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Hiring SEO Agencies

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by serialentre, Apr 16, 2015.

  1. #1
    Hi all,

    I have a few questions regarding SEO.

    I understand that SEO needs to be organic and keywords stuffing may or may not work because google updates their algo from time to time. Someone here mentioned that it's a moving target. I wrote a blog post in 2012, and if someone types "best forex broker in Singapore, he/she will find that it ranks on the first page of google. I just checked the results page, and it's still there. I am very surprised because I didn't expect it to be such a hit.

    This is the page - http://myforextradingroom.blogspot.sg/2011/04/best-forex-brokers-in-singapore.html

    First question

    1. With my limited understanding and no "official" training of SEO, I would like to know if it is worth it to hire SEO agencies to help with website ranking? I have clients who want to push their websites up to the first page. What is the advantage of hiring versus writing quality and targeted content by myself?

    Second question

    2. This website displays the various categories on the SERP. How is this achieved? Is it done through submission of sitemaps?

    [​IMG]

    Third question

    3. If SEO is something that can be done without the help of SEO agencies, where should I begin?

    Appreciate any help with my questions. Thank you!
     
    serialentre, Apr 16, 2015 IP
  2. autospa

    autospa Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Here are the answers:
    1) It is good to hire an agency because only content is not enough, unless and until, you are very good in content marketing.

    2) These are known as sitelinks, which are generated automatically.

    3) Hire someone good who knows about the latest trends and strategies to tackle Google Animals (Algorithms). Like me!
     
    autospa, Apr 17, 2015 IP
  3. RogerDale

    RogerDale Greenhorn

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    #3
    Hiring some GOOD Seo agency, you can get really GOOD results. But it all depends on the quality of one's service. If you decide on hiring a SEO agency make sure that they'll analyze carefully your target group and send monthly reports for you to verify their work . In my opinion, one of the biggest advantages of SEO agencies is their database that they've often created for years.
     
    RogerDale, Apr 17, 2015 IP
  4. webmaster44

    webmaster44 Member

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    #4
    Listing in google depends on lot of factors. If you go on writing articles without doing any proper seo, even though your site will list in google sometimes or most of the times. But if you target particular keywords and plan to list in google then it wont happen without doing proper seo. At this moment you must do lot of things like on-page seo, off-page seo, and check your competitors.
     
    webmaster44, Apr 17, 2015 IP
  5. serialentre

    serialentre Member

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    #5
    Thanks for all your replies. Learnt a good deal from your perspectives!
     
    serialentre, Apr 19, 2015 IP
  6. Patricia Ann Lee

    Patricia Ann Lee Active Member

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    #6
    1. I'd rather suggest that you at least spend some time learning the SEO basics before considering acquiring SEO services.
    It is important that you have a knowledge on how SEO works, so you'll understand the work-around.
    2. I believe it is up to google to pull such information from a certain website, especially if they find it valuable.
    3. Begin on reading seo blog sites like MOZ and Search engine watch, you can learn a lot from it. :)
     
    Patricia Ann Lee, Apr 19, 2015 IP
  7. serialentre

    serialentre Member

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    #7
    Thanks Patricia for the pointers.

    3. I do read them from time to time. They're the authority sites on SEO. My only question with regards to these sites is that how do we verify the accuracy of the content on their sites? Part of the problem with the internet is that there are TOO MUCH resources around, isn't it? Readers, who don't know better, will not be able to differentiate between what is true and what is half-true. This is an area I wish to devote time to, but the results are only measured 3-6 months(unlike programming for web or mobile apps where feedback is almost immediate) from the time I start engaging in SEO best practices.

    Besides reading the authoritative sites, how does one practice and understand how proper SEO works, and implement it?

     
    serialentre, Apr 19, 2015 IP
  8. Shawn Dickson Swail

    Shawn Dickson Swail Member

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    #8
    I would like to inform that as per my experience you need to hire someone who know very well about SEO with old strategy and new strategy. Because Google applies new rule for better search results, that is why we need to follow If We ignore these then our website would be dropped all Google ranking and Google send our website in Google send box. That is the reason we need to do SEO carefully If client want to stay ranking in the top for a long time.
     
    Shawn Dickson Swail, Apr 19, 2015 IP
  9. Pillai.G

    Pillai.G Well-Known Member

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    #9
    The display of the screenshot you had on the thread is done with the help of schema mark up. However, if you have categories on your website and all the categories is filled with appropriate content it occurs naturally. As for hiring SEO agency it is highly welcomed. However, it depends on your business goals. Ask yourself these questions.

