How to Avoid Website & SEO Scams

If you own a business and have a website or email address, chances are you’ve received messages like:

• “Your SEO isn’t good enough”

• “We can get you more leads for £100”

• “Let me do a free SEO audit for your website”

While these emails can look convincing, the majority of them are scams or highly misleading sales tactics. Unfortunately, many businesses only realise this after damage has already been done.

This guide explains how these scams work, what to look out for, and how to protect your website, your money, and your business.

Why these SEO and website scam emails are so common

Scammers know that:

• SEO feels confusing and technical

• Business owners worry about being invisible online

• Website performance feels hard to measure

They exploit this uncertainty by sending generic, fear-based emails designed to pressure you into a quick decision.

If someone genuinely reviewed your website, they would reference specific pages, issues, or goals. Most scam emails do not because they haven’t looked properly at all.

The most common website and SEO scams we see

1. “Your SEO isn’t good enough” emails

These messages are almost always automated and sent to thousands of businesses.

They typically:

• Don’t mention your business name correctly

• Don’t reference real data

• Use vague warnings to create panic

Their goal is to get access to your website or payment details, not to help your business grow.

2. Cheap work that becomes very expensive later

Another common tactic is offering:

• A very cheap website

• Low-cost SEO

• “Quick fixes” for rankings

What often happens next:

• They take ownership of your website or hosting

• The work looks rushed or poor quality

• You’re charged heavily for even small changes

• You’re effectively locked in

Once someone controls your website, they control your options.

3. “UK-based bespoke designers” who aren’t local

Some scammers claim to be UK-based designers, but are actually overseas.

The issue isn’t geography - it’s local knowledge.

Local SEO depends on:

• UK search behaviour

• Regional language and intent

• Local competition and services

If someone doesn’t understand your market, they cannot optimise your website properly, no matter what they claim.

Always check the email address

A genuine business will email from a real domain, not a free email account.

Be extremely cautious of emails coming from:

• Gmail

• Yahoo

• Googlemail

• Random usernames like ababa124@gmail.com

• Addresses pretending to be Google (they are not Google)

For example, a legitimate business email looks like: info@mawerdesign.co.uk

Not:

• mawerdesign1@gmail.com

• google111@googlemail.com

If the email address doesn’t match an official website domain, ignore it. It is likely to be spam or a scam.

Scammers impersonating real designers

We have also seen scammers:

• Screenshot photos from real designers’ websites

• Copy branding or wording

• Create similar-looking email addresses

• Pretend to be the designer and request money

This is why it’s essential to:

• Check email addresses carefully

• Never rely on appearance alone

• Verify before sending any payment

If something feels off, it usually is.

The same rules apply to graphic design and social media management

These scams are not limited to websites and SEO.

Be cautious of:

• Unsolicited offers

• Extremely low prices

• Pressure to act quickly

• Requests for full access early on

Always use trusted, verifiable professionals.

What to do instead if you’re concerned about your website or SEO

If you’re worried about your website, SEO, or online presence:

• Speak to your current designer

• Contact a designer you trust

• Ask questions before agreeing to anything

A reputable professional will explain things clearly, without pressure or scare tactics.

Final advice: don’t be rushed, don’t be pressured

SEO and website improvements are not emergencies. Anyone pushing urgency or fear is not acting in your best interests. Please don’t be fooled or scammed.

Need reassurance or a second opinion?

If you have concerns about your website design, SEO, or online visibility, we’re always happy to chat things through or carry out a genuine SEO audit.

At Mawer Design, we believe in transparency, clarity, and long-term results - not scare tactics or shortcuts.

If you’d like an honest review from someone you can trust, get in touch with Mawer Design.