What to Know Before Hiring an SEO

A Very Simple Guide; What to Know before Hiring an SEO….
by Matthew Costello

Much of the feedback I receive from people, who are interested in having SEO work done on their site, often starts with the statement, “How do I find a good SEO?” It’s a valid question, so I decided to arm you with the basic information you’ll need to make the best choice for your business. After all, the success of your business can literally rest on the shoulders of your SEO.

First and the most important question is, “What is SEO?” SEO, Search Engine Optimization, is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results. SEO also refers to the Search Engine Optimizer, the one who does the Search Engine Optimization work.

Here are a few things to consider when searching for a good SEO Firm.

• Reputation: How did you find out about this company? Was the company referred to you by a satisfied client?

• Length of Time in Business: If the company is new to the SEO arena, they may need to climb learning curves that could be wasting valuable resources, particularly yours.

• Client List: Can they show proof of their work?

• Satisfied Customers: Can they give you a few names of satisfied customers?

• Explain the Process: Will they explain the process so you have an understanding of what is to take place and why?

• References: Will they give you references?

• White Hat: Only use “White Hat” techniques. When an SEO is using “White Hat Techniques” they are employing only ethical means of SEO that won’t get you banned from the search engines.

Here are a few things to remember about Bad SEO Firms

• Cold Calls with promises to get you top ten rankings

• False Promises: You are told your website will be submitted to the search engines. (There are very few search engines that your site gets “submitted” to. If your site is optimized properly, the search engines will come out and find your site.”

• Package Deals: Offer you a package deal to submit your site on a monthly basis, claiming this is the best way to get results.

• Track Record: They don’t have a proven track record; or can only show success on one keyword/keyword phrase.

• Black Hat: May engage in “Black Hat” techniques that could get your site banned from the search engines. (Black Hat search engine optimization is customarily defined as techniques that are used to get higher search rankings in an unethical manner. These Black Hat SEO techniques usually include one or more of the following characteristics:

• Breaks search engine rules and regulations
• Unethically presents content in a different visual or non-visual way to search engine spiders and search engine users.

It’s important for you to do your homework, don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions, it is your business after all. The success of a Web site often depends on the expertise of its search engine optimizer. Choose your SEO wisely, and the success of YOUR Web site will reap the benefits.

About The Author:
Matthew Costello is President of Web Marketing Advisors, specializing in Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing. When it’s time to optimize your Online Business and take it to the next level, choose Web Marketing Advisors to guide you along the way.

*A special thanks to Robin Nobles for her insights into this article.

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