SEO Information

10 Ways to Make Sure Your SEO Goes Out of Its Way for You


If they want to have success, companies should do everything they can to ensure that their SEO firm doesn't provide lousy service. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind:

1. Be realistic.

Don't waste your time or the SEO firm's expertise by arguing about broad search terms. Don't say you want to be in the Top 10 for "e-commerce." The SEO firm should ask: "E-commerce and what else? E-commerce consultants? Please be specific."

2. Think long-term.

If you can't help yourself and you want broad search terms, such as "toys," think through what it may take to pull that off. Variations on your favorite term may be best in the short term. If you start looking a year or two out, then make sure there aren't site design, programming and link popularity flaws.

3. Be open with log files.

Don't shield log files from the SEO firm. Admit if your web analytics capability is poor. How can the SEO firm do a good job if your host company can't provide decent statistics, such as the number of visitors from search engines and the actual search terms they use?

4. Change text.

If an SEO firm wants to change text, give the consultant lots of room. If a graphic can be modified so the words appear as text, be open-minded about the change. Chances are, it won't hurt the overall look of the web site. SEO professionals grit their teeth when clients say they want rankings and then resist change.

5. Don't sit on recommendations.

You may end up discouraging the SEO firm you're paying if you hire them and then fail to review their suggestions.

6. Reply to e-mails, voicemails and other communications.

If an SEO firm contacts you, especially for a scheduled meeting, make a point to return the e-mail or call. Really, it's a good idea to be available for strategic conference calls.

7. Stick to the program.

Don't ask the SEO firm to optimize the web site and then expect them to provide Pay-Per-Click (PPC) guidance as well. If you can't handle PPC on your own, pay the experts.

8. Keep statistics in perspective.

With many search terms and engines, it's always going to be possible for some keywords not to rank. Don't get hung up on what search terms didn't pop in the Top 30. Focus on your traffic growth and conversions.

9. Know your limits.

SEO firms appreciate informed clients - to a limit. Read the articles. Pick up an SEO book. Keep up with the news. But don't hire an SEO expert and then tell them you're an SEO expert. For example, you may be excited to learn about all of the SEO devices that could be at your disposal. Don't blame the SEO firm for failing to use them all at once. Measured, gradual changes are best.

10. Take your company name out of title tags.

Do yourself a favor and make title tags available for search terms, not your long company name. Only keep it if it's short and useful from a title tag proximity and density standpoint.

Michael Murray is vice president of Fathom SEO, a Cleveland, Ohio-based search engine optimization (SEO) firm. He authored the "U.S. Manufacturers Resist Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Online Sales Leads" study and a white paper, "Search Engine Marketing: Get in the Game."

michael@fathomseo.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Holiday fashions hit the runway
Zanesville Times Recorder, OH - 1 hour ago
Clad in a ruffled black dress, Lemon joined her fellow Miss SEO and Miss SEO Teen contestants for a holiday fashion show after the Christmas parade Saturday ...
Miss Southeast Ohio Fashion Show WHIZ
all 3 news articles


USA SEO Pros Increases Staff For Increased Demand
BigNews.biz (press release), MA - Nov 21, 2008
Demand for new site builds has gone through the roof lately for USA SEO Pros and the SEO and Design teams are at the moment full. Bringing in a new content ...


SEO Watchdog Takes the Guesswork Out of Finding a Good SEO Provider
MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
Companies specializing in SEO services have boomed in the last decade; however, not all of them have got what it takes to send a site flying up the ladder ...


Strategies: Use search engines to rev your business
USA Today - Nov 20, 2008
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Steps taken to get your site to rank highly in search results without paying search engine companies directly for ...
4 Reasons to Go to SES Chicago Search Engine Watch
all 2 news articles


Selling SEO During an Economic Downturn
Search Engine Watch - Nov 20, 2008
By Chris Boggs, Search Engine Watch, Nov 21, 2008 In a down economy heading into 2009, business development for SEO becomes increasingly important. ...
SEO Q&A: Which Is More Likely to Be Clicked? Internet Search Engine Database
all 2 news articles


BBC News

Can Google`s SearchWiki Help SMBs?
eWeek,  NY - Nov 21, 2008
By Nathan Eddy Google's SearchWiki announcement promises to democritize search, but it also affects how SMBs view search engine optimization (SEO) and ...
Getting Search Engine Optimization Right Law.com
SearchWiki - The end of PageRank? Blogstorm
Top Ranking Steps, Revealed by Google HostingTech.com
ADOTAS
all 317 news articles


Search Engine Optimization Firm ArteWorks SEO Ranked #1 SEO Site ...
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
The SEO company rankings published by TopSEOs is the trusted guide used by those seeking the best in the internet marketing and search engine optimization ...


Need Press Release Writing: Let Dallas SEO Experts Help!
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Nov 21, 2008
Read our SEO recomendations and how we achieve web site visibility using ethical search engine optimization services. Call for FREE SEO Review: ...


.: 2008 Davidson Invitational Day One
CollegeSwimming.com, WI - 15 hours ago
Brian Seo touched in 16:33.98 for third place, making him Davidson’s 10th fastest ever performer in the event. Nate Ladner finished in eighth, ...
.: Terrapin Cup Invitational Coverage CollegeSwimming.com
all 2 news articles


Seo Wins Silver at Cycling World Cup
코리아타임즈, South Korea - Nov 21, 2008
By Bryan Kay Seo Joon-yong claimed a dramatic silver for South Korea at the cycling World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday night. Seo finished the 30km ...

SEO - Google News

home | site map
© 2006