Run a search on Google for “SEO packages” and you’ll notice it returns several million results. If you’re a small business owner looking for an on-going, monthly SEO package, how do you make sense of all these seemingly infinite different providers out there and what they have to offer? Perhaps you might judge them on how they rank themselves for that particular search term? After all, if they rank highly themselves that’s a pretty good indication that they can get you to rank highly too, right?
Well, yes and no. Some precaution should still be taken even if your top short-listed providers are no.1 for various keywords. Above all else you need to know that your package includes all the necessary steps for ensuring search engine success; I have outlined many of these in my guide to small business SEO. However, I would also recommend considering the following 3 tips when looking at SEO packages online:
1. Does your Short-listed Provider include bulk link building options?
Be very cautious when considering an SEO package that includes options such as “1,000 directory submissions” per month. This is almost certainly a bad move if you’re a small business start-up as you need time to engender trust with the search engines. 1,000 low-grade, low-authority links will not help you to establish that all important trust. It would be far more preferential to invest in a much smaller amount of hand-built, quality links with the initial objective of building up your root domain authority.
2. Does your Short-listed Provider claim they can achieve results in less than 3 months?
Be extremely cautious if you hear this one! Results in the search engines takes time and a lot of effort. If you have a very well established site that has been online for 2 or more years then, yes, it may be possible to improve your current performance relatively quickly. However, if you see an SEO provider claim online that they can get you to page 1 in no time at all, follow this advice at all costs – avoid them like the plague!
3. Does your Short-listed provider exclude certain important steps for lower cost SEO packages?
Again, if they do, think carefully before approaching these companies. I’ve seen certain SEO companies exclude absolutely crucial elements of the SEO process such as competitor research and keyword analysis. If these important steps are excluded by them and not carried out by you, your SEO strategy is frankly doomed.
These are just 3 key things to consider before choosing an SEO package online. I hope this helps anyone who is looking to find an on-going SEO provider.
James Hubbard is a specialist small business marketing consultant based in Brighton, UK. James offers various SEO packages that are tailored to individual business requirements.
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Most seo packages offering up to a thousand backlinks are using black hat methods which is not good for a new website. A new website can typically achieve high rankings and even reach google page one within three months depending on the niche competition. I agree with you on what you said. Good seo packages should not remove important aspects of seo from cheaper plans.
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Hmmmm….wouldn’t agree with you when you talk about the directory submissions. I work for an SEO firm with a range of clients from small businesses to large multinationals, and from what I see directory submissions do work.
It’s all about mixing authority and low quality links to build a natural backlink portfolio. If you – say – have 5 or 6 high PR links and nothing else, then that looks worse than 1000 Directory Submissions in my eyes.
Do agree with your second point though.
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Thanks for your comment Rhys. I think my point here is that brand new sites need to be very careful when opting for high volume link building packages. In my experience, it’s far better to focus on securing the client a mix of authority links from relevant sites within their niche.
Twitter: BlazingMinds
Hi James, many thanks for the guest post and for taking the time to pop by and answer comments, much appreciated
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No problem, Karen, thanks for the opportunity to guest post on your blog. James
There are alot of choices out there for sure, and it can be overwhelming, quite frankly every month there are more and more listings on Google for such services. I think if anything, I would say getting a trust worthy blogger or webmaster mentioning a service would be a great avenue of someone to go to if they are looking at an seo service. Trust worthy forums for example too to get an idea of what others are saying.
-Jean
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A smart article. It’s very important to build a site’s authority slowly at first with some good links that are well cultivated. Usually the winner, long term, in SEO is the guy/gal who starts with a specific strategy with long term goals in mind. This articles points out a few things that are important for any small business looking at SEO packages. All newbies must read .
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Thanks for the kind words, Donnie. Regards, James
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Thanks for the instruction and information. These are definitely good things to know before getting a SEO Package because as you say, there are so many out there. Thanks Sally
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Thanks, Sally, glad you found it useful. James
Thank you for the tips James.
With so many SEO companies offering their services it is difficult finding a good one.
And more of them are popping up every day, it seems to be a lucrative business.
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