Bad Links to New Domain - Do I Disavow?

[Dino64]

About 2 months ago a new client of mine bought a domain and we built him a nice new site; however, it appears the previous owner of the domain used some spammy SEO tactics. I've had to redirect about 30 pages and now I've found some spammy links. I've only discovered a few of them, but he doesn't have that many links yet so I'm wondering what kind of impact this will have. Is it worth disavowing a half dozen links? The sites are in Chinese and appear to be unmanaged link farms so getting the webmaster to remove them is unlikely. Also wondering what else is lurking out there that I haven't discovered yet...

I suggested to the client we consider a different domain since the site is new, but he's become pretty attached to it. Any ideas?

[JVRudnick]

Me? I'd do a full web audit...find all those IBLs....then disavow 'em all....incl the ones you've yet to find when you do!

Best to start with a completely new slate IMHO....

[Dino64]

Yes, I think you are right. Thanks for the response.

[Veebs]

Not to sabotage the thread but I have a site that gets pretty good traffic and I I have hired an SEO who has been using a lot of directory linking and he swears it works and I feel like it doesn't. I have been dabbling with seo for about 6 years so I know a pretty good amount and know that many of these directory links are not worth having. Just checking some of the anchor texts, I have noticed some don't even have my respective keywords spelled correctly. The site has too many visitors to just start with a new slate. Any suggestions? Lastly, what does disavow mean?  Is there a way to go on google and do that?

[JVRudnick]

Veebs..you should really start a brand new thread so others can join in on this topic...

But as you've explained things - it boils down to you need a brand new SEO who can delive serps that are solid and reliable without using tactics like you've outlined.

Small point but when we get a new client, and we do the same checking you appear to have done, what we find is that with these kind of tell-tale bloody awful SEO we learn that the client readily admits that yes they went to the cheapest SEO package they could find -- reinforcing the old adage that you do "get what you pay for!"

Do a google for "googel disavow" and you'll see they years ago now set up a way for any SMB site owner or SEO to lit the links you want Google to toss in the bin!

[Veebs]

Thanks JV. The problem is, I actually spent a good bit of money. That is the sad part.

[JVRudnick]

There is really nothing to say about the mistakes made by SMB owners who believe that they've contracted with a great SEO firm - and find out later that is not so true...

Which gets me to the real value of a referral. Look for - always look for an SEO firm that has the 'added value' of offering up a set of referral clients for you to check on yourownself. That is so important in that a real live SEO firm will always be able to supply that list- long or short - but that you can call on the phone or email to the CEO and ask "...hey, the XYZ SEO firm said you're a client...tell me about your experiences with using them...." type of contact.

Without that - on what core values are you really buying an SEO contractor?

Oh - the "recommended" list of companies can also be a great starting place too - use that list to drill down on, visit each of your final candidates from and THEN call/email their list of referral clients....

Anything else I'm afraid is just "burning" your money....sad to say...