Avoiding
Search Engine Optimization Scams

Myth 1: We guarantee top 20, 10, 5, or even #1 ranking.
Truth 1: No one can guarantee results. Let me repeat...NO ONE can guarantee results. Even if our company received an e-blast from the major search engines every time they update their algorithms, we can't guarantee that everything we do to your site isn't also being done on your competitor's site.

Myth 2: We can rank you in 48 hours.
Truth 2: The Internet is huge and new websites are submitted to search engines daily. Not only are search engine spiders looking for new sites to index, but they also have to constantly re-crawl websites for updates. The reality is that this just takes time. Actually, a slow climb has been proven in most studies to mean a stronger hold at the top, while a fast jump up usually means an equally speedy plunge or worse...being banned from ranking all together (due to 'unethical practices').

Myth 3: We can get you to the top of Google in a month.
Truth 3: There are thousands of websites submitted to Google every day. The “unofficial” truth is that when a new website is submitted to Google it goes into what is called “the sandbox”. Some speculate that new submissions can sit in the sandbox for a period of several months before Google even takes the initiative to look at them. Why? Google wants to provide the world's best quality results and this is another way to minimize those trying to beat their algorithms.

Myth 4: You have to buy your keywords.
Truth 4: The SEO Company does not own keywords nor does anyone else. Keywords are words and phrases that are relevant to your site/products/services/company that you use throughout your site. These are the words people looking for you will type into a search field. You can use as many keywords as you like and if you pay at all for this service, it should only be to add your whole list of keywords to your meta tags and not each one individually.

Myth 5: We'll submit your site to 1,000's of search engines.
Truth 5: The majority of search engines actually pull their results from four major search engines: Google, MSN, Yahoo, and Teoma (and Teoma does not accept site submissions). Paid inclusion is generally pulled from Google AdWords and Yahoo's Overture. Click Here to see search engine feeds. Notice that only the four named above supply all other search engines with results.

Myth 6: We submit 50 times a day.
Truth 6: Even Google states that this is not necessary. Submission in reality should not be required if you plan right. All you need are quality incoming links to get you indexed, but without incoming links an initial hand submission is recommended just to let the internet world know you're out there. Although over-submission is not generally penalized, search engines agree that there really are better ways of spending your time and money... like building better content.

The Whole Truth: The best ways to get your site ranked higher is to have a website cleanly built by a professional web design firm, research your keywords and your competitors, write keyword-rich content for your readers, build quality links, and complete your titles/meta tags honestly. Having your website linked on other reputable high-traffic websites and using interactive advertising resources like CitySearch are also intelligent options.