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Three SEO Traps That SEO Agencies Don’t Want You to Know

August 23, 2024 / 9 minute read / By Zoya Naeem

3 SEO Traps That Agencies Don't Want You To Know

Not sure what are the red flags of a wrong SEO agency? Here’s your blueprint to get it right.

Ever wondered if your SEO agency is really delivering or just stringing you along?

It’s a fair question, especially if you are investing your time and money into something as crucial as SEO. We all know how important it is to rank well on Google today. After all, if your business isn’t visible online, it’s almost like you don’t exist as well, right?

But here’s the thing: SEO isn’t just about getting any kind of ranking or traffic. It’s about attracting the right audience and people who are genuinely interested in what you offer. That’s where things can get tricky, as not all SEO agencies play by the same rules. In fact, some are more interested in showing you flashy, short-term results than in helping you achieve sustainable growth.

Which is what we will be talking about in this article. We’ll be spilling the beans on the three sneaky traps that some SEO agencies use but won’t tell you about, including:

The Use of Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
Helping you Rank for Keywords that Have Little or No Value
Claiming to be More Skilled Than They Really Are

These traps might seem harmless at first, and you might think you are getting great service, but in reality, they could be hurting your business more than you know.

If you have made up your mind to hire an SEO agency, it’s very important to ensure you work with the right people; those who know their stuff and aren’t going to waste your money.

But, if you are already working with an SEO agency and feel like things are going down the hill, we’ll also be walking you through the five steps to work your way out of the traps of the bad SEO agency.

By the end of this article, you will be better equipped to spot the red flags from a mile away and ensure your SEO strategy is actually working for you, not just fueling your SEO agency’s income.

Trap #1: Agencies Use Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

Not all links are created equal. But some SEO agencies don’t care, and they will get links from anywhere they can to drive traffic to your site—including PBNs.

If you aren’t familiar with a PBN, it’s a bunch of websites that are set up just to link back to your main site with the goal of tricking Google into thinking your site is super popular. On the surface, this might seem like a smart hack, but there is more to it.

SEO agencies use PBNs because they can give you quick results. You might see your website shoot up in rankings, and it feels like things are going really great, but it’s just like building a house of cards. It might look good for now, but it’s not going to stand up in the long run.

Unfortunately, most agencies are using PBNs to create backlinks for their clients. Using a PBN to generate backlinks for your business is like putting your money on fire. Google will find out eventually, and your site could get penalized.

There’s no denying that PBNs will get you backlinks. But the websites they are coming from have zero authority with Google, and when Google catches wind that all of your links are coming from questionable websites, they will penalize your site before you can even say, ‘I didn’t know the links were coming from a PBN!’

Pro Tip: Look For Transparency in SEO Reporting

When your SEO agency talks about link-building, ask them where those links come from. Quality always beats quantity in SEO (especially with all the new Google updates), relevant websites will do way more for your rankings than an avalanche of links from low-quality or unrelated sites. If your SEO agency gets vague or defensive, that’s a red flag. Remember, transparency in SEO reporting is key, so make sure they are building your backlinks the ethical way, not just the fast way.

Trap #2: They’ll Get You Ranking for Keywords That Have Little to No Value

Next up is a sneaky little move where an SEO agency might get you to rank for keywords that sound impressive, but nobody’s actually searching for them. Ranking on the first page of Google for a keyword with no search traffic is like coming in first place in a race where no one else is competing. In simpler words, it’s completely useless.

Many SEO agencies boast about top rankings for useless keywords to impress clients. But these rankings are worthless without driving qualified and relevant traffic to your eCommerce store.

So, how do you avoid falling into this trap?

It’s simple, just look up the search volume for the keywords your agency is targeting. You can use free tools like Google Keyword Planner to see if people are actually searching for those terms. If the search volume is low, it’s time to have a chat with your agency.

One of the big red flags is when your rankings are up, but your site traffic isn’t. If you are getting more top spots but not seeing any real impact, your SEO agency might be playing the keyword tricks.

The only important thing is ranking against competitive keywords that drive real value and qualified traffic to your site. If your SEO agency can’t do that, it’s time to find a new partner.

Pro Tip: Focus on Intent, Not Just Keywords

When it comes to keyword selection, it’s not just about ranking for any term, it’s about understanding the intent behind what people are searching for. You might want to ask yourself, are these keywords actually bringing in qualified traffic to your site? If not, you might be ranking high for something irrelevant. So, focus on keywords that align with your ideal customers who are genuinely looking for what you offer. With this strategy, your traffic will not just increase in numbers; it will be filled with people who are ready to engage with your business.

Trap #3: They Are Not as Skilled as They Claim

Last but not the least, if your SEO agency couldn’t find a spot for themselves on Google, they might as well not be capable of helping you win. This could mean a couple of things;

Either they are not as good at SEO as they claim, or
They just don’t care enough to put in the effort.

Neither of these options is reassuring when you are trusting them with your eCommerce site.

A good test is to Google ‘SEO Agency + your region/city’ and see where they appear on search. You might also want to notice the links that direct to their site as you look them up on Google.

If they aren’t ranking for any of the competitive keywords or phrases, you need to look for other options.

Learn More: Should You Hire an SEO Agency or Use Your eCommerce Provider’s SEO Services?

