Search Engine Optimisation - Thursday, January 22, 2009 13:51 - 1 Comment

Low Cost SEO

In the last days i have been getting enquiries about low cost SEO from a variety of sources. There are lots of companies now offering low cost seo these days in Australia, but lets take a look at what you are getting and whether it is worth it.

Some of our clients have been getting an email from these sort of guys saying that they offer page one rankings, money back guarantee and all the yaddah yaddah, can you afford not to, sell thousands of dollars worth a week and the usual non realistic hope building sales rhetoric.

This kind of low cost seo is a massive risk. What can you expect them to be doing for $300 per month for many phrases in a competitive industry like 'fitness equipment'. That is the one they were targeting. If it was as easy as they try to market it as to people, wouldn't everyone rank on the first page? Don't get sucked in.

In the first month they should spend more than four hours doing your on page optimisation. They need to look at your competitors websites and make their strategy. They need to do hours of link building on directories, do some seo copywriting, maybe write an article or at least edit one, maybe set up a blog, get some social bookmarking going, create some reports for you. Let me tell you honestly, this can not be done responsibly for a small amount of money.

Like anything, these low cost seo options will often be a complete waste of money, your time and worse, build up false expectations that not only leave you disappointed, but can cost money in planning for success that does not happen.

What I am getting to, is the same old thing you should have heard time and time again if you are new to SEO and want to get someone who will do the right thing from the start. Ask them questions and get answers that you understand and make sense, not just rhetoric. Hire people with open reporting methods. Hire people who have solid references in competitive markets for their competitive phrases. Ranking number one for 'low cost seo' for example is not a good reference. It is exactly a trick you should try to avoid basing your decision on. I would love to list the other SEO companies we know are good here, but I am still not sure I should be doing that.

Finding a good SEO company without an experienced referral can be difficult. But I think if you can talk to the person who actually does the work and they are not trying to oversell their service you might be on the right track. Like any spam email, you have to be curious, so don't rush in to any offers you get. Take your time. Try to learn a little bit about it first and then ask informed questions.

Like everything you mostly get what you pay for. If you want honest advice about this from someone who just hates to see people get no return for an SEO investment, ask questions through a comment. I will not try to sell you our service unless you ask and just answer your questions from an informed point of view.