SEO Interactive Marketing Sacramento and SF Bay Area 2008-09-05T17:54:10Z http://seoblog.gotrafficinteractive.com/atom.aspx Quick Blog What to do when Outsourcing your Seach Engine Optimization programs tag:seoblog.gotrafficinteractive.com,2008-04-14:4e665c54-623d-4504-bcf8-2847c8788aa2 GT 2008-04-24T06:34:33Z 2008-04-14T14:04:00Z What creates a need for outsourcing?

In todays market, outsourcing is always the question when businesses have tight reins on finances.  Reducing internal overhead with benefits, taxes, insurance is the best reason to outsource a project.  As businesses continue to feel the effects of the economy and the shift from television, radio and print to online are more prominent, the question of outsourcing to an SEO firm becomes a bigger issue and one that needs to be considered legitimately.

Can my webmaster or IT person manage my SEO program?

The competitive landscape of the web  has increased the need, and demand for businesses to employ some form of search marketing tactics in order to maintain consistent streams of unique visitors to their website.  Hiring an in-house "IT person" to manage your SEO program is like hiring a plumber to install electrical outlets and light fixtures.  They might have a good idea of what they're doing, but it is not their focus nor are the results of their work guaranteed.  SEO is a true science that has become a successful industry and should be taken seriously, hire an SEO firm the same way you hire a doctor or an attorney.  Perform due diligence and understand that SEO is a product of marketing and should be treated as a marketing, revenue generating channel.

Acknowledge the need - Begin the search

Now that the need is acknowledged, what is the next step?  We all realize that most businesses see SEO as a nebulous function that may or may not yield the results needed based on the investment.  But I can tell you that there is enough empirical data available to prove that SEO is a great way to increase your websites' revenue generating capacity simply by driving the right, qualified traffic to the right areas.  The true focus should solely be on business goals and objectives and an assigned ROI value that sets milestones for success.

It's a difficult decision to reassign marketing dollars earmarked for other non-web based initiatives to promote your website, but it's a necessary strategic move.  That's the first step - understand how much you're willing to spend on an SEO initiative. 

Who to hire?

Coming from me, I think it might be somewhat of a subjective question, because I think you should hire my company (http://gotrafficinteractive.com) (Shameless, self-serving plug!!) In all seriousness, we understand that each business has very specific needs and should go with an SEO firm that is the "right fit".  It's best when you can work with a firm that takes the time to understand your specific business goals and objectives and becomes an extension of the team.  Focus on companies that can provide references, and ask them the following questions:

  1. Ask them to provide you a list of KW phrases developed for a set of clients - not just for one client, but for a set of clients.  This allows you to see their capabilities.
  2. Find out if they outsource to other SEO firms or if they have their own staff
    1. How big is the staff?
    2. Part time versus Full time
  3. Find out what tools they use to guage success
    1. Will they provide you with a benchmark report as to how your website is currently performing free of charge?
  4. Are they virtual or do they have physical office space?
  5. What other clients do they work with that might be direct competition
  6. What makes them stand apart from other SEO firms?
  7. Do they require architectural changes to the website in order to be SEO compliant?
    1. This is a good thing - if your website is not currently SEO compliant, this is the chance to make it so
  8. How much time will they spend getting to know your particular industry?
  9. Will they possibly discuss a lower cash rate and accept a "pay for performance" model?
  10. What emphasis do they place on Social Networking
    1. Do they build or implement and manage blogs?
    2. Are they familiar with MySpace, You Tube, Facebook?
      1. How do these sites help your business grow?
  11. Do they have a gurantee? 
    1. Will you get your money back if they don't produce what they say they will?

What Not to do!

This list is going to be much shorter.  After being involved in this industry for as long as I have, I've seen enough clients or potential clients make these very costly mistakes:

  1. Don't believe any company that says they can "get you to the top of the search engines for $250"
  2. Don't believe any company that guarantees you the number 1 position (well unless it's your own brand!)
  3. Don't hire the first firm you speak with - interview at least 3!
  4. Don't think this is a short term program
    1. SEO should be considered a long-term process with milestones set for success

As you can see, there is MUCH to be considered when hiring an SEO firm so take your time, do your research, ask questions and most of all, feel comfortable with who you choose.  Search Engine Optimization information

Gary Thompson
President - New Business Development
Go Traffic Interactive
gthompson@gotrafficinteractive.com




]]> What creates a need for outsourcing? Search Engine Optimization should not be an after thought! tag:seoblog.gotrafficinteractive.com,2008-04-10:319ab821-4056-4ea8-afcb-4fef14735572 Viktorya 2008-04-10T17:12:57Z 2008-04-10T16:38:00Z SEO still an after thought

I've been working in the online arena for over a decade - in fact, I'm going into my 12th year of learning of adapting to the ever-changing, ever-growing sector.  One commonality that still exists within certain industries is absence of  understanding when it comes to Search Optimization and how it can truly impact business revenue. 

Our agency is fortunate enough to work with many business verticals, and over the past 4 years as Go Traffic Interactive has grown, I've seen a large trend where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an afterthought.  I think this is a tragic error made by many website design shops who still advise clients with the old "build it and they will come" tactic.  This just isn't true.

Websites have moved well beyond the brochure-ware frontier and should be considered  synonymous with revenue generating channels for Business to Consumer websites (B2C) and Business to Business, lead generation sites (B2b) (the funnel or pipeline for many businesses). 

When should SEO be the consideration?

SEO requirements start at the website architecture level and should truly begin at the onset of a web project.  Whether it be a redesign or a brand new site - SEO has a true place in the design and development process simply due to the several elements search engines consider when determining website relevance. 

Our SEO team works hand in hand with design and development to ensure that each aspect of the process meets all SEO requirements.  At GTI, the priority of SEO is the prominant factor we consider when making choices for User Interface design, logical navigation and visual design of any client website.  The reason is very simple -

RETURN ON INVESTMENT or otherwise know as ROI

When undertaking a website project, the first question any savvy marketing person will ask is what will the website do for our company?  This is almost an endless question - because it can DO so much for any business - as long as a plan for revenue generating opportunities are implemented at the beginning stages of the project.  Namely, SEO - along with a few very important elements that I'll talk about in future BLOG postings.

But take my word for it - if you're developing a web project, ask your design team what SEO tactics they plan to utilize and if they offer SEO, what level of SEO do they offer and what do you get after the website is launched?  If your design company does not offer SEO - find an SEO firm that can work with your design team, but don't let yourself be fooled into thinking that you can have anything you want on your website and still have it be effective.  Your website is too important, and so is your money.

Gary Thompson - President
Go Traffic Interactive
http://gotrafficinteractive.com ]]> Our agency is fortunate enough to work with many business verticals, and over the past 4 years as Go Traffic Interactive has grown, I've seen a large trend where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an afterthought. SEO - Stick and Click Through to a Lead tag:seoblog.gotrafficinteractive.com,2008-02-13:9d77db70-50bd-418f-9a7d-f64ef2051af6 Viktorya 2008-02-14T07:31:45Z 2008-02-13T10:48:00Z      GO TRAFFIC INTERACTIVE in the SF Bay Area, Northern CA

Your business, products and services need to be found online.  You may have invested in a snazzy site, and not getting a return on your investment?  We will discuss many aspects that go into Search Engine friendly sites, and our Interactive  team will offer various strategies not only to drive traffic to your site, but to help users stick and click through a lead for you. 
]]>