google map pack
- 3 hour SEO work including:
- Backlink Building
- Citation Building
- Onsite SEO improvements
- Google Business Profile (GBP) SEO improvements
- Rank monitoring & management
- Google Review Management
- Quarterly Report
- 2 GBP Posts per month
- Setup fee*
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