Minneapolis Search Engine Optimization SEO Firm
Hiring the Wrong SEO Company Is a Very Expensive Mistake
There is no shortage of companies that claim they can optimize your website, but there is a shortage of companies that can deliver quality SEO results. There are two types of so-called "SEO companies" that every business needs to avoid.
- The Incompetent “SEO Company”. These companies are rather clueless as to how search engine optimization works and what optimization techniques are available. They use outdated techniques that are no longer effective. Hiring such a service is a waste of time and money. Most web design and some graphic design companies offering SEO services fall into this category.
- The Unethical “SEO Company”. These companies are operated by scam artists. They promise or guarantee top rankings to get you hooked, then they employ unethical techniques that are banned by most search engines. You may see a sudden increase of web traffic, but the long term consequences of hiring such a service can be devastating. As search engines become smarter, they are able to detect websites that employ these unethical techniques. Once they do, they impose penalties on such sites, ranging from lowered rankings to delisting them altogether.
How Do You Hire the Right Search Engine Optimization Company?
- Ask for recommendations from people you know. A quality SEO company will get its name out through word of mouth. Search optimization can be far more cost-effective than traditional advertising such as print ads or broadcast commercials. Business owners who have seen the benefits of SEO often willingly tell their friends and business partners about the great job done by their SEO companies.
- Check the SEO company’s Google rankings. It is simple – if an SEO company can’t get its own website ranked at the top of Google, chances are they can’t do yours. When you check online rankings, make sure to check a large selection of generic keyword phrases, such as “Minneapolis SEO” or “Search Engine Optimization Minnesota.” A website can rank very high for a few long keyword phrases that are rarely searched even if it is not optimized. Only a well-optimized site ranks high for a wide range of keywords and keyword combinations.
- Verify the Google rankings of the SEO company’s clients. Be aware that strong Yahoo and MSN rankings are not a reliable indicator. Many websites that rank well at Yahoo and MSN can’t be found at Google. Google ranking is the ultimate gauge of how well a website is optimized.
- Never hire a web design company for SEO. Would you trust your dentist to operate on your heart? Web design, involving primarily graphic design, is not the same trade as SEO, which involves mathematics and algorithms. Over 95% of web design companies and web designers have no training, expertise or experience in search engine optimization. If the company’s main focus is web design, then more than likely it isn’t qualified to optimize your website.
- Avoid any top ranking guarantees. There are plenty of “top 3” or “page 1” ranking guarantees offered by scam artists. Keep in mind that search engine optimization companies DO NOT own Google, Yahoo or MSN. If you fall for these scams, you will NEVER get your money back. Even worse, the unethical techniques used by these companies can hurt your rankings in the long run.
- Stay away from cheap SEO services. Quality search engine optimization is highly sought after. Strong market demand has been driving up SEO fees and solid SEO services require a tremendous amount of time and effort by the SEO firm. Reputable SEO companies can charge anywhere between $300 and $1,000 per hour for their services. If you find an “affordable” SEO package that costs $59.99/month, just remember: you get what you pay for.
- Talk with the SEO company’s clients. Satisfied SEO clients will not stop singing praises about the good services they have received. A good SEO firm should provide at least 3 references. Ask these references about the effectiveness of their SEO campaigns.
Choosing the right SEO company is not an easy task. Over 95% of companies that claim they know search engine optimization only know a few outdated techniques. Even worse, some of the techniques employed by these companies are considered unethical and can draw penalities from search engines.
Put your SEO marketing in the hands of a company that you can truly trust. Call us for a free SEO consultation. We will be happy to provide ranking samples for both local Minneapolis St Paul Minnesota market and national market. Our rankings are worth a thousand words.