subject: How To Compare Seo Plans [print this page] When looking at options for improving your search engine rankings, first look at the company providing the service. Not all SEO companies are the same, and just because an agency says we do SEO, it doesnt mean they do it well. Agencies that can provide sound SEO plans are ones with the following characteristics:
Proven track record in improving clients search rankings
Permanent staff and management in place who are well-versed in the complexities of search engine optimization
A design team that understands what makes a website attractive to search engines and what makes it unattractive
Representatives who, while in full understanding of the depths of search technology, can talk to you about it in a way you understand
Personnel who can show you various SEO plans and explain the pros and cons of each
What to look for in a good SEO plan
Before you can compare plans, you need to understand what goes into a good one. Well look at two phases of the development of SEO plans here.
Typically analysis gets the ball rolling as an agency reviews your competitors, performs key word research, evaluates the status of your current website (assuming you have one) and makes recommendations for your website redesign and linking, both internally and externally.
The foundation on which all effective SEO strategies rest is the selection of key words and phrases. A key word or phrase is what surfers type into search engine search boxes to take them where they want to go. Key word researchers in top-performing agencies know that the most obvious word or phrase isnt always the one most used. Thats why research is so important in developing key words and phrases for any particular company.
After the best key words are determined, designers begin putting together a site with all the known strategies for optimization. Here are some of the tasks theyll perform:
Develop an XML sitemap
Work with robots.txt
Create verification and meta tags
Perform image optimization
Write content that is fully optimized
Rewrite any duplicate content thats already on the site
Perform schema.org setup
Set up a blog and do RSS integration
Create 404 error pages
Perform link baiting
Set up Google Analytics
These are just the first two phases of developing SEO plans that an experienced agency will initiate. When comparing plans, remember to look first for an agency with a proven SEO track record and then listen to their ideas closely. Not all SEO companies are the same, and as a business owner, its your responsibility to evaluate meticulously the ones you speak with.
