How To Avoid Local SEO Scams and $99 Cheap Offers

Avoid SEO Scams
Most reputable SEO companies would agree that they have gained more clients from local businesses by doing quality work and providing tangible and measurable results.

But, Marketing and SEO, just like any other industry, is filled with con artists trying to make quick bucks from gullible and naïve small businesses. I have been in the SEO and marketing industry for almost 20 years, and it still pains me to see a small business fall prey to these tactics.

As some of you may be aware that besides providing Local SEO services, I also provide SEO consultations to other SEO and marketing firms; and, I also provide SEO training. Educating people is my passion, always has been and always will be.

Content and links are the backbones of a solid SEO strategy!

Content and links are the backbones of a solid SEO strategy!

Here's the fact


If you are serious about ranking at the top of Google, you need lots of good-quality backlinks and excellent content on your website.


Recently I had the privilege to consult an agency whose client had received a dirt cheap, SEO offer.

Whenever you come across such "too good to be true cheap SEO offer," it usually is. I urge you to exercise some caution and do some due diligence.

 

As soon as their client received this incredible offer, they called up this SEO agency, who ended up calling me for consultation. The agency called me up as they did not understand how this SEO link builder can offer their client a ridiculously cheap link-building offer. That, too, on premium guest post links.

 

After digging through a little bit more, we deduced that this offer was no different than the offers that usually come through Craigslist, Kijiji or through a mass spam email.

 

In any case, when we looked at the offer, we quickly learned that all the links were part of a PBN and were worthless.

 

In SEO, it really is true that... you get what you pay for!

Avoid links from low-quality sites and PBN sites

What is a PBN?

PBN is short for Private Blog Network. In essence, a PBN is a collection of low-quality websites built by shady SEOs that provide them with complete control over how to link back to a "money" site. A "money" site could be a specific site that the PBN controller owns, or it could be a client site for whom they would build links over time.

Problems with Low-Quality PBNs

  1. Most PBNs are made of low quality expired domains that have great backlinks and therefore pass high levels of link equity to "money" site.
  2. PBN owners mistakenly think that it is a shortcut to get high-quality backlinks. They are trying to avoid the tedious tasks typically required and done for building quality links by honest and reputable SEOs.
  3. Most PBN site has no traffic coming to the website. These sites have also lost almost all their traffic. Usually, this is due to the Google penalty or due to the domain left expired for an extended period.

Why Does Anyone Build Backlinks?

We all know that the real reason to build backlinks for SEO or marketing is to generate and increase visitor traffic for your website.

 

Doesn't it make sense to get links from high-quality sites that are already getting lots of traffic?

 

But, many small businesses don't know that—this how these scammers take advantage of small business owners.

 

Watch the video below that shows a portion of our audit we did.

The best way to avoid such SEO scammers is by following some simple rules and common sense.

Common Sense Rules To Follow Before Hiring an SEO Company

1. Deal with local SEO or a local SEO company

It is best to deal with local individuals in and around your area and neighborhoods who can meet with you in person or at least do a video call. This one tip will help you avoid 90% of scammers.

 

2. Ask For References and Verify Them

Once you have selected your local SEO company, ask them for a list of references. Then call and verify that they are legitimate businesses and not their friends or buddies. By adding this extra step, you will now be able to avoid 99% of scammers.

 

3. Check Online Reviews, Awards & Accolades

Make sure you check their online reviews. Online reviews from their clients will give you a sense of their service and completed work. A good standing from BBB or other online associations will provide you with added peace of mind. If the SEO company has taken good care of their clients in the past, chances are they will continue to do the same in the future as well.

Client Testimonial

"Ace and his Team has helped grow our online presence through SEO and social media.  His service has been invaluable to help us accelerate our business.  A must have for any enterprise."

- Shafique Karim

Here's the truth

Most good, result-based local SEOs are already busy with enough work and rarely send emails soliciting for business. New business solicitations are generally coming from those that are either new in the industry or from those agencies that have problems retaining their existing clients. Obviously, these firms have no proven track record or experience or are using outdated strategies that their clients are simply not happy with their services.


