I found this article the other day Are you a victim of SEO malpractice? that gives some great suggestions for how to identify someone who is just trying to take your money rather than trying to provide you with genuine search engine results. As they say, anyone who guarantees a #1 ranking is not your friend. Even if they are successful, they are doing it through hacks and tricks and could end up getting your site completely banned from the search engine index. Hiring someone to help you do SEO is a good idea, especially if you don't have a lot of time to do it yourself, but use these tips to hire someone reputable.
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So the question I have is how do you find a good SEO/Web Optimization consultant? In my search I’ve found lots of outrageous claims and lots of misc BS but it feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I know my website is overdue for a tune up and I know I’m not using my CPC advertising as well as I could be but everyone and their dog today is an SEO expert.
Many of my clients get calls with SEO offers, then call me for advice. I always tell them,
If they are promising you #1 placement, what are they promising others and how can you all be #1 at the same time?
My personal favorite was when I got an email from a firm that said they looked at my site and wanted to help me by providing SEO and other services. It must have hit a sore spot on a long day because I was quick to reply with the following:
You obviously did NOT visit my website because if you had, you would have seen that I am a web designer and the last thing I would do is hire someone else to “fix” my webisite!
I laugh about it now!
This is exactly true. I get e-mails all day, as well as clients mentioning that SEO professionals can guarantee them top 10 on Google or #1.
I just dealt with a potential client, and this was one of the things mentioned. What position can I guarantee him.
Sure I can guarantee #1 “For some obscure long tailed keyword”, that easy.
I just wrote a blog post about this very thing Top SEO myth of all time as well as Should you believe your SEO stats.
I am glad that I am no the only one to be suspicious of these SEO types
Rick,
I am the individual that wrote the article Are you a victim of SEO malpractice?, and one of the singular most important things to look for is someone or a company that’s genuine.
A good SEO company will take the time to learn about your business, examine the code in your website and recommend changes before even starting a campaign. They won’t be looking for a quick buck, they will be looking for a business relationship.
Odds are when it comes to SEO if someone says I can get you X for $X without an I depth discussion of your business, walk away.
In my business we buy a lot of TV time, a lot of Radio time, and do a lot of Pay per click. SEO is no different than any of the above. I wouldn’t quote TV time, Radio Time, or Pay per click estimates without understanding a company’s customer demographics and business model.
Hope all this helps.
Hi Guys,
I am an SEO consultant, however I work full time for an agency so am not a freelancer.
To be honest 99% of the emails you get from SEO soliciting for work should be ignored. Just like finding a builder or a plumber ask friends and go on recommendations.
However as a general rule for sorting the consultants from the cowboys:
1. Only deal with people in your own country! It might be cheaper to outsource to abroad but it is a lot easier to get ripped off and you have no recourse.
2. Anything that is not specifically trailered to you or your site ignore. If they can’t take the time to actually check out your site before they pester you then they aren’t exactly pros.
3. Ask for references, I have case studies and a client list for my work. Shouldn’t be any different for a freelancer. They should live or die by their reputation and if it’s good they’ll want to shout about it.
4. Meet them face to face, hey not always possible but a phone call won’t hurt. Get some basics do’s and don’ts from online articles and ask them some questions, what’s their link building strategy, what are the most important page elements, how do they build their keyword lists etc etc. You’ll soon be able to tell who the Jokers are.
I hope that helps!
I found my seo company Loveclients online and they are doing a great job.