- How long will it take to see the results of search engine optimization?
There are several factors that determine how long it will take for good SEO results. They include but are not limited to content, keyword competition along with reciprocal and one way linking. Do you already have great content? Are your major keywords extremely competitive? Are they listed anywhere on your site? Are they in the right place? Have you already started the reciprocal linking process to themed sites?
On average depending on where you are at with all of the above and the age of your site, it normally takes about 3 to 12 months to begin seeing results. - What is the difference between Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM)?
Search Engine Marketing or SEM has more to do with the purchase of AdWords and other online marketing media such as banner ads. Search engine marketing allows one to decide how much they want to spend, which phrases or words you want to purchase and what pages you want your ads pointed (linked) to.
On the other hand, Search Engine Optimization or SEO has to do with the technical analysis of a particular website so as to identify what exactly needs to be done in order to make that particular website rank as high as possible in the search engine natural (organic) listings. Search engine optimization, unlike SEM, requires a site to to include multiple SEO elements some of which include well written and themed content, themed reciprocal and one way links with proper keyword anchors and correct page browser titles in order to maximize and assist search engines with correct indexing of website content. - When should I outsource SEO and when should I keep it in house?
With the increases in costs of Search Engine Marketing over the past several years, it has become necessary for most businesses to include Search Engine Optimization in their marketing plan. But most companies know very little about Search Engine Optimization, and make the often erroneous assumption that it will be less expensive for them to hire someone to do this for them "in-house" than to outsource it to a company with expertise in this area.
SEO is an area that changes constantly, and it's VERY important to keep on top of new information that can affect your SEO strategies when it becomes available. An SEO professional, in order to survive, MUST spend the time that is necessary to keep up to date. On the other hand, your in-house employee, who will likely be spending most of his or her time developing and implementing your SEO strategies, may be hard pressed to do this, and the effort may suffer as a result.
There are many different functions involved with SEO (keyword analysis, link building, copy writing, in-page optimization). SEO firms generally employ individuals who specialize in certain functions, while your own in-house employee will be forced to cover all the bases, and may not become expert at any of them.
What about the cost? If you are a small company that has time to grow into your SEO, or if you need an individual to do SEO part time, while performing other tasks as well, then in-house SEO may be less expensive. But if you are a large company, you can lose a lot of ground trying to use an in-house individual over an outsourced professional SEO company.
Subscribe to our blog to keep up to date on things that matter, and give us a call if you'd like to discuss the outsourcing option with us. - How should I decide who to hire to do my SEO?
There are many variables that you need to keep in mind when searching for a truly legitimate SEO (Search Engine Optimization) firm.
To begin with, the SEO firm you hire needs to have at the very least a basic understanding of your business in order to properly begin the process of SEO. If an SEO firm attempts to just take your money without understanding anything about your company and it's goals, you need to turn them down immediately.
One of many quesitons a good SEO firm should ask you right up front is if your site includes a website referral log. This is important because if your site does include that, the referral logs are an indispensable source for feed back regarding which keywords your site visitors are finding you through and these keywords should be included in the SEO effort.
Secondly research the actual track record of the SEO firm you have in mind and have them be able to prove their long term success rate with other seo clients they have done work for.
Thirdly, you need to ask the prospective SEO firm what their strategy is and make sure that they include in their strategy themed and well written content with themed internal and external links.
Last but not least, turn down those SEO firms who tell you that they can generate the results you are looking quickly and that its a one time thing. There is no such thing as overnight results. SEO is an on-going process and normally takes from three to six months to see results - sometimes longer. There are many variables that dictate just how quickly and efficiently an SEO campaign will work such as keyword competition and the number of well themed anchor based reciprocal and one way links targeting the right pages/content. It is also very important to have links with the most important general-topic web directories such as dmoz, dir.yahoo, joeant, bluefind, goguides, etc. - How about all those offers for very inexpensive SEO ? Does it pay?
It's not possible to give a flat out yes or no answer, however in MOST cases it does not pay to hire out an individual or a company that offer cheap rates.
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