How do we decide which SEO company to hire?

[bwicki]

Hi All,

I'm researching and looking for an appropriate SEO company ... and I still find myself stuck on choosing a company ... or to find out which is the right one.

Many people have said that Bruce Clay is good ... but probably means Bruce Clay himself right? That's because I did get in touch with Bruce Clay the company recently, but I really didn't understand much of what the staff at Bruce Clay was telling me. It seemed that he offered a very vague, non-detail description of the services and then shot off some prices. It's like yes, do an assessement ... it will cost US$xxx, followed by on-going SEO will cost US$XXX... but he does not state what this ongoing SEO will cover or what the prices are.

Its a bit scary not knowing what you're gonna get for the dollar you're about to spend. So does anyone know of a good and experienced employee who does SEO at Bruce Clay's company that I can contact?

Furthermore, I have compared prices say for a couple of SEO companies with that of Bruce Clay's (the company) SEO services with the some SEO companies in India and some other countries ... and though represented differently (ie amount to be paid per month), the fees for the year is almost the same. But the problem is the other SEO companies all say good things ... but how does one know who will really give the good results?

And how does one determine which keywords / phrases are the best and most appropriate ones? There could be many different keywords/phrases, as well as multiple combinations. And some SEO companies say they will optimize 40 keywords, while others say they can optimize 120 keywords. More is better, I suppose, but is it really possible? For example, if say only a few of the 120 keywords show up on Google's first page ... then the rest would seem pretty useless if they don't show up on the first couple pages of Google ... for my particular industry that is.

Also, should an SEO company assist us in determining how to reach our target audience? Therefore should they also clearly understand our business model and help us out in the right direction? Also, if the SEO company is good, will they analyze ROI? But it seems very few SEO companies have addressed these topics ... for they all just seem to say they can do good work, like a sales pitch. So what to do??? I feel lost.

So, if an SEO company is really good ... what would they do for us? If anyone can share any insights, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

B Wicki

[comcorp]

Hi Bwicki--

We've found that many clients feel the same way you feel now.

First of all, yes the SEO company should understand your business model to understand your target audience. This also helps with determining the keywords and keyword phrases that you would use in your SEO campaign. The correct forumula of keyword phrases and keywords equals more traffic and a higher search engine ranking.

Other companies have different approaches, they are not wrong or right, but you need to think about what fits your company and campaign the best.

[Marcia]

We can't and don't recommend specific companies or individual practitioners of the art here (so I've modified the thread title), but it's always a good topic to discuss HOW to select an SEO service provider.

[Angela Charles]

Hi All,

Its a bit scary not knowing what you're gonna get for the dollar you're about to spend.

And how does one determine which keywords / phrases are the best and most appropriate ones? There could be many different keywords/phrases, as well as multiple combinations. And some SEO companies say they will optimize 40 keywords, while others say they can optimize 120 keywords. More is better, I suppose, but is it really possible? For example, if say only a few of the 120 keywords show up on Google's first page ... then the rest would seem pretty useless if they don't show up on the first couple pages of Google ... for my particular industry that is.

Also, should an SEO company assist us in determining how to reach our target audience? Therefore should they also clearly understand our business model and help us out in the right direction? Also, if the SEO company is good, will they analyze ROI? But it seems very few SEO companies have addressed these topics ... for they all just seem to say they can do good work, like a sales pitch. So what to do??? I feel lost.

So, if an SEO company is really good ... what would they do for us?


A comprehensive SEO program should entail the following elements:


1. Keyword research for "Performance Keywords". Our company coined the term "Performance Keywords" to identify the terms that research shows are the keywords that Internet users are using to find a specific product/service vs. terms that a client thinks they might be using. We think this is the most important element to a site's success. If you don't target the right keywords, why bother. It's not the quantity of keywords for which your site appears, it's the quality. Shoot for the best quality with the most reasonable required effort. You can add on keywords as you build content.

2. On-page site optimization. This includes content development incorporating Performance Keywords, and appropriate meta tags to help with site organization.

3. Off-page site optimization (aka Incoming Link Strategy). Locating appropriate sources for Internet-wide visibility.

4. Site maintenance and monitoring. Running periodic reports to gauge SEO progress and monitor the sucess of specific content in converting customers.


Not familiar with Bruce Clay's pricing model, but we provide standardized pricing ... if an SEO firm has been at it awhile, it's not rocket science to provide a quote that delivers what the client needs and is fair to the SEO firm.

Any SEO worth hiring will be able to provide strategy consultation. In order to determine the best quality keywords, they have to have an understanding of your business.

Good luck.

[marketraisecorp]

When you decide which SEO company you must hire you need to chalk out certain points initially.
1)The purpose and location:See where you are based first,what do you want from an seo company,SEO includes a wide range of services (PPC included).And what is your necessity out of these services.

