It’s been a trend using SEO scam on website owners. Don’t fall prey to this schemes. I’m sure you received emails like “I can increase SERP ranking of your website in most search engines”. Avoid SEO scams following simple steps as below:
1. 3 Reference
- Ask to show some examples of previous work and client contact details for reference. Ask at least 3 previous clients reference that talks good about his service.
2. Google Webmaster guidelines
- Ask whether his methods on SEO are not against any of google webmaster rules. Only, good knowledge about google rules and experienced SEO person can promise this.
3. Results and lead time
- Ask what kind of results you can see and the lead time taken to deliver this.
4. Previous experience in your industry and geo location
- Attracting geo targeted visitors from specific niche needed vast resources. Ask if he have any previous work reference that is similar in your niche.
5. 3 most important SEO techniques
- List out 3 most important SEO techniques that you going to use for my website and ask reason why this method benefits better.
6. Year In Business
- Check his website and ask how long they been doing this service.
7. Close contact
- Request for close communication throughout the process with all the changes made onsite and offsite SEO with detailed information and reason for this changes.
8. Pay by Paypal
- Paypal protect buyer for 45 days from payment made date. At least, you have a warranty of 45 days given to you by third party.
Above list can help to save your money from SEO scammers. Always try to take free service or minimal order as trial.
Just curious, I’ve been in the web design and marketing biz for over ten years.. the past two years, I’ve done quite a bit of outsourcing.
Somehow, my phone number has been quite the hot commodity! It seems like I get calls 3-4 times a day from “SEO outsourcing” firms in India, Pakistan and England. It is quite annoying as many of these calls interupt me in the middle of something important. Are any of you getting “phone spammed” as I call it? Hmm.. phone spammed.. i just made that up! Be sure to reference me when you quote it
Steve
http://www.mediaonepro.com
Hi Steve,
I strongly suggest you to change your number. I mean, how can you manage to handle 2-3 spam calls a day? I would rather don’t turn on that phone.
ahh, i would change the number if it was easy but it’s been advertised too much at this point. i just tell the callers to email me only. looks like these freelance companies overseas are just getting too aggressive! lol
Cheap labor cost could be the reason. Asia is chosen as preferred call center hub to support worldwide clients for many major giant corporation. This followed by other companies too. At least, we get some free advertising there.
it’s really good information…I really need it..
may i know about google webmaster guidlines? can you write more detail? i’ll follow you on twitter…thanks
Good to hear that. Thanks for the follow. The best place to learn about google webmaster guidelines is from google itself. You can explore http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=8522
I get those emails all the time. I just deleted 4 of them from my inbox this morning. No websites for reference. Just, iamaseoexpert@gmail.com. If they’re serious about what they are doing, they should at the very least have a website and a portfolio of their work. Then you can go through and see what terms they are targeting for those sites in their portfolio and see if they know their business. For a few that do have SEO business websites, I’ve noticed many that don’t have top 10 ranking (relevant terms) for any of their clients. It’s really sad that these folks are paying good money for inadequate results.
It too bad even, google receives this kind of email too. Email marketing companies just collect email without knowing who is going to read.
Great post to weed out the mushrooming Internet Marketing firms guaranteeing to provide first page rankings. One should always analyse well before finalising the contract.
Agreed. I hope those SEO firms that massively promoting should learn how to answer this questions well.
They are such idiots! I am constantly getting calls (and e-mails) saying “We can get you to the front page of Google….”
Hey stoopid, I ALREADY am on the front page of Google, usually slots 1-C or 1-H and #2 or #3 in the organic SERP.
But these bozos are calling from a list, they have no idea what they’re doing! Its fun to rub their noses in it, by making them do their own Google searches: “Sacramento DJs” or “Sacramento Weddings”. That always shuts ‘em up, and they will sheepishly admit they called the wrong prospect!
I can understand how you feel. I wish to get that kind of calls too so that I can screw them nicely too.
To me the most important this is to see how long they were in business for, just like hosting sites, if I see it was created a month or two ago, I just pass by, not even waste my time! Though I never asked for references which is good is a good thing to check for, thanks for the tips. : )
The longer they stay in business, the better they can gain trust. Plus, a good portfolio from satisfied customers will definitely be a plus point.
I believe that asking for 3 references is the most important. Great post and good info.
I agree. That’s why I placed it on No1. I hope SEO firms that serious in business should get a list of their customers who can give good feedback.
With so many companies with websites on the web this is really a problem.I think its good to show infrastructure and portfolio of the company to become a trusted company.
Yes, I agree. Especially, when we hire someone to run some SEO works. If it was done poorly, it may reflect in our profile too.