The truth of the matter is that there is no easy answer to how long search engine optimization will take. There are so many variables that go into this question that when a client asks for some type of timeframe, I am almost always tempted to say something along the lines of "forever". After all, Rome wasn't built in a day, and it continues to need upkeep every single day.
The same kind of mentality can be thought of with search engine optimization. Although it is possible to see results, even to achieve the number one rank, the fact of the matter is that you may have to continue working on it your entire life to see the kind of success that you want. After all, this is the reason that there are people who do SEO work. If it was a one-and-done type of job, their wouldn't be much demand after a certain time, and it would be impossible to sustain a career doing such. However, the fact that competitors are also doing work, algorithms are changing, and new innovations in social media and technology are constantly occurring, it is little wonder that search engine optimization work will need to continue for the life of your business.
This is not to say that certain results cannot be estimated in terms of a timeframe, but if you truly care about success you have to understand that SEO work will be something that will need to be done daily for the life of your business. You can be assured that if you are not working hard at it, someone, somewhere is, and when that person passes you in the ranking, you will know why.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
New Project Needs - Keywords
Here at Choice SEO, we get approach about a wide variety of search engine optimization projects on a fairly regular basis, and today was no exception. Today's client had a lot of desires, but the problem was that there was real substance to what he wanted.
This is fairly common in the world of SEO. We get a call from someone who is wanting to get there business to rank highly on the internet, but they have no idea exactly what it is they are asking for, or even worse, exactly what they want to rank high for.
It all starts with understanding your target audience, what they are looking for, and what they will be typing into a search engine when they are potentially entering a key term that could lead them to you. Before you can conduct a optimization, you have to know what you are optimizing for, and this means understanding what keywords that you are looking for. Therefore, I always recommend to people that after our initial conversation, they think about the five things that they think customers should be typing in to find their business, and that is where we start our project research. After we get that list, we can see how accurate the clients are in their assessment, make suggestion, and figure out the amount of work that will need to go into their projects in order to get them exactly where they want to be.
So, remember this - always start with an understanding of what your customers are looking for, and target your keywords around those. You may not be right, or anywhere close to being right, but it is an important first step on the journey towards success.
This is fairly common in the world of SEO. We get a call from someone who is wanting to get there business to rank highly on the internet, but they have no idea exactly what it is they are asking for, or even worse, exactly what they want to rank high for.
It all starts with understanding your target audience, what they are looking for, and what they will be typing into a search engine when they are potentially entering a key term that could lead them to you. Before you can conduct a optimization, you have to know what you are optimizing for, and this means understanding what keywords that you are looking for. Therefore, I always recommend to people that after our initial conversation, they think about the five things that they think customers should be typing in to find their business, and that is where we start our project research. After we get that list, we can see how accurate the clients are in their assessment, make suggestion, and figure out the amount of work that will need to go into their projects in order to get them exactly where they want to be.
So, remember this - always start with an understanding of what your customers are looking for, and target your keywords around those. You may not be right, or anywhere close to being right, but it is an important first step on the journey towards success.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
SEO vs SEM
One of the questions we often get from clients is whether we offer both SEO and SEM services. For most people, they are actually asking the same question about optimizing their websites, but there is a subtle difference between the two terms.
When someone says SEO, they are referring to Search Engine Optimization, which basically describes any of a wide array of activities that can be performed in order to increase the number of people who both encounter your website via search engines and social media, and also the activities that increase the number of visitors to your website.
SEM, Search Engine Marketing, is often used interchangeably with SEO, but for some it can have some subtle differences. Normally, the term SEM is used to indicate services for paid advertising, such as the development of ads for Google, Bing, Facebook, Twitter, or some other web platform.
In the end though, most people use SEO to encompass all aspects of search engine optimization, including paid advertising. However, if you have encountered anyone using both terms, you now have a solid idea of where they are coming from.
When someone says SEO, they are referring to Search Engine Optimization, which basically describes any of a wide array of activities that can be performed in order to increase the number of people who both encounter your website via search engines and social media, and also the activities that increase the number of visitors to your website.
SEM, Search Engine Marketing, is often used interchangeably with SEO, but for some it can have some subtle differences. Normally, the term SEM is used to indicate services for paid advertising, such as the development of ads for Google, Bing, Facebook, Twitter, or some other web platform.
In the end though, most people use SEO to encompass all aspects of search engine optimization, including paid advertising. However, if you have encountered anyone using both terms, you now have a solid idea of where they are coming from.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Important Organic Search Factors - Part 1
When it comes to ranking high in organic (non-paid) search rankings, there are a variety of factors that can be important in ranking highly. These range from factors that come from your website design (on-page factors) to those that have nothing to do with your page itself (off-page factors).
