As a marketing strategy for increasing a site's relevance, SEO considers how search algorithms work and what people search for. SEO efforts may involve a site's coding, presentation, and structure, as well as fixing problems that could prevent search engine indexing programs from fully spidering a site. Other, more noticeable efforts may include adding unique content to a site, ensuring that content is easily indexed by search engine robots, and making the site more appealing to users. Another class of techniques, known as "Black Hat" SEO or spamdexing, use methods such as link farms and keyword stuffing that tend to harm search engine user experience. Search engines look for sites that employ these techniques and may remove their listings.
The initialism "SEO" can also refer to "search engine optimizers", a term adopted by an industry of consultants who carry out optimization projects on behalf of clients, and by employees who perform SEO services in-house. Search engine optimizers may offer SEO as a stand-alone service or as a part of a broader marketing campaign. Because effective SEO may require changes to the HTML source code of a site, SEO tactics may be incorporated into web site development and design. The term "search engine friendly" may be used to describe web site designs, menus, content management systems and shopping carts that are easy to optimize"
The purpose of this definition is to inform you, the owner of a website, as to exactly the process of getting traffic, or search engine positions, to a website. The bottom line here is that you may have what you think is the greatest website ever produced, but if no one sees that website, what good is it? The art of search engine optimization is what I pursue. I take great pride in buying a high traffic keyword specific domain, building a search engine compatible website and then setting about the process of building relevant and specific links that lead to that site. This is the true core of search engine optimization. It is a process. You may have seen sites out on Google that make exaggerated claims about their prowess on the net. Let's take a look at what the Google Webmaster Tools has to say about choosing a search engine optimizer for your website.
"While Google doesn't have relationships with any SEOs and doesn't offer recommendations, we do have a few tips that may help you distinguish between an SEO that will improve your site and one that will only improve your chances of being dropped from search engine results altogether.
- Be wary of SEO firms that send you email out of the blue.
Amazingly, we get these spam emails too:
"Dear google.com,
I visited your website and noticed that you are not listed in most of the major search engines and directories..."Reserve the same skepticism for unsolicited email about search engines as you do for "burn fat at night" diet pills or requests to help transfer funds from deposed dictators.
- No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.
Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee rankings, allege a "special relationship" with Google, or advertise a "priority submit" to Google. There is no priority submit for Google. In fact, the only way to submit a site to Google directly is through our Add URL page or through the Google Sitemaps (Beta) program, and you can do this yourself at no cost whatsoever.
- Be careful if a company is secretive or won't clearly explain what they intend to do.
Ask for explanations if something is unclear. If an SEO creates deceptive or misleading content on your behalf, such as doorway pages or "throwaway" domains, your site could be removed entirely from Google's index. Ultimately, you are responsible for the actions of any companies you hire, so it's best to be sure you know exactly how they intend to "help" you.
- You should never have to link to an SEO.
Avoid SEOs that talk about the power of "free-for-all" links, link popularity schemes, or submitting your site to thousands of search engines. These are typically useless exercises that don't affect your ranking in the results of the major search engines -- at least, not in a way you would likely consider to be positive.
- Some SEOs may try to sell you the ability to type keywords directly into the browser address bar.
Most such proposals require users to install extra software, and very few users do so. Evaluate such proposals with extreme care and be skeptical about the self-reported number of users who have downloaded the required applications.
- Choose wisely.
While you consider whether to go with an SEO, you may want to do some research on the industry. Google is one way to do that of course. You might also seek out a few of the cautionary tales that have appeared in the press, including this article on one particularly aggressive SEO: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002002970_nwbizbriefs12.html. While Google doesn't comment on specific companies, we've encountered firms calling themselves SEOs who follow practices that are clearly beyond the pale of accepted business behavior. Be careful.
- Be sure to understand where the money goes.
While Google never sells better ranking in our search results, several other search engines combine pay-per-click or pay-for-inclusion results with their regular web search results. Some SEOs will promise to rank you highly in search engines, but place you in the advertising section rather than in the search results. A few SEOs will even change their bid prices in real time to create the illusion that they "control" other search engines and can place themselves in the slot of their choice. This scam doesn't work with Google because our advertising is clearly labeled and separated from our search results, but be sure to ask any SEO you're considering which fees go toward permanent inclusion and which apply toward temporary advertising.
- Talk to many SEOs, and ask other SEOs if they'd recommend the firm you're considering.
