Knowing What Type Of SEO You're Working With Can Help You Make A Better Informed Decision

If you want White Hat SEO done and the Search Engine Optimization Provider you've chosen doesn't work that way, you may find yourself in a world of trouble. For this reason it's very important to understand that there are different types of SEO. What separates them is a combination of how they view the way SEO should be done and the tools they use. Never assume for a moment that one SEO is just like another - they are not!

There are three main "beliefs" when it comes to Search Engine Optimization. These are:

1. All that matters is the end results - This type of SEO doesn't care what the Search Engines say. All that matters is that they get results and will use any and all tools to do so. This isn't to say they are Black Hat, merely that they will use Black Hat SEO techniques without a moment's hesitation.
2. You have to follow the guidelines - These SEO Providers are purely White Hat. They will not use any technique which is not already approved of by the Search Engines. This type of provider would never even consider using anything that could be called "Gray Hat SEO" - it's acceptable or nothing.
3. You have to balance the two - In this case the goal is to find a middle ground between getting results and what's acceptable to the Search Engines. With this type of SEO Provider they will only use Black Hat techniques when there is no other way to get the results they are looking to achieve.

Each different type of provider has it's own inherent benefits and risks. With type #1 you risk having your website dropped in the Search Results or possibly removed from them altogether. To be blunt, there really is no legitimate reason for ever using this type of provider. If you have to scam people into coming to your website, or scam the Search Engines to giving you rankings, it means you have nothing to actually offer your visitors in the first place. Instead of trying to sucker everyone, it would be better to do a website revamp and make everything of real use to your visitors. I know this is not the "accepted" wisdom concerning this type of SEO Provider, however, that is the cold, hard truth about using them.

Type #2 comes with no risks at all, however, the benefits they provide can be slow in coming. Those benefits, however, will typically last for a very long time because they are built on a solid foundation. In most cases this means that what you get from them is far superior to the other two. However, if you're looking for a quick-fix or want results yesterday this type of provider will not be of help to you. If you want results that will be around for the long-haul and are willing to allow them to build at a realistic pace, then this is the type of SEO Provider you want to work with.

Type #3 usually makes up the vast majority of SEO providers. They will bend the rules to get results when needed, but will never use openly Black Hat SEO techniques. For them the results do matter, but it's also important not to go too far outside of the actual rules. For them it's all about balaning the rules with the results. These SEO Providers will more than happily play with Gray Hat SEO techniques whenever the opportunity arises. Unfortunately, because they work so close to the line between appropriate and inappropriate they can cross it without realizing. This means that even though they can get results, everything still involves a certain degree of risk.

As with most things in life, it all comes down to how much risk you are willing to endure. If you don't care about having your website removed from the Search Engines, then by all means play with the "Results At All Costs" type provider. If you are unwilling to endure any kind of risk at all, then the "Rules Only" provider is the one for you. All that matters at the end of the day is that you know what you're getting into and you can live with the consequences that come with it.

It should also be mentioned that all of this just focuses on the SEO Provider's beliefs about how things should be done. It has nothing to do with their individual work ethic or even the reality of how they do things. It's very easy for someone to claim to be a White Hat SEO while still playing with Gray Hat SEO techniques. This means you have to ask a lot of questions and figure out how they actually do things. Ask about what techniques they plan to use to accomplish what they say they will. If it sounds funny or inappropriate then assume that it probably is. If they won't tell you what they plan to do to get results, it means they have something to hide (no matter what they say on the subject).

When it comes to anything dealing with Search Engine Optimization you should always follow the age old wisdom "When in doubt ask questions!"