Beware of the wolf in guaranteed SEO's clothing. Search engine optimization companies that offer guarantees may not be the best way to go.

At first, you might think that this is an odd subject for a search engine optimization company to be writing on. Should you use a search engine optimization company that takes your money and guarantees nothing? No!

Search engine optimization is simply relevant content, fresh content, and link population. It is a science. If the proposed services will enhance ALL of the three pillars of optimization, then your search engine optimization company should guarantee you that they will perform all of these task. That is imperative. Make sure there is this guarantee that exists in your service agreement and not just the proposal. Furthermore, make sure that you are entitled to a report of some kind to show evidence of your search engine optimization company performing the tasks which were guaranteed.

The guarantees to be wary of are those which guarantee top placement in a short amount of time, discontinue billing should the guarantee not be met, or give you the opportunity to close your contract. Wow, we have a lot to discuss.

First, if your search engine optimization company is promising a short turnaround of less than three months, ask them how. Do not buy into "proprietary process" or "snake oil" like mysteries. Also, if the specialist has pricing that is incredibly low, this is a sign that they are not the group to work with.

A popular offer made by many solid white hat search engine optimization companies is the time frame guarantee with discontinued billing should that time frame not be met. Another words, if you pay them $500 a month for 10 months and you are not on the first page of Google for (example only) "pet shop" then they will continue to work for free until you are number one.

Sounds good, right? Well, not really. Check with your lawyer on this one. Once you discontinue paying a company, they do not work for you any longer. So if they stop performing search engine optimization, you are out (in this scenario) $5,000.00 for the 10 months without any means of ramification because they don't legally work for you. (Once again, confirm this with your legal council.)

Another marketing offer made by search engine optimization companies is easier to identify as a bad idea. First, they require that you enter into a contract. Then, they guarantee a term to be ranked in a high position in a certain amount of time. Should they fail, you get to close the contract.

This one is easy to avoid...never sign a contract. Not having a contract is much stronger motivation for your search engine optimization company to perform. If you are guaranteeing them income for a year, they will not respond with as much vigor, generally speaking. However, keeping a relationship "month to month" will allow you and your search engine optimization company to maintain a stronger relationship which is kept together by the best business formula around. That formula being: good company providing good service keeps happy customer which is seeing results.

So lets review. Don't work with search engine optimization companies that are cheap and guarantee quick "unrealistic" results. Next, read your agreement vary carefully should you go with a company that offers free SEO services after failing to meet a deadline. Finally, do not sign a contract. Only sign a service agreement which outlines BOTH parties' responsibilities and make sure that your billing is monthly and on a 30 day term period.

About the Author

Jason Bland is with Adviatech Corp., a search engine optimization company. Adviatech offers a variety of SEO related services and recently launched the Total E-Marketing Package.