SEO is not a snake and oil business - This year Google proved by changing
Google algorithms. Most of the SEO companies witnessed a huge shift in the
client base. Companies that was following old link building and old on page
optimization techniques faced a large exodus because failing in showing the
results.
Clients became busy bees jumping from one company to another. Less repeated
customers and more new customers. One of the worst retention rates for companies.
Before going any further I would like to tell this post is not for seo
companies but for clients looking for the vendors.
Promise:
Hey, don’t believe in promises. If any one comes and promise you No.1
Ranking means showing moon to you. Any company that promise first page rankings
is not a big deal. Yes they can. But ranking no1 I doubt. Because the rankings
for specific spot within specific time is not in our hands. Google itself
suggest not believe in any seo company that offers No.1 rankings. It’s ok:
Guaranteed first page ranking. If not ok: Guaranteed No.1 ranking - something
is phishy.
Please read the guidelines. Google has clearly mentioned “No one can
guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee
rankings….”
Transparency:
Clients must take a proactive action in knowing the process of SEO. Yes, we
all need results. But Google always shift the algorithms. These days Google has
gone one step further penalizing the websites in order to curb the menace of
manipulation. Request seo companies to reveal the strategies and also the
implementation thought process. Check whether back hat techniques are involved
or not. Yes, Manipulated techniques may give results but it is a short term. In
a long run your website will get hit badly. A brief on “what they do and how
they do “will give a clear picture on sustainable seo solutions. If you are not
sure how companies can manipulate the rankings, here is the list:
- Implementing Door way Pages.
- Hidden Content with White Space.
- Publishing Plagiarized Content
- Content creation by Article Spinning Software
- Back links generated by software.
- Poor paid quality links
- A deliberated link bait program with same hosting company.
Client Base:
Ask some of the clients they worked. Case studies will help to know what
challenges they met and how company overcomes the problems. The opinion of
client leads to know the value add on services and also customer services
provided during the campaign. Sometimes clients will look for experience in
niche industry. I strongly believe SEO varies with industries. Some industries
like insurance, real estate companies or b2c has high competition.
Measuring with Ranking:
Do not measure the worth of Seo Company in terms of ranking in own industry.
There are often times clients ask one common question “Why are you not ranking
for Seo Company?” Well the answer is because of lot of clients we won’t have
enough time to think our own website.
Dealing with web designing and hosting companies:
Try to avoid signing up with companies that are only specialized either web
designing or web hosting. Gone are the days when seo was working just
publishing long title tags were done to achieve rankings. A designer alone can
implement all the Google webmaster guidelines. Enquire how many dedicated SEOs
are working in the company. Many mom-and-pop hosting shops out there offering
website designing and search engine optimization for throw away prices. Assess
the activities package. For example if hosting companies are offering
submissions for thousand search engine means it’s full of crap.
Be skeptic and extra careful while signing up the SEO deal.
Bio: Surya Patra, head of seo team at YSS a seo company india began at 2009 as humble seo
service provider now services extended to chennai by opening seo company chennai
