SEO - has anyone used these guys??

[useyourspace]

hi foks trying to sort out some SEO work for two webistes for my basement and loft conversion business. has anyone used or have any comments on the following firms, or any suggestions of who is a good seo business to use.

1. the web marketing group
2. dreamscape design

thanks mike

[Chris Ashdown]

My advice for any company is to look at how hard they make it for you to leave them.

Look at their terms if i says something like one year contract automaticaly renewed each year if not cancelled 6 months prior to the end of the year, of words to that effect then leave them alone

If they are proud of their work they will be happy to have a simple six month contract with easy termination monthly after the six months, if not why are they trying to stop you leaving

Bit like franchise contracts you don't have to accept one sided contracts you can nearly always negotiate or walk away, if they have to lock you in, then what are they hiding

Anyway thats my opinion, sometimes been right sometimes not

[estwig]

Why don't you do adwords instead, locally targeted it works well for trades.

[david9108]

I haven't used those companies but I did spend ages researching seo options and decided to go wit ha company called Ardent Creative and have been very happy with them so far, I would recommend them if you are serious about getting a good result - they tell you straight what needs doing and how mush it will cost and how long it will take.

[MASSEY]

Why don't you do adwords instead, locally targeted it works well for trades.

Adwords is something that should be used in conjunction with a high ranking site its cheaper that way, to rely on adwords alone is expensive,.

[useyourspace]

Why don't you do adwords instead, locally targeted it works well for trades.

hi keith, subject to your suggestion i am using steve gibson for adwords, and generall marketing but also want to get up in the organic listings

[GreatSEO]

Contract????

Who needs a contract if the SEO is worth any fruit then there will be no contract.

PAYG simple as that it works is proven and has the added value that it shows the SEO is confident.

Dave

[WeblinkPlus]

Contract????

Who needs a contract if the SEO is worth any fruit then there will be no contract.

PAYG simple as that it works is proven and has the added value that it shows the SEO is confident.

Dave

So long as the client understands it does take time... The ignorance of many business owners as to how long and how much effort astounds me...

I would be concerned if there was 'no contract', as you need to define expectations and a plan in order to measure results. But I agree there is no need for a tie in clause...

[sirearl]

So long as the client understands it does take time... The ignorance of many business owners as to how long and how much effort astounds me...

I would be concerned if there was 'no contract', as you need to define expectations and a plan in order to measure results. But I agree there is no need for a tie in clause...

The time element is highly variable dependant on the product and competition.

A competent SEO can give a pretty good estimate of how long it will take ,anything from a day to a year.

Same thing applies to effort.

Never had or needed a contract with anyone as your results ensure you don't need one as everyone is happy.:)

Of course your choice of partners is imperative to the success of most SEO campaigns.

Earl

[GreatSEO]

Is it not about communicating with the client effectively so that they know what to expect from you and then it is about delivering to what you have commited to.

Dave

[GreatSEO]

Is it not about communicating with the client effectively so that they know what to expect from you and then it is about delivering to what you have commited to.

Dave

[seobristol]

Hi Mike,

If you PM me details of your sites, I'll gladly take a look at them for you and give you an honest assessment on what needs to be done to get you to the top of the organic search rankings, the time it will take and the cost too.

Kind regards,
Darryl..

[Andycal]

Contract????

Who needs a contract if the SEO is worth any fruit then there will be no contract.

PAYG simple as that it works is proven and has the added value that it shows the SEO is confident.

Dave

I agree, we are proud of the fact that we don't have a contract but we don't mention it until the customer says "what's the minimum contract?", they're surprised when we 'none'.

But as the other poster says, give them the right expectations. If your customer bleats about not being top ten in the first month then wave goodbye, not worth the hassle, there are tons of people who need SEO services and understand the costs.

Mind you, there are loads who don't, couldn't resist to laugh out loud when someone had a budget of fifty quid for 'a few months' to get 'mp3 downloads' to number one!!!

Cheers me up, that.

[GreatSEO]

They should not be bleating about not being number 1 if the communication is correct in the first place.

