Our Definition of Ethical SEO

Interactive Marketing is a constantly evolving field on the edge of new technology.  Because of this, many unscrupulous companies use poorly defined standards and unfamiliar jargon to take advantage of their clients.  They claim proprietary systems and imply some sort of "web-magic" that only they have can deliver unbelievable results.  They use obscured pricing models to put more money in their pocket than towards their clients' marketing.  When clients question this they make promises they could never keep and use big words to confuse.  "It seems to good to be true, but they GUARANTEED results, how can I afford NOT to use them?"  At the end of the contract the client is left with vague excuses, more discounts to continue the worthless service, more empty promises, and ultimately - NO RESULTS.

Cardinal Web Solutions maintains complete transparency in all its pricing and procedures.  We educate our clients on the process, showing the sound logic and proven strategies behind our expected successes.  Although we do not make promises on variables we cannot control like rankings, we are happy to be held accountable to results.  We under-promise and over-deliver.  It might cost us a few deals that the fast-talking companies get, but we prefer long-term customers over short term profits. 

Some SEO companies use "Black-Hat" unethical procedures to deliver quick results.  If these are used for your site you can be blacklisted by the search engines, killing your business.  Some SEO companies buy links or include sites on a link network so that they can hold you hostage if you ever stop paying them.  Cardinal Web Solutions builds your website's value, one of your core assets, so that you can enjoy the benefits for the life of your business.  Your partner should do the same.

When choosing any SEO company, talk to their references, insist on industry standard analytics to measure success, use tracking systems like separate phone numbers on your web-site, ask questions, and trust your instincts. 

To your success!

Our 5 Ethical SEO Commandments:

1.)Always Improve

No black-hat SEO techniques of any kind should be utilized. This includes hiding text, buying links, and altering the web presence in any way that could jeopardize the site. The client site should always be left in better condition than before the SEO firm started.

2.)Complete transparency

Every action undertaken by an SEO firm should be available for the client to research. Every client should have access to backend analytics and pay-per-click campaigns. Reporting directly from the analytics source should be given every 30 days.

3.)Always tell the hard truth

Even if a client does not want to hear the truth, the SEO firm must be completely open with project feasibility and chance of success.

4.)Scale for the future

The SEO firm should not employ tactics that will only fix the problem temporarily. Solutions should be built for the future and give the client the ability to grow as SEO rankings progress..

5.)Share the knowledge

If a client requests information on a given tactic or strategy, that knowledge should be shared immediately. SEO is by the people and for the people and should be treated as such. If the SEO firm truly loves what it does than it will enjoy sharing the fruits of its wealth of knowledge.