8 Tips for Avoiding an SEO Fraudster

[Webnauts]

There are many SEOs focused on specific little things on your site such as keyword density, meta tags, etc. Many seem to overly focused on inbound links.

Are these guys professionals? Can you trust them?

Personally I am focused on implementing a strategy that makes people want to come to your site and stay there. Accessibility, Usability, Navigation, Semantics, etc.

Reading this article 8 Tips for Avoiding an SEO Fraudster, I felt confirmed that I am on the right path. Are you too?

I would like to hear your opinion about all this.

[carpediem]

9. Run the other way if: the SEO firm(s) won't disclose their methodology, nor provide reports tracking their services to you.

10. Sprint the other way if: the SEO firm(s) won't disclose or is not able to tell you exactly where your money is going every second of every day.

11. And this stuff too, of course!

Webmaster Help Center - What's an SEO? Does Google recommend working with companies that offer to make my site Google-friendly?

~D

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by carpediem

11. And this stuff too, of course!

Webmaster Help Center - What's an SEO? Does Google recommend working with companies that offer to make my site Google-friendly?

I have that info on my site's homepage and that link here SEO Workers - Search Engine Optimization Ethical Practices

[Webnauts]

And be honest I came up with the idea to start this thread after reading Tip 5:

5. When you talk to an SEO consultant and he/she seems focused on specific little things on your site such as keyword density, meta tags, etc., move on. If he/she seems overly focused on inbound links, move on. If he/she is focused on implementing a strategy that makes people want to come to your site and stay there, you may have found one of the few SEO experts that know what they are talking about.

[carpediem]

Originally Posted by Webnauts"

And be honest I came up with the idea to start this thread after reading Tip 5

Absolutely! No surprise that it all goes back to optimizing for users and not search engines, time and time again. It has been our experience that SEO is a form of art, not a science (as the methods utilized for one website may not work well for another and is not based on how many times you stuff said keywords on your first page, etc.). There is no "magic bullet" and true marketing success won't happen overnight. Finding reasons for people to bookmark you is key.


~D

[Rephrase]

Point 5 made me think... I guess it's time to make some changes to my websites. Thanks for the link to the article.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Rephrase

Point 5 made me think... I guess it's time to make some changes to my websites. Thanks for the link to the article.

I recommend my customers to do the same and they only witness that I am right.
Good idea Rephrase. Do that and share your experience here.

[Rephrase]

I will Guess there's a great difference between SEO valuable content and visitor valuable content.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Rephrase

I will Guess there's a great difference between SEO valuable content and visitor valuable content.

I do not agree. Therefore, I do not understand where do you see a difference...

[Old Welsh Guy]

Odd as it might seem, search engine algorithms and real people want the same thing. they want a well laid out site with a clear navigation structure, and clear concise pages set into groups if there are a lot of them. This is usability at its simplest but many people seem to have forgotten why their site exists.

When I spoeak to clients I rarely (unless prompted) go into the technicalities of what I will do. Sure I tell them what will be done in writing, but all they should be concerned about is how what I do will affect their business. Sometimes you have no option other than to discuss technical problems , like when a site is 100% flash, or is completely image based due to misuse of a WYSIWYG webpage design packege. But 99 times out of 100 I discuss the improvements to the site for the user, and mention that at the same time we will be doing xyz which will also help with the search engines.

NO-ONE wants a high ranking in the search engines, they WANT the benefits that a quality high ranking will bring!

[tamecrow]

An interesting article, and number 5 most certainly does stand out as a few of you have mentioned.

Unfortunately a lot of SEO companies bleat on about how they can get you to number one, but that's not a whole lot of good if your customers click on to your website for four seconds then go and buy from your competitor at number two!

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by tamecrow

An interesting article, and number 5 most certainly does stand out as a few of you have mentioned.

Unfortunately a lot of SEO companies bleat on about how they can get you to number one, but that's not a whole lot of good if your customers click on to your website for four seconds then go and buy from your competitor at number two!

Great post! I gave you reputation for that.

Thanks for your contribution!

[brandrocker]

The question is simple.
A site for search engine bots? or, a site for visitors?
Who is more important?

The article was splendid. Thanks for sharing.

[coolguy27]

The article was great.....

Thanks for sharing and for the post...

[Webnauts]

Since we are talking here about SEO fraudsters, I though of sharing with you this very interesting article, which can help you to identify them efficiently: 100 Questions Your SEO Should Ask You : ISEdb.COM

[jonesethan]

Hi all
This is a nice article. This is necessary to all who want to do SEO for His/Her site. All point is very good. Thanks for sharing.

[braver55b]

There are people offering seo services for $500+ on sites like craigslist, I wonder how many of them are the real deal.