SEO

Search Engine Optimization Services

I currently work for a leading searching engine optimization company just outside of beautiful Vancouver in what is called ‘the city in the country’; Abbotsford, BC. Moving to Abbotsford was an adjustment from the buzz, tech meet-ups and on-goings within the big city, but overall it has progressed to be a great place for family, outdoor activities and moderation in life! I like the fact that the US border, work, home and the airport are minutes apart.

What surprised me most was the fact that there is quite a bit of talent within this community; graphic design companies, internet marketers, self-made Internet entrepreneurs and professional Search Engine Optimizers. Meeting with the company a few years back, I had my reservations because there are many individuals and companies online that call themselves ‘search engine optimization professionals’, but that is far from the truth.

Search engine optimization is a process and it is far more than just loading your website with keywords in your META keyword tags. That’s old school thinking and Google recently stated that they do not take meta keyword tags when considering how to rank and position a website in their search engine results. Description tags are another business and yes, they should be properly written.

Years back when I researched Search Engines Optimization on the Internet, Bruce Clay, Inc. was one and still is one of the leading firms for search engine marketing services. With a background in Engineering, Bruce Clay put together a system and a process for getting websites ranked (positioned). The system, or methodology, is constantly evolving because the search engines are constantly changing. With a background in programming, I like this approach, because it means having a plan. Having studied computer programming at S.A.I.T., we were taught that there are a number of ways to get to the end result, but if you had a plan that was mapped out, the method that you achieved the result was much more efficient. There needs to be some structure to the madness.

I cringe when I hear companies offering SEO services without a plan or process. If one plans to invest in such services, one should also have a general idea of what the services entail.

Common Search Engine Optimization Services

Generally, the top search engine optimization companies offer a blend of services that are similar and related, but for the most part the services usually entail the following:

• Website Analysis: This is where flaws and cracks are found within the existing website. This is my primary focus area where I look for issues in the structure of the web site. Things I look at are how the website is hosted (there are bad hosts out there), how internal linking works, how the source code performs, how the website presents to the search engines and much more. The top search engines evaluate over 200+ items when they visit your website, I look for those items. With a background in programming, I like to rip websites apart! Building a house on a solid foundation is not a great idea, so that issues need to be addressed.
• Competitor Research: Knowing that your online competitors have invested in online marketing will provide you with a gauge as to how aggressive may have to be online. If you’re in a highly competitive industry (i.e., online jewelry stores), you will need to run faster because your competition has already started the race many moons ago.
• Keyword Research: This is an area I know of, but not my prime specialty. Keyword research is the skill for finding out what people use when they search for product, information or services online. With good keyword research, one can then built and craft quality website content that can be used on the website or in Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising campaigns. Thankfully at the SEO firm, we have people that do this all day. Some companies spend anywhere form $500-$5K+ per day, yes per day, buying the right keywords. If you’re not selecting the right keyword, money can be easily wasted.
• Content Development: This is another area I am not personally involved in (remember: my specialization is in business and programming, not English and grammar). Content needs to be professionally written so that it is not ‘keyword stuffed’ or fabricated for the search engines. A professional writer can assist in writing website content, press releases and product descriptions for e-commerce websites.
• On-Going Optimization: This is important and where many miss the boat. The search engines are always changing and so should your website. For many highly competitive keyword terms, the results can change on an hourly basis. It is in this part where professional optimizers review the progress your website is making, what changes can be done to the website, why the competition is moving up or down in the results and much more. Search engine optimization is not a one-time purchase, it is an on-going process.
• Link Building: This area is always changing. It used to be that you drive a bunch of links to your website and that was it. This area is still very important because it assist with your website credibility, popularity and relevancy. Now with social media and online social networking, link development has become an even more interesting science.

Books have been written on this subject, articles written to the extreme, conferences held on the topic and speaking with some website owners, information overload can be sensed.

If you do plan to buy a book,
this is the one to start with
(be prepared for a long and interesting read):

Search Engine Optimization All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))

For one person to perform Search Engine Optimization services is possible, but it would mean having skills in variety of areas. A team, or a group of internet marketing professionals will better meet your online objectives and goals.

Do I do SEO?

You bet, but I’m one part of the process in scheme of things. In my opinion, SEO is best done with pros that specialize in their creative niche.

I called the electrician the other day to wire up my house because he knows best how to get the job done and not cause damage to the house. If one is serious about marketing, selling or generating leads online, best to call in the ones that have seen and experienced what works and what does not.

Who is the SEO Company?

1st on the List Promotion Inc., is a full service search engine optimization company that has been in business since 1997. At the company, I provide sales, technical and development support. I even built and re-build websites for companies that want a search engine ready website to get competitive with online.

What impresses me the most about the company is that there are individuals working there that each specialize in one area or another: keyword research, content development and such. In addition, the company is listed in TopSEOS.com, has been published in Visibility Magazine and has Bruce Clay certified and Google AdWords Certified Professionals from years back. What’s even more impressive is watching companies go from nothing to something online. When the revenue increases, justifying the investment in professional optimization services becomes a normal expense and a simple cost of doing business online.

Get To Know SEO

To get to know more,
feel free to watch the video on how search engine optimization services work.

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