I am sure that this post may piss some SEOs. But, somebody has to take a stand for the hard-working SEOs who are passionate about helping clients.

How To Avoid Local SEO Scams and $99 Cheap Offers

If you are a small business, I hope this blog post will help you in avoiding such scams and help you select the right SEO provider for your business.


We have dedicated almost 20 years to serving our clients, both in the USA and Canada and across many industries. Our clients have experienced is that quality work, undoubtedly and without fail, shows results in a massive way!


By Ace Rashid May 26, 2025
Boost visibility and drive sales with smart Small Business PPC strategies. Target the right audience, reduce costs, and increase ROI effectively.
By Mo Kashanian May 19, 2025
Boost your health clinic SEO with proven strategies to increase visibility, attract more patients, and grow your practice online with targeted local SEO tactics.
By Ace Rashid May 12, 2025
Discover essential law firm SEO strategies to boost your online presence, attract more clients, and rank higher on Google with proven legal marketing tactics.
By Ace Rashid May 5, 2025
Accelerate your clinic's growth with effective dental SEO strategies. Attract more patients, improve local rankings, and enhance your online presence today.
By Ace Rashid April 25, 2025
Your website is often the very first interaction someone has with your Calgary business. Think about it – before they call, before they visit, they probably check you out online. That digital first impression needs to count, making effective Calgary web design absolutely critical for your online presence. But a great website involves more than just pretty pictures or flashy effects. It needs to actively work for your business, attracting visitors through search engines and converting them into loyal customers. Getting your Calgary web design right means blending aesthetics, smooth operation, and visibility. This is where Ace SEO Consulting comes in.
By Ace Rashid April 18, 2025
Your website is often the very first interaction potential customers have with your business. Think about it; how many times have you personally clicked away from a site that looked unprofessional or was hard to use? At Ace SEO Consulting , we believe that a great Calgary web design is much more than just looking good; it's about creating an experience that connects with visitors and turns them into customers. Your online success starts with a killer website. Smart Calgary small businesses invest in professional web design—it's that important.
By Ace Rashid April 11, 2025
Are you a Calgary business owner wondering how to get noticed online? You probably know potential customers are using a search engine like Google for businesses just like yours. Getting found in those search results isn't luck; it's about smart search engine optimization or SEO. Calgary SEO can be tricky. Selecting the best SEO service will really help your business grow. Choosing the right seo agency can make a significant difference in finding customers online. Consider your current search methods. If you need a plumber or want to find a new restaurant, you likely grab your phone and perform a Google search. Your potential customers in Calgary are doing the exact same thing, searching for local businesses like yours. Having a strong online presence means you show up when they search for what you offer. Simply having a website isn't enough anymore. Without engine optimization, your site might be invisible to the people who matter most – local Calgary customers ready to buy.  This is where specialized Calgary SEO services become essential. A professional Calgary seo company can help improve your visibility. Proper search engine optimization search techniques are vital.
By Ace Rashid April 4, 2025
Managing social media effectively can feel like a demanding, full-time job. Building a strong brand means showing up where your customers are—actively engaging and making connections across different platforms. Yet, finding sufficient time and possessing the right know-how often seems like a significant hurdle. That's where expert social media help comes in. Businesses get the support they need to connect with people online and grow. Forget basic posting. We craft a social media strategy designed to get your business noticed and increase its growth. Perhaps you've attempted managing posts yourself or delegated the task to an already overburdened employee. It's frustrating; sometimes, you get great results, and other times, nothing. The inconsistency is a problem.  Rest assured, social media marketing/email marketing is incredibly worthwhile, but success hinges on the correct methodology. Businesses looking to win online should consider dedicated social media marketing experts. These services provide a complete approach to marketing on social media.
Effective Stucco Contractor Branding Strategies
By Ace Rashid December 26, 2024
Discover effective stucco contractor marketing, branding, and business growth strategies. Tips to boost your online presence and drive business growth.
By Ace Rashid December 4, 2024
Explore fundamental SEO best practices in this comprehensive guide! Discover what SEO best practices you can use to take your business to new heights!
Show More