This post will discuss several of the most important on-page factors that have an impact on your organic search results. The first is the HTML page title. Unlike almost everything else involving search engine optimization, HTML page title is very simple because you have absolute control over this. This will also affect the your website and pages looks in search results.
Another on-page feature that you can easily affect is visible html text. This may sound fairly obvious, but if you want to rank highly for keywords, your website/pages must actually contain those words. If they don't, how can you expect to rank highly for those words. Ensure that you are using the appropriate words often enough (keyword density), and you will be well on your way to success.
The last factor directly under your control is site speed. Please ensure that you are using a host that loads your site quickly. If everything else is equal, a site that loads slower than another site will be looked upon less favorably than a site that loads quickly.
Make sure you pay attention to these three basic factors when designing your site, and you will be placing yourself in position for search engine success.
This post will discuss several of the most important on-page factors that have an impact on your organic search results. The first is the HTML page title. Unlike almost everything else involving search engine optimization, HTML page title is very simple because you have absolute control over this. This will also affect the your website and pages looks in search results.
Another on-page feature that you can easily affect is visible html text. This may sound fairly obvious, but if you want to rank highly for keywords, your website/pages must actually contain those words. If they don't, how can you expect to rank highly for those words. Ensure that you are using the appropriate words often enough (keyword density), and you will be well on your way to success.
The last factor directly under your control is site speed. Please ensure that you are using a host that loads your site quickly. If everything else is equal, a site that loads slower than another site will be looked upon less favorably than a site that loads quickly.
Make sure you pay attention to these three basic factors when designing your site, and you will be placing yourself in position for search engine success.
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Importance of Daily SEO
One thing that is an absolute must for performing your own SEO is a commitment towards doing something to improving your search engine optimization each and every single day. You may have heard the adage that "failing to plan is planning to fail", and this is especially true when it comes to your business and your online presence.
It is important first and foremost from the perspective of forming a habit. Like going to the gym, it may not do something that you like to do, or even something that will allow you to see instantaneous results, but if you keep at it you will be extremely happy with the results over time. Not to mention the fact that just like going to the gym, there will come a point where performing it will become second nature, and what at first may seem a tedious and exhausting task will actually become enjoyable and fun. There is no better reinforcer than success, and if you see positive results from search engine optimization work, you will happily work every single day.
The second reason that it is important is that there are changes going in the search engine algorithms each and every single day. If you are not actively working, then you may never notice a subtle change or learn a certain nuance that can save you a lot of wasted time and effort. By staying active, you ensure that you are aware of changes when they happen.
Last, but definitely not least, think of it from a competition perspective. If you have ever been involved in any competitive activity, there is an old saying that says something along the lines of, "every moment that you aren't training, someone, somewhere is - what do you think will happen when you meet them?" You don't want to get beat in the SEO game because you were lazy, so make sure you work hard to accomplish your goals every single day.
Of course, everyone has things that they are good at, and things that they aren't so great at. If you aren't a great thrower, but you can catch, you probably shouldn't be playing quarterback (to continue the sports adages). The same thing is true in business - if you aren't great at SEO and your time is better spend developing, designing, selling, or marketing in some other manner, than perhaps you should consider a search engine optimization company.
It is important first and foremost from the perspective of forming a habit. Like going to the gym, it may not do something that you like to do, or even something that will allow you to see instantaneous results, but if you keep at it you will be extremely happy with the results over time. Not to mention the fact that just like going to the gym, there will come a point where performing it will become second nature, and what at first may seem a tedious and exhausting task will actually become enjoyable and fun. There is no better reinforcer than success, and if you see positive results from search engine optimization work, you will happily work every single day.
The second reason that it is important is that there are changes going in the search engine algorithms each and every single day. If you are not actively working, then you may never notice a subtle change or learn a certain nuance that can save you a lot of wasted time and effort. By staying active, you ensure that you are aware of changes when they happen.
Last, but definitely not least, think of it from a competition perspective. If you have ever been involved in any competitive activity, there is an old saying that says something along the lines of, "every moment that you aren't training, someone, somewhere is - what do you think will happen when you meet them?" You don't want to get beat in the SEO game because you were lazy, so make sure you work hard to accomplish your goals every single day.
Of course, everyone has things that they are good at, and things that they aren't so great at. If you aren't a great thrower, but you can catch, you probably shouldn't be playing quarterback (to continue the sports adages). The same thing is true in business - if you aren't great at SEO and your time is better spend developing, designing, selling, or marketing in some other manner, than perhaps you should consider a search engine optimization company.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
More On Quality SEO
I was reading something earlier today that led me to think more about the importance of choosing a quality SEO professional. Basically, what I was reading was an ad touting SEO services and submission to 1000's of sites, all for a flat fee. Obviously, the the unlearned site owner desperate for rankings, this could well seem like the deal of a lifetime, but the fact is that that this type of "service" is at best a waste of money, and at the worst could potentially hurt your site's rankings.
