23 replies
  • SEO
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So if someone offered you SEO services for $2500/mo , what would you expect to get out of it to make that worthwhile?

Personally, I consider basic onsite SEO to be part of the initial design of the site and a one time thing, but I see ongoing value in content creation/submission, link building and directory submission.

But I'm curious...what would you expect in terms of services/hard deliverables if someone wanted to charge you $2500/mo for SEO?

And please, no snarky comments...I have not heard details of what they are offering yet but if they want that much to add some image alt tags, I'll tell them where they can shove it. I'm not stupid, just curious what others would want to get service-wise for that amount.
#$2500 or mo #seo
  • Profile picture of the author zoobie
    I expect very high quality standard. services like link baiting which potentially
    attracts 500 incoming links for a given period of time. Enormous amount of traffic received and Also I would expect very high quality of seo copywriting as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author vbkid
    For $2500/M

    I would expect top ten positions for all my keywords...

    I could spend the $2500 on straight PPC ads and target and track my own campaigns, sometimes SEO companies will say PPC is part of SEO and will concentrate only on that.

    I would also expect article marketing and backlinking to be performed. As well as being apart of link exchanges.

    I would expect some landing pages to be made as well.

    Within the content of my site, I would expect correct keyword density, and no black hat techniques.

    Of course on call - priority service for questions
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    • Profile picture of the author dukeoferl
      There are so many good seo courses available, and it aint that tuff
      to properly optimize a site or blog. Check out "The Niche Blogger"
      by Amy Bass This is not my affiliate link, I'm just so pleased
      with the seo and other training she supplies for $18 a month.
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by dukeoferl View Post

        There are so many good seo courses available, and it aint that tuff
        to properly optimize a site or blog. Check out "The Niche Blogger"
        by Amy Bass This is not my affiliate link, I'm just so pleased
        with the seo and other training she supplies for $18 a month.
        With respect, there's a LOT more than basic common IM seo to running a proper seo business.

        You could easily spend $1000 just paying for submissions to directories and getting press releases done.

        I'm getting paid $10k for the first round of some seo I'm currently doing for a client and that was a simple calculation - 10 days of my time at $1000 a day. They were happy with it and I was happy with it.

        Ongoing costs can be as much or as little as required based on what the goals of the business are. If they include getting seo-optimised content (press releases, articles, and other web 'properties') done then it's easy for the costs to rise.

        The budget basically just decides how much and how often things can happen.

        SEM is all a matter of time anyway - anything is possible, some things you don't control so you just do what's right and then wait while you do other traffic generation strategies like PPC etc.

        Those numbers seem like a lot to many people because you're thinking that it's just a case of knowing the common seo stuff and blasting links and content 'out there'.

        To do this professionally requires a system, an infra-structure and reporting mechanisms and metrics that most people don't even know about, let alone track and test.

        Much of SEM results come from excellent research before anything even happens and that's another area that most IMers are weak in.

        It sounds like easy money and with right right infrastructure it can be, but don't dismiss it as 'you can do it yourself for free' because that's not the type of work most businesses are looking for.

        I was considering creating a report on how to do this stuff properly and this thread has reminded me. If anyone's interested I'll document the process I go through to help businesses with SEM and include some workflow stuff and how and what metrics to track to show results.


        Andy
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        nothing to see here.

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        • Profile picture of the author JamesFraze
          For $2500 a month I would hire someone at about $10 an hour to do submissions, write content, get links, post in forums, do reputation control, find link directories that are targeted, find forums that are targeted (where I can advertise etc) For the other $800 or so remaining, I would buy certain links, use PPC, get listed in various ads, press releases, etc.

          Of course, I would charge $8,000 or more for a month of the same service.

          You say "$2500" a month like it's some horrendous fee. I've seen campaigns that start at $40,000 for about 30 full days of work.

          Ask them what they are going to do, let them know you know basic on page SEO. Tell them you want to know the strategy so you can approve, or at least know where your money goes. Any good SEO firm will at least tell you the basics of what they are doing.

          But don't freak out about $2500 a month - that's cheap.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

          I was considering creating a report on how to do this stuff properly and this thread has reminded me. If anyone's interested I'll document the process I go through to help businesses with SEM and include some workflow stuff and how and what metrics to track to show results.


          Andy
          Sent you a pm.
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        • Profile picture of the author kevin campbelle
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post


          I was considering creating a report on how to do this stuff properly and this thread has reminded me. If anyone's interested I'll document the process I go through to help businesses with SEM and include some workflow stuff and how and what metrics to track to show results.


          Andy
          I'm interested Andy.

          Kevin.
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          • Profile picture of the author MikeWords
            First, I wouldnt recommend paying for SEO in general if it mean optimizing your site itself. You can spend a few hours reseaching SEO methods and do it yourself.

            If your going to pay someone $2500 to do the grunt work of SEO, then I would expect one thing - RESULTS. First page for relevant keywords on the major search engines.
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        • Profile picture of the author madison_avenue
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

          With respect, there's a LOT more than basic common IM seo to running a proper seo business.

