Beware of Bad SEO Advice

Should you be concerned about bad SEO (Search Engine Optimization) advice?

How often do you see successful companies giving away their trade secrets? What if someone found a truly innovative way to get lots of qualified web site traffic from search engines? Why would they give that information away? We all seek to make an income from our work. It is no different with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advisers and experts. Logically, no one is going to give away a potential source of income. Therefore, beware of freely given bad SEO advice!

The truth is that SEO companies and online services are self-serving businesses first, and will be inclined to promote strategies that serve their business needs.

My experience as a WEB DESIGNER / DEVELOPER for over ten years has taught me this lesson: Take everything you read and see online with a grain of salt. Don't rely solely on the word of self appointed online pundits promoting the next big thing in Search Engine Optimization.Some are 'snake oil' salesmen. Others are paid or given other incentives for promotional advice. Finding sound advice takes a bit of effort. Let the buyer beware.

Before you respond to any Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advice, ask yourself: "Whose interests are being promoted by this advice?" Who benefits financially if you follow this advice? The truth is that SEO companies are self serving businesses first, and will be inclined to promote strategies that serve their business needs. They are not performing a public service. Many of the online videos and blogs supporting a certain tool or strategy may be paid promoters or sales people. Beware.

It is wise to carefully research any strategy or SEO tool you plan to use to insure that your interests will be met. Often a considerable investment in time and financial outlay may not get the sort of results you are seeking. Almost always, if you are using an online tool or service, the company behind that service gains the primary benefit from your efforts . . . not you! Of course, that is how business operates, some may say. That's true. All I'm saying is this: Do your homework. Make sure that the process of spending monthly fees or time to support any online service truly meets your needs.

There is advice I tend to give the greatest value. That is the SEO advice coming directly from the search engines. It is in their best interests to serve relevant, up-to-date and quality content to the millions of people searching the Web every day. Give them what they want! Granted, it takes more work, and the results don't happen overnight. However, it is a long term strategy that works. It serves your best interests and that of the search engines. Good SEO advisors work in concert with the best practices recommended by search engines.

So, in closing, reject bad SEO advice, do the hard work of building good content. The results will come. -Don Peterson, Newark1 Web Design