    1. Is my business highly reliable on the Internet and will it help on increasing my ROI?
    2. Is my niche highly competitive and is it worth spending on online campaigns to generate more leads?
    3. Are you looking to get first page on search engine for your keyword terms or you are looking to generate more sales and revenue?

    I hope it helps!
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2015
    Pillai.G, Apr 20, 2015 IP
  10. serialentre

    serialentre Member

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    #10
    Good points! Thanks!

     
    serialentre, Apr 20, 2015 IP
  11. patco

    patco Well-Known Member

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    #11
    It's always recommended to hire an agency, if the webmaster doesn't have enough knowledge in SEO, but it depends on the budget and the possible return of the website! ;)
     
    patco, Apr 20, 2015 IP
  12. Katherine Noto

    Katherine Noto Member

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    #12
    hi instead of hiring an seo agent it is better to learn seo and then do with your own it helps a lot,,,
     
    Katherine Noto, Apr 21, 2015 IP
  13. kashifmahmood

    kashifmahmood Well-Known Member

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    #13
    I will provide some insight for your points no. 1 and 3.

    1) Generating quality and unique content is one of the essential elements of SEO but not entirely SEO. You said you ranked your article but you might not be lucky enough to rank articles on topics that have millions of pages already ranking in Google. This is where you might need a helping hand. If you have the technical knowledge on SEO and link building then you can do it yourself but if not then getting assistance would be a better option.

    2) These are site links for the same site which are generated by Google based on popularity and traffic trends to those pages.

    3) If you want to start with learning SEO I suggest you go through Webmaster guidelines and SEO best practices articles that you can find by Google as well as by Bing which would give you a nice start.
     
    kashifmahmood, Apr 21, 2015 IP
  14. Pillai.G

    Pillai.G Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Not all business owners have sufficient time to take the time and learn and apply SEO. Their time are more precious to be spent in other areas.
     
    Pillai.G, Apr 21, 2015 IP
  15. serialentre

    serialentre Member

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    #15
    Thanks for your insights. Appreciate it.

    1) Ah okay, that's true. That's something new that I haven heard about.

    2) Cool, thanks!

    3) I will definitely sit through those readings.

    Besides the two readings that you recommended, are there any official readings/materials/courses that SEO specialists go through?

     
    serialentre, Apr 21, 2015 IP
  16. Patricia Ann Lee

    Patricia Ann Lee Active Member

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    #16
    Yes, it is true that information on the internet can be overwhelming, believe me I've been there but what I realized is that I should have 2-3 resources, which I did. It isn't that hard to choose, it is just a matter of your choice of preference. Plus, I only use other reference when I want to. I actually started out learning SEO by reading a book I got on the internet. It is a bit confusing at first but at least I was able to understand the basics, like what is SEO, how does it works, what are these, what are that blah blah blah.. Until the time came that I was able to practice what I've learned.
    With regards to the accuracy of the content the best thing you can do is to test, test and test. Use those content as an idea. You'll be the one to prove what works for you and what will not. Because SEO is a never ending process, so experiment.
     
    Patricia Ann Lee, Apr 21, 2015 IP
  17. masterbusiness

    masterbusiness Banned

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    #17
    That's right. Better to know first what are your weakness learn first what to do in SEO because you might discover that it was easy and hiring an agency was a waste of money. Try first if you could solve the problem before spending.
     
    masterbusiness, Apr 29, 2015 IP
  18. divya777

    divya777 Member

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    #18
    you need social media with high quality content
     
    divya777, May 21, 2015 IP
  19. Stefano A

    Stefano A Greenhorn

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    #19
    1. It is absolutely worth it to hire an agency for your SEO. Google's algorithm is consistently changing (they've just changed the way they measure "quality") and can be quite difficult for the regular person to keep up to date with the proper practices. Agencies typically have access to sophisticated (and expensive) software & data, and know how to properly analyze this data to translate it into a proper SEO strategy. Keep in mind, SEO is ongoing. It should never be seen as a one time project, but rather an important piece of a strong internet marketing strategy.

    2. Correct! A properly built website that is "SEO Friendly", using the proper tags & sitemap distributions will allow your website to communicate such information with google's bots.

    3. If you have a significant amount of time, and patience, you can always learn things yourself. Just like a mechanic who learns his trade, you can learn SEO! If you don't have the time, I can recommend you an awesome seo optimization agency that has done great work for businesses in all industries!

    Best of luck! #1 Rule: If an agency guarantees that they can get you on the first page they are either lying, or they are magicians!
     
    Stefano A, May 21, 2015 IP