Education is the answer here, which is why this post is so useful. People in business need to be educated that there is a certain process to go through when wanting to get SEO services and that process has to start with personal recommendations – the more we drip feed that message into the minds of people, the fewer casualties there will be.

I recently took on a client that had searched for SEO services online, went with a company that was highly prominent in Google, and still got their fingers burnt to the tune of £thousands so even those SEO people who get themselves up high in Google don't necessarily deliver the goods, which is why recommendations are so important. A few weeks later, they're now back on track – that client came through personal recommendation but it was still challenging to gain the client because they still had burnt fingers and distrusted the sector. Unfortunately, the amateurs in this game are tarnishing the reputation of everyone and it's getting to the point where estate agents appear to be more trustworthy!

Getting people we know signed up to blog postings and encouraging them to read them, will gradually help businesses to make the right decisions and over time, hammer those nails in the coffins of those less desirable people in our industry.

If you are looking for SEO services I would go for personal referral from someone who has got results from the services of company rather than accepting cold calls or unsolicited emails.

Some of the scams I have come across from clients asking advice have included – Companies using temporary google paid advertising to show how good they are at SEO, companies whose main SEO effort on your site is to promote their business or other clients of theirs. Beware and take advice or as you point out Jo you can do some much yourself with a little knowledge and realistic expectations.