SEO Companies - Do they perform?

by tsicby
22 replies
Do SEO companies really help? What can I expect for results and how much should I expect to spend? I've had companies pitch me as much as $5k a month. Others have quoted $250/month. Both for just optimizing search results on an existing site, so as you can imagine I am confused. I have a services business and get most of my clients through my website and click-thru ads. I want to optimize my site for a specific keyword to reduce my marketing costs. I bought a new gtld domain that uses that keyword in it for that purpose.
#companies #perform #seo
  • Profile picture of the author kk075
    If you get with the right agency they can definitely help immensely, but there are also a lot of bad agencies out there as well. So do your homework and ask each one of them you talk to "How" they're going to help and exactly what they're going to do for your site.

    Avoid the ones who make blanket promises and look for companies that give you step by step advice specific to your domain. Because ranking your site may need a completely different strategy than ranking your main competitor...it all depends on where you're getting traffic from, where you're seeing the highest bounce rates and what the search engines are giving you credit for.

    Also, remember that SEO is a process. It's not like flipping a switch to light up your front porch...it's more like wiring your entire home for electricity. So know that it takes time and the ones offering "instant results" are not playing by Google's rules. A good company will work with you over several months to naturally increase your organic presence.
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  • Profile picture of the author furong
    Nobody can give you a definite answer I think. But better check their real previous clients and try get in touch them to know the truth. Also there are seo companies contact us for our website, we finally decide to invest into Facebook ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author GettingItFor
    Some are good and some are bad, I don't know how to tell the difference. I think it is best to ask previous users of the service.
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  • Profile picture of the author icoachu
    Here's a tip: Ask for CASE STUDIES.

    Reach out to their references.

    Also, they HAVE TO RANK VERY WELL (at least in the top 8) for a highly competitive keyword in the SEO services niche.

    That's how you tell the fakes from the REAL DEAL.
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Just put them on the spot. Make them be honest BEFORE you fork over hard earned cash. Look, not to toot my own horn, but I'm REALLY good at local SEO. And there are QUITE A FEW others that are as well. But for each one of us honest businesspeople, there's 10 scam artists. Just be careful. Please please please, be careful.

    Hope it works out!

    - Cuda
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    They perform well as getting you on as a client. As far as the services go..... most of the *good* SEO techniques we discuss on this forum... alot of SEO companies don't know about them. They do good direct mail though to get you on as a client.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Well, a doctor should have good health and a personal trainer should be fit.

    A website designer should have a good website.

    So I would Goolge "SEO" and look at the top results.

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author charity4Uall
    Some do, some don't. In 2015 you can't just expect to fork out a couple grand and expect to dominate a set of keywords. It's simply not as simple as that. Do your homework, research forums and Google. Request case studies, and proceed with caution...Also, from my experience, you will find 5 lousy companies for every good 1 out there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aur1mas
    In fact, most of the SEO companies do not call themself SEO without a reason and paying those money to them could really bring you lots of value - beating your competitors in the Google search.
    However, the lesson everyone should know is that most of them know what to do in case to increase your search results, but not all of them do it in a right direction, which might end in banning your whole website.
    To avoid getting on the blacklist it is important that you have at least a little knowledge on how the process works. Also, it would be great that you find succesful examples of that company - maybe they can share theri experience with you which would only ensure that your business are safe with them.
    While Google constantly changes their algorythms - SEO campaigns require new methods of performance, so any company you choose should be very concnetrated on the latest tendencies.
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  • Profile picture of the author phenomix
    Short answer yes, long answer no. As mentioned above, the cost you can pay will vary a lot but it may be for essentially the same service. There are a lot of resellers who will mark up a $250 monthly service to a $4000 monthly service for the exact same thing. At the end of the day, try and see if the company or individual can show you some tangible proof that they produce results.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      While providing consulting services to small businesses, this seems to be their single largest area of complaint - the promise that they were sold on SEO, compared to the actual results obtained. That and the fallacy that SEO is what stands between them and untold riches. When we go through the checklist of how I may be able to impact their business, they notice quickly that SEO is not one of the services that I provide. When I explain that I can't in good conscience recommend anyone that I can be comfortable will actually assist them in any measurable way, while they are at first disappointed, I believe that increases my credibility.

      The problem with SEO providers is that they all have the same mantra. "I'm great at providing SEO services and everyone else truly sucks." lol It has reached the point that most small business owners consider SEO providers to be akin to snake-oil salesmen. Not an enviable position.

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisNosal
    Banned
    It's tricky, because in the past it was easier to manipulate Google. Today it's become much trickier, because Google is much smarter, and is able to analyze things a lot better than it used to in terms of relevant pages; whether or not you are pages content is similar to the other pages (for example, if you're blog is about marketing, whether the links are coming from another site about marketing).

    As such, an SEO firm has also become much more valuable, because they understand many of the dos and donts of SEO, and what's even more important than them babying able to get you success, is they know what to do to keep you from making a major mistake that gets the negative results, and can ruin things.

