Many SEO companies can provide businesses with valuable services, but you need to beware because there are many SEO companies or companies claiming to be SEO’s, that use unscrupulous marketing tactics and make false promises in an effort to get your money.  Be particularly cautious of companies that solicit you with unsolicited telemarketing calls or spam emails promising top rankings.

Some of Google’s top warning include:

1) Be wary of SEO firms and web consultants or agencies that send you email out of the blue. Reserve the same skepticism for unsolicited email about search engines as you do for “burn fat at night” diet pills or requests to help transfer funds from deposed dictators.

2) No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.  Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee rankings, allege a “special relationship” with Google, or advertise a “priority submit” to Google. There is no priority submit for Google.

3) Choose wisely. While you consider whether to go with an SEO, you may want to do some research on the industry. Google is one way to do that, of course. You can also check with your web designer or their contacts. Google doesn’t comment on specific companies, but they’ve encountered firms calling themselves SEOs who follow practices that are clearly beyond the pale of accepted business behavior. Be careful.

Listed below are a couple of examples of companies that have received numerous complaints and bad feedback on web:

Mainstreethost.com
Sample reports http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/350/RipOff0350339.htm
http://stopmainstreethost.blogspot.com/

usaseopros.com
Sample report http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/347/RipOff0347104.htm

Internet Advancement
Sample report
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002002970_nwbizbriefs12.html.
Simple things you can do to research an SEO company are:
1) Do a Google or other search on the company and see what type of feedback comes about the company from previous customers, complaints, etc.
2) Speak with your web designer. Maybe they offer SEO services, or know a reputable company that does. Your web designer can probably help you research these companies as well.

Minds Over Media provides full-service online marketing services including web design Denver, SEO Denver, video production Denver, social media marketing Denver, blog design Denver, graphic design Denver, and other digital media services.