Bad link profile?

[Webrevolve]

Hi Mozzers!

We have recently been handed this client due to the former SEO company building up a bad link profile, which resulted in the site dropping off the search results all together. Forcing them to get a new domain.

This happened in July last year and we are unsure whether it would be wise to submit a reconsideration request and then 301 their old sites pages to the new domain.

Basically I'm asking whether you can spot any spammy links being built in their profile.

Here is the old domain: http://www.claimssolicitors.co.uk/

It would be great if you could help me out!

Thanks

[Mark_Ginsberg]

If the site got hit in the search engines (I see a major drop in visibility for the site in Search Metrics June 21 and 28 2012), and the client has now moved to a new domain, why would you 301 the old pages to the new ones - don't you want to start with a clean slate, which is why you started a new site?

If the 301 passes the penalty or not, why take the risk? Why not build your link profile the proper way this time?

I also see a lot of over optimized anchor text in OSE and very little branded or generic - diversify your anchor text and focus on branded, unoptimized, and naked anchor text (www.claims...) in your link building efforts.

If you're worried about visitors to the current domain, why not redirect using a 302 and then eventually let the domain die?

Instead of switching domains, you can also do a link disavow after a thorough review of your links and then do a reconsideration request, and then start the link building again on the current domain, instead of switching to a new hyphenated domain that just looks like a spammier version of the original URL. I would do a thorough back link review and then disavow and reinclusion request instead of the new domain route. You can refer to this article for how to review your links from Search Engine Journal.

That's my two cents - hope it helps

Mark