Finding SEO help

Here are some tips on choosing a person or firm to do your search-engine optimization.


• Begin at the beginning. Improperly coded sites can quickly get lost in cyberworld. It's best to build SEO capability into the site at the start.

• Beware of guarantees. Keep in mind that no company can offer an iron-clad guarantee to increase ranking unless you're willing to pay a fee for placement.

• Consider the cost for updates. If a site is correctly built, hefty monthly fees shouldn't be necessary to accommodate changes in technology.

• Ask about key word research. An SEO provider will spend time in key-word research to find out what visitors to your site are typing in to reach your product or service.

• Create clean content. Writing a Web site is similar to writing a book. Each page can be considered a different chapter. Text should be in small, easy-to-read sections with titles and be properly tagged.

• Know your business. Be prepared to provide a recap of your target market, including key products or services, niche markets and anything else that makes your firm unique.

• Watch for 'black hat' procedures. A reputable SEO specialist will not put your site in jeopardy by using unethical key-word techniques that may cause it to be blacklisted among search engines.

• Skip the splash. Search engines do not recognize pages that open with an interactive Flash installation, called a "Splash."

• Look for longevity. Hire a Web professional who is committed to the field, not a part-timer or hobbyist. Ask about length of service, previous projects and educational background.