What Makes a Good SEO Company?
I’m just finished trawling through some of Ireland SEO companies, and its amazing how many of them promote the use of backlinks as part of an SEO strategy.
Googles recent algorithm changes has reduced the effectiveness of back links. The best thing about ‘back links’ now is the fact that it’s an easy way to eliminate ineffective SEO companies. If they start talking about how much they can do by the use of ‘back links’ you know that it’s time to leave.
Following on from this, if your SEO company outsources its work (about 80% of Ireland SEO companies do) then more than likely you’ll be paying for a ‘back link’ campaign. A pint down the pub and a chat with the barman would probably do you more good and be far cheaper too!
WARNING
A badly run ‘back link’ campaign is called Black Hat SEO and may get your site blacklisted by Google. This can both
- drop your site a long way down the rankings
- make it impossible to get up the rankings until Google forgives you
Look for an SEO company that does all its own work in-house and follows best practices in regards to SEO. Ask to see a list of their clients and if possible speak with some of them or alternatively. Most SEO companies will actually have a list of their past and present clients.
Google them and have a chat. Another pointer is that a company that understands SEO will have lots of posts as they understand how important content is to SEO.
Finally if a company offers you 1st place on Google tomorrow,they are lying! Go for a company that will offer to get you to page 1 on Google within a realistic time frame. Then focus and tailor your content to reach first position on Google for certain keyword terms.
A good company can get you on the first page fairly quickly but it takes time as well to rank first on Google. Not to be forgotten is the fact that your competitors are already ranking on page 1 and are going to be fighting to keep their spot. Things can get fairly intense between companies for the number 1 spot. To succeed at SEO you need to remember that SEO is not a sprint, but a marathon.
You need to work hard at it today but unfortunately you also need to work hard at it tomorrow and next week and next month and next year.
If you are intending to rank in a more competitive market you may have to upgrade to a social media campaign as well as an SEO campaign to boost your rankings up those last few places. I’ll write a piece on what a good social media campaign entails shortly.
Until then, if I don’t see you, “Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good evening” (Jim Carey – The Truman Show).