          You could easily spend $1000 just paying for submissions to directories and getting press releases done.

          I'm getting paid $10k for the first round of some seo I'm currently doing for a client and that was a simple calculation - 10 days of my time at $1000 a day. They were happy with it and I was happy with it.

          Ongoing costs can be as much or as little as required based on what the goals of the business are. If they include getting seo-optimised content (press releases, articles, and other web 'properties') done then it's easy for the costs to rise.

          The budget basically just decides how much and how often things can happen.

          SEM is all a matter of time anyway - anything is possible, some things you don't control so you just do what's right and then wait while you do other traffic generation strategies like PPC etc.

          Those numbers seem like a lot to many people because you're thinking that it's just a case of knowing the common seo stuff and blasting links and content 'out there'.

          To do this professionally requires a system, an infra-structure and reporting mechanisms and metrics that most people don't even know about, let alone track and test.

          Much of SEM results come from excellent research before anything even happens and that's another area that most IMers are weak in.

          It sounds like easy money and with right right infrastructure it can be, but don't dismiss it as 'you can do it yourself for free' because that's not the type of work most businesses are looking for.

          I was considering creating a report on how to do this stuff properly and this thread has reminded me. If anyone's interested I'll document the process I go through to help businesses with SEM and include some workflow stuff and how and what metrics to track to show results.


          Andy
          Andy, yes I would be interested in reading such a report if you produce it.
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        • Profile picture of the author krishananda
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

          With respect, there's a LOT more than basic common IM seo to running a proper seo business.

          You could easily spend $1000 just paying for submissions to directories and getting press releases done.

          I'm getting paid $10k for the first round of some seo I'm currently doing for a client and that was a simple calculation - 10 days of my time at $1000 a day. They were happy with it and I was happy with it.

          Ongoing costs can be as much or as little as required based on what the goals of the business are. If they include getting seo-optimised content (press releases, articles, and other web 'properties') done then it's easy for the costs to rise.

          The budget basically just decides how much and how often things can happen.

          SEM is all a matter of time anyway - anything is possible, some things you don't control so you just do what's right and then wait while you do other traffic generation strategies like PPC etc.

          Those numbers seem like a lot to many people because you're thinking that it's just a case of knowing the common seo stuff and blasting links and content 'out there'.

          To do this professionally requires a system, an infra-structure and reporting mechanisms and metrics that most people don't even know about, let alone track and test.

          Much of SEM results come from excellent research before anything even happens and that's another area that most IMers are weak in.

          It sounds like easy money and with right right infrastructure it can be, but don't dismiss it as 'you can do it yourself for free' because that's not the type of work most businesses are looking for.

          I was considering creating a report on how to do this stuff properly and this thread has reminded me. If anyone's interested I'll document the process I go through to help businesses with SEM and include some workflow stuff and how and what metrics to track to show results.


          Andy
          I didn't think reading this thread would bump me into Andy's post, you posted a great thing Andy.

          I'm also interested in your SEO report, I've been looking for a great system for SEO solution.
          I created my own system but haven't seem to fit in the local requirements in the country I live in.

          Please kindly tell us if you are willing to share the report.

          My thanks to you
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          • Profile picture of the author dburk
            Hi Warriors,

            I find this thread fascinating!

            There is such a dichotomy in the field of SEO. You've got some posters saying it's easy just do it yourself while others, dare I say professionals, that say good SEO takes time to learn and apply. What's interesting is they are both correct at least to some degree.

            Sure basic SEO is simply once you understand it, so is digging a ditch.

            And, to stick with the ditch digging analogy it takes a great deal of engineering knowledge to know exactly where you should be digging a ditch, how deep to dig it and how to avoid digging into utility lines.

            You also need to have a visionary leader that conceives the project and arranges the financing. His time is too valuable to be drafting plans working with engineers and getting in the ditch and digging it all himself. So he hires architects and general contractors to get the project done.

            Sure, he could save a lot of money if he did everything himself. But if he's competing with some serious competitors they'll be laughing all the way to the bank as they drive past this lone individual, toiling in his ditch, to cash their multi-million dollar checks earned by their highly competent team of pros.

            Of course, you do need to be careful in who you hire and be sure that you are getting your money's worth from the service. But, do realize that a pro is not going to work for you for 50 cents an hour or even $20 bucks an hour. His expertise has been learned through study and real world application. There is value in experience and even more value in a record of accomplishment.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
    Originally Posted by Haltingpoint View Post

    So if someone offered you SEO services for $2500/mo , what would you expect to get out of it to make that worthwhile?

    Personally, I consider basic onsite SEO to be part of the initial design of the site and a one time thing, but I see ongoing value in content creation/submission, link building and directory submission.

    But I'm curious...what would you expect in terms of services/hard deliverables if someone wanted to charge you $2500/mo for SEO?

    And please, no snarky comments...I have not heard details of what they are offering yet but if they want that much to add some image alt tags, I'll tell them where they can shove it. I'm not stupid, just curious what others would want to get service-wise for that amount.
    There are companies out there that charge way more than $2500 per month for seo services and there are tons of clients that will pay that price as well, it really depends on the track record of the company and the skill level of the client, this type of business will go strong for a very long time as well....

