|
Author: James Peggie Article source: http://www.elixirsystems.com/. Used with author's permission.
As a provider of search marketing services we have many enquiries from companies that have had a bad search engine optimization (SEO) experience in the past and are looking for a reputable company to work with. Often these clients have been banned from search engines because the companies that they have hired to improve their search rankings use quick fix, unethical SEO techniques.
What can you do to ensure that this does not happen to your business? Or if you have had problems in the past how can you be sure that these experiences will never happen again?
It is essential that you take care in choosing who you work with as this company will be responsible for representing you and your business. Would you hire a new employee, a lawyer or an accountant without doing any research? There is a lot at stake here so it is essential that you do the groundwork and be as informed as possible.
These companies may be representing you - but it will still be your site and your business. It is your responsibility to know what the SEO company is doing and if it is using unethical techniques. It is your site so you should be aware of the techniques being used to promote your business and that search engine guidelines are being followed.
Often these unscrupulous companies offer a guaranteed meteoric rise in ranking and the lure of quick profits. Remember if it seems to be too good to be true then it usually is. Avoid companies that email you their services - or even worse - the ones that send out a fake invoice for their services. If they are presenting their services in this manner you probably have a good insight into their general business principles.
What should you do when evaluating a search engine optimization company?
• Determine your business goals and your goals for search marketing. Find out what your SEO expectations are. Are you in a competitive marketplace? What is your search marketing budget?
• You should ask around. Which companies are people you know recommending? A successful SEO will get a high percentage of their clients from referrals.
• Do they communicate clearly with you? Are they interested in your business? Are they trying to inform you about the industry and not just selling?
• Where is their site in the search engine results? If the company is good at SEO then their site should be ranked well, if their site is not listed in the rankings you need to wonder why.
• Ask for step by step information on what they will do to promote your site. If there is any area which your gut tells doesn't sound right do your research. There is plenty of information available for you to research. Type "ethical SEO" and 'search engine spam" into Google and you will find lots of data to compare.
• What is their Page Rank? A PR of 3 is relatively easy to get with a small site, while a PR of 6 is harder, and above that is extremely difficult. If you're approached by a SEO company (or any marketing company for that matter) with a PR of 0 or an unranked site ask why.
• What is their customer support like? When you first approached them did you receive a form email in reply? Did they even look at your website? Did you receive a detailed proposal along with testimonials and other backup material? Ask for references and follow up on them.
• Do they know SEO or is it just a sideline to their main business (web design, web hosting, advertising agency). If you speak to anyone in this industry you will find out that keeping up to date on the latest SEO information is a full time job.
• How much experience do they have? Are they new to the industry in which case do you want them experimenting on your site?
• Has the company ever turned down a site because it could not be successfully optimized? e.g. sites built with frames or flash sites. Or turned them down because they were involved in unethical business practices e.g. link farms.
• Make comparisons with other companies. Some SEO companies rely on one aspect of SEO (e.g. linking campaigns), others offer a complete package. Remember to compare like with like. There is no point in comparing a proposal which is just going to cover meta tags and keywords to a proposal which is a full service SEO package including optimization, content creation, and a links campaign.
• Does the company provide ongoing maintenance to maintain your rankings? Search engines change their algorithms constantly and without regular monitoring and maintenance rankings will eventually slip. What is good today may not be good tomorrow.
There are a growing number of excellent and ethical search engine optimization companies out there. Do your research and find out who they are. Also develop an understanding of what is involved in developing a search marketing program. Take an assertive stance and become informed. Also, use your common sense. Developing a search marketing plan should be as involved as developing a traditional marketing plan. It requires hard work and dedication. Find out the costs involved and put together a search marketing budget. Shop around and be aware of other business factors being offered by the SEO company such as customer service and payment terms.
If you look upon the process of choosing an SEO company as you would in choosing a business partner then you are headed in the right direction. It could be that a large part of the success of your business is reliant on search marketing - so you should do the groundwork and find out what is involved. Then you can make an informed decision and feel confidant that you have chosen a quality business partner who is dedicated towards helping your business grow.
