While there are SEO companies that provide valuable suggestions and brilliant solutions, there are some companies out there that seek to make SEO—and the whole idea of Internet marketing—sound so complicated.
Dubious companies prey on misinformed decision makers. Starting their sales pitch with a very complicated picture of SEO, they end with attractive (yet misleading) solution packages that offer “instant rankings, thousands of visitors daily, and presence in hundreds of search engines!”
Legitimate SEO companies know that successful optimization takes time and a certain amount of discipline. They advise you on what options you have, showing you the pros and cons of each in a manner that you can understand. This is why you shouldn’t completely drop off SEO companies from your list.
To help you make informed decisions, we are sharing with you the 5 signs that warn you of bad SEO companies.
1. Promises a high keyword density
Keyword density measures the frequency of your keywords relative to the entire body of your content. Some SEO companies promise to deliver a 15% keyword density.
Note that the acceptable percentage is between 3% and 8%. Having a density higher than 8% will make search engines think that your website is just spam—all keywords and no useful content.
2. Promises a big link network in a very short period of time
SEO miracle packages also offer mass link building. Keep in mind that link building is important. It allows search engine spiders to crawl over more of your pages. Moreover, a good link network makes it easier for prospects and clients to find you.
However, link building is building your credibility online. Mass link building—without knowing who you’re linked to—can negatively affect your image. Unknowingly, you can “accidentally” get linked to sites that have illegal or questionable content. It is best to build your own links, so that you control to which sites you are associated.
3. Promises website submissions to thousands of directories or search engines
Your niche customers spend most of their time using the top 3 search engines—Google, Yahoo, and MSN. There is no need for you to spend money on other search engines or directories that your target market doesn’t even visit.
Presence in hundreds of search engines is not a determinant of improved rankings. Channel your efforts towards creating better content. Remember that spiders crawl over text. This is what matters the most.
4. Promises of getting you on the front page of all major social bookmarking websites
Social bookmarking websites are a great way to connect and interact with your market. You can receive constructive feedback and act on them immediately. BUT, there are rules and standards that you have to abide by, the foremost being not to post duplicate content.
Having others work on your social bookmarking will give you the same control problem as automated or third-party link building. Moreover, if your site has been tagged as self-promoting, you will be banned.
5. Offers unethical SEO techniques
Unethical and black hat SEO techniques will give you short-term benefits. However, your market will immediately discover your dirty tricks. You could risk being boycotted. SEO is an art that needs time and nurturing. Just give it the time it needs and you’ll soon reap the many benefits