You know the importance of SEO (search engine optimization) to a growing business, but learning its complex in’s and out’s to do it where it’s successful enough to be worth your time…well, as a busy small business owner, it can easily get lost in the mix or pushed down the road.
For that reason, businesses often seek out third-party services to boost their website’s visibility. However, relying on services like Townsquare, Scorpion, or Thomson Reuters can unknowingly lead businesses into trouble. There are legitimate risks associated with these services and they can potentially have a negative impact on your SEO efforts.
1. Their Tactics Are Not What You Think
In the SEO world, there is something called “ethical SEO techniques”. This includes creating high-quality content, optimizing meta tags, and building high-quality backlinks. All of this leads to sustainable long-term success.
On the other hand, services like Townsquare, Scorpion, and Thomson Reuters tend to rely on more manipulative tactics that may work in the short term, but quickly have consequences regarding your digital marketing strategy overall.
Townsquare, for instance, relies heavily on keyword stuffing, which can result in Google penalizing your site. Scorpion utilizes aggressive tactics such as creating duplicate content, which can potentially lead to an actual decrease in search engine rankings if not done thoughtfully and creatively. Thomson Reuters tends to rely on outdated techniques like exact-match anchor text, which now violate Google’s guidelines.
2. You No Longer Own Your Content
When you search through a site looking for a potential service, many of us tend to skip the Terms of Use section listed on the bottom of a page.
Yet, you know that before you sign an agreement, you need to read ALL the fine print.
Let’s take a look at the fine print on Townsquare’s site:
“Ownership. As between the Parties: (i) all Townsquare-Furnished Material and all IP rights associated therewith shall remain the sole property of Townsquare and all use thereof by Client shall inure to the sole benefit of Townsquare; and (ii) all Client-Furnished Material and all IP rights associated therewith shall remain the sole property of Client and all uses thereof by Townsquare shall inure to the sole benefit of Client.”
In other words, for many of these larger SEO companies, the content their team creates for you, whether it be blogs, web copy, eBooks, etc., is owned by them. That means, down the road, if you decide to go in-house or in another direction, when you break up with that company, they still own the content. And you start back at square one.
Be sure that when you sign on to partner with an agency, you will own the rights to all of your business’ material, no matter who creates it, after that partnership is over.
3. Nothing Is Truly Personalized
It can be tempting, while looking for an SEO team to partner with, to choose a larger, big name agency. You know they have established themselves in the industry and seem the “safe” way to go.
However, in such an agency, your business can easily become a “drop in the bucket”, especially if your needs are lesser for the time being.
In a boutique digital marketing agency, there is a personal touch not found elsewhere. The team knows who you are, your passion for your business, and how you want it presented to the world. They work hard to develop an individualized digital marketing strategy that will grow your unique business.
We at GoBeyond SEO prides ourselves on delivering both exceptional digital marketing results and high-end customer service. We enable you to create a valuable user experience to potential clients, from which you will see a positive impact on your website’s search engine rankings over time. Our ethical SEO techniques yield the benefits you actually want: increased search engine visibility, improved online presence, and a portfolio of content all your own.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for a free strategy consultation.
