What important aspects do you seek in a SEO Company?

**seotrafficsearch** · Jul 1, 2012 13:06

I would like to know from you that what are the important aspects of SEO Company that anybody would be looking out for? Please share your views!

**Stevie D** · Jul 1, 2012 13:32

Originally Posted by seotrafficsearch

I would like to know from you that what are the important aspects of SEO Company that anybody would be looking out for? Please share your views!

I wouldn't buy SEO from a general SEO company. Full stop. Marketing, maybe. Reputation management, maybe. But not SEO.

If my designer can't make a Google-friendly website then he'll be sacked as a designer. I don't need an SEOist to do my on-page SEO, because anyone half-way competent will be doing that all for themselves as a matter of course.

And I don't want to pay someone to go around blogs and forums spamming them with links to my website, which is what a lot of SEO companies seem to do. Unless you are a specialist in my industry, you won't have the first idea about which websites are going to be appropriate and effective to approach for links, how to go about it, what words and phrases searchers are likely to use, who my competitors are, etc. Hiring a non-specialist to do work that needs industry specialist knowledge seems like a pretty odd way of going about things to me!

Sorry if that isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but I can't think of any circumstances that I would advise anyone to buy in SEO services from an SEO company.

**seotrafficsearch** · Jul 2, 2012 07:03

Thanks for the reply Steve. It was good to hear your point of view. And i do agree to an extent that basic SEO can be done by anyone, however when it comes to competitive keyword websites, things aren't so easy, especially after panda and penguin releases. I would appreciate if you or anyone could highlight few aspects that a SEO company should have (from the customer's perspective).

**DaveMaxwell** · Jul 2, 2012 07:20

Originally Posted by seotrafficsearch

Thanks for the reply Steve. It was good to hear your point of view. And i do agree to an extent that basic SEO can be done by anyone, however when it comes to competitive keyword websites, things aren't so easy, especially after panda and penguin releases. I would appreciate if you or anyone could highlight few aspects that a SEO company should have (from the customer's perspective).

I would take an approach similar to Steve, as if I want to create a "competitive keyword" website, I'm approaching it from completely the wrong angle since keywords shouldn't be the driving force behind a site. Good, comprehensive content for a good, service or organization should be my goal. If I (or my designer if I use one) aren't starting from the product/service/organization, then I'm not doing my job....

**coronaborcalis** · Jul 5, 2012 23:29

My personal opinion will be from the way they make link campaign for you. If you find a company that told you only white hat but doing link campaign through social bookmark, directory submission and other non sense technique I will stay away from them.

But if they will do your link campaign through guest posting from relevant niche, making a buzz with link bait, making infograph and other legitimate way then I will go for it

Cheers

Adi Rian

**seotrafficsearch** · Jul 8, 2012 11:11

Originally Posted by DaveMaxwell

I would take an approach similar to Steve, as if I want to create a "competitive keyword" website, I'm approaching it from completely the wrong angle since keywords shouldn't be the driving force behind a site. Good, comprehensive content for a good, service or organization should be my goal. If I (or my designer if I use one) aren't starting from the product/service/organization, then I'm not doing my job....

I appreciate your reply but then i was keen to know that how would YOU as a CUSTOMER look out for a SEO service company. What aspects would lure you in and what unique factors/aspects would you be expecting?

**webexp** · Jul 8, 2012 13:10

I like to see a seo company actually rank for "seo company" keywords. Because if they can't rank for their own business why can they rank yours?

**seotrafficsearch** · Jul 8, 2012 13:27

Originally Posted by webexp

I like to see a seo company actually rank for "seo company" keywords. Because if they can't rank for their own business why can they rank yours?

Thats an interesting answer. Witty and interesting i must say. Thanks for the reply webexp. Is that the only criteria? Don't you think there are some SEO experts who can circumvent all these google guidelines to come up in the search results?

**webexp** · Jul 8, 2012 13:34

Originally Posted by seotrafficsearch

Thats an interesting answer. Witty and interesting i must say. Thanks for the reply webexp. Is that the only criteria? Don't you think there are some SEO experts who can circumvent all these google guidelines to come up in the search results?

No that is not my only criteria, but I like to see a portfolio from them. Because I will say there are people that hang around forums and free lance places that know their stuff, but might not necessary have a "company" page. Other criterias that I check out are how they build links. To make sure they are doing things that you are comfortable with.

