Can You Really Rely on Cheap SEO?
There’s an old adage that you get what you pay for. So if you pay top dollar, you can expect the very best, whilst of course the opposite is true of anything that costs next to nothing. However, is it really possible to get cheap SEO without sacrificing quality?
There are pros and cons when you look to cut corners, that’s inevitable. So here are a few things to look out for when it comes to saving a few pounds on cheap SEO:
1. Don’t believe unrealistic promises
If somebody is offering cheap SEO, don’t get lured in by the promise of untold fortunes and a guaranteed top ranking in Google. Search engine optimisation, when done properly, will take time. If they are providing an ethically run service, then they will struggle to achieve such lofty positions in a short period of time.
If they claim to have a quick fix, beware. There’s no such thing and any such action could actually harm your site’s long-term chances. These ‘fixes’ tend to be black hat techniques that provide a quick boost, or at least they do until it is rumbled by the search engines. No one can guarantee a top position in Google, so take any such claims with a pinch of salt.
2. Check for accreditation and references
There are of course a number of perfectly legitimate professionals out there trying to earn a living. They could well be starting out or struggling for business, which is why they are able to offer cheap SEO. They may even be so proficient and efficient that they can analyse issues quickly and actions changes that will remedy them.
However, alarm bells should be ringing if the individual or company are unable to provide any testimonials or official accreditation. Your website is important, you can afford to let the domain be tarnished by actions that will have longstanding repercussions. All cheap SEO provides aren’t sharks, but you certainly need to be wary and get as much background information about them before committing to any work.
3. Avoid elongated contracts and big upfront payments
This is common sense really, but you have to protect your interests. Don’t get yourself stuck in a situation that you can easily get out of. If somebody wants a one-off fee upfront or even a deposit, you need to be doubly sure that they are reputable. Once they have your money and if you haven’t signed a mutually binding contract, your cheap SEO supplier is afforded a little too much leeway for misbehaviour.
4. Find out exactly what they plan to do
You need to be sure that the work that they are quoting for is reasonable and will benefit your site. Don’t become blinded by the prospect of ‘trebling traffic overnight’, you have to be realistic. If you’re not comfortable with them implementing changes within your site, or if they are simply going to work on your linking profile, you should probably consider going down another route.
Linking is effective, but only if done right. If you find your site matched up with a whole load of other similar sites in a reciprocal linking circle you could be in for trouble. Your site could also be blacklisted if it is seen to be indulging in some unscrupulous activities, namely being associated with dodgy neighbourhoods. This is a quick and easy method of SEO, but it comes with a massive risk.
5. Be prepared to do some work yourself
Less money generally means fewer man hours. You can’t expect a company that is willing to work for a fraction of the price of another to offer the same level of service. That just isn’t good business.
Most likely they will provide you with a list of recommendations and do some of the more complex SEO work on your behalf. Cheap SEO isn’t without its advantages, but you have to be prepared to do a little yourself and keep your eyes open to potential scam artists.