    Whatever you choose, it's just important to make sure you know how they get results, make sure they have a strong reputation, and make sure that they're not using any underhanded tricks, Not because I believe they're wrong, but because Google gets more and more sophisticated every day, and sooner or later they're going catch you, and everything is going to go to shit.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ChrisNosal View Post

      Whatever you choose, it's just important to make sure you know how they get results,
      All you will know is what the tell you. No way pf knowing which methods they are actually employing unless you have a basic understanding of the process. Few, if any, local business owners do.
      make sure they have a strong reputation,
      Almost impossible to verify. We had a local guy doing SEO and when asked for references he gave out the phone number of everyone of his relatives and a few friends. They all claimed to own a business that was ranked high because of his efforts. You can't believe anything that you hear and there is virtually no way to verify anything that you are told.
      and make sure that they're not using any underhanded tricks, Not because I believe they're wrong, but because Google gets more and more sophisticated every day, and sooner or later they're going catch you, and everything is going to go to shit.
      That's why bad SEO services were one of the things that helped me grow my own business in the past 5 years. By showing a business owner that by eschewing a focus on SEO and by utilizing other ways to gain local prominence, they could save money, eliminate the constant worry and confusion and offset any perceived business loss, they are much happier and comfortable using more traditional methods to gain local exposure and grow their business.

      Bad SEO providers are the best thing that ever happened for my business. They make selling my services that much easier. :-) The more, the merrier.

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author HowardLynch
    Most of what is done by an SEO company can be done by yourself (most of the time).
    They really just save you time and a lot of headache, if that's worth money to you

    I've never used any for that reason. I'd rather learn to do it myself
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    • Profile picture of the author MayWJans
      Originally Posted by HowardLynch View Post

      Most of what is done by an SEO company can be done by yourself (most of the time).
      They really just save you time and a lot of headache, if that's worth money to you

      I've never used any for that reason. I'd rather learn to do it myself
      It is fine to learn how to do it and to do it yourself, but you will find if your company grows and there is a lot of money at stake, it is a great advantage to be able to outsource this type of tedious work.
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  • Profile picture of the author maxweb
    Try to learn SEO techniques and do it by yourself, you'll save a lot of money. Remember that SEO won't ever be enough anyway. Use social networks and other channels as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    I haven't read over all the responses here, but would like to comment. My thoughts are highly biased because I run an SEO agency myself, and have over 13 years SEM experience.

    In response to your question - "SEO Companies - Do they perform?"

    The simple answer is some do, some don't. As with any service provider....plumbers, mechanics, electricians, doctors, personal trainers - there are some that provide exceptional services and others that just plain suck.

    SEO is no different.

    There are agencies that are fantastic, and really do what they can to help their clients, whilst there are others that couldn't care less, and run churn and burn operations.

    It isn't always the case - but you can usually get a pretty good idea of the quality of service to expect by the agencies pricing.

    Any organisation, offering SEO services at $99 - $299 per month is offering absolute rubbish. No doubt outsourcing to overseas, using link building services, automated tools, crappy push button software and other questionable means in an effort to conserve what tiny margins are left. Some agencies take your money and do nothing at all (fact). Many offer SEO guarantees as a sleazy selling point, which is nonsense.

    Within my own agency we charge $125 an hour, so to think that anyone providing SEO at $250 a month is laughable.

    I should point out also that a higher priced service doesn't always indicate a quality service - but it should at least be a good starting point. Once you get on the phone with a representative of the business, they should be asking questions like -

    - What are your goals and objectives?
    - What's the LTV of a customer?
    - Are you currently tracking conversions?
    - How long have you been in business?
    - Who are your competitors?
    - Where are you in terms of traffic, conversions, revenue?

    Any reputable SEO agency will prequalify their leads carefully, and once underway, should be working closely with you in an effort to help you increase sales, leads, enquiries and conversions. They should also be completely honest, transparent and responsive.

    If they're simply throwing you a confusing report once a month and not telling you what's going on, or leaving you wondering if you're money is actually being put to good use - it's time to look for another provider.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Hanney
    Some do and some don't. I typically think you pay for what you get and given SEO is becoming more labour intensive to deliver a result a higher charging agency should typically be allocating more resources to deliver you a result. I would be asking to see other results they have delivered for other clients and speaking to some of their clients to get some feedback. Anyone that is guaranteeing you a result then stay clear of them as that is complete BS in the SEO game.
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  • Profile picture of the author GelidMind
    It would probably be best to do your research. See if there are any people who have given any reviews. If you can get in contact with them do it. See how they feel about the services.
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  • Profile picture of the author J50
    I'd only work with a company if I could personally speak to some of their past clients and hear their honest thoughts. Too many cowboys out there.
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  • Profile picture of the author sunny093
    You can go for a company name Constructo Web with plan starting with just $150 & they are really very effective and cooperative thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author linathinfotech
    Don't be confuse. Do some research and compare SEO services of both companies. You will get your answer. Don't go for any SEO company who give you guaranteed rankings because its not so easy with white hat SEO techniques.
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