**seotrafficsearch** · Jul 8, 2012 13:39

Originally Posted by webexp

No that is not my only criteria, but I like to see a portfolio from them. Because I will say there are people that hang around forums and free lance places that know their stuff, but might not necessary have a "company" page. Other criterias that I check out are how they build links. To make sure they are doing things that you are comfortable with.

If you don't mind asking me your questions, i have one for you. How would you determine?/make sure that the links which that service of SEO was providing are right and would remain at the same place after few months? Would you just go by what webpages?

**webexp** · Jul 8, 2012 14:20

Originally Posted by seotrafficsearch

If you don't mind asking me your questions, i have one for you. How would you determine?/make sure that the links which that service of SEO was providing are right and would remain at the same place after few months? Would you just go by what webpages?

Yes, you definitely want permanent links, but also what types of link are they building. You want a variety of different types of links such as: articles, directory, social bookmarks, web 2.0, profiles, press releases, videos, ect. You don't want a company building just one type of link, because if Google changes how they rank you could take a hit Such as Panguin bringing articles and web 2.0 links down a notch.

**Adrian98** · Jul 10, 2012 02:48

Well, when It comes about hiring someone for seo Services, I simply ask them for their work on special cases, such as Online Reputation Management, Case studies etc.

**Billy Murphy** · Jul 11, 2012 22:25

Originally Posted by Stevie D

I wouldn't buy SEO from a general SEO company. Full stop. Marketing, maybe. Reputation management, maybe. But not SEO.

If my designer can't make a Google-friendly website then he'll be sacked as a designer. I don't need an SEOist to do my on-page SEO, because anyone half-way competent will be doing that all for themselves as a matter of course.

And I don't want to pay someone to go around blogs and forums spamming them with links to my website, which is what a lot of SEO companies seem to do. Unless you are a specialist in my industry, you won't have the first idea about which websites are going to be appropriate and effective to approach for links, how to go about it, what words and phrases searchers are likely to use, who my competitors are, etc. Hiring a non-specialist to do work that needs industry specialist knowledge seems like a pretty odd way of going about things to me!

this is probably what you need to be hearing op.

Originally Posted by Stevie D

I can't think of any circumstances that I would advise anyone to buy in SEO services from an SEO company.

Anyone who knows how to make a lot of money that doesn't have an in-house SEO team and knows someone who offers high level SEO services, it's sometimes much more time efficient to pay an SEO team than to do it for cheaper in house and spend time hiring/managing when you're not saving a substantial amount of money in the grand scheme.(long term obv better to do in house)

**hypernovadesign** · Jul 12, 2012 08:44

I am aspiring SEO expert and I have researched a lot since I started my website nearly 2 years ago. The only thing I would appreciate from a SEO company, if I would hire one, is to put my website at the top of national coverage of XXX. I think everyone is able to SEO their website locally, but being at the top of XXX key phrase search in Google without mentioning a town name is worth paying for.

**Paid Surveys** · Jul 14, 2012 05:03

Originally Posted by Stevie D

I wouldn't buy SEO from a general SEO company. Full stop. Marketing, maybe. Reputation management, maybe. But not SEO.

If my designer can't make a Google-friendly website then he'll be sacked as a designer. I don't need an SEOist to do my on-page SEO, because anyone half-way competent will be doing that all for themselves as a matter of course.

And I don't want to pay someone to go around blogs and forums spamming them with links to my website, which is what a lot of SEO companies seem to do. Unless you are a specialist in my industry, you won't have the first idea about which websites are going to be appropriate and effective to approach for links, how to go about it, what words and phrases searchers are likely to use, who my competitors are, etc. Hiring a non-specialist to do work that needs industry specialist knowledge seems like a pretty odd way of going about things to me!

Sorry if that isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but I can't think of any circumstances that I would advise anyone to buy in SEO services from an SEO company.

Excellent comments. SEO value gained from bought in services adds little value in my opinion. My view would either to be to find a higlyh specialist SEO provider or read up and do it yourself.

**markbrown4** · Jul 14, 2012 06:29

Originally Posted by Stevie D

I wouldn't buy SEO from a general SEO company. Full stop. Marketing, maybe. Reputation management, maybe. But not SEO.

If my designer can't make a Google-friendly website then he'll be sacked as a designer. I don't need an SEOist to do my on-page SEO, because anyone half-way competent will be doing that all for themselves as a matter of course.

