How do I evaluate SEO firms to select a reputable firm?
I have three proposals I am receiving for some basic optimization on a static site with someone I am helping ( I hope).
We have a first priority that when one two word term is searched that our website comes up. The two word term is not competitive (first and last name of a person), and the first 20 pages yield results as expected, about the individual. Its just that the web site which we have doesn't show up and thus we want the search to have our website in the first 2-5 results.
Second priority is for traditional SEO optimization on other capability terms on the web site, and the key words would be very competitive.
So as I review the responses, is there some metric I should be looking for, some quality of the firm I should try to verify?
Thanks
Good Answers (1)
Beverly K. G.
Food Writer & Photographer at UrbanEpicurious
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Take a broader perspective & don't lose sight of the forest in spite of the trees!
I realize you have certain goals you are trying to achieve, however be sure to keep in mind that achieving top rank for a person's name or your company's name is not difficult nor is it a sign that the company you hire for SEO is effective. There are MANY variables in achieving a favorable page rank (both on site and off site). Since you didn't mention the site url, I'm not sure why the site is not "showing up", it could be a new site that has not yet been indexed by the search engines or it could be that there hasn't been any new content for a long time, etc...
Regardless, a reputable SEO company will perform a competitive analysis and develop a strategy for you to achieve competitive rank across the keyword terms (which may consist of some you want and should also contain some other terms they recommend based on their competitive analysis).
To determine if a company is reputable or not there are a few things you can do:
#1 Ask for references from 3 clients who have worked with them for a year or more (if they don't have this or don't have clients who have been with them that long that is a sign that they are either not as experienced or as good as they say they are). Happy long term clients are a GOOD indicator that you are working with a credible provider. Afterall, if a client continues to work with them, they must be doing something right.
#2 SEO is a long term strategy, NOT a one time effort. If you want your website to be competitive, it will require ONGOING effort to keep it that way. A reputable SEO provider will diligently work with you during the contract period and will consult with you being transparent in their activities, even going so far as to TRAIN YOU on how to help continue those efforts when the contract period expires. If they hide behind "proprietary processes, software, blah blah blah" they are not someone you should work with. It is difficult for anyone following the rules (which is also important) to make guarantees because the results are not within their control. Most SEO contracts are a minimum of 6 -12 months. The initial work will be focused on competitive analysis & on page improvements with the latter efforts focused on keyword/content expansion and link building. Remember your competitors are marketing their sites as well so if you stop marketing THEY WIN. This is why SEO is not a 1 time effort.
#3 Understand that you get what you pay for! This doesn't mean that if you spend more you will get better results, but keep in mind that if someone promises you #1 rank for a 1 time payment of $100 they are probably just out to take your money. Most reputable providers charge $55-$95/hour for their services and will have a minimum number of hours per month they work on your site. This should also include a monthly consulting session where they will meet with you to review the reports (not just an emailed report) explaining the efforts made from last month, what the results were and what they will focus on in the upcoming month.
I have included an article I wrote about how hiring an SEO company is similar to hiring a Personal Trainer I think this will help you put things in perspective.
Best of Luck in your Efforts!
With Gratitude,
Bev
Beverly K. Garvin, CEO
http://www.UrbanInteract.com
ATTRACT * ENGAGE * CONVERT * REPEAT! tm
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More Answers (10)
Proposals are designed to show a company in their best light. I'd get relevant references (at least two per company) and just pick up the phone and talk to them. Find out from their existing clients what they're like to work with, how they measure success.
Randall G.
Drupaler → Web Developer → SEO & SMO Strategist → Writer
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SEO is like any business - evaluate the results they produce on other web sites, do some background dirt-digging, get everything in writing, and trust your gut.
SEO is part science and part art - but in the end, it is founded on common sense.
For your web site to rank higher than the others for the person's name, you would need to build equivalent backlinks and PageRank compared with those sites. Some of them might even be willing to link to your site.
