Just say the term Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and most business owners think… hmmmm… is this a scam… or something I should really pay attention to? And, who can I trust for reliable information? Here’s the straight scoop –what SEO really is, is a tool, and like all tools it can be used well or badly. In order to get the best results from this tool, it is up to you — the one who will be hiring the SEO company — to understand what SEO is capable of and what conditions support and enhance this capability. The following are five essential factors for successfully implementing an SEO campaign:
1. Patience
We all want results and we want them now, darn it. If you want to find yourself on the first page of the search results overnight, there are two ways to go about it: buy space in the “related ads” section, or follow certain unethical SEO practices. Customers have been shown to lack confidence in the first, and the second may get you to the top fast, but could also get you completely blacklisted from results after your initial fifteen minutes of fame. The real and lasting way to achieve the results you want and maintain them over the long run, is to have patience. It could take a few months to work your way to the first page. A good SEO company knows this and will not try to lure you with promises of overnight success.
2. Considered Decisions
You know that keywords — and maybe more aptly, key phrases — are the key to your success, but are the keywords you choose, really the right words to bring you the sales and inquiries you are looking for? Sure, you might be able to rank in the top three of a given keyword, but is that really the word that the customers you want are searching for? A good SEO company will work with you to see and understand the overall picture to help ensure that the keywords you want to rank high on are truly the ones to enhance your business.
3. Get Real When it Comes to Budget
We hate to throw the “you get what you pay for,” line at you, but this is as true with SEO as it is with any other service or product — probably much like your own. Certainly you can find good value for your money and a good SEO company will help you to choose a package that will work with your budget, but your expectations should be realistic. A company that promises to take you to the moon for the price of a bus trip downtown is probably not giving you the whole picture.
4. Well-Targeted Keywords
Any good SEO expert worth his salt knows that not every keyword that looks good actually gets the kind of traffic you are looking for. You should also be aware of this and take it into consideration when working with your SEO service in selecting your keywords.
5. Monitor Your Results
Of course a good SEO company will monitor your traffic and rankings, but this does not absolve you of responsibility. You are the one who knows your business best and you are in the best position to determine if rankings and traffic are actually translating to increased inquiries and sales. If they are not, you need to let your SEO company know so things can be changed up appropriately. At Id Est Productions, we give you the tools to monitor your performance and show you how to use them.
We understand the importance of all of these factors that make up an effective SEO strategy. Our primary concern is getting you the results you need to enhance your business and perform well on the web. In addition, this is a field that is always growing and changing. We like to stay on top of these changes, and we are always looking for new opportunities to help you grow your business. Please contact us for further information on how we can help you to implement a successful SEO campaign.
