Do you get emails or phone calls out of the blue from somebody promising they can get your website at the top of the search engines?
Sounds appealing doesn’t it? Sadly no such promise can be made since Google does not divulge how their algorithms work; therefore, no one knows how to get a website to the number 1 search results position.
Many of these people making such promises attempt “Black Hat” SEO techniques to try and fool Google.
Watch today’s eTip as I explain what Black Hat SEO is and the difference between it and White Hat SEO, which is what your online marketer should be doing instead:
If you do get approached by an “SEO Expert” who promises you they will get your website to number one on Google and your business will soar as a result, ignore them.
These people are after only one thing: your money. The odds are great that you will not get the results you were promised and you will have wasted your money.
Often they will use illegal “black hat” SEO techniques to try and fool the search engines at their own game. Yes, your website may see a temporary spike due to these efforts, but alas, it will be fleeting and your business reputation will suffer as a result.
Google Penalizes Blackhat SEO Techniques
The illegal and unethical use of black hat SEO techniques can be detected by Google’s Panda and Penguin’s search algorithms. These two algorithms were developed to detect and penalize sites that incorporate these tactics.
Black hat techniques include cloaking, link exchanges, duplicate content, buying links, keyword stuffing, hidden text, link farms, writing specifically for search engines while offering no real value in the content, and over-optimization.
As a result of using these types of SEO tactics, your website will be de-indexed and will not be found when someone does a Google search for your site.
Embracing White Hat SEO Techniques
White Hat SEO is what Google and other search engines will reward you for when it comes to search engine rankings.
Here, the focus is on using researched keywords, writing content for your ideal target market, optimizing your website with optimal META and description tags and other various legal tactics that can be used to help your site be higher in the search engines.
There are many things White Hat SEO specialists can do to get your website visible in the search engines. One thing they won’t do, however, is promise you will be at the top. Ethically, they cannot promise something they do not have any control over.
Stay Away From SEO Scammers
Avoid the temptation of reading scammer’s emails or listening to their compelling sales pitch who are promising you things that are too good to be true. You will not get the results you are looking for.
We have had many clients that come to us who did get talked into an SEO program by somebody who called or emailed them out of the blue. They got talked into it and were severely disappointed. They spent a lot of money with little results and a big mess to clean up.
After working with us, we got them back on track with a long-term SEO program that provided long term results.
Preserve Your Business Reputation – Hire a Professional
You need to invest in professional marketing and SEO in order to drive organic traffic to your website on a daily basis. The goal being to get people into your sales funnel and attract qualified leads.
Whoever you hire to do SEO for you, make sure you vet them properly and only use White Hat SEO tactics. Your website, and more importantly, your business reputation is too important to not do your due diligence first.
If you have any questions about SEO, feel free to leave a message in the comment section below and I’d be happy to answer. Also, if you’re looking for a qualified SEO specialist who can boost your search engine rankings, give us a call to discuss.
To your business success,
Susan Friesen
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About the Author, Susan Friesen
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.
Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.
Visit www.BrandIdentitySteps.com and download your FREE guide: "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients".
