Web
Development and Resources
What
to Look For in an SEO Consultant? Results!
It’s that simple
… how easy is it to find *their* site in Google and other
important search engines? How many case studies can they show
you to prove they have performed for other clients?
Something else to
look for: Articles on their site explaining search engine optimization.
For example, read this article
on SEO Top
Ten Tip. Articles
like this on their site (or elsewhere) can help you understand
the SEO consultant’s approach to optimization and demonstrate
their knowledge of the process.
Whether the firm publishes
articles on search engine optimization or not, expect them to
explain in detail how they can improve your search engine
placement.
Ask them:
Expect your SEO
consultant to have a strong emphasis on link development.
It’s fine to make some exchanges with relevant sites, but
you need a lot of one way links to really make an impact on
your position in the search results (SERPs). Those strategies
should include a mix of article writing (like this), press releases,
blogging and blog commenting (on relevant sites only) and perhaps
forum contributions.
Any
good SEO plan should include a social media program. At the very
least, your articles and blog posts should be bookmarked in at
least one social bookmarking site and broadcast on Twitter and
Facebook.
Expect to participate
in the program. To reach the top of the search engines today requires
regular content generation such as blogging and article writing.
You’ll need to develop a following on Twitter and Facebook.
Be sure to contact
their clients and do your own checking on the client’s site
in the SERPs. Send them an email and ask for a reference.
What to avoid: Firms
that rely entirely upon link trades or directory submissions.
These can be helpful, but they are less and less important to
search engines.
Run from anyone offering
a guarantee of top placement. From Google’s guidelines:
“No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Beware of
SEO firms that claim to guarantee rankings, or that claim a “special
relationship” with Google.”
Avoid like the plague:
SEO firms which use cloaking or doorway pages. This is considered
spam and when caught, can get your site banned from Google for
life.
You may find it helpful
to read Google’s own guide on Search
Engine Optimizers for webmasters.
Cyber
Key today for an affordable
SEO Design quote for your website.
