7 Ways To Detect If a Digital Marketing Company is a Scam

In today’s world, finding a reputable marketing agency is an uphill task. While there are reputable and exceptional companies that genuinely care about their client's success, unscrupulous operators also prey on the naivety of business owners, leading to scams and exorbitant charges that yield little to no results. 

We understand this all too well at our agency, as we have been there, done that. We are passionate about shedding light on the telltale signs of a marketing agency that might be scamming you, aiming to equip business owners with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling victim to deceptive practices. 

Here are some red flags to look out for.

No Control Over Your Assets

Do you have control over your websites, photos, and social media accounts? Sometimes, agencies may set up a website for the client but still control it. This lack of ownership makes it hard for the business owner to change or move to a different provider if they become dissatisfied with the service. Similarly, some agencies may claim ownership of social media accounts they manage for clients, making it hard for the business owner to maintain a consistent brand image. To avoid falling victim to such, review contracts and seek clarity on ownership rights.

Locking You in Long-Term Contracts

These contracts often benefit the agency more than the business owner, with unfavourable terms and conditions that make it hard to terminate the agreement. By binding clients to these contracts, scam agencies ensure a steady income stream for themselves, irrespective of the actual value they deliver.

As a reputable agency, we prioritise open communication, provide ownership of assets, and offer flexible agreements that align with your business objectives. We believe that an ethical and honest approach to marketing is the foundation of a successful and long-lasting partnership.

Reporting System

Reputable marketing agencies are always transparent about performance and provide concrete results from tools like Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics. They will provide regular and comprehensive reports detailing your marketing campaigns' progress and showcasing their efforts' concrete results. On the other hand, scam agencies often keep these detailed insights private and even obfuscate their lack of results with vague or irrelevant metrics. If you are not receiving comprehensive reports, complete with screenshots and data from these platforms, it’s time to look for another agency.

Use of Lingo

One significant red flag to watch out for is the use of lingo that you need help understanding. They may try to impress you with complex jargon and technical terms, attempting to create an air of expertise while concealing their lack of tangible results. If you

need help to grasp the language they use or feel overwhelmed by their explanations, probe further and seek clarity.

Quality of Content

Scam agencies often cut corners regarding content creation. They produce generic, poorly written, or irrelevant content that does nothing to enhance your brand or connect with your audience. This kind of content can’t deliver results and can harm your site's reputation and search engine rankings.

We have had a firsthand experience with a client who had thousands of low-quality articles on their site, which needed improved search engine rankings and hurt their online presence. Once we removed the subpar content and focused on creating high-quality, valuable articles, we witnessed a significant improvement in their search rankings, leading to increased organic traffic and better search visibility.

So, as you consider partnering with a marketing agency, be vigilant about the quality of content they provide. Choose an agency that strongly emphasises understanding your business and creating content that reflects your brand and appeals to your customers.

Links

Black hat links are manipulative tactics that violate search engine guidelines, and search engines constantly refine their algorithms to detect and penalize such unethical practices. If your website is associated with black hat links, it may incur severe penalties, including removal from search engine results. This will undo all the hard work you put into building your website and brand. 

To protect yourself from this scam, ensure your marketing agency follows ethical SEO practices and builds high-quality, relevant links. Always ask to see the links they are using for your website. If these links are from dubious sources or employ black hat SEO techniques, they will affect your online presence.

Face-to-Face Meetings

Are the people you are dealing with available for in-person interactions? Do you know them? Do they create time to come to your business and discover what is happening? A scam agency may be evasive, delaying responses to your inquiries or avoiding phone calls altogether. Genuine marketing agencies prioritize clear communication and are readily available to address your concerns and provide updates. They are always ready to engage in face-to-face meetings to discuss strategies, goals, and progress. 

Our Empathy-Driven Approach and Commitment to Transparent Marketing Success

At our agency, we empathize with businesses' challenges and have experienced the industry's dark side firsthand. This fuels our passion for shedding light on the telltale signs of scam marketing agencies, empowering business owners to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to deceptive practices. Beware of agencies that make grand promises without concrete results or charge exorbitant fees without providing measurable value. We strive to be that reliable and transparent partner, dedicated to your success and committed to delivering tangible, sustainable results for your business.