Selecting a SEO Company

by Carla Reis | July, 2006

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This is the first in a series of articles that offer inside information about how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can significantly increase your website effectiveness. This series will also provide guidelines on how to select an SEO consultant or company provider. These articles are written for people outside of Search Engine Marketing industry and explain the basics of SEO in layperson’s terms.

Being Found - How Effective Is Search Engine Optimization?

For most business owners and managers, SEO or Search Engine Optimization - SEM or Search Engine Marketing, does not mean much – except more expense related to their websites. The reality is that SEO is the most cost effective, online marketing tactic with the highest Return on Investment (ROI) compared to any other type of Internet marketing. It is also the most effective sales tool to bring you quick results.

Internet searches are common practice around the world today and the Internet has brought us an amazing evolution in the way information is marketed and shared. Driving that evolution are search engines. They have completely changed the way we search for information about all kinds of things in our daily lives. We depend on them for maps, as email providers, to interact with friends, to find a phone number, the best cat food and online garage sales.

Approximately 75%-80% of website traffic comes through search engines. Also, research has shown that most users don’t look beyond the first 3 pages of search results. This means if your website doesn’t rank in the first 30 results of the major search engines, it might be receiving less than 10% of its rightful traffic and revenue. Also, it is important for your company name to rank well as prospective clients might not know your website address.

My experience has shown that if a website is positioned on top, organic results will double its exposure, increasing traffic and therefore having a higher conversion rate (if the site is well developed). Taking some of my clients’ studies, in the first three months after positioning, site visitors through search engines rose 57%, and client revenue doubled with 50% of revenue coming through website.

The effectiveness in Search Engine Optimization comes from experts doing their job. Search Engine Optimization is a complex process that requires maintenance over a long period of time, and close tracking as the industry develops. SEO is an industry that changes on a daily basis and a knowledgeable SEO company will stay on top of current trends. Since search engines change their algorithms frequently and search behaviour changes, SEO companies can do the monitoring for you and offer you the best option at the best price. Good SEO companies will also advise you on layout changes on your website to increase traffic, visitor retention and increase conversions.

Remember, with the professional guidance of a knowledgeable, reputable company, SEO/SEM is the most cost effective, online marketing tool you can use for your website because it brings back the highest ROI of any other type of Internet marketing.

Carla Reis
President
Quest Quality Solutions
www.questqualitysolutions.com
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