SEO-How Why and When

Hiring an SEO: Best Practices and Red Flags

If you're considering hiring an SEO expert, the sooner you bring them on board, the better. Ideally, an SEO should be involved when planning a website redesign or launching a new site. This ensures your site is built with search engine optimization in mind from the ground up. However, a skilled SEO can also enhance an existing site by improving its structure, content, and visibility.

Key Questions to Ask When Hiring an SEO

• Can you provide examples of past work and share success stories?

• Do you follow Google's Search Essentials (formerly Webmaster Guidelines)?

• Do you offer digital marketing services to complement organic search efforts?

• What results do you expect, and in what timeframe? How do you measure success?

• What experience do you have in my industry and target location?

• Have you worked with international websites before?

• What are your core SEO techniques?

• How long have you been in business?

• How will we communicate, and will you provide transparency on all site changes and recommendations?

Beware of Unethical SEO Practices

While many SEOs provide valuable services, some engage in deceptive tactics that can harm your site's rankings and reputation. Google penalizes sites that violate its guidelines, potentially leading to lower visibility or removal from search results.

Common SEO Scams and Deceptive Practices:

• Shadow domains: Some SEOs create "shadow" websites that redirect visitors using deceptive techniques. If the SEO owns the domain, they could redirect it elsewhere, leaving you without the traffic you paid for.

• Doorway pages: These are pages stuffed with keywords designed to manipulate search rankings. Not only are they ineffective, but they often contain hidden links to other clients, diluting your site's credibility.

• Guaranteed #1 rankings: No one can guarantee a top ranking on Google. Beware of SEOs claiming special relationships with search engines or "priority submission" services—these don’t exist.

• Lack of transparency: If an SEO is unwilling to explain their methods or provide clear reporting, that’s a major red flag.

• Forcing backlinks: Be cautious of SEO firms that insist on placing your site in link schemes or spammy directories. These tactics can lead to penalties rather than improvements.

• Fake traffic generation: Some SEOs drive artificial traffic using bots or malware, which does nothing for your long-term success and can damage your site’s reputation.

How to Report Unethical SEO Practices

If you believe an SEO has misled you, consider reporting them to the appropriate authorities:

United States:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report deceptive business practices at www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

International:

• File complaints at www.econsumer.gov, which handles cross-border fraud cases.

United Kingdom:

• Contact the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for anti-competitive practices.

• Visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority for more information.

Watch Out for Unsolicited SEO Offers

Be skeptical of unsolicited emails from SEO agencies making unrealistic promises, such as:

"We noticed your website isn’t ranking on Google. We can guarantee you a top spot in just weeks!"

These tactics are similar to spam emails promising "instant weight loss" or "get rich quick" schemes.

Transparency is Key

If an SEO makes changes to your website, they should be fully transparent about what they are doing. You should always:

• Understand where your money is going.

• Ask for detailed reports on changes and performance improvements.

• Ensure SEO efforts align with ethical best practices.

Choosing the Right SEO Partner

Before hiring an SEO, do your research. Read reviews, ask for references, and ensure they use legitimate, long-term strategies. SEO is an ongoing process, and a reputable provider will focus on sustainable growth rather than quick, risky tactics.

By being informed and cautious, you can find a trustworthy SEO expert who will help your website thrive without resorting to unethical or risky

Source - admin 2025