Let’s be real: most business owners don’t really know what goes into SEO — and shady developers know it. That’s why you’ll see vague, inflated, or outright dishonest claims about SEO baked into web design quotes.
These red flags aren’t just sketchy — they’re designed to take your money while doing the bare minimum. If you’ve ever been promised “we’ll get you to #1 on Google,” this one’s for you.
1. “We’ll Rank You #1 on Google” — No Context Given
This is the classic SEO red flag. Anyone promising the top spot on Google without specifying what keyword or howthey’ll do it is either full of it or doesn’t understand SEO.
Why it’s a red flag: Ranking #1 for your company name? Easy. Ranking #1 for “best accountant in New York”? That’s war. One takes five minutes. The other takes a full strategy.
What you want instead: A realistic goal with keyword research, a timeline, and a content plan.
2. “SEO Included” — But There’s No Detail
Lots of quotes toss in “SEO” like it’s seasoning: vague, undefined, and ultimately worthless. True SEO isn’t a checkbox — it’s a combination of content, code, structure, performance, and ongoing effort.
Why it’s a red flag: If they don’t define what “included” means, they’re probably just checking your meta titles and calling it a day.
What you want instead:
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Technical SEO: site speed, mobile optimization, structured data
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On-page SEO: keyword-focused content, internal linking, optimized headings
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Off-page SEO (if offered): backlink strategies, citations, etc.
3. No Transparency About Tools or Reporting
If your developer says “don’t worry about it, we’ll handle everything,” but can’t explain how they track progress or what tools they use — run.
Why it’s a red flag: Real SEO pros use clear tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs. They offer reports, not magic tricks.
What you want instead: Clear, regular reporting — even a simple monthly dashboard — so you’re not flying blind.
4. No Technical SEO in Sight
The best content in the world won’t rank if your website is a technical mess. Sadly, many “SEO-included” builds ignore:
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Broken links
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Redirect chains
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Uncompressed images
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Missing schema markup
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Poor Core Web Vitals
Why it’s a red flag: These issues directly impact rankings, but they’re invisible to most non-technical clients — and lazy devs know that.
What you want instead: A site audit with Core Web Vitals, accessibility, mobile-friendliness, and page load analysis at launch.
5. No Plan for Ongoing SEO
SEO isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process of publishing content, optimizing existing pages, and adapting to search engine algorithm updates.
Why it’s a red flag: If your web quote treats SEO like a set-and-forget line item, you’re not actually getting SEO — just an illusion of it.
What you want instead: The option for ongoing SEO support — or at least a strategy to take with you if you’re managing content in-house.
Bonus: Hosting with No SEO Support
If your developer sets you up on slow, shared hosting with no SSL, no uptime monitoring, and no page speed optimization — they’re tanking your SEO before the game even starts.
What you want instead:
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Speed-focused, managed WordPress hosting
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Automatic backups and uptime monitoring
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Integrated CDN and security 👉 Like this: Managed WordPress Hosting by Ask the Egghead
Protect Yourself Before You Sign
Here’s what you should ask before approving a proposal:
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What specific SEO tasks are included?
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What tools will you use to track results?
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Will I be able to update content easily myself?
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Are you using best practices for Core Web Vitals?
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Is there a plan for SEO after launch?
If the answers are vague, overly simplified, or buzzword-heavy, consider that your sign to walk away.
At Ask the Egghead, we don’t just throw “SEO” into a quote — we define it, document it, and deliver it. Transparent, strategic, and performance-driven.
