I noticed quite a bit lately that some people don’t understand the concept of SEO services by the Hour. It’s actually a really popular question potential clients ask me. So, I figure let me take a stab at answering the question here in a blog post.
First, let me add, that I hate my domain SEObytheHour.com. I feel it limits what people think I can offer them. Plus it’s rare you can really charge SEO by the Hour. I just bought the domain some years back (because it sounded cool), built some links to it, played around with it and viola, it’s getting action.
But here’s how it goes anyway…
To my knowledge, Google’s SEO algorithm is proprietary. No one can crack it. I’m also willing to bet that some of the smartest, technical minded gurus are working behind the formula to do 1 main thing; deliver the MOST RELEVANT results for its users, so it continues to be the best search engine ever.
That being said; I don’t know SEO.
But I do know 2 things. 2 things that I feel are the core to everything I do. The understanding of these 2 things is what I feel sets me apart from he rest.
- Google is the most used search engine because when people ask/query what they are looking for, they rarely have to go past the 1st page. The sites Google is picking to be #1, 2, 3, 4.. are picked for a reason..
- The best way to figure out how to rank #1 is to dissect the competition; the top rankers. Why are they #1? Is it because they answer every who, what, why, how question there is about your target keyword? Is it because of their links? Check where their links are coming from. How did they obtain them? What do they say? What kind of content is surrounding those links? HOW MUCH WORK DID THEY HAVE TO PUT IN TO RANK #1?
Performing proper keyword and competitive research and utilizing web tools that make virtually everything your competition does transparent allows you gauge how much work you will have to do to compete. I can literally find out everything there is know about your competition and what chances you have to rank for those terms. The questions are, what keywords do you want to go after? Who’s ranking for those keywords? And how much work is needed to compete?
Asking those questions makes it easier to understand SEO by the Hour.
After years of hands-on experience working on all types of web platforms and structures and professionally recording how long everything takes, page by page I can guesstimate how long it would take to optimize your website, no matter the size or how it’s built. Normally, full-fledged SEO is implemented once really strong in the beginning and overtime you will make various changes here and there based on what Google tells you through its rankings.
OK, so onpage is covered. But what about offpage you ask.
Well, when really analyzing your competitors, you can determine why they are number one by using SEO analysis tools and link building tools that give you heaps of information. For some keywords, you can learn that the top guys got away with just doing free directory submissions utilizing their anchor text links. Sometimes the #1 site just did a bunch of articles and guest posted in several niche blogs. Sometimes you find out the top guy has been doing a monthly press release through PR Web for over a year. Or even worst, the top guy is an author of some book that was a New York Times Best Seller that has guest featured in all the top authority and news channels.
Again, I record how long it takes for me to do everything and the cost of what ever is needed. I know how long it takes for me to write a press release or how much it cost to have a professional write one. Same with articles and blog posts. I know how long it takes for me to email 100 webmasters. I know how long it takes for me to guest author in a blog. All in all, I know how to determine how much work is needed to compete with the top guy(s).
Most of the time if someone is coming to me for help, they are going after terms that require WORK. Terms that require 100’s of hours. This is why sometimes SEO has to be performed naturally over a period of time. Luckily I KNOW how long everything takes me to do.
Overtime, you’ll realize that SEO take hours and hours and is an ongoing campaign. After all, isn’t the keyword you going after valuable (to more than just you)?
Still, the most important question to ask yourself is; how can I be the most relevant site to the next 1 million people that type in the keyword I’m targeting?
Tags: san diego seo, seo by the hour, SEO Notes
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Do not waste your time on other work
just give 100% to SEO !!
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google SEO is rediculously hard to crack, and I don’t think it can be done actually. I heard even the guys to deal w/ the algorithms aren’t sure how it all works…the computer almost thinks for itself…scary. :)
Yes I understand now, ranking on google is not a easy matter. I have to spent more time on SEO. You are give right idea at right time.
I don’t think people understand the value of SEO yet, but I do think it’s coming. Most people think it’s too expensive and too unnecessary, and they don’t see the results of it (mainly because they don’t know what they are looking for..). SEO is about to hit it big time, so prepare ..