When you look at a new customer's site...

What are the 5 things you look for first before commencing any SEO work (remember, these are sites already created).

I would look at:

1. Current backlinks
2. Keywords
3. Current Keyword ranking
4. HTML code
5. Site wide linking strategy

Your thoughts and opinions...

I am sure I left something obvious out...

 

I would look at competitors too

 

Well I would think there are more thank just 5 things, as you mentioned, so I'll add on.

6. Title tags (goes with HTML code, but is soo often under-optimzed)
7. Competition's (the ones with better ranking for your keywords) backlinks
8. Secondary Keywords/phrases (expand/get more specific with the ones you have) ie. Brown widgets to Mini Brown Widgets
9. Meta Descriptions (Would want good Call to Actions and Keywords)
10. Web site structure (Having more pages in root directory is better, get rid of excessive folders)

I could get more detailed, but that is good for now.

Good thread.

 

I don't know how good it is, there are only three of us taking part so far...

 

Are these question you ask yourself before deciding whether to take the job or after the fact when you already committed?

 

I'll join in

11. Site URL structure, (Not too many variables in the URL etc)
12. In-site linking (Including site map)
13. Use of session variables
14. HTTP headers (You'd be amazed what you see in there some times)

 

No, just the process either before or after starting. I just thought there were so many of us on here, that it would be a nice idea to have a list. Then, if we have 3 good SEO's who do things a tad different but were able to incorporate one or two other things someone else does, it would make them GREAT.....

PS: That could be the cold medicine speaking... piss pouring rain and I was working outside all day yesterday...

 

You'll also have to find out about accessing the site. Some clients don't even have direct FTP access.

Also check robots.txt. Can show some surprises as well.

 

Add it to the list

 

Geez

15 You'll also have to find out about accessing the site. Some clients don't even have direct FTP access.
16 Also check robots.txt. Can show some surprises as well.

 

Everytime this post flips a page, I (or someone else) should compile the list...

 

Like this... 16 is a good start

1. Current backlinks
2. Keywords
3. Current Keyword ranking
4. HTML code
5. Site wide linking strategy
6. Title tags (goes with HTML code, but is soo often under-optimzed)
7. Competition's (the ones with better ranking for your keywords) backlinks
8. Secondary Keywords/phrases (expand/get more specific with the ones you have) ie. Brown widgets to Mini Brown Widgets
9. Meta Descriptions (Would want good Call to Actions and Keywords)
10. Web site structure (Having more pages in root directory is better, get rid of excessive folders)
11. Site URL structure, (Not too many variables in the URL etc)
12. In-site linking (Including site map)
13. Use of session variables
14. HTTP headers (You'd be amazed what you see in there some times)
15 You'll also have to find out about accessing the site. Some clients don't even have direct FTP access.
16 Also check robots.txt. Can show some surprises as well.

 

17. Check if the website work with different explorers (ie. Firefox)
18. HTML compression and image compression.
19. Info about the host, where is it located etc.

 

20. Change your useragent to see what Search Engines see.
21. Look at in in Lynx

 

22. Do a Xenu Links Sleuth run.
23. Do a NetMechanic run.
24. With FF's Web Developer Toolbar, inspect the entire page with aal the 'outline' and 'info' and other tools.

 

25. CSS and HTML Validation from Tidy and W3C

 

Really? For an SEO evaluation?

 

Yea, I like to get an idea of what the person before me has done...

 

Ah... I guess that makes sense... Valid HTML is only a good thing anyway...

 

How about a glimpse at the wayback machine just FYI.