Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
(or incompetent) SEOs?
I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
need help to make sure that things are right.
Never really given this any thought before. I think I would suggest
doing a search for SEO locally first; anyone who says they're experts
in the field should have a well-performing website. Local because they
would hopefuly have a reputation to maintain.
I would then (as the client) get a bit sneaky and be totally clueless,
and reluctant to let the SEO access the site. If he says no problem,
then it's obviously going to be all off the page and any benefits will
disappear once the money runs out. If he needs to access the site to
optimise the pages then he's obviously going along the right lines,
and it's then you have to decide if you trust these people.
Ask for costings, what sort of guarantees can they offer on results
(obviously nothing on organic search so any guarantees are based on
advertising) and specify Google as the preferred Search Engine.
Also ask leading questions about link directories, paid links, all
sorts of entrapment! But, of course, we've got a fairly good handle
on what is legit, what works, and what is really bad for a site,
unlike the innocent webmaster who might well fall for the snakeoil.
Tell him to ask for prices, examples of sites they have worked on and
permission to speak to the site owners. Then try and find the sites
under the terms which he would, as a user think appropriate.
Possibly, by then, you have so disarmed the webmaster with your
transparent honesty, integrity and profound knowledge that he gives
you the job :-)
> Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> (or incompetent) SEOs?
> I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> need help to make sure that things are right.
> Never really given this any thought before. I think I would suggest
> doing a search for SEO locally first; anyone who says they're experts
> in the field should have a well-performing website. Local because they
> would hopefuly have a reputation to maintain.
> I would then (as the client) get a bit sneaky and be totally clueless,
> and reluctant to let the SEO access the site. If he says no problem,
> then it's obviously going to be all off the page and any benefits will
> disappear once the money runs out. If he needs to access the site to
> optimise the pages then he's obviously going along the right lines,
> and it's then you have to decide if you trust these people.
> Ask for costings, what sort of guarantees can they offer on results
> (obviously nothing on organic search so any guarantees are based on
> advertising) and specify Google as the preferred Search Engine.
> Also ask leading questions about link directories, paid links, all
> sorts of entrapment! But, of course, we've got a fairly good handle
> on what is legit, what works, and what is really bad for a site,
> unlike the innocent webmaster who might well fall for the snakeoil.
> Tell him to ask for prices, examples of sites they have worked on and
> permission to speak to the site owners. Then try and find the sites
> under the terms which he would, as a user think appropriate.
> Possibly, by then, you have so disarmed the webmaster with your
> transparent honesty, integrity and profound knowledge that he gives
> you the job :-)
> > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > need help to make sure that things are right.
Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
"snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> (or incompetent) SEOs?
> I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> need help to make sure that things are right.
Hi everybody
I am not a professional webmaster I am 70 years old and did not get
into computing until about 91 and have never had a tutor only books,
and books or tutorials always seem to assume that you know more than
you do, i just use logic i have just built a site for a friend
www.raistrickahaw.co.uk and when i ran it by whois seo it came out at
98% allowing for errors it is not bad for an old man,how I envy you
young guns, I just wish I had, had somebody looking over my shoulder
and telling me what i was doing wrong. I canonly build basic websites
I love flash for headers but I am lost with java script. webado has
tried to enlighten me but i think i finished up trying her patience
and she is brilliant
, my own site www.floridahotelblackpool.co.uk comes in at 2 or 3 for
the search term, blackpool central hotels, or hotels in central
blackpool, out of about a million combinations, so you see i have a
lot of competition.
Sorry I know I got off subject a bit but my advice is use common sence
> Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
> although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
> think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
> Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
> Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
> development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
> you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
> has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
> sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
> But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
> to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
> "snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
> about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > need help to make sure that things are right.
I got something out of it, yorky, so thanks! I've got a question for
you. Would you ever consider paying an SEO company to get you up on
those terms? Judging by your site, it's clear that you've done some
reading on the basics of seo but when it comes right down to it, every
webmaster who is serious about competing on Google really should hire
a professional. I ask because I'm noticing more and more webmasters
share your perspective on SEO, which (and this is just an assumption -
please correct me if I'm wrong) is that you can do it yourself. At the
risk of sounding rude, I just don't have time for these types of
clients and I turn them down on the spot. My point is that just
because I don't want to work with you doesn't mean it's because you
know a thing or two about SEO. It's because you think you do. So, my
humble tip for webmasters (site owners) is to make sure that you are
qualified to determine the SEO's competency or you could miss out on a
great find.
