> 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.

> > > On Jul 1, 12:58 am, JohnMu wrote:

> > > > Hi everyone!

> > > > We just added something to the blog asking for feedback on our page
> > > > about finding an SEO:http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-are-your-seo-...

> > > > 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

> > > > PS The updated help center page is athttp://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35291