For me, this question comes up frequently. When I sit down to tackle a difficult SEO project, I wonder:
- How did/what were the decisions that led to my web site not ranking in Google?
- What criteria led to my web site dropped in Google rankings?
- Why does this matter?
This is an honest question. As an SEO consultant, I deal with many of the clients who have developed Into Into bound Web sites, often with other Top Words in mind like I said I would. Yet, they have chosen inadequate paths.
They seek out advice from others in the profession, yet do not have the funds to fund an independent Analytics program. They have therefore been captured by the new style of “App resubmission”.
What clients are looking for
They come to me for some clear critiques and free consultations. Fair enough. But they don’t want a heavy hand presence. They want to retain a moderating influence. Therefore, I tend to keep my distance from their commitments.
As a consultant, my responsibility is to my clients. I do not ask for revenue sharing. I don’t want to second guess my client’s returns. That’s their business. mine is to increase and maximize value.
They want good clear answers to their complex questions. I strive to give them what they want without those other consultants getting in the way.
So when my distance from them becomes evident to them, they either hire someone else who wants to be treated fairly (MP for Not Performing), or they begin to seek me out. It’s unfortunate, but this is often the case.
When you, as the client, are clear about your desire to get bang for your buck, and clearly understand the terms of your engagement, things are much more likely to fall into place than otherwise.
Often, there is a fine line between artistically appealing (to your client) and professionally appealing (for your employer). Whether or not you are equipped with the right skill sets to accomplish this, it is clear that most people struggle with the latter.
With that said, I am prepared to bet that most clients would much rather work with someone they view as a professional in their field than with someone who appears to be loaded with ‘greediness’.
That being said, some genuine SEO firms fulfill the above criteria.
How do you pick out the genuine SEO firms
Here is some help:
- First, make sure that what you want to do is communicate exactly what your verbs are. In plain English, this is what you are most looking to achieve.
- Second, think about how you are going to achieve it. Are you going to get leverage through sales? Link-building? Be a spider? Check and see?
- Third, make sure that what you are searching to do “not” cost you. What is NofollowWexpect?
- Finally, make sure that what you are planning to do “is” something you can do. (otherwise, it probably won’t happen).
When you think about all that, I am pretty sure that you can come up with about ten “exceptions” to the rule statement.