As a Chief Digital Officer with over 20 years of experience in the digital agency world, I’ve seen it all. From the brands that thrive with their meticulous SEO strategies to those that should never have ventured into this realm. This article is for the latter group, the ones who think SEO is some kind of magic wand that will grant them instant success without any effort on their part. So, if you have the following traits or points, please, for the love of the internet, do not invest in or hire an SEO agency.

1. You Need Quick Results Yesterday

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re the type of brand that needs instant gratification, then SEO is not for you. Results can take months, sometimes even years. If you’re looking for a magic bullet that will propel your website to the top of search engine results overnight, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Save yourself the hassle and stick to paid ads where you can see immediate results, even if they disappear as soon as you stop paying.

2. Patience is Not in Your Vocabulary

SEO requires patience. Lots of it. If waiting for results drives you up the wall, do not hire an SEO agency. Good SEO involves consistent effort, ongoing adjustments, and a deep understanding of your audience and industry. If you’re the type who wants to plant a seed today and expect a fully grown tree by tomorrow, SEO is not the garden you should be tending.

3. You Love to Frequently Change Agencies

Consistency is key in SEO. If you’re the kind of brand that jumps from one agency to another at the drop of a hat, you’re doing more harm than good. Each agency will have its own strategy and methodology, and constantly changing your SEO partner will disrupt your progress and confuse search engines. If you have commitment issues, SEO might not be your best bet.

4. You Don’t Understand or Appreciate the Basics of SEO

SEO is a complex field that requires a basic understanding of how search engines work, keyword research, on-page optimization, content creation, and link building, among other things. If you have no interest in understanding these basics and expect the agency to do all the heavy lifting without any input from you, you’re setting yourself up for failure. SEO is a collaborative effort; if you’re not willing to learn and participate, don’t bother.

5. You Have No Time for Analysis and Reports

SEO is data-driven. Regular analysis and reports are crucial to understand what’s working, what’s not, and where improvements can be made. If you don’t have the time or inclination to go through these reports and provide feedback, you’re hindering the agency’s ability to help you succeed. If you prefer to stay in the dark and hope for the best, SEO is not for you.

6. You Fall for Cheap SEO Packages

In the world of SEO, you get what you pay for. If you’re attracted to cheap SEO packages that promise the moon and the stars for a fraction of the cost, you’re in for a rude awakening. These packages often employ black-hat techniques that can get your site penalized or even banned by search engines. Quality SEO requires a significant investment in time and resources. If you’re looking for a bargain, you’re better off without SEO altogether.

The Harsh Reality of Cheap SEO

There’s no shortage of SEO agencies promising top results for bottom-dollar prices. They lure you in with guarantees of first-page rankings and exponential traffic growth at a cost that seems too good to be true—and it usually is. Cheap SEO often involves:

• Automated Tools: Instead of customized, human-driven strategies, these agencies rely on automated tools that churn out generic content and backlinks.
• Keyword Stuffing: They pack your content with keywords to the point of absurdity, making it unreadable and spammy.
• Link Farms: They acquire backlinks from low-quality, irrelevant sites that do nothing to improve your authority and can even harm your rankings.
• Short-term Gains: Any improvement you see is usually short-lived and followed by penalties or a sharp drop in rankings.

The Bottom Line: Invest Wisely or Not at All

If you’re a brand that truly values long-term success, understands the complexities of SEO, and is willing to invest the time and resources required, then you’re on the right path. At Scrolling Rabbit, we believe in sustainable, ethical SEO practices that deliver lasting results. We work closely with our clients, ensuring they understand each step of the process and the rationale behind our strategies.

So, if you have a long-term vision and are ready to commit to the SEO game, reach out to us at Scrolling Rabbit. Let’s grow your digital presence together, the right way. If not, well, maybe SEO just isn’t for you. Stick to the quick fixes and hope for the best.

After all, SEO isn’t for everyone—especially not for those who expect a miracle overnight.

Madhusudan, Chief Digital Officer at Scrolling Rabbit