I like clients to know exactly what to expect and when to expect it by setting milestones as we go. This ensures repeat custom and loyal clients that recommend and refer. The only way that any SEO should really gain business.

It has helped my business grow month on month.

Anyone with not enough money is not worth entertaining but it is worth pointing them in the right direction as you never know who they know which could be your next big client.

Hope that helps

Dave

[sirearl]

Anyone with not enough money is not worth entertaining but it is worth pointing them in the right direction as you never know who they know which could be your next big client.



Dave

Not going to agree with that Dave if the person has the right product/s to take to market it can be well worth your while to cut a deal.

I always look at the product,and if I do not consider it a goer I am out. Irrespective of money offered as I don't want dissatisfied people.

Earl

[GreatSEO]

Earl

I agree in fact I may have put that wrongly so I apologise.

You are correct but if it is a key cutting service at 2.99p a time with a very small profit margin I would also turn it down.

I get where you are coming from

Dave

[estwig]

Adwords is something that should be used in conjunction with a high ranking site its cheaper that way, to rely on adwords alone is expensive,.

No, that is not the case at all, SEO is expensive in terms of time as well as money. Adwords are not expensive, well not for me anyway, one of my sites is run entirely on adwords, couldn't care less about SEO. The cost of the adwords gives a very good ROI.

hi keith, subject to your suggestion i am using steve gibson for adwords, and generall marketing but also want to get up in the organic listings

Good choice, Steve has been testing what works to generate enquiries for local tradesmen with us!! So your campaign should be finely tuned and raring to get off the starting blocks!!

:)

[Big Mix DJ]

hi foks trying to sort out some SEO work for two webistes for my basement and loft conversion business. has anyone used or have any comments on the following firms, or any suggestions of who is a good seo business to use.

1. the web marketing group
2. dreamscape design

thanks mike

Hi Mike,

I have learnt a great deal over a period of 5 years with regards to SEO having been interested in designing a website for my own business, and they all say different things.

SEO is in fact really hard to come by as they all promise different thing's and some even promise you a number one spot on google, but it's how you write your content that matters.

I have now decided to use a company who can show proven results and step by step build your site with SEO in mind through all the process. It really has helped me loads.

I have PM'd you as im only a free member at present and have less than 15 posts as Im new to this forum I can't give you the link.

Check out your private message from me, all I ask is you to have a look and see what you think.

Good Luck with it...

All the best Darren

[webteameu]

This is a vast area to discuss, but I will give you some of my pointers.

When we are talking SEO these days, a lot of people are talking about getting to page 1 of GOOGLE, in the top 10. So any company you work with, consider discussing the following points with them.

A) Have they managed to get themselves to the top of the search engines? If they have, have they managed to do it for "competitive" key words or phrases that people actually search for? Getting to the top of the search engines for words no one searches for, that gives back 27,000 results can be done easily. So dont be fooled.

B) Have they got at least 5 of their clients to the top of the search engines for "competitive" terms, and can they demonstrate this to you?

C) Are they making any "page 1" guarantee? If they are, then stay well clear, as no one can guarantee you page one for organic SEO, not even Google.

D) Are they charging you a monthly ongoing fee? SEO is a process that takes time, and depending on how competitive your keyword/s or key phrases are, will show results in around 6 months. Anyone charging you a low one off fee, or low monthly fee needs to be questioned, as in my opinion SEO with all due respect, can be a very tedious task and it needs a lot of hours put in to it, if done properly.

E) SEO is a service that needs to be continuously worked on, and reminds me of a league table.

This is certainly a vast subject, so I hoped Ive touched on some vital issues and I hopes it helps you make a decision.

webteameu

[sirearl]

No, that is not the case at all, SEO is expensive in terms of time as well as money. Adwords are not expensive, well not for me anyway, one of my sites is run entirely on adwords, couldn't care less about SEO. The cost of the adwords gives a very good ROI.


:)

Keith you have a very high value product so PPC should work for you.

But maybe not so well for someone selling £2.99 mugs.

Earl

[estwig]

Keith you have a very high value product so PPC should work for you.

But maybe not so well for someone selling £2.99 mugs.

