Rule — Tiers 1-3 are cumulative and ordered; never recommend a higher tier on a failing lower one

Rule: The three work tiers are cumulative and ordered. Tier 2 work is wasted on a broken Tier 1 foundation (a fast site that converts is the prerequisite for SEO traffic to matter). Tier 3 work is wasted without Tier 2 (a brilliant calculator nobody can find earns nothing). A widget should NEVER recommend a higher tier while a lower tier is failing.

Why: Mechanism-evident — traffic is wasted without conversion; a tool is wasted without traffic. Confirmed by the absence of any documented case where Tier 3 worked without Tier 1+2 in place.

How to apply:

• Broken/slow/no site → recommend Tier 1 only.
• Solid site but invisible/under-reviewed → recommend Tier 2.
• Solid site + good findability but stuck against entrenched competitors → consider Tier 3.