Also, realise that SERP (Search Engine Rank Placement) changes at a glacial pace, SEO campaigns are measured in months and years.
I think the Organic SEO wiki has some very good information.
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Josh G.
Application Developer at Northwest Natural Products
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If you are looking for an SEO firm to help you boost your rankings, one thing I would recommend right off the bat is to work with a small firm versus a large-scale corporation. Small firms have a tendency of focusing more on your business, while large-scale corporations are interested in getting as many clients as possible.
Another thing to consider is cost. For the most part, the cost a SEO firm will charge you will normally reflect the quality of work they provide. Honestly, I would not trust a SEO firm that just charges you an up-front cost. SEO takes time to implement, which means monthly maintenance fees.
Also, like others have already said, make sure to research the company(s) you are interested in. There are really 3 broad categories of SEO:
1. White Hat - Takes the longest time to implement, but focuses on purely ethical intentions. This is the best option for long-term results.
2. Gray Hat - Has a tendency of providing faster results than White Hat techniques, but tactics in this category are can be considered controversial practices.
3. Black Hat - Provides you the fastest results of the three, but also leads to being banned from the search engines quickly. Strategies in this category are unethical and consist of practices such as spamming, link farming, cookie stuffing, and more.
Make sure to also contact the firms and have some good questions ready to ask, such as:
- What kinds of techniques do you use to get high rankings?
- What kinds of traffic volumes can I expect with your firm?
- What is expected of us for you to perform your job?
- What happens if we no longer want to work with you?
Questions like these are important, because if you have bad relationship with a SEO firm, you never know what kinds of things they may do to your site during and after your relationship with them.
Alex R.
Strategic Web + Search Marketing Specialist, Owner at Big Chief Creative Media, Current Brea Little League President
Stay away from long-term PPC (pay-per click) strategy. The max amount of time you'll want to participate for CERTAIN terms is 4 months, no more. Instead, focus on your content and a good quality link building campaign. Depending where you're at with your content, you may want to opt for a good web copywriter even before you start your SEO campaign.
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Jacques J.J. S.
3J web CSS HTML Wordpress SEO
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Beverly wrote my answer - thanks! :-)
Your site not showing up (yet) - probably fairly new, being sandboxed - might take weeks, but some say even months before they let you in.
As with any other project: the more you invest yourself, the more you get out - so, stay on top, research, check what they offer/claim - too many used-car sales people in this industry...
Other than that, the one thing that always makes you stand out over your competitors: content. They usually go for quick and dirty - if you invest in content you will be 'rewarded' by the engines - in due course - as long as you play according to their rules - so be aware of black hatters...
Geoff F.
"Hands-on" Software Architect and Senior Developer
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Check to see if their lips are moving.
Seriously, the idea of SEO as somehow separate from web design is absurd. Look for web design firms that provide some SEO.
Consider that search engine ranking improves over time if you do nothing. How much of this is due to "Effort"?
Consider that search engine companies regard a higher ranking independent of content relevance as a bug that they then correct. Any "tricks" are going to be treate dby Google etc. as something they need to defeat.
It's about having good content, that's why a design and development company is your best bet.
Mark B.
General Manager of Service Operations
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Hi Peter,
If you are unhappy with the proposals you receive, I recommend using an online sourcing site like www.iFindConsultants.com
You can detail your requirements, and have firms come back to you with proposals. You can then choose just the ones you like to chat with further before deciding who to go with.
Cheers,
Mark
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Hetul K.
Director, En Interactive Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
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i would say, go by references from the clients... very important!
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Larry D.
Owner and Senior Project Manager at Web Marietta
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If an SEO firm promises/guarentees fast results to first page, I'd be skeptical. Since it is a longer term strategy as many above have stated, the quick miracle guys are probably using "Black Hat" tactics while indeed might produce impressive results quickly, the results will be short lived and actually over a few months may very seriously effect your site's credibility in the eyes of the search engines.
