Selecting a Search Engine Optimization Company (Part 2)

Ask the search engine optimization company you are
taking into account for a report that shows you rankings across a
number of popular search engines for a period of at least
six months. Remember: search engine marketing is a process
that is continual, and you need a company that not only
comprehends this, but keeps constant tabs on your search
engine positions. That company must also be able to alter
its strategy in the event that search engine rankings drop.

Since search engine marketing is an on-going process, your
positions must be continuously monitored. If you want your
search engine optimization company to do this for you,
ask for a sample of a monthly report. It is necessary that
this report should show rankings for the most popular
search engines. Don't be overwhelmed by a report that only
shows great results for a limited number of small search
engines. These are fairly easy results to acquire. Also
confirm that the popular search engine results they are
showing you are indeed the popular search engines
at present.

Be sure the sample report the company shows you is in a
format that you can easily understand. For example, it
could be in the form of a chart that covers a period of at
least six months and presents data such as the top 50
positions broken down on a monthly basis or the top 10 pages
each month. Then, determine that the company you are
considering actually monitors these positions or pages
every month, and that the sample report they show you
consist of findings and recommendations for the specific
site. This insures that the company will actively monitor
and make alterations to their strategy on a continual basis
rather than simply gather statistics on your positions. You
need a company that is actively participant in your search
engine marketing campaign, not just an information
gatherer.

Obviously, your finances have to figure into your choice of
company, but keep in mind that a search engine optimization
company is crucial the success of your marketing campaign.
It is not just a casual accessory. If you cannot afford a
company that will do a thorough and reliable job for your
website, you might consider waiting until you do have the
finances in place.

If you have to find a company and can't wait for your
finances to catch up, you may be able to find an inexpensive
company that will also be able to supply reliable, quality
work, such as a moderately new company. Just remember that
there are risks involved with using a company without a
verified track record - and that risk is your money! Don't
take that leap unless the company can supply you with a
least a few references.

References are the most reliable pointer of a good
company. Don't use a company that won't show your
references because of any reason, discretion included.

 The company you choose should provide you with a minimum of two
references, one that is from the past, and one that is
current.

When you contact these references, be prepared to ask
defined, specific questions so that neither of your time is
wasted. Ask them what their experience was like with the
company, such as their accessibility to answer questions and
deal with problems and their ability to meet deadlines. Ask
the reference to rate the overall performance of the
company.

Find out if the company requested that the reference make
important changes to their web pages that affected the
visitors coming to their site. You are looking for a search
engine optimization company that can balance the needs of
both search engines and site visitors without compromising
either.

The most indispensable question to ask is whether the work of
the search engine optimization company resulted in higher
profits for the reference. Without profits, it doesn't
matter whether your positions are at the top of the list or
not.