Earl

Put your reading glasses on Granddad, I did say that PPC works well for me anyway.

:)

[sirearl]

Put your reading glasses on Granddad, I did say that PPC works well for me anyway.

:)

Its me hearing aid thats playing up as I have a text reader.

long given up trying to find the screen.:|

Earl

[estwig]

Keith you have a very high value product so PPC should work for you.

But maybe not so well for someone selling £2.99 mugs.

Earl

Out of interest and by coincidence, I have just bought 10 cat5 patch cables from a website found via google adwords. Cost of cables 34p each. Even with £10.00 delivery, they are still very cheap.

PPC must work for low value products as well, althought I bet they keep a mindful eye on the costs.

[MASSEY]

No, that is not the case at all, SEO is expensive in terms of time as well as money. Adwords are not expensive, well not for me anyway, one of my sites is run entirely on adwords, couldn't care less about SEO. The cost of the adwords gives a very good ROI.



Good choice, Steve has been testing what works to generate enquiries for local tradesmen with us!! So your campaign should be finely tuned and raring to get off the starting blocks!!

:)

well arent you lucky to have a website that does well from just adwords alone and is not expensive you must be 1 in a million, well done

[researcher1967]

A contract is a must, whether you negotiate length is up to you.

Back to the original post if you are into Lofts then look at Web Marketing Group's testimonials, they have done good work for Truss Loft and this is one of their success stories so I would suggest you go with them?

Look at the Testimonials and Case Studies

[I, Brian]

Looking at the Web Marketing Group website, they list a lot of brand name companies as clients, which immediately suggests high fees.

You'll tend to find SEO companies aimed at different market levels, with larger SEO companies more likely to offer high charges and less skilled staff. Something to be careful of. You may find there are SEO companies better suited to SME level.

The Web Marketing Group also lists clients I know for a fact it is not working on - because I am :) - and if they are listing ex-clients it's worth asking why these companies have upped and left. :)

[david8765]

Contract????

Who needs a contract if the SEO is worth any fruit then there will be no contract.

PAYG simple as that it works is proven and has the added value that it shows the SEO is confident.

Dave

Couldn't agree more

[I, Brian]

A contract is a professional courtesy, especially if it's written as a service agreement that lays out exactly what a client can expect to occur during the period of the contract.

These are especially essential with clients where a significant amount of money is involved.

An initial six-month contract for SEO, continuing on a monthly basis, is perfectly normal in SEO.

[Chris Ashdown]

Sorry cannot see what benifit to the customer the length of time has to do with the contract,

The contract can easily be written without any mention of contract length but o a monthly basis i.e. what the seo company will do each month and what info the customer will get

[GreatSEO]

Perfectly normal for who?

I can't see any sense in contracts unless you are dealing with a corporate as they are a nightmare (sometimes)

If everything that is going to be done is put out on paper so that both parties know exactly where they stand there should be no problems.

SEO can be monitored quite effectively by clients if the relationship is honest and transparent. Although we all know that while the industry is not regulated some (I said some) companies are totally ripping people off.

In fact I hear of a new story eevryday now sometimes more than 3/4 a day.

Contracts for me only state that the SEO is not confident enough to take the gamble based on laying out the full details at the beginning.

Just my opinion

Dave

[loubycee]

Hi

have you thought about using an individual to keep your costs down? just a thought, there are plenty of guys here that can help.

However, I have two recommendations for you the first you will find here - Gary Dickenson (creospace (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=4905)) and you could contact Mark Price who is another I strongly recommend and has helped me out before now, I don't feel happy posting his email on here so can pm it to you!

I would offer to help but I've a lot on right now,

All the best in your ventures
Louisa

[Hollyjack]

Hi,
Am new to this site. Was looking for some advice regarding web site Set up a web site through Vistaprint, looks ok, when searching it does not come up in listings. Have registered with google business and yahoo etc. wondering whether it needs proper html meta tags, tried reading about these but I dont find this interesting so therefore my brain wont take it in! Seen in a previous thread that it more your line of expertise, woder if you could look at it for me and let me know what needs doing, cost etc