First, let me start off by stating that our company, The Stack Group, set out to create an affordable SEO solution for small to medium sized businesses - or essentially create a simplified approach to SEO that focuses on the main areas that create growth and eliminate the costly elements of SEO that produce minimal impact to the rankings of a site. So, while a good part of this article may be about warning you on bad practices around affordable SEO companies, I realize that our own approach to SEO is also considered 'cheap' in the industry.

My whole purpose of this article is to help be a guide on finding a company that can perform beneficial SEO work regardless of budget. After all, not everyone has a big budget to invest in SEO so they must find ways to cut costs to be able to get the work done while still seeing results. So lets get into it.

Does Cheap SEO Work?

I guess that question really isn't the question. The question should be, what are the critical tasks I should implement to boost my site's SEO on a budget? In reality, affordable means that you are trying to get a positive result on a budget - so something has to be done to achieve that goal - or something has to be minimized to achieve that goal.

Reputable SEO companies that offer affordable SEO services typically take the 200 known ranking elements that google looks at and simplifies it down to the main elements that can be performed to give you the biggest impact. This could include basic keyword research, competitive research, optimizing site page content including page titles, descriptions, H1/H2/H3 headings, alt text images, optimizing mobile experience, creating content to fill keyword gaps etc.... The result for this approach is still a positive result when it comes to improving keyword rankings and site traffic bc it removes the costs associated with trying to work on all ranking elements.

Where affordable SEO breaks down is when companies implement black hat techniques or other approaches that google looks down on to try and create what looks like growth but it's actually manipulated and can lead to diminishing returns because the algorithms have become so sophisticated that they look for these tactics.

Additionally, a lot of companies are trying to cut corners by outsourcing their SEO work to overseas companies or freelancers who may not be up to date on the techniques used in their industry and culture - as well as language nuances which can cause communication issues.

So how do you know the difference?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

1. Guaranteed Rankings: No reputable SEO company can guarantee a top position on Google or any other search engine. SEO is an ongoing effort, and search engine algorithms change frequently.
2. Quick Results: SEO is a long-term game. Anyone promising fast rankings is likely using tactics that can harm your website in the long run.
3. Secret Techniques: SEO is based on well-documented strategies and techniques. If a company is unwilling to explain their methods, consider it a major red flag.
4. Lack of Transparency: If the company does not provide regular, detailed reports on what they're doing and or the results of their efforts, they may not be legitimate.
5. No Change in Site Content: If a company isn't making changes to your website's content or giving you any advice on how to optimize it, it's likely they are relying on bad SEO techniques such as buying backlinks or fake traffic - at the end of the day, content is an essential element of SEO and a lack of adjusted content or new site content is a clear red flag that bad SEO techniques are being implemented or worse - no work is being done

Indicators of a Reputable, Affordable SEO Company

Here are signs to look for when seeking out a reputable, yet affordable, SEO provider.

Transparent Communication

Transparency is crucial when dealing with any SEO company. A reputable firm will be open about their techniques, strategies, and expected timelines. They should provide you with regular and comprehensive reports that clearly detail site traffic, targeted keyword rankings, google analytics and google search console data and more. While most companies can't provide you with step by step details of every aspect of the SEO work done, viewing the results and tracking your progress should be an element that they provide.

Customized Solutions

Every business is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach usually falls short. The right SEO firm will take the time to understand your specific needs, goals, and challenges. They will offer tailored solutions, rather than cookie-cutter packages.

Clear, Achievable Goals

While no one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google, a trustworthy SEO company will discuss realistic goals for your business. Whether it’s improving your rank for specific keywords, increasing organic traffic, or boosting conversion rates, they should be able to outline achievable objectives.

White-Hat Techniques

Ethical, or "white-hat," SEO techniques are crucial for long-term success. The company should focus on creating high-quality content, optimizing on-page elements, and building natural backlinks. These methods may take longer to yield results but are sustainable and won't risk penalties from search engines.

A Portfolio of Success

Any reputable SEO company should be willing to share case studies or testimonials from previous clients. Real-world examples of successful SEO campaigns are strong indicators of their capability and reliability.

Up-to-Date Practices

SEO is an ever-evolving field. A reliable, affordable SEO firm stays updated on industry trends, algorithm changes, and emerging techniques. Their practices should adapt to current standards, ensuring that your SEO strategy remains effective.

Holistic Approach

SEO doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A good provider will look at the bigger picture, including how SEO intersects with content marketing, user experience, social media, and other aspects of your digital presence.