The ABCs of SEO: Part Four
This is the final installment of The ABCs of SEO, as published in the May issue of the TAAR Report. Read part three of this article here.
Hiring a Pro to Optimize Your Site
Just like in Highlander,
there can only be one number one.
If you’ve gotten this far, you may be thinking that, technical as it may be, this SEO thing might be worth a shot. And because of the technical challenges involved, and, undoubtedly, the constraints on your time, you might be thinking about hiring someone to optimize your site for you.
Thankfully, InsureMe’s James Omdahl has some experience in this area and recently wrote a blog post on outsourcing SEO.
The first thing you need to understand, says James, is that the SEO landscape is a dangerous one. “While there are many people out there who know what they are doing, there are many, many more that don’t.”
To avoid working with unscrupulous SEO consultants, James recommends:
Asking for references and proof of past success. “It might take time, but doing so will save you from a lot of heartburn in the future,” James says.
Finding a consultant that only takes one client per vertical. It wouldn’t make much sense for an SEO company to take on two clients trying to rank well for the same keywords. “Just like in Highlander,” James says, “There can be only one number one.”
Working with someone who doesn’t make promises. “SEO is in state of constant flux—and change is the only guarantee,” James reminds us. “You are not going to be number one in Google overnight, and if someone tells you they can make you number one overnight, run.”
Hiring an SEO consultant or firm isn’t always easy and doesn’t guarantee search engine success, James concludes.
“Truth be told, many of the fundamentals of SEO can be learned by reading blogs, eBooks and attending conferences.”
Nonetheless, you are the only one who understands the limitations on your time, so if you decide to outsource SEO, make sure to do your research and keep your expectations in check.
You Won’t Know If You Don’t Try
Search engine marketing in the insurance space isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It’s crowded, littered with the occasional crooked marketer, and can sometimes leave one feeling unrequited and alone.
But jokes aside, employing SEO in combination with PPC advertising is a no-brainer for those looking to generate leads and prospects online. As long as you do your homework and stay realistic about your optimization efforts, you’ll be well on your way to improving your web findability.
For more on SEO and online marketing, including our presentation at last month's HIGH TECC conference, browse all of our online marketing articles.