References are a good start, but they don't tell the whole story. You should ask how long a company has been in business and how many full time individuals it employs. If you feel pressured or uneasy, go with your gut feeling and play it safe: hold off until you find a firm that you can trust. Ask your SEO firm if it reports every spam abuse that it finds to Google using our spam complaint form at http://www.google.com/contact/spamreport.html. Ethical SEO firms report deceptive sites that violate Google's spam guidelines.
- Make sure you're protected legally.
For your own safety, you should insist on a full and unconditional money-back guarantee. Don't be afraid to request a refund if you're unsatisfied for any reason, or if your SEO's actions cause your domain to be removed from a search engine's index. Make sure you have a contract in writing that includes pricing. The contract should also require the SEO to stay within the guidelines recommended by each search engine for site inclusion.
What are the most common abuses a website owner is likely to encounter?
One common scam is the creation of "shadow" domains that funnel users to a site by using deceptive redirects. These shadow domains often will be owned by the SEO who claims to be working on a client's behalf. However, if the relationship sours, the SEO may point the domain to a different site, or even to a competitor's domain. If that happens, the client has paid to develop a competing site owned entirely by the SEO.
Another illicit practice is to place "doorway" pages loaded with keywords on the client's site somewhere. The SEO promises this will make the page more relevant for more queries. This is inherently false since individual pages are rarely relevant for a wide range of keywords. More insidious, however, is that these doorway pages often contain hidden links to the SEO's other clients as well. Such doorway pages drain away the link popularity of a site and route it to the SEO and its other clients, which may include sites with unsavory or illegal content.
What are some other things to look out for?
There are a few warning signs that you may be dealing with a rogue SEO. It's far from a comprehensive list, so if you have any doubts, you should trust your instincts. By all means, feel free to walk away if the SEO:
- owns shadow domains
- puts links to their other clients on doorway pages
- offers to sell keywords in the address bar
- doesn't distinguish between actual search results and ads that appear in search results
- guarantees ranking, but only on obscure, long keyword phrases you would get anyway
- operates with multiple aliases or falsified WHOIS info
- gets traffic from "fake" search engines, spyware, or scumware
- has had domains removed from Google's index or is not itself listed in Google
If you feel that you were deceived by an SEO in some way, you may want to report it.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To file a complaint, visit: http://www.ftc.gov/ and click on "File a Complaint Online," call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to:
Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580
If your complaint is against a company in another country, please file it at http://www.econsumer.gov/."
This gives you a guideline to go by when you consider choosing a search engine optimization company to promote your website. I strictly adhere to Google's criteria for effective promoting online. I always follow their specific guidelines and never take shortcuts to success with my websites. There are many reputable seo masters, like myself, who provide people valuable and top quality seo for their sites, but the fact remains, there are many out on Google that are determined to extract large sums of money not ever trying to work the tried and true way for their clients.
In my FAQ page, I go into the specific questions that I have been asked by my seo clients. This page will give you a clearer indication fo the process known as link building. I am also ready to answer my seo clients questions. I do not know all the answers, but I am willing to dig deep to uncover that answer, should the need arise. You must be very aware that effective promoting on Google is a consistent effort. My talent lies in my ability to write effective copy. This is a great benefit to you as a potential client. The art of writing is the basis of any effective seo company. The art of writing keyword specific content, geared towards the spider indexing robots of Google, Yahoo, MSN and all the other major search engines, is really what top rated seo services work is all about.
I stand at the ready to assist you in building a strong and valuable online business concern. My whole effort is driven by my ability and expertise to obtain top positions on Google. I am one of the top rated seo masters on Google today. I have worked, and am constantly at work, honing my skills to even greater levels of mastery. My services are not intended for just everyone. I choose wisely the people that have a true interest in building an online business. I am not here to meet the demands of people desperately seeking the latest and greatest new widgets. I am here to provide expertise, knowledge and am determined to achieve my goals of top placement on Google for your websites.
If you are desperate, and need to make money online right now, my service is not for you. I advise my seo clients they need to have consistent effort for prime search engine placements for at least six month. I never guarantee sales. That is not my job. I obtain the spots, you make the sales. Any credible and reliable seo service views this in exactly the same manner. You will never hear me make any exaggerated claims of instantaneous success from an online business. That business must be developed over time, just like any offline business would do.
If you are serious about developing an online presence, branding both your name and your opportunity, then I highly suggest filling out my contact form. When I receive the email from you, I will then set an appropriate time to consult with you concerning your project. One final note here please. I do NOT indulge in joint ventures. I only deal in qualified and sophisticated search engine optimizer services, so do not ask me to join your program for payment. Here is my payment page which explains the basics of my services.
I look forward to assisting you in your online journey.
Feel free to submit your name and email for my series concerning seo below.
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