Is this industry overrun?/Is there still a demand for SEO?

[AndyN]

Hi all,
Bit of a newbie here, about to dip my toe in the SEO ocean, but it's looking like there are more SEO companies out there than websites! Is there room for little me? Or is there still a demand out there for SEO if you look hard enough?

[rustybrick]

Andy, there is plenty of room in this industry for you.

In my opinion, it has just begun to grow in the US & Europe.

[DianeV]

I would echo what Barry said, based on what's going on in the web design industry. Some people don't know any more than their counterparts may have known seven years ago, but I'm surprised by how many show up knowing that their sites need not only to be built, but need to be optimized as well.

The only issue, as I see it, is that as more and more companies go to the Web, it becomes more of an issue to ensure that their sites attract visitors and sell well.

[Daria_Goetsch]

Andy, you can also break down different parts of the search engine marketing business, such as search engine optimization, link building and pay-per-click services. Some people specialize as experts in one of these services, which may be appealing to your prospective clients.

[Terry Plank]

I agree with the above and would add that specializing in a particular category of sites like wedding professionals or art galleries can help with marketing focus and with credibility when you have massed up some clients. Some people believe that someone who understands their industry will be better to use than a generalists. I don't necessarily agree with that, but it is something I have experienced.

Also, if you are in a smaller city or community where you can become known as the SEM marketing guru that know's your community and is accessable to clients by being around the corner, that can be another approach. Contact your bed and breakfasts, restaurants, art galleries etc.

[seobook]

for as many people as there are in the SEO industry few of them have a really strong brand. I chat on various forums every day, and only a few dozen names may come to my head right away.

targeting to a specific vertical within the market will make the seo job much easier, but if you can figure out a way to establish a strong brand then you should likely do well.

if I were to jump into SEO today I would specialize in a broad market with plenty of money (like real estate) or a verticle segment that can provide huge returns (such as link building).

[AndyN]

Thanks for your replies.
I am thinking of aiming more at the small business market (as I am a student and only want to do this part time).

I haven't looked much into link creation/marketing yet. Where should I start? (ask this question on a different section of the forum?)

[seobook]

I would suggest reading lots of non SEO books about the web first.

stuff like seth godin stuff
persuasive online copywriting
tested advertising methods
cluetrain manifesto
etc.

From what I see, there are a lot of people saying that they are SEOs or SEMs that really are not. A large percentage of these folks don't even have a basic understanding of what PageRank is, let alone how it works.

I have seen more cases than I care to think about where the so called SEO had no idea how to even build effective internal linking (a basic skill for an SEO, IMO).

The SEO industry needs open mined, inquisitive, educated and experienced people that are willing to keep learning cuz the www never rests or slows down.

Oh ya, it helps to be more than a little wacko too...

[seobook]

Originally Posted by lots0

From what I see, there are a lot of people saying that they are SEOs or SEMs that really are not. A large percentage of these folks don't even have a basic understanding of what PageRank is, let alone how it works.

I think it is like that in any industry.

Originally Posted by lots0

The SEO industry needs open mined, inquisitive, educated and experienced people that are willing to keep learning cuz the www never rests or slows down.

I think that to be really good at SEO you need to realize the web is a social medium and you can't just be stuck in a box. need to know a bunch about the web to be a good longterm SEO.

Originally Posted by lots0

Oh ya, it helps to be more than a little wacko too...

to be wacko is to be remarkable. since links are often gold to seos and are just remarks being wacko / remarkable is wonderful thing

[littleman]

There are too many SEM companies. All that is needed for an SEM company is to have a good looking website, a salesperson with capped teeth, and a couple of 'outsourced' folks in India looking at spreadsheets at $20/day.

That relatively easy money has tainted SEO and gotten a lot of folks calling themselves experts and using words like 'organic search'.

[Mikkel deMib Svendsen]

A large percentage of these folks don't even have a basic understanding of what PageRank is, let alone how it works.

You don't have to know anything about PageRank to be a really good PPC-administrator. And there are a lot of other things you can specialize in that dosen't require any knowladge of PageRank either. True, it's nice to know but I think it's too black and white to say that you can't be good at SEM unless you understand PageRank.

[Nacho]

Hey Andy, hablas Español?

If you do, the Hispanic market can use an army of SEOs. Its virgin territory mi amigo and the margaritas have a nice kick too

[Jill Whalen]

I have to agree with Littleman. I think it stinks that anyone can call themselves an SEO and open up shop over night, hire a few slick sales people, fire up their WPG and go to town.

Yes, there's still room for good SEOs with lots of experience who know what they're doing.

And yes, there's room for those who want to learn all they can and work their way up.

Just don't try or expect to do it over night!

[seobook]

Originally Posted by Jill Whalen

I think it stinks that anyone can call themselves an SEO and open up shop over night, hire a few slick sales people, fire up their WPG and go to town.

I think it is wonderful that anyone can call themselves an SEO and open up shop over night. At least I the recently nearly bankrupt / recently unemployed type think so.

Originally Posted by Jill Whalen

Yes, there's still room for good SEOs with lots of experience who know what they're doing.

I do not think one needs much experience at all...just an analytical mind.

Originally Posted by Jill Whalen

And yes, there's room for those who want to learn all they can and work their way up.

One of the hardest parts is figuring out a legit & functional pricing model. Once you figure that out and you have read a bunch and played around for a few months you are good to go.

Originally Posted by Jill Whalen

Just don't try or expect to do it over night!

It probably does take a few months for most people to sort everything out and become profitable.

You don't have to know anything about PageRank to be a really good PPC-administrator. And there are a lot of other things you can specialize in that dosen't require any knowladge of PageRank either.

Oh, I agree with you. I was speaking specifically about SEO. I believe there is a difference between SEO and SEM. I see SEO more on the technical side of things and SEM having more to do with the marketing end of things. Of course, this is just my twisted view of the world.

Aaron, I know that you have not been at SEO/SEM long, but in a relatively short time you have put in the work and done what it takes to start to make a name for yourself. You are the exception and not the rule. At least I think so...

SEO/SEM is like any business, work hard, work smart, and you’ll prosper.

[Jill Whalen]

Don't forget about all these emails back and forth to people like me, Aaron (and I'm sure to others).

You certainly did set out to learn all that you could and you did.

That's what I'm talking about with the working hard thing.

[htxred]

Originally Posted by lots0

From what I see, there are a lot of people saying that they are SEOs or SEMs that really are not. A large percentage of these folks don't even have a basic understanding of what PageRank is, let alone how it works.

I have seen more cases than I care to think about where the so called SEO had no idea how to even build effective internal linking (a basic skill for an SEO, IMO).

The SEO industry needs open mined, inquisitive, educated and experienced people that are willing to keep learning cuz the www never rests or slows down.

Oh ya, it helps to be more than a little wacko too...

Funny you said educated but I counted 198384737 spelling errors in your post.

Now that my smart comment has been said, im a newb to the world of seo/sem and i enjoy learning about the subject, but i feel like every article i read basically says the same damn thing over and over. It gets redundant and makes me want to lock up my computer and go smoke a cigarette. I just wish some gray areas were more clear...

[seobook]

Originally Posted by htxred

but i feel like every article i read basically says the same damn thing over and over. ... I just wish some gray areas were more clear...

if you feel they all say the same thing (as they often do) perhaps you should ask questions.

[htxred]

Originally Posted by seobook

if you feel they all say the same thing (as they often do) perhaps you should ask questions.

Whoa, never thought of that....