2)Performance:Say you are looking for a Seo professional firm in New york.All you got to do is to go to Google and type in NY SEO.The list of firms appearing in the first page are considered to be better then the rest.Go to their website and browse through them in detail.Check their Page rank .People might say PR in not important but Google assigns the PR on the number of backlinks a site has and yes not paid links.

3)Once you browse through the websites you get an idea as to what you want.Whether the website (read company)matches the service you need or not,never mind there are 10 in the first page and it is obvious that you would opt for one of them.

4)Last your budget.This is damn important.Don't go over board.If you hire a SEO professional firm for 5 months see to it that you have required finances to pay your fees.Once you start you shouldn't stop or until you ultimatum is acheived else what ever effort is put in will be wasted.And Persist.SEO is initially tough but the end results are extremely rewarding.

Well then I have put down every thing to the best of my knowledge incase I am missing anything please add it.

Regards:)

[E2 Solutions]

You have asked same question in http://forums.seochat.com/seo-help-general-chat-16/which-seo-company-is-better-162992.html

Please tell me what do you want to do? are you kidding???

Hi All,

I'm researching and looking for an appropriate SEO company ... and I still find myself stuck on choosing a company ... or to find out which is the right one.

Thank you in advance,

B Wicki

[E2 Solutions]

We can't and don't recommend specific companies or individual practitioners of the art here (so I've modified the thread title), but it's always a good topic to discuss HOW to select an SEO service provider.

I think I will prefer their client testimonials and call them and I will ask about ROI, and also ask about seo report specially ask about theme based link backs.........
I will send my queries many of the seo company and compere their services and price.

[megri]

I am doing SEO from last 9 years and done very bigger projects also.

I always say that SEO is very easy, you just need to spend some time on your site doing On Page Work, like Titles, Description, Keywords, Contents, H1, H2, Alt tags and good navigation structure...

In Off Page SEO, You can do Social Bookmarking, Web Site Links, Directories, Forum Posting, Blogs, Articles, Press Release. Infact you can get top ranking without spending money!

[E2 Solutions]

I am doing SEO from last 9 years and done very bigger projects also.

I always say that SEO is very easy, you just need to spend some time on your site doing On Page like Description, Keywords
Do you think meta descriptions and meta keywords effect your ranking?

It is worthless it doesn't have any seo value.

In Off Page SEO, You can do Social Bookmarking,
What is seo value fo social bookmarking maximum social bookmaking site using nofollow.
Web Site LinksLinks from rlevant sites. Directoriesvery less impact, Forum Posting miximum forum use nofollow , Blogs same with blog, Articles, Press Release if you are talking about articles submission/ press releases then it is useless . In fact you can get top ranking without spending money!
You time is money.....

A friendly request please read more and more........
Hanging around this forum......

[megri]

Thanks my friend for this debate on SEO subject

Do you think meta descriptions and meta keywords effect your ranking?
It is worthless it doesn't have any seo value.

May be thats why i do not see your own corporate company web site (seooffice) ranking on any keywords....i have only searched few keyword to check your ranking in google, correct me if i missed any keywords (only important ones)....

As for your question on description, i will say description meta tag provides Google and other search engines a summary of what the page is about. These meta tags are important because Google might use them as snippets for your pages. If you have noticed that words in the snippet are bolded when they appear in the user's search query.


What is seo value fo social bookmarking maximum social bookmaking site using nofollow.
May be you are less known to SMM subject, there are lot of sites with great respect and reputation and regualr indexed. Here when we talk about SMM or SMO concept, We are also concerned with direct relations and marketing. We are not much concerned with no-follow. Infact SMM is good way to get good traffic.

Maximum forum use nofollow , same with blog, if you are talking about articles submission/ press releases then it is useless .
I have no idea why do you see all things from search engines point of views only. Maximum forums are good ones, you take example of SEO forums and you will see that. When i say blogs, its means free blogs on internet and blog posting with fresh contents, i am not saying about blog comments.
and for article submission, i consider that as good with varied contents and resource while submitting. Press Release, i have seen best results.



A friendly request please read more and more........
Hanging around this forum......
Sure my friend, i have been on many forums since 1998 and moderated few forums also. You seems very new in this business and need to enhance your knowledge a bit more....

A friendly request please.... you need to work more on your web site and you can get good rankings.... :)
As when you talk about relevant links, i see link on "Umbrella Companies" anchor text on your page seooffice.com/ seo-tools.html
May be you need to remove that link...

If you need more advice on your web site, i am ready to give you the advice....

[deanpowel71]

The easiest way is to check their earlier works and then make your decision.