Take These 5 Steps If You’re Stuck with a Bad SEO Agency

So, if you are already stuck with an SEO agency that promised you the world but handed you an atlas, you are not alone, and there’s a way out.

Here are five steps on how you can navigate your way out of a bad SEO partnership:

Step 1: Assess the situation
You start by taking note of where your eCommerce site stands. Review the results you have been promised versus what’s actually been delivered. Look for answers to questions like are your rankings up, but the traffic is flat? Are you seeing links from spammy sites?

If it’s clear that your SEO agency is not delivering, it’s time to consider your options and make your next move.
Step 2: Talk things out with your SEO agency
You want to have an open and honest conversation with your SEO agency. Ask them to explain their strategy and why it isn’t yielding the expected results. This will help you get more clarity if the problem is fixable or if it’s time to consider another option.
Step 3: Seek a second opinion
It’s always a wise move to get a fresh perspective. You might want to bring in an expert to audit your current SEO strategy. They can help you understand whether the agency’s tactics are sound or if they are dragging you down the wrong path.

Watch YouTube Short: Our Web Services Director, Zeke Hamdani Talks about How to Make Your eCommerce Website a Standout in Google Search
Step 4: Plan your exit
If you have the clarity and are sure that the agency isn’t going to help you meet your needs, it’s time to plan your exit. Start by reviewing your contract to understand any service termination clauses or notice periods. You would also want to make sure that you have a transition plan in place to avoid any disruptions to your SEO efforts.
Step 5: Transition to a better fit (Let Your eCommerce provider handle your SEO)
This is where things can get a bit tricky, but also where you can really turn things around for your eCommerce business. As a retailer, you can leverage your eCommerce provider’s SEO services that are tailored specifically for your website.

As your eCommerce provider, they already know the ins and outs of your site and can create a strategy that’s perfectly aligned with your needs. Making this switch will not only save you from the headaches of a poorly executed SEO strategy but also ensure that your online presence is handled by experts who truly understand your business.

Download Educational eBook: SEO 101: Launching a New Website is Only the First Step

Ready to Get Things Back on Track and See Real Results? Start Here.

At Celerant, we understand that ranking higher on SERPs is crucial for attracting more traffic and growing your retail business. That’s why we offer professional SEO services as an add-on for our existing and new clients.

Whether you are a long-term user of our all-in-one retail POS system or just getting started with us, our SEO services are designed to boost your website’s visibility organically without relying on paid ads. Here’s a quick look at how and what we help you with:

Technical SEO
We make sure all your web pages are optimized so that the search engines can crawl, index, and show your site to people who are actually searching for your products and what you offer.
Content SEO
We help you create high-quality, search engine-friendly content infused with the right keywords to hit all the right notes with Google and keep your visitors engaged and coming back for more.
On-Page SEO
From editing your URL structure and metadata to optimizing images, we fine-tune everything directly on your website to get better results in terms of higher rankings and better traffic.
Off-Page SEO
We create quality backlinks from trusted third-party sites to yours, strengthening your domain authority and improving your overall rankings on search engines

Ready to give your online marketing strategy the boost it needs with an all-in-one retail POS system?

See Which System Is Right for You

Three SEO Traps That SEO Agencies Don’t Want You to Know

Not sure what are the red flags of a wrong SEO agency? Here’s your blueprint to get it right.

Which is what we will be talking about in this article. We’ll be spilling the beans on the three sneaky traps that some SEO agencies use but won’t tell you about, including:

Trap #1: Agencies Use Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

Pro Tip: Look For Transparency in SEO Reporting

Trap #2: They’ll Get You Ranking for Keywords That Have Little to No Value

Pro Tip: Focus on Intent, Not Just Keywords

Trap #3: They Are Not as Skilled as They Claim

Take These 5 Steps If You’re Stuck with a Bad SEO Agency

Step 1: Assess the situation

Step 2: Talk things out with your SEO agency

Step 3: Seek a second opinion

Step 4: Plan your exit

Step 5: Transition to a better fit (Let Your eCommerce provider handle your SEO)

Ready to Get Things Back on Track and See Real Results? Start Here.

Technical SEO

Content SEO

On-Page SEO

Off-Page SEO

Retail Resources You May Be Interested In…

Wholesale vs Retail Pricing: What’s the Difference?

3 Ways Drop Shipping Can Increase Sales for Retailers

Retail eCommerce SEO Services: Inhouse vs SEO Agency vs eCommerce Provider

About Celerant

Learning Center

Partners

Three SEO Traps That SEO Agencies Don’t Want You to Know

Not sure what are the red flags of a wrong SEO agency? Here’s your blueprint to get it right.

Which is what we will be talking about in this article. We’ll be spilling the beans on the three sneaky traps that some SEO agencies use but won’t tell you about, including:

Trap #1: Agencies Use Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

Trap #2: They’ll Get You Ranking for Keywords That Have Little to No Value

Trap #3: They Are Not as Skilled as They Claim

Take These 5 Steps If You’re Stuck with a Bad SEO Agency

Ready to Get Things Back on Track and See Real Results? Start Here.

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Retail Resources You May Be Interested In…

Wholesale vs Retail Pricing: What’s the Difference?

3 Ways Drop Shipping Can Increase Sales for Retailers

Retail eCommerce SEO Services: Inhouse vs SEO Agency vs eCommerce Provider

About Celerant

Learning Center

Partners