Ways to Know if Your SEO Agency is Legit

By Jorge Melo

Introduction

“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.” That quote sums up what happens when a business hires the wrong SEO agency. Many dentists in Massachusetts know the feeling—spending hundreds of dollars every month for “SEO services” that never deliver results.

So how do you know if your SEO agency is legit? Simple: they should be transparent, data-driven, and focused on measurable growth. They should explain what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how it impacts your bottom line. Real SEO takes time, consistent optimization, and accountability—not empty promises or cookie-cutter campaigns.

In this article, I’ll break down how to spot the difference between a real SEO partner and a scam. You’ll also see how one of our clients, New England Tree and Landscape, completely transformed their online presence after working with J Melo Media—and how the same approach could work for your dental practice.

Don’t get scammed by an SEO agency: 8 red flags to watch for

1. Performance promises

No agency can guarantee #1 rankings—ever.

2. Meaningless metrics

If they only talk about rankings and not leads or traffic, walk away.

3. Crummy canned audits

Automated audits full of technical jargon and scare tactics aren’t real strategies.

4. Gateway to Googlers

No one has “inside access” to Google.

5. Leading with links

Buying links or using shady “blog networks” can get your site penalized.

6. Expert evaluations, training-wheels team

Ask who will actually handle your account—and their experience level.

7. Absence of accountability

A real partner provides a clear 3-month roadmap with measurable goals.

8. Regarding reviews

Check verified client reviews on Google or Clutch. No reviews = no trust.

Why do agencies scam?

Many rely on high client turnover. They promise quick results, take the money, and move on when clients realize nothing’s improving.

SEO principle

1. Keyword research and integration

Keyword research

Real SEO starts with keyword research. The right keywords connect you to the right patients. For example, “cosmetic dentist in New Bedford” or “family dental office in Boston” tells Google exactly what you offer and where you are. Long-tail keywords like these attract local patients actively searching for services like yours.

Keyword integration

Once your keywords are identified, they need to be used naturally throughout your website. That includes your homepage, service pages, and blog content. Overstuffing them (like “Boston dentist, best Boston dentist, top Boston dentist”) can actually hurt rankings. Balanced, meaningful integration is what drives long-term visibility.

Focus on the user experience

Improve page speed

Slow websites lose visitors fast. Studies show that 83% of users expect a site to load in three seconds or less. Dentists with slow sites risk losing patients before they even read about their services. Tools like Google Page Speed Insights can help pinpoint issues and improve performance.

Simple navigation

Your website should feel effortless to browse. Keep menus organized by services—like “Cosmetic Dentistry,” “General Dentistry,” and “Emergency Dental Care.” The easier it is for patients to find information, the longer they’ll stay.

Adding visuals

High-quality visuals build trust. Add professional images of your team, office, and procedures. Infographics can also help explain treatment options and pricing, keeping patients engaged longer.

Optimize title tags

Your title tag is the first impression a potential patient sees on Google. Use clear, keyword-rich titles that answer search intent. For example:

• Teeth Whitening in New Bedford – Brighten Your Smile with Professional Care

• Boston Dental Implants – Affordable, Lasting Solutions for Missing Teeth

Each one tells both Google and users exactly what the page is about.

Optimize your meta description

Your meta description should summarize what the page offers in 150–160 characters. Think of it like your elevator pitch in search results: short, clear, and helpful. Adding local terms—like “serving New Bedford and Boston patients”—helps improve relevance and click-through rates.

Publish valuable content for your audience

Educational blogs, videos, and FAQs are the backbone of strong dental SEO. When you share practical insights—like “How to Choose the Right Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth”—you position your practice as a trusted authority.

Tag images

Always use descriptive alt text (like “Boston cosmetic dentist performing teeth whitening”) so Google understands what’s in your photos. This improves accessibility and SEO performance at the same time.

Link internally

Internal links help both users and search engines navigate your site. Link between related service pages (like “veneers” and “crowns”) or from blogs to service pages. It keeps readers engaged and strengthens your site’s authority.

SEO metrics

Tracking the right metrics helps you know your SEO investment is working. Here are the 10 important SEO metrics to track in 2025:

1. Total clicks

Monitor how many users click your site in Google’s results using Google Search Console.

2. Core Web Vitals

These measure user experience factors like speed and interactivity.

3. Referring domains

The number of unique websites linking back to yours—crucial for authority.

4. Organic traffic

Track how many visitors arrive through search engines like Google and Bing.

5. User experience metrics

Watch bounce rate and dwell time in Google Analytics to gauge engagement.

6. Traffic cost

Tools like Semrush estimate how much your organic traffic would cost if you bought it via Google Ads.

7. Indexed pages

Check how many of your pages appear in Google’s index—too few means lost potential.

8. Average CTR

Your click-through rate shows how appealing your titles and descriptions are.

9. Keyword rankings

See where you rank for your most important search terms.

10. Coverage errors

Fix crawl and index issues regularly to avoid ranking drops.

Real results: how J Melo Media helped New England Tree and Landscape

When New England Tree and Landscape came to J Melo Media, their old website wasn’t doing them any favors. It was outdated, hard to navigate, and hosted by a large company charging way too much without regular updates or SEO support. They didn’t even appear on Google’s first 3 pages for local searches.

We completely rebuilt their website from the ground up. The new design was clean, modern, and fully optimized for SEO. Within just two to three months, they saw a huge increase in organic traffic.

Their website now ranks above all their competitors in Google’s search results. Customers regularly compliment the new design, and they’re getting new landscaping leads every week from people searching online. What used to be a static, overpriced website is now a revenue-generating asset.

That’s the power of proper SEO—and why partnering with a transparent, accountable agency like J Melo Media makes all the difference.

FAQ about SEO

What is SEO, and why does it matter for dentists?

SEO stands for search engine optimization. It helps your dental practice appear higher in Google searches so local patients can find you faster.

How long does it take to see SEO results?

Typically, you’ll see steady improvement within 3–6 months as your visibility grows.

Should I run ads and SEO at the same time?'

Yes! Combining SEO with paid ads specialists in New Bedford, MA and paid ads specialists in Boston, MA gives your practice both short-term visibility and long-term growth.

What kind of results can I expect from J Melo Media?

Our SEO services in New Bedford, MA and SEO services in Boston, MA are tailored to each client. We focus on measurable growth, transparent reporting, and ongoing optimization—not inflated promises.

FAQ about J Melo Media

What makes J Melo Media different from other SEO agencies?

We don’t rely on vague reports or inflated claims. Every strategy we build is customized for your business goals.

Do you offer website design too?

Yes. We design SEO-friendly websites that convert visitors into customers while improving user experience.

How often do you provide updates?

We communicate with clients regularly through detailed monthly reports and ongoing strategy meetings.

Can J Melo Media help with paid advertising too?

Absolutely. We manage local and regional ad campaigns that complement your SEO strategy for maximum ROI.

Citations

Dean, Brian. “SEO Metrics.” Backlinko, May 7, 2025. backlinko.com/hub/seo/fundamentals.Storm, Macy. “SEO Principles: 7 SEO Fundamentals to Help Your Campaign Succeed.” WebFX, Apr. 2025.Brown, Jill Kocher. “Don’t Get Scammed by an SEO Agency: 9 Red Flags to Watch For.” JumpFly Digital Marketing Blog, Apr. 30, 2025.Gromala, Kyle. “10 Ways to Know if Your SEO Agency Is Legit.” NfiniteLimits, Mar. 3, 2025.

Would you like me to now format this into SEO-optimized HTML markup (with H1–H6 tags properly nested) for your website upload?