And I don't want to pay someone to go around blogs and forums spamming them with links to my website, which is what a lot of SEO companies seem to do. Unless you are a specialist in my industry, you won't have the first idea about which websites are going to be appropriate and effective to approach for links, how to go about it, what words and phrases searchers are likely to use, who my competitors are, etc. Hiring a non-specialist to do work that needs industry specialist knowledge seems like a pretty odd way of going about things to me!

Sorry if that isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but I can't think of any circumstances that I would advise anyone to buy in SEO services from an SEO company.

My thoughts exactly

I've always been disappointed that 'SEO' has become such a buzzword amongst marketers.
Unfortunately there is a market for it and people do want to pay for these types of services, even though they are smoke and mirrors.
My general advice about SEO is not to worry about it, and not to pay anyone for it.

A good developer will be able to make websites accessible to search engines and users alike, they should advise the clients that the best SEO tactic is to gain backlinks from either writing high quality content themselves or getting written about in various media.

**IzzoNet** · Jul 15, 2012 09:01

Hey
if i will hire seo company, i think the most important aspects from it will be related to:
-proffesional experience
-reputation of the company

i think these aspects is important. also, i would choose seo company which will give me all the services i need related to seo:
-writing articles
-building links
-marketing in social media
-write meta tags/description

**hypernovadesign** · Aug 17, 2012 11:54

After a while of thinking about this topic I have a question, which is why people do not mention anything about the cost of hiring the SEO company and its adequate results. The cheaper the better providing they will guarantee my website to be at the top of google searches. Then, if they can do it and plus relatively cheap, then I would hire them

**Ted S** · Aug 17, 2012 11:59

Originally Posted by hypernovadesign

After a while of thinking about this topic I have a question, which is why people do not mention anything about the cost of hiring the SEO company and its adequate results. The cheaper the better providing they will guarantee my website to be at the top of google searches. Then, if they can do it and plus relatively cheap, then I would hire them

No one can guarantee your search results and anyone advertising to so should be treated with great skepticism, even if it's just a money back promise as it encourages the use of blackhat techniques to get a quick bump... at a steep long term cost.

**rocketmary** · Aug 19, 2012 16:11

I think customers should look for case studies and a portfolio of clients that have received positive results. Additionally testimonials from existing and past clients and the ability to talk to those clients! If an SEO company can't give you any references worth talking to you might want to avoid them. Also, as a customer guarantees sound nice but in SEO no one should be guaranteeing anything and I would recommend avoiding those companies.

**Stephenbolt** · Aug 20, 2012 21:10

Hello Everyone, there are many aspects from which we can easily analyze an SEO Company;
1)The registration of the company.
2)The existing clients on the company.
3)How much long it has been providing the SEO services.
4)Portfolio of the company.
5)How many running projects are there in company.
6)What are the feedback that has been given by the previous clients.
7)How long a SEO project is running continuously.
8) Having proper website which gives details about the services they offered.
These are some of the most crucial aspects that have to be kept in mind while you are seeking an SEO Company.

Thanks
Regards
StephenBolt

**benbob** · Aug 28, 2012 03:21

The first thing I want to see from a SEO company, are guarantees for results. I've been approached by numerous companies all promising to "make a dedicated effort" of which they are "confident it will produce results" and all have "many happy clients". Hogwash; show me the colour of your money if you want to see mine.
I am an engineer, and I offer 100% no cure no pay guarantee, and demand the same from my suppliers.
Secondly, any SEO company that doesn't rank well for their own website, would be told not to bother me again in no uncertain terms.

**Stevie D** · Aug 28, 2012 04:57

Originally Posted by benbob

The first thing I want to see from a SEO company, are guarantees for results.

Did you read Ted's post (#19)? Any company that guarantees results is lying. It just is not possible to guarantee something that you don't have absolute control over.

**benbob** · Aug 28, 2012 05:11

Originally Posted by Stevie D

Did you read Ted's post (#19)? Any company that guarantees results is lying. It just is not possible to guarantee something that you don't have absolute control over.

Of course you can. I have in my T&C that I guarantee to find the solution for the problem. That means when I get called out and fail to find out what is wrong, I don't get paid a penny; not for my time, nor for my expenses.
If a SEO company is any good, they will refund me if their efforts fail to get my site in the top x for the agreed keywords. It is not that hard to rank well for certain keywords, as long as you don't expect to rank #1 for a very popular search with a second rate website.