Thanks for taking timeout and setting the SEO dinner table Nick. You make very good points that lead to favorable SEO results without question.

I would add a little side dish – SEO is sometimes like a taste test – SEO is not ONE SIZE FITS ALL. In my experience each client starts with basic standards. Google Local Business Center for example is a nobrainer that leads to Google as a BFF.

SEO is an art “the more you learn from what you do, you do less trying.” Like you mentioned being organic and growing a small business in a natural way. I had a client go against this rule and my suggestion not to hammer link building. What happen aka the result was Google put the website in a sandbox for 4 months even after the client stopped the reckless SEO that was juicy on the outside and bitter at the gut.

I tell my clients that we can be aggressive in many areas that add up to a healthy, viral, and custom designed SEO picture. I provide growth charts and regular communications to advise or manage SEO ROI.

Using a healthy SEO plan has awarded oevae.com a #1 listing on Google when you search for the “best marketing consultants in the world”

This is Gibron Williams, Head Honcho at Oevae Marketing Consultans and these are my opinions.

Hi Gibron, aka. Head Honcho,
Thanks for taking the time to read the post and provide a very good follow up. I think you nailed this on the head when you mentioned excellent client communication. There are certain type of SEO clients that want to know everything and why and other that really don’t care but just want the great end result of good overall ROI. I try to find a balance that is within a comfort zone of a client and to communicate as much or as little as they would like as I do my job for them…

Anyway, thanks again for reading!

HI Nick.
This is a great post that you’ve placed here. The points that you have highlighted are alot of points that I try to highlight with clients embarking on SEO and trying to integrate it with their marketing strategy. I think in the future, there is going to be an increasing trend towards search engine manipulation vs search engine marketing, and what we want clients to have is the latter.

The other great thing you pointed out was rankings as a KPI. I also try to stress that rankings are not the be all and end all, but rather a part of a combination of KPI’s that will help with websites leads from organic search.

Great post once again!

Hi David,
Thanks for the kind words and for reading! It is really all about search engine marketing not manipulation (well said!)…anyway, thanks again for reading!

Completely agree! Great post!

Thanks for the post- glad to see I’m not the only one saying these things! Another point that I do make to clients about rankings and traffic to their site: I can explode traffic to the site, but if the site is not user friendly or there is no “call to action”, they still will not see the increase in sales which they may be looking for. Clients think that just because people find their site- they will buy… The site itself is key to the client’s willingness to engage a sale or contact.
Love your posts- and Happy New Year to you!

What a great post. Every SEO type firm should hang it on the lunch room wall and make it a part of the employee handbook.

Thank you for these tips, I want to learn how to increase my ranking but to do it the right way. Your advice is always invaluable

Nick ~ As always you provide excellent advice and I really enjoy your honest approach to SEO. One thought, I truly believe a majority of SEO requires the participation of my clients. I encourage them to get involved with content issues and the process where it make sense. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks and happy holidays!

Hi Nick,

I would say simply awesome post:-) Thanks for putting your efforts.

I agree SEO industry is becoming tougher and tougher day by day and now a day’s many SEO’s(me too) discuss with Client’s not just focus on rankings, SEO is not about rankings only it’s something though to help in improving overall business online visibility.

SEO’s need to think as business marketer and work on metric’s which not only improve site ranking’s but also increases the overall business revenue generation, which I think is the prime objective of every client/site owner.

So better concentrate much on online activities which can bring more business to Client’s site.

Thanks Again!…Merry X’mas & New Year Wishes in advance, hope to see many more interesting articles in 2010.

Hi Nick

Thanks for another great post.

I would say that SEO is now is evolving into something more like search marketing. It’s becoming common knowledge to many that tweaking pages and adding a few back links is simply not enough.

All the items in your list, except number 2, are common to most types of business, and as SEO establishes itself as a mainstream industry, they will become more widely frowned upon and hopefully a thing of the past

A Merry Christmas to you.

Regards

Rifki

Reg

More sage advice from the best SEO authority online.
Thanks Nick! Great list.

I will add that white hat SEO is so rewarding. It is lovely to see your website do well in the ranking, but it is even better to know that it has been done in a way that is sustainable! Google loves me and it is a deep, emotional and intellectual relationship, not a one-night stand! I ain’t that kind of girl!
Merry Christmas!
Lorraine

Thanks everyone for your comments and sharing your thoughts! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Thanks for the good tips. It’s always good to know when you’re on the right track.

Hi Natalie,
Thanks for reading and your kind words!

Fun post, but I found your first comment from Head Honcho even more amusing. If you look at the source code of his site you will see many examples of ‘Things SEO People Should Never Do’ – he has multiple title tags that seemingly never end, etc.

It’s a train wreck to put it lightly…

Hi Brian,

Thanks for reading and your comment!

Nice post, but it’s not going to change much… however maybe a little nudge in the right direction. We started with full transparency in SEO and plan to stick with it.

Hi Dejan,
Thanks for reading, the key is to really stick with your plan and change over time based on the results…

Nick, excellent post. I like how you call out SEO people who either offer unrealistic guarantees or those that are hesitant to reveal what they are doing on behalf of a client. I think in this business you succeed not just through obtaining results, but developing relationships with the people your working for.

Thanks for the concise reminder list; good, solid, appropriate methods, anticipating change and evolving to meet new challenges – without underhand tactics – really are the way forward in any form of marketing. It’s good to see those values reaffirmed.

Yes Nick, that is very much true, several people jump into this SEO business without knowing how to promote online. We offer dedicated SEO professionals on lease, and I called one SEO company if they want to hire some, the SEO companies are looking to hire SEO for pennies in Asia. Some don’t know English and still do their job, now you can figure out what the outcome would be.

We surely need an governing or regulatory agency in our SEO industry.

Hi Scott,
Relationships are very important for sure! If you are honest with your SEO client then you can do your job better and achieve better long term results.

Hi Ian,
Thanks for reading and your comment.

Hi Rick
I agree with you 100% there should be a governing body in the SEO industry, a true 501c3 non-profit organization that cleans up our industry and helps clients make better decisions of what type of firm or SEO consultant to hire based on their needs and business goals.