Browsing the Internet as I do, I often come across posts/questions/sites with SEO information.

LinkedIn for example, has a Q&A section in which one could ask a question, and others may answer them. But when it comes to questions regarding SEO, I want to pass along this warning.

A lot of times a member will ask a question regarding SEO or Internet marketing in general and receive a large number of answers (a lot of SEO fish in this pond). But the problem arises when the answers are from people who don’t actually “know” SEO as much as they know of it.

Answers like:

“Just make sure you do these 2 things and you’ll be ok…”

I’m not saying this is bad advice. Actually, these are most often from people with the greatest of intentions. But you know how the saying goes:

“Good intentions pave the path to fast food restaurants, and that leads to heart failure.”

or something like that.

These answers are a problem because of the specific nature of the questions. Without really getting into a site, answers like these can not only not help, but actually hurt a site’s performance.

Remember that every site is different. What works for one may be a hindrance for another. Unfortunately, there are no “right” answers when it comes to Internet marketing, but there are plenty of wrong ones.

On one such question today, I recalled a situation that often arises with our website design partners.

White Label vs. SEO Consulting

Our private label SEO service has been booming lately. It’s going really well and has created a lot of excitement (as well as questions on the direction of the business all together). I mean think about it.

A web designer or firm is able to add a revenue-generating service to their clients, boosting satisfaction, and they don’t even have to do the work or hire anyone. This stuff sells itself.

But we do get a lot of freelance designers that simply don’t have the flow of work to justify solidifying a relationship. So, as a solution we work on a consulting basis with said designer on a few of their projects until they get the hang of the basics.

This doesn’t make them SEO Rockstars, and so far they haven’t touted themselves as such. But it does give them some insight to use while designing their sites and helping their clients.

So, be careful with the advice you are give on blogs or Q&A sites. And if in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask a professional.