Search Engine Optimization

This is a guest post from Amanda DiSilvestro of ResourceNation.com

It is no secret that SEO is crucial to the success of a small business, but what many do not realize is that there are different ways to fulfill this crucial need. Many new business owners work with SEO on their own; meaning they decide which keywords to target, focus on getting back-links and have worry about Google rankings and penalties. However, many more established companies choose to use an SEO agency. Consider some of the positives and negatives to each:

In-House SEO

1.In-House SEO Advantages

Control – You have complete control, so you will be able to change things instantly if you ever change your mind. Sometimes it can be time consuming to create an SEO strategy and then have to go back and change it, but if you do it yourself you know you will have it the way you want it right away.

Experts – You will be able to hire the SEO expert who you think knows your target audience and industry the best. Agencies sometimes worry about a lot of different types of companies, but bringing someone in-house will help keep them focused.

2.In House Disadvantages

Risky – There is a chance that you could get SEO wrong. Sometimes SEO can be confusing, and it takes a long time to master. If you don’t hire an expert or you hire someone new, there are places where you can make mistakes. It’s important that you understand HTML, keyword research tools, and keyword tracking tools and much more.

Expensive – Some people are swayed into giving SEO a try on their own because they think it is inexpensive, but the truth is the right tools will cost you. It is important that you have the right software to complete keyword research and tracking, and this can sometimes cost up to $1000.

Time – It takes a great amount of time to master SEO, but it also takes a great amount of time to see results. This means that if you’re making a mistake, you probably won’t realize it until a good amount of time has passed.

SEO Agency

1.SEO Agency Advantages

Fast and Simple – The agency will do all the work, so all you will need to do is look it over and make sure you agree with the approach.

Stay Focused – If you hire a SEO agency you will not need to change the focus of your business in any way. You will not need to use any office resources for a new employee. The agency will work for you without disrupting business.

2.SEO Agency Disadvantages

Cost – Although this is a disadvantage to in-house SEO as well, it’s still a part of hiring a SEO Agency. The cost of an SEO agency varies depending upon your expectations and workload, but in general it will cost approximately $200-$5,000 per month.

Miscommunication – You run the risk of miscommunication when working with a SEO agency. You will be in charge of telling them your internet marketing goals, objectives, budget, and giving them deadlines. Therefore, it is important that you are organized and comfortable talking with people. You need to make sure you know what you want, and then make sure that the company follows through. It’s also a good idea to do a full background check on the company to make sure that they have had success and will be offering you real experts to help your efforts.

The most important thing to remember is that SEO is important—very important. You want to make sure that you know exactly what you are doing and that you are not cutting corners when it comes to SEO. If you’re starting a small business and just getting your feet wet with SEO, it is going to take some time before you see results. However, once you do start seeing results you will also likely begin seeing an increase in online traffic.

About the Author
Amanda DiSilvestro is a writer on topics ranging from social media to credit card processing. She writes for an online resource that gives advice on topics including medical billing software to small businesses and entrepreneurs for one of the leading b2b lead generation websites, Resource Nation.

Since the Internet is “everywhere” you don’t have to hire the SEO firm down the street if you don’t want too. As long as they are US-based, feel free to work with the best SEO firm for you, even if they are in a different time zone. However, if you want to have that face-to-face interaction that comes with working with a local SEO firm, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Respect someone’s time
If you’re just shopping around, stick to the phone. You’ll be able to get all the information you want in an hour long (maybe even less) phone call. Most small, local SEO firms don’t have the manpower to spend all day chasing down leads that aren’t seriously looking to hire an SEO firm.

2. Focus on small/midsize companies
While larger SEO companies may look incredibly impressive, working with a smaller SEO firm means you’re more likely to work directly with an experienced SEO strategist that customizes your SEO campaign around your needs and goals.

3. Beware the sales rep!
A sales representative that works for an SEO firm, but doesn’t actually do SEO, will do and say just about anything to get your business. That is their job—to bring in new clients.

4. Go with your instinct
If the first local SEO company you meet with seems to be the perfect fit, don’t second guess yourself. You don’t have to drag three or four more companies through the pitch process just because you feel like you’re “supposed” to shop around.

5. Don’t trust “magic” solutions
Every SEO firm has their own process, but you should be hearing similar things from different companies. If an SEO company comes out of left field with the “magic pill” to all your online marketing problems, don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

6. Don’t expect upfront work before you’re a client
You don’t work for free, and neither do local SEO companies. While you have the right to ask questions about their process, don’t expect a full SEO campaign to be created before you hire them.

7. Respect the SEO company and its employees
The key to a successful relationship with your local SEO company is respect. If you want them to do good work for you, treat them like you would an employee or partner.

8. Be willing to change
Let your local SEO firm do their job! If you aren’t willing to take their SEO recommendations, why bother hiring someone in the first place?

9. SEO is not a commodity, it’s a service
There are plenty of “yes man” companies out there that will say whatever it takes to get your money and then run off with it (even if it is just the low, low price of $49.95 a month!).

When Google comes out and tells you what you should be looking out for in an SEO agency or firm it is important to listen up. Matt Cutt’s states that are certain red flags you should listen out for when searching for a search engine marketing company to help you out with your exposure. He claims there are many good SEO agencies out there but there are also some bad apples to watch out for.

Here is a great video from Google’s Matt Cutts about hiring SEO agencies:

Things to watch out for when interviewing SEO Agencies:

Vagueness: If you are not sure what the SEO agency is planning on doing you should find a different vendor. Search engine optimization is not voodoo or magic; it is proactively marketing your business online that should be easily explained for the most part.

Sketchiness: If the person you are speaking over the phone or in person seems a bit uneasy and portrays some fly by night characteristics chances are your gut feeling is correct. Find someone you feel comfortable speaking with and being around and you will feel much better about your overall investment.

Take the time and find the right person or company to outsource your online marketing to so you feel good and safe about your business exposure. The wrong search engine marketing professional could quickly drive your website into the ground if things should go wrong with their approach. You should always understand completely the marketing efforts that will be surrounding your business online and what steps your SEO agency will take.