    Cheers,
    Magic
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    " You can either give a man a fish and feed him for a day OR teach him how to catch a fish and it will feed him for a lifetime"

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  • Profile picture of the author indexphp
    Well, if the $2500/month service built your business to $5000/month... wouldn't you say it was worth it?

    As far as companies go... Creative Digital Media would be the only one I'd trust.
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    SEO is so easy a caveman could do it. Save your money and study simple structures.
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    • Profile picture of the author JamesFraze
      Originally Posted by Always-A-Warrior View Post

      SEO is so easy a caveman could do it. Save your money and study simple structures.
      No, it's not so easy. There are things to be careful of, such as duplicate content, moving existing data, making sure you are branded properly.

      That's like saying... yeah, this guy down the street has a son who knows how to completely rebuild engines. It's SO easy.

      Do you realize how many ways you can mess it up?

      The only reason it may appear easy is because you are missing about 90% of what can be done for SEO (marketing in general)
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  • Profile picture of the author jbshort
    SEO is not so easy, but I would recommend getting basic knowledge before you think about hiring someone. Otherwise you won't know which questions to ask, or be able to effectively evaluate their results.
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  • Profile picture of the author sevenish
    I can't add much to Andy and James' posts.

    I don't put a price on my services until I've documented exactly what my clients will get for those services, and neither should you. Ask 'em what they're gonna do for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bob Monie
    SEO is definitely an on going process, especially if its a competitive market.

    For $2,500 I would expect all forms of SEO and since SE's are now using universal search, I would want videos promoting my site to be ranked aswell.
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  • Profile picture of the author Haltingpoint
    Great input everybody--much appreciated. There is some additional information I can share which might clarify some things...

    First, this is a law firm, second, one of the SEO firms they're talking with is Martindale Hubble. While I haven't seen the proposal yet (and fully acknowledge that they could well be offering services worth $2500/mo), from what I've heard so far, it sounds like they'd get a templated website that is used for every other law firm who uses this company, new keyword rich copy for the site, and possibly some other services.

    To me, $2500 seems like a lot for that if we're talking a basic site template with a couple pages of generic legal content. I'm personally of the school that you could maybe pay a one-time fee for a nice custom design, and outsource content creation and submission to article sites and directories to companies that specialize in that and do it for cheap.

    Didn't mean to imply that SEO services in general weren't potentially worth that much, just that from what I'd heard so far it didn't sound like this was the case.

    BTW, if anybody has any recommendation for people who do content creation/submission for law firms, by all means PM me.
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    • Profile picture of the author krishananda
      Originally Posted by maestero2010 View Post

      2500$/mo is really a rare thing to hear.......in this budget you can easily use adwords to achieve good ranking for competetive keywords.....that what you can expect from spending 2500$ a month
      A one time fee of $2500 is really possible, as the OP clarified on his post, the company that offered the service probably offer an optimized sites from the scratch.

      Originally Posted by Haltingpoint View Post

      Great input everybody--much appreciated. There is some additional information I can share which might clarify some things...

      First, this is a law firm, second, one of the SEO firms they're talking with is Martindale Hubble. While I haven't seen the proposal yet (and fully acknowledge that they could well be offering services worth $2500/mo), from what I've heard so far, it sounds like they'd get a templated website that is used for every other law firm who uses this company, new keyword rich copy for the site, and possibly some other services.
      But $2500/month I'd expect the company provides me with full SEO works - white hat that is - winning on the keywords of my choice for as long as possible.
      Maintain contents on the site then optimize every page on the site.
      And the service that would make my company's brand exist online.
      Kinda like brand building, create and maintain accounts on social sites, ads on high traffic relevant sites, CRM, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author JJOrana
    I have to ask them first what EXACTLY they're going to do.

    If it's like link farming or mass directory submission, I'll run away fast.

    There are lots SEO scammers out there. The bad news is, the effect of their "black hat" will not immediately visible.

    You'll see the results by the time you have already paid them.

    If in anyway, they violate Google's recommendation in designing a site, get out.
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  • Profile picture of the author krishananda
    Dburk is absolutely right, you can view SEO in different kind of sides.
    If you do SEO in packages i.e. social bookmarking, directory submissions, articles, squidoo, etc. then you can always do it yourself.

    But if you are providing full blown total SEO solutions you won't be saying it easy task.
    There are lots of things to be concerned, analysis, work system, structured reporting, the work paradigm for ongoing SEO, and the most important thing is the end result to be expected.

    What I am most concern right now is pricing and clients education. If you are living in a country like mine, you would surely face this issue.
    You could say most people here think that if you could do it yourselves to save money (even though it takes time), why bother hire anyone else.

    I wonder if anyone has the same experience like this?
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  • Profile picture of the author maestro2010
    2500$/mo is really a rare thing to hear.......in this budget you can easily use adwords to achieve good ranking for competetive keywords.....that what you can expect from spending 2500$ a month
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