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How to select a search engine optimization firm

Often in business forums, discussion threads or social networking groups I'll see a query from someone looking for a SEO company or consultant. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a search engine optimization and marketing vendor since there is often a learning curve for companies that have never used one before. Here are some considerations and resources to help companies approach vendor selection more methodically than taking the first firm that's recommended. A lot of top SEO firms are in a position to pick and choose their clients so it's best to be very specific about your goals and

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Filed In: Search Engines and Software Services & Applications
2005-09-02
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Often in business forums, discussion threads or social networking groups I'll see a query from someone looking for a SEO company or consultant. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a search engine optimization and marketing vendor since there is often a learning curve for companies that have never used one before. Here are some considerations and resources to help companies approach vendor selection more methodically than taking the first firm that's recommended. A lot of top SEO firms are in a position to pick and choose their clients so it's best to be very specific about your goals and any requirements you have. Some resources for selecting SEO firms include: SEMPO - This is the leading search engine marketing industry association web site. You can submit a project request and SEMPO members will reply. There are currently 405 members world wide. SEO Consultants - Strict inclusion guidelines for this directory of search engine optimization specialists and companies makes sure vendors do not engage in search spamming. They claim to reject 70% of the consultants that apply. There are 150 SEO consultants and firms currently included. Marketing Sherpa's Guide to SEO Firms, 4th Edition - Offers a very detailed look at 121 Organic SEO firms. Yes you have to pay $149 for the guide, but the information allows you to compare firms on may levels ranging from clients to pricing to tactics. Marketing Profs Vendor Selector - This is a newer list of the top SEM and SEO firms with additional information on each. There are 48 world wide SEO firms listed. TopSEOs.com - Ranks the top 30 SEO firms world wide each month based on competitive advantages, services and pricing levels support, unique attributes and performance. There are other sites that list SEO companies like seopros.org and semlist.com but the criteria are not as stringent for inclusion. Also, here is a good article from Search Engine Watch on SEO Vendor selection based on a Search Engine Strategies session. While my SEO firm, TopRank is listed in every resource I've mentioned above, I think the best course of action would be to establish specific criteria and gather a list of SEO companies from a variety of sources: referrals, industry resources, forums, and even conferences and then interview each candidate firm according to the criteria you've established. This can take some time, but the payoff can be a high value, appropriate cost relationship with a SEO vendor that best meets your needs in the short and long term. Tags: ,
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