| Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is about getting | | | | are confident that even if their clients understand |
| potential customers to visit your website. It is also | | | | their process, they won't leave them. If the firm |
| about building a quality website full of great content. | | | | claims it's too complicated for you to understand, or |
| It uses keywords appropriately and gets links | | | | if they say they have trade secrets and proprietary |
| "naturally" because people love what you have on | | | | technology, it's a sign that they may not be ethical in |
| your site. SEO companies can provide very useful | | | | dealing with your website. |
| services including keyword research, site review, | | | | Be wary of firms that say they will submit your site |
| providing technical advice on your website | | | | to thousands of top search engines and directories. |
| development and also management of online business | | | | Besides the small fact that there aren't that many |
| marketing campaigns. They can also help with | | | | search engines, consider that the guidelines of the |
| content development, article marketing and article | | | | search engines themselves tell you that it doesn't do |
| distribution. Although it's not brain surgery, it is hard | | | | any good anymore. Search Engines are good at what |
| to do and usually requires a lot of thought and real | | | | they do - searching for sites - and you don't need to |
| work. | | | | pay someone to submit your site to a search engine. |
| Some unethical firms attempt to manipulate search | | | | If they make this claim, they will probably use |
| engine results in unfair ways. These practices could | | | | Free-For-All (FFA) junk sites that might damage your |
| get your website ranked lower or even banned. | | | | site's standings. |
| When looking at Search Engine Optimization - either | | | | Be cautious of firms that say they can optimize and |
| to optimize it on your own or if you're looking to hire | | | | promote your site for a low, low monthly fee. |
| a company, here are some things to take into | | | | Not all monthly SEO or SEM (Search Engine |
| account. | | | | Management) service contracts or monthly fees are |
| Be cautious of firms that say they will get thousands | | | | a scam. There are real reasons to pay a monthly fee |
| of links to your site. | | | | to an expert. These would include conditions when |
| It's not the number of sites that make the | | | | you would require management: when you or |
| difference - it's the quality of the sites. When firms | | | | someone else is constantly generating new content |
| promise huge numbers of links, or say that you'll | | | | or new features for your site; implementing |
| become part of their "network of sites", it usually | | | | link-building campaigns; implementing PPC (Pay Per |
| means a link farm is involved. A link farm is any group | | | | Click) campaigns; or starting a brandcasting campaign. |
| of websites that all hyperlink to every other site in | | | | Press release distribution, email campaigns and article |
| the group. Search engines don't like this and it can | | | | marketing campaigns could also require a legitimate |
| lead to penalties. Instead, practice reciprocal linking | | | | monthly fee. |
| with legitimate and related websites for better | | | | Not-so-legitimate fees could include monthly |
| search engine ranking. | | | | re-submitting of your site to search engines, |
| Be wary of firms that guarantee a high ranking on | | | | "tweaking" your code to keep up with changes and |
| Google. | | | | regularly submitting your site to hundreds of useless |
| No one can guarantee a high ranking on Google. | | | | free-for-all directories. The worthwhile companies that |
| Some SEO companies offer a guarantee on their | | | | charge a monthly fee will usually be able to tell you |
| services. This is fine. What's not fine is guaranteeing | | | | exactly how much it is per month to generate blog |
| high ranking in an incredibly short period of time. | | | | entries or generate and distribute articles or press |
| When these unrealistic results fail to happen, the | | | | releases. And it won't be for the low, low price of |
| company will balk at giving a refund, offer you other | | | | $79.95. |
| services instead, start to become unreachable or | | | | Choose your SEO company and services carefully. |
| disappear. | | | | Do your research and don't make the decision lightly. |
| Be cautious of firms that send "spammy" emails. | | | | If you were hiring a contractor to remodel your |
| These emails are unsolicited and usually begin with | | | | kitchen you would want to see other kitchen |
| "We've noticed that you are not listed in some | | | | projects they've done and speak with the owners |
| search engines..." You should be searching for a | | | | about the company's business practices. You should |
| high-ranking SEO company; they will not be searching | | | | do the same thing when hiring an SEO company. Get |
| for you. Spam means scam. You don't buy your | | | | referrals and really speak with them. |
| medications from spammers so why buy SEO | | | | There are many online tips about choosing and hiring |
| services from them? | | | | SEO firms that you can check out as well. |
| Be wary of firms that are secretive or don't clearly | | | | Remember, SEO is a long-term strategy and you |
| explain what they are going to do. | | | | should take the time to do your research before |
| Most reputable optimization firms are upfront with | | | | buying or you'll probably be buying again. |
| their clients and like to share their knowledge. They | | | | |