Copyright © James Peggie James Peggie is the Director of Marketing for Elixir Systems - a search engine marketing agency located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their website is located at http://www.elixirsystems.com and James contributes to their blog http://searchblog.elixirsystems.com
The Wrap on Ag Plastic
While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an increased amount of white plastic bundles stacked in lines or piles along farm buildin...
Stretch Marks Forums
Aside from investing in a product to treat and eliminate your stretch marks, one of the best ways to deal with the situation is to discuss it with other people....
Tractors and Their History
tractors play a large part of todays agricultural development throughout the world.
Getting The Best Rates For Secured Loans
Most of us take a secured loan but do not get the best rates. The importance of best rates on secured loans can't be underestimated, since they can save a large...
Yin-Yang You
Have you ever noticed the dark-side always brings new light? We all have a dark side, often suppressed and controlled into submission. Or is it? Consider the po...
When and How to Look for a New Bank
Sometimes, you find yourself in need of a new bank ....
Speed Reading Technique
Speed Read Faster than Ever!
Types Of Bedsteads
Generally bedstead is made up of rectangular wooden frame supported by four legs of wood. Wooden slates support bed mattress, which are placed in rectangular wo...
How to Stop Credit Card Company Abuse
Consumer complaints about credit card abuse continues to increase despite clearly defined federal regulations meant to stop abuse. By knowing and understanding ...
Priority and Goals: The Importance of Direction
We can't get where we want to be without an accurate map. Here are some simple steps that can help you be on your way toward your goals.
Lawn Care Information
Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us might be guilty of over-kill when it comes to tending our family turf...
Learning From Failure--What To Do When You Blow It!
The biggest challenge you face in overcoming the "I-Blew-Its" is whether or not to curl back up into a ball or seize the day and learn from your mistakes and fa...
Copping Out the Positive Effects of Copper
One must always keep in mind that copper is not just a kind of metal, when it comes to medicine and health, copper is actually a trace element mineral that serv...
The First Step To Getting Out Of Debt: Make The Commitment!
Having trouble with credit card debt? Learn how to get out of debt faster with these simple debt reduction tips!
Tools for Constructing the Road to Success
Too many times in the pursuit of our dreams, we loose sight of the total picture and instead settle on a small piece of it. A job, any job, whether it is in th...
Business Networking - Common Myths and Realities
The more comfortable and confident you are with networking, the higher results you get in your business and career. Part of the key to being comfortable, confid...
10 Items of the Well-Stocked Diaper Bag
Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it? Of course, you have the basic items: diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. But are you equipped for any "baby situa...
How to Communicate with Prospects All Over the World Who Speak a Different Language
As a small business owner who does business all over the world in the wholesale travel industry, I often get emails from customers from every corner, asking me ...
The Honeybush Miracle
South African natural herbal teas are known for their health benefits. Rooibos tea, grown only in South Africa is nothing short of a household name in countri...
Find Easy Halloween Costumes Online! Great Ideas Are Only One Click Away
We all wish there was more time in a day. So when you start thinking of what to wear for your upcoming Halloween party, have no fear: you won't need lots of tim...
How To Rebrand Your eBook Using Active eBook Compiler
Now that you have produced an eBook you can actually have your readers input information of their own into the eBook. You can have them add whatever you like in...
Radical Creativity from Incremental Creativity – large movements from small changes
Positive radical movement is the holy grail of nearly every decision maker. Every CEO wants to radically shift his profit and loss statement into the black, eve...
How to Manage Your Won Money at Gambling and Sports Betting from Busting It Up at Online Sportsbook
In this article, I will explain in a simple way and with examples what you have to do, to protect your money from losing it faster then it takes you to make it...
Send Loads of Free, Targeted Traffic to Your Site
There are many ways to get free and targeted traffic to your website...
|
Print this page