Critical SEO Questions

Questions you should ask before signing on for an SEO campaign.

Can you optimize dynamic content?

A good SEO service should be able to effectively optimize any site, even those with dynamic content. This process may be completed with the support of proper programming strategies that are geared toward Search Engine algorithms. If a dynamic site is built properly, it will perform just as well in the Search Engines as a static site. Don't let anyone smooth-talk you into add-ons, extra copies of your site, and other nonsense.

Email us for a list of dynamic sites that we've made Search Engine-friendly.

Will changes you make to my site be visible to users?

They'd better be. Well-marketed sites don't rely on hidden tricks and ploys. A Website should be marketed with the user in mind, not the Search Engines. In fact, the Engines prefer it to be that way and who are we to argue?

Can you maintain the integrity of my design while implementing SEO?

Yes, in most cases. There are times that changes will be recommended in order to improve the overall performance of the site. For example, we may suggest that art-based text be converted into HTML to aid the SEO process or we can optimize the code to provide better efficiency concerning download times and what hyperlinks, etc., are indexed first.

How do you determine my natural SEO budget?

A budget should be based on thorough research of your site, company, and industry, as well as your expectations. Pre-packaged SEO plans will either charge you too much for too little or not fulfill your goals completely. We offer each potential SEO client with budget options, depending on how aggressively you want to pursue higher rankings.

What if I only need help with on-page optimization or link-building?

Then a company that lets you pick and choose your products is the one you want. Avoid companies that offer an all-or-nothing approach or try to oversell you on other products; if you know what you want, find a firm that is willing to work with you.

What happens after you optimize my site?

Look out for the companies that have nothing to say about your site's future SEO maintenance. While the bulk of SEO occurs in the beginning of a campaign, dropping the ball after initial optimization is unacceptable. Your site's advancement in Search Engines could slow down, come to a screeching halt, or even go backwards. Capable firms will ensure constant attention on your site's success today, tomorrow, and for the life of their service. And, if the initial optimization works beyond our expectations, further optimization allows for keyword expansion, link building, further growth, etc.

Do you outsource any of the SEO or Web marketing?

Find a company that keeps all services in-house. While outsourcing doesn't necessarily equate to bad service, a well-recognized and experienced team like ours provides all services and products from one spot, nullifying the risk of fragmented groups and a fragmented focus on your site.

What do you consider success?

For us, increases of the vital statistics (visitor rates, referral rates, conversions, etc.) are the best indicators of success. We ignore data such as the number of hits our clients' sites receive since that figure doesn't accurately portray the bottom line.

Do you focus more on rankings or conversions? Why?

Experienced SEO experts will always keep an eye towards the bottom line, which is why our team focuses more on conversions. SEO should be seen as an investment, and, while high rankings lead to more qualified users, and thus more sales, you should expect to see a return. View our Search Engine Optimization Strategy to see how we work.

Can I increase my sales and profits without focusing on just traffic?

Going the extra mile is the core quality to any successful marketing campaign. Strong copy, high usability standards, and a focus on conversion rates are all factors that should be considered.

What about status reports or updates?

As stated previously, an SEO firm shouldn't drop off the face of the earth after initial optimization. We offer you monthly status reports via email or personal delivery that provides your site's vital statistics. Any questions about the SEO status of your site in between monthly reports are always welcome, as well.

Can you help me stay ahead of my competition?

The status reports described above will include our recommendations on how your site may be improved. So, in short, yes we can keep you ahead of the competition. In fact, we can make you intimidating to your competition.

What kind of experience does your SEO team have?

When hiring any company to provide a service, it makes sense to ask these types of questions; after all, these are the people that will be handling your investment. Our SEO team is well-known in the industry; Jen is a former Yahoo! Search Marketing (formerly Overture) editor, Emily is a Certified Click Tracks Professional, and Collyn earned an Echo Award from the Direct Marketing Association. We bring together a wealth of copywriting, usability, PPC, research, and many other SEO services.

What kind of success stories do you have?

Just take a look at our SEO portfolio. We think it speaks for our successes.

Can you guarantee top rankings?

No, and neither can anyone else. If a company tries to tell you differently, beware of their marketing techniques that may include turning your beloved site into SPAM. Besides Pay-Per-Click advertising, top spots are out of anyone's hands. What we can guarantee is that we'll do all that we can to continually make your site optimized to the max for SEO success.

Do you emphasize Organic or Pay-Per-Click marketing techniques?

Each site, business, industry, and campaign is different, so we won't offer a standard approach for all, but typically a blend of the two is best. For a full explanation about the differences between the Organic and PPC techniques, review our handy guide.

What kind of analytics do you conduct?

The kind that tell us all about your site's vital statistics are best. Vital statistics include Unique Visitor data, referral rates, and conversion rates. Keyword Ranking reports, Search Engine Referral reports, Conversion / ROI reports, Path Analysis reports, and other customized reviews of your site are all available. We avoid misleading numbers like hits, since they have little to no effect on your site's bottom line. For an example of our analytics report, please email us.