Sign in
Courtesy navigation
Search engine optimisation – should I outsource?
Search engine optimisation – should I outsource?
December 20, 2010
Last Friday I was approached by a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist, guaranteeing me page one positioning for my chosen key phrase within six months. They carried out a free SEO audit, the result of which has set my mind in some level of turmoil and has actually made me realise how much work I have to do.
Although the audit did not provide intricate details of what should be done – well, it wouldn't, it was free! – it highlighted the areas where improvements were necessary. The auditors, with their long list of blue chip clients, were asking me to commit to a 12-month contract for several hundreds of pounds each month, to guarantee me page one positioning.
At this time, that level of commitment and financial outlay is not realistic for my business, Mama Jewels, but I definitely need to do something and I’m wondering how much of this I can do myself?
Do I need to be highly technical and fully understand the complexities of Google or can I manage for now doing this in-house with the basic knowledge I already have.
I know I need to obtain good quality back links, but how? The content needs to be keyword rich, how do I do this without going too far? I am aware, but am not sure how often I need to change the content on my site? What else am I not aware of?
Every book I pick up seems to have a different answer, probably because the rules keep changing to keep us on our toes. From the audit, it seems to me that this is something I could do myself, but looking at the monthly charges from the specialist, I’m sure there must be more to it.
So, should I pay for some level of on-going SEO support or is this something I could effectively be doing myself, after all, I have the deepest knowledge of my business and should know what potential customers will be searching for. On the other hand – should I call in an SEO expert?
Amanda Waring, Mama Jewels
You can find out more about Amanda on the interactive business website www.inafishbowl.com
Founding partners
Follow us on:
Startup Donut
Starting a new business - free advice, tools and resources | Start Up Donut
Copyright © 2009-2012
Comments
As with every industry there are plenty of cow boys that upset it for everyone else, and SEO is heavily populated by "guaranteed position" companies promising you to be page 1 for a specific keyword.
As was pointed out above the key is to get a good spread of active keyword phrases, and to make sure that these are used on your website, in blog articles, and posts to as many other relevant locations as you can.
Basically, break down the whole project into two parts:
1 - make your website as Google friendly as possible, good title tags, rich content, alt tags on images etc.
2 - use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and all the other opportunities to post comment pieces, articles, posts, which may be relevant to your brand. (Indeed as I am doing here).
When you write comments or aticles DONT sell anything, make them informative. Provide links back to your site or relevant supporting pieces where possible. For example, we publish lots of articles to our the Evolvin Social Marketing Facebook page, which is available here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Evolvin-Social-Marketing-Brand-Visibility-Engagement-Specialists/200516519992415
We have seen a much better response and engagement value, and in return new client sign up, from using Social Media as our main focus for marketing activity, and have very largely side lined traditional SEO activity.
We are more than happy to provide free website analysis, as is everyone else. But, we would also suggest a variety of usable proposals for working together in a realistic and cost / growth conscious way.
Feel free to contact us.. www.evolvin-social-marketing.com
I am looking at ths from a slightly different angle, as our business does the SEO for others. Firstly, if you get contacted by anybody offering a "guarantee" in SEO, run a mile in the opposite direction. There is no such thing - too many variables are outside of your control such as competitor activity, search engine algorithm changes etc etc.
Secondly, the monthly investment MUST relate to an achievable return on investment. As Jackie has said above, in some industries it just doesn't make sense to outlay x hundred pounds per month for a return which at best would just about cover the outlay. Your SEO provider should be looking at these basic areas of your business and offering honest advice about which method, approach and keywords you should be looking at. Incidentally, any SEO company that is only looking at 2 key phrases for 12 months is having a joke. A 12 month contract (even at £100 pe rmonth) should cover a multitude of keywords, not least because you want a wide variety of lead sources, but also less competitive keywords make it easier to reach the harder keywords.
My advice would be to make a value judgement. Put a price on your own time, estimate the amount of time you would need to invest. Then get some quotes. Compare the two. If the lower priced option is still not likely to lead to a solid return on your investment, then SEO is probably not for you. But do shop around - the SEO companies who are aggresively selling (in my opinion) generally are of a lower quality than the ones who you find through your own research and recommendations.
And if DIY SEO is your preferred option, I do run fairly regular SEO training courses - one coming up in a few weeks. (shameless plug, sorry)
I to have been approached recently by a number of companies oferring me free web analysis. It's sound advice you get but at what price? I was quoted £500 a month for 2 key phrases and no guarantee for 12 months. My business is B2B and I probably have approx 10,000 target prospects that match my criteria. To get a positive ROI I would need to be recruiting 3 contracts a month not 3 a year. I have decided that I will try and go it alone and In hse but look for some good free advice and some good courses.
Add a comment
Not registered? We'll create a new account for you when you add your comment