Sometimes SEO agencies will say whatever it takes to get, or keep, a client. It’s good to keep this in mind when dealing with an outside SEO agency; what is good for the SEO agency is not always good for your website.
Even the “good” SEO agencies suggest tactics that result in bad online marketing. Remember that simply being a proficient SEO does not make someone a good marketer–there is a difference. Some of the worst mistakes can be made with the best intentions.
With that as an preface, here is my list of the seven deadliest sins I’ve seen committed by SEO agencies.
Bad SEO Results
1. Out-of-date strategies: Seems like a lot of SEO advice is often 18 months out of date. If you have been keeping up with the changes that have occurred with Google and Bing recently, you know 18 months in search engine optimization is equal to 7 regular human years.
2. Hubris: Beware superficial explanations, “just trust us” may actually mean “I read this somewhere, so I believe it”. The real issue is whether it makes sense for your website and competitive situation.
3. Laziness: “One video is all you need,” and “no need for a SEO audit, we already understand your business.”
4. Greed: Realize that your SEO agency’s bottom line will often drive the tactical decisions they suggest for your website. Their agenda will not always coincide with your website’s best interests.
5. Staff turnover: Internal staff reassignments by your SEO agency may instantly negate months of learning curve knowledge gained.
6. Bad marketing: Key word stuffing does not for good page copy, so don’t believe someone who tries to pass off poor English as good SEO text.
7. Silence and deceit: The final sin can cover a multitude of problems; including lapses in reporting, incomplete chronicling of site changes, false promises, over optimistic estimates, inadvisable changes to site user experience, poor billing practices, and not returning phone calls.
I just couldn’t come up a valid equivalent to ‘coveting your neighbor’s SEO.’ With that said, what experiences have you had with outside SEO agencies, both good and bad?
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