A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.
By John Privette, WSBDC regional director
“I have identified a few Search Engine Optimization (SEO) service providers for my business website. What can I expect?” Sally, Cheyenne
The services offered by SEO providers usually vary from company to company. Listed are five expectations that serve as a rule of thumb:
-- The SEO service provider should provide you with an analysis of your website. This analysis should examine all SEO elements currently configured or missing on your website and include an explanation as to why the SEO element is important.
-- Ideally, the SEO service provider should have an SEO project manager who can coordinate and facilitate the required expertise, track your project and compile the necessary reports. This person would be your primary contact. Remember, effective SEO is an iterative, interactive process between you and the company.
-- The SEO service provider should demonstrate the ability to detect changes in search engine algorithms and have procedures to make immediate changes to your website.
-- The SEO service provider should have a reporting system that informs you of the monitoring statistics and ranking status of your website with search engines. At first, this should be a weekly report.
-- The SEO service provider should provide you with a detailed definition of services provided, including price, schedule frequency and deliverables.
In summary, it is important to ask questions about the company’s area of SEO expertise and how it manages an SEO project. Working with a SEO service provider is an interactive process requiring the SEO team to be available for advice, input and feedback as needed.
A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments is available at http://www.wyomingentrepreneur.typepad.com/blog/.
The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922.
