View Full Version : What SEO/SEM firm to use?
wackodacko
04-15-2006, 11:12 PM
My competitor, who is #1 - #3 in most search terms in our industry is using <an SEO firm> (i saw it at the bottom of their page)
Obviously because we are in the same industry and targetting the same keywords, <that company> wont take me on as a client. I was wondering what company anyone can recommend to help me beat the competitor in getting into the #1-3 spot on a lot of keywords. currently we are in #7 or below in yahooo and really lagging behind in google.
Thanks
Marcia
04-16-2006, 02:52 AM
My competitor, who is #1 - #3 in most search terms in our industry is using <an SEO firm> (i saw it at the bottom of their page) wackodacko, it makes no difference who a competitor is using, it's completely irrelevant, even if you know who it is. Neither does it matter whether or not they're using an SEO firm or doing it in-house.
Even if that competitor is #1-#3, that doesn't mean they're the only competitor, since each search has 10 sites in the top ten, 20 sites in the top twenty - and however many come after that.
That's a lot more than just one competitor. More than likely if it's competitive, other are also using SEO firms, whether or not anyone can tell which one it is. There are even other sites ranking in the top 3, no doubt optimized just as well.
There are plenty of good SEOs out there, not just one - it just takes finding one that *really* is. And to be honest, I don't think it's inappropriate for recommendations to be made in this kind of setting. I really feel very strongly about that. You can do a post in the "Help Wanted" forum here, and check out who responds. That's what that forum is for:
http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53
Marcia
04-16-2006, 07:29 AM
currently we are in #7 or below in yahooo and really lagging behind in google. If you're #7 at Yahoo, that's really good, but without even looking, my first guess would be that getting some good quality inbound links with the right anchor text would be a good idea to pick up the Google rankings. Not too many all at once, just gradually over time is the more conservative way to go.
If you check the backlinks (do it at Yahoo and/or MSN) for your site and the others ranking well at Google also, you're liable to see what the issue is right there if you've got way less links. You can also check your site's navigation, using relevant keywords can work well.
strategicrankings
04-17-2006, 09:06 AM
There are plenty of good SEOs out there, not just one ...
Strongly agree. And there are lot of them doing ethical, proven seo in extremely competitive market without being on any list or famous.
JohnW
05-09-2006, 10:17 PM
>My competitor, who is #1 - #3 in most search terms in our industry is using . . . (i saw it at the bottom of their page)
Personally I have a problem with SEO companies who out their own customers by putting their name on the clients site. Especially if there is a link to the SEO.
Google strongly warns against linking to a SEO company. Quote: "You should never have to link to an SEO." From: http://www.google.com/intl/en/webmasters/seo.html
My opinion as a professional SEO, is that the search engines, and the competition, don't need to know.
Cristian Mezei
05-09-2006, 10:51 PM
>Personally I have a problem with SEO companies who out their own customers by putting their name on the clients site. Especially if there is a link to the SEO.
SO linking to a SEO company that worked on your website is NOT ok, but linking to a Webdesign company is OK ?
Or what ?
I find your personal opinion disturbing. But we all have opinions.
My 2 cents.
ewc21
05-10-2006, 12:21 AM
>
Personally I have a problem with SEO companies who out their own customers by putting their name on the clients site. Especially if there is a link to the SEO.
Google strongly warns against linking to a SEO company. Quote: "You should never have to link to an SEO." From: http://www.google.com/intl/en/webmasters/seo.html
My opinion as a professional SEO, is that the search engines, and the competition, don't need to know.
In the section of that Google link, Google meant to discourage clients from joining free for all linking schemes, not that clients should not link to their web design or seo companies.
While I think it's selfishness on the part of SEO companies to "advertise" their services on pages of clients who pay for their services, this is definitely not illegal and thereby not punishable.
Cristian Mezei
05-10-2006, 12:44 AM
While I think it's selfishness on the part of SEO companies to "advertise" their services on pages of clients who pay for their services, this is definitely not illegal and thereby not punishable.
Who sais any company forces the client to display their link ?
Not by far. I always ask the client : Can we ...
99% of the clients agree, and they usually are pretty happy and content to do that, because they see it as a small extra reward of the nice job done.
ewc21
05-10-2006, 01:08 AM
Who sais any company forces the client to display their link ?
Not ME :eek:
Cristian Mezei
05-10-2006, 01:15 AM
I didn't said you .. It was retorical. :)
ewc21
05-10-2006, 01:22 AM
I didn't said you .. It was retorical. :)
You mean rhetorical.. :rolleyes:
Cristian Mezei
05-10-2006, 01:58 AM
Yeah, whatever.
JohnW
05-10-2006, 08:56 AM
>99% of the clients agree
That's because they don't know any better.
IMO the SEO has a responsibility to give the best possible advice and recommendations and to put the clients interests first.
Why would a client want competitors to know that a SEO is involved? Why would a client want a competitor to know anything
And why advertise this to the search engines?
Cristian Mezei
05-10-2006, 10:54 AM
We do not live in a dreamworld where we can educate a client to the level you said before.
And please remember that SEO is such a newly discovered domain in so many countries.
People rarely know what this is about and asume so weird things about it.
We can only educate a client so much.
pleeker
05-10-2006, 07:16 PM
FWIW, I can't stand seeing links to the web design company on a business site. Way too tacky for my tastes. The only clients we ask to link to us are non-profit groups or community organizations who get a discount, and so the link is treated as a favor back to us.
I just think it's tacky to say, "Yeah, we built your site, and we're gonna use it to advertise ourself, too."
When I walk in to my favorite stores locally, I don't see a sign above the front door saying "Construction by ________." :)