If you are truly seeking SEO services, you cannot just look for a one-stop solution, or consider something that will only last for a small amount of time. Quality search engine optimization takes time, and it really involves at least three components. For starters, there are many technical elements involved in creating a website that matches up with your search engine goals. Next, you have to consider strategies and keyword goals, and also consider what you want to achieve with your search engine optimization - are you looking for more traffic, for people to spend money, or some combination of these and other factors. Last, but not least, you have to not only understand what your goals are, but you also have to measure the results. If you are not tracking the results of your search engine optimization efforts, you will never know what you are doing wrong (or right for that matter!).
Again, every website is different, and every site owner has different goals, so make sure that your SEO service provider is wiling to discuss all of the aforementioned optimization components.
If you are truly seeking SEO services, you cannot just look for a one-stop solution, or consider something that will only last for a small amount of time. Quality search engine optimization takes time, and it really involves at least three components. For starters, there are many technical elements involved in creating a website that matches up with your search engine goals. Next, you have to consider strategies and keyword goals, and also consider what you want to achieve with your search engine optimization - are you looking for more traffic, for people to spend money, or some combination of these and other factors. Last, but not least, you have to not only understand what your goals are, but you also have to measure the results. If you are not tracking the results of your search engine optimization efforts, you will never know what you are doing wrong (or right for that matter!).
Again, every website is different, and every site owner has different goals, so make sure that your SEO service provider is wiling to discuss all of the aforementioned optimization components.
What Would We Look For in an SEO Company?
One of the questions that we often get asked here at Choice SEO is about what we would look for in an SEO Company. Obviously, we are a bit biased as we happen to think that our company is exactly what someone should look for, so the answer to that question reflects what we think about the world of Search Engine Optimization.
First and foremost, we believe that you should look for a company that actually cares about what you are looking for. Often, it seems that companies are all about getting you to the first page of rankings, or to the number one rank, but they fail to listen to their clients because they are so focused on telling you what they can do. However, every client is different, and while every client wants to be successful, budgets, timeframes, needs, and technical expertise will vary across the board, so it is important to listen to each and every client.
Speaking of rankings, you should be wary of anyone that promises you to get you to number one within any certain amount of time or for any certain amount of money. Search engine optimization is hard work, and it is by no means predictable. It is also very competitive, and thus it is very difficult in most cases to say how long something will take. A lot of that will vary depending on how competitive a keyword is, how much effort your competitors are putting into their SEO services, changes to the various search engine algorithms, etc. Be wary of big promises, because they often result in being big empty promises.
Lastly, you should be comfortable. It is all well and good for someone to say the right things, show you their past projects, and in general show you the proof that they are great at what they do, but if you do not feel comfortable working with them or dealing with them on a daily basis, then you should find someone else to work with. Search engine optimization, like any other business relationship, is just that - a relationship. If you do not like who you choose to work with, it will be difficult to maintain that relationship for any length of time. The last thing that you want to do is find success working with someone, and then have to start over when personalities clash.
These would probably be our initial three thoughts when it comes to choosing an SEO company, but I am sure we will think of more and have more to share as time moves forward.
First and foremost, we believe that you should look for a company that actually cares about what you are looking for. Often, it seems that companies are all about getting you to the first page of rankings, or to the number one rank, but they fail to listen to their clients because they are so focused on telling you what they can do. However, every client is different, and while every client wants to be successful, budgets, timeframes, needs, and technical expertise will vary across the board, so it is important to listen to each and every client.
Speaking of rankings, you should be wary of anyone that promises you to get you to number one within any certain amount of time or for any certain amount of money. Search engine optimization is hard work, and it is by no means predictable. It is also very competitive, and thus it is very difficult in most cases to say how long something will take. A lot of that will vary depending on how competitive a keyword is, how much effort your competitors are putting into their SEO services, changes to the various search engine algorithms, etc. Be wary of big promises, because they often result in being big empty promises.
Lastly, you should be comfortable. It is all well and good for someone to say the right things, show you their past projects, and in general show you the proof that they are great at what they do, but if you do not feel comfortable working with them or dealing with them on a daily basis, then you should find someone else to work with. Search engine optimization, like any other business relationship, is just that - a relationship. If you do not like who you choose to work with, it will be difficult to maintain that relationship for any length of time. The last thing that you want to do is find success working with someone, and then have to start over when personalities clash.
These would probably be our initial three thoughts when it comes to choosing an SEO company, but I am sure we will think of more and have more to share as time moves forward.
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