> Hi everybody
> I am not a professional webmaster I am 70 years old and did not get
> into computing until about 91 and have never had a tutor only books,
> and books or tutorials always seem to assume that you know more than
> you do, i just use logic i have just built a site for a friendwww.raistrickahaw.co.ukand when i ran it by whois seo it came out at
> 98% allowing for errors it is not bad for an old man,how I envy you
> young guns, I just wish I had, had somebody looking over my shoulder
> and telling me what i was doing wrong. I canonly build basic websites
> I love flash for headers but I am lost with java script. webado has
> tried to enlighten me but i think i finished up trying her patience
> and she is brilliant
> , my own sitewww.floridahotelblackpool.co.ukcomes in at 2 or 3 for
> the search term, blackpool central hotels, or hotels in central
> blackpool, out of about a million combinations, so you see i have a
> lot of competition.
> Sorry I know I got off subject a bit but my advice is use common sence
> On Jul 3, 7:25 pm, Adam Moro wrote:
> > Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
> > although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
> > think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
> > Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
> > Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
> > development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
> > you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
> > has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
> > sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
> > But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
> > to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
> > "snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
> > about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> > > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > > need help to make sure that things are right.
> > > Looking forward to your feedback!
> > > John
> > Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
> > although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
> > think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
> > Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
> > Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
> > development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
> > you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
> > has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
> > sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
> > But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
> > to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
> > "snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
> > about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> > > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > > need help to make sure that things are right.
> > > Looking forward to your feedback!
> > > John
Hi Adam
I enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, and seo is not a
definitive thing nobody can say you have to do it this way or that, or
my way is better than yours, if you know what i mean, you just try
your best
all i do is after i have wrote the text is play about with putting the
key words in different positions until i get the best result, and of
course the description
> I got something out of it, yorky, so thanks! I've got a question for
> you. Would you ever consider paying an SEO company to get you up on
> those terms? Judging by your site, it's clear that you've done some
> reading on the basics of seo but when it comes right down to it, every
> webmaster who is serious about competing on Google really should hire
> a professional. I ask because I'm noticing more and more webmasters
> share your perspective on SEO, which (and this is just an assumption -
> please correct me if I'm wrong) is that you can do it yourself. At the
> risk of sounding rude, I just don't have time for these types of
> clients and I turn them down on the spot. My point is that just
> because I don't want to work with you doesn't mean it's because you
> know a thing or two about SEO. It's because you think you do. So, my
> humble tip for webmasters (site owners) is to make sure that you are
> qualified to determine the SEO's competency or you could miss out on a
> great find.
> On Jul 3, 5:01 pm, yorky wrote:
> > Hi everybody
> > I am not a professional webmaster I am 70 years old and did not get
> > into computing until about 91 and have never had a tutor only books,
> > and books or tutorials always seem to assume that you know more than
> > you do, i just use logic i have just built a site for a friendwww.raistrickahaw.co.ukandwhen i ran it by whois seo it came out at
> > 98% allowing for errors it is not bad for an old man,how I envy you
> > young guns, I just wish I had, had somebody looking over my shoulder
> > and telling me what i was doing wrong. I canonly build basic websites
> > I love flash for headers but I am lost with java script. webado has
> > tried to enlighten me but i think i finished up trying her patience
> > and she is brilliant
> > , my own sitewww.floridahotelblackpool.co.ukcomesin at 2 or 3 for
> > the search term, blackpool central hotels, or hotels in central
> > blackpool, out of about a million combinations, so you see i have a
> > lot of competition.
> > Sorry I know I got off subject a bit but my advice is use common sence
> > On Jul 3, 7:25 pm, Adam Moro wrote:
> > > Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
> > > although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
> > > think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
> > > Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
> > > Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
> > > development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
> > > you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
> > > has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
> > > sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
> > > But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
> > > to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
> > > "snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
> > > about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> > > > I'd love to get your feedback here as well!
> > > > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > > > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > > > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > > > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > > > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > > > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > > > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > > > need help to make sure that things are right.
> > > > Looking forward to your feedback!
> > > > John
Thanks for your reply, yorky! I completely understand what you're
saying. Sounds like we share the same affliction (oh did I say that??
I meant passion :) ). Thanks again. :)
> Hi Adam
> I enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, and seo is not a
> definitive thing nobody can say you have to do it this way or that, or
> my way is better than yours, if you know what i mean, you just try
> your best
> all i do is after i have wrote the text is play about with putting the
> key words in different positions until i get the best result, and of
> course the description
> On Jul 4, 3:39 am, Adam Moro wrote:
> > I got something out of it, yorky, so thanks! I've got a question for
> > you. Would you ever consider paying an SEO company to get you up on
> > those terms? Judging by your site, it's clear that you've done some
> > reading on the basics of seo but when it comes right down to it, every
> > webmaster who is serious about competing on Google really should hire
> > a professional. I ask because I'm noticing more and more webmasters
> > share your perspective on SEO, which (and this is just an assumption -
> > please correct me if I'm wrong) is that you can do it yourself. At the
> > risk of sounding rude, I just don't have time for these types of
> > clients and I turn them down on the spot. My point is that just
> > because I don't want to work with you doesn't mean it's because you
> > know a thing or two about SEO. It's because you think you do. So, my
> > humble tip for webmasters (site owners) is to make sure that you are
> > qualified to determine the SEO's competency or you could miss out on a
> > great find.
> > On Jul 3, 5:01 pm, yorky wrote:
> > > Hi everybody
> > > I am not a professional webmaster I am 70 years old and did not get
> > > into computing until about 91 and have never had a tutor only books,
> > > and books or tutorials always seem to assume that you know more than
> > > you do, i just use logic i have just built a site for a friendwww.raistrickahaw.co.ukandwheni ran it by whois seo it came out at
> > > 98% allowing for errors it is not bad for an old man,how I envy you
> > > young guns, I just wish I had, had somebody looking over my shoulder
> > > and telling me what i was doing wrong. I canonly build basic websites
> > > I love flash for headers but I am lost with java script. webado has
> > > tried to enlighten me but i think i finished up trying her patience
> > > and she is brilliant
> > > , my own sitewww.floridahotelblackpool.co.ukcomesinat 2 or 3 for
> > > the search term, blackpool central hotels, or hotels in central
> > > blackpool, out of about a million combinations, so you see i have a
> > > lot of competition.
> > > Sorry I know I got off subject a bit but my advice is use common sence
> > > On Jul 3, 7:25 pm, Adam Moro wrote:
> > > > Great idea, John! I can't wait to hear what people say. Becky,
> > > > although I think most of everything you suggest is on-point, I don't
> > > > think you understand something very important about off-page SEO.
> > > > Benefits from off-page efforts do not die when the money runs out.
> > > > Just because you aren't paying your SEO company anymore for link
> > > > development doesn't mean the links they developed while working for
> > > > you will simply dissappear. It frightens me that someone who seemingly
> > > > has a grasp on the fundamentals of SEO doesn't recognize that. That
> > > > sounds rude but it's not meant to be. It honestly worries me a bit.
> > > > But be careful about the misleading questions though. It's very easy
> > > > to tell when someone's doing that and it can actually help the smarter
> > > > "snakeoil" types to better profile you. If they know what you do know
> > > > about the shady stuff, then they'll know what you don't know as well.
> > > > > I'd love to get your feedback here as well!
> > > > > Suppose a webmaster were to come to you and ask for advice on finding
> > > > > someone who can help optimize his site for search engines. How would
> > > > > you recommend that they get started? Where should they look for SEOs?
> > > > > Which questions should they ask? How could they recognize competent
> > > > > (or incompetent) SEOs?
> > > > > I know that in some cases it's a good idea to learn all of this
> > > > > yourself, but in many situations it's just not possible or they just
> > > > > need help to make sure that things are right.
> > > > > Looking forward to your feedback!
> > > > > John
