Choosing SEO Firm for Search Engine Optimization
Monte: Now what about the philosophy of registering keywords as domain names for the same purposes of driving traffic to one’s web site. Many people feel that’s a good strategy and some people feel that it’s not. What’s your take on that and what are you telling your clients in that relation?
David: What do you mean register keywords? In pay-per-click campaigns or as terms of domains?
Monte: In terms of domains.
David: Well, if the keywords connect should generate good traffic, again it’s probably worthwhile having if it’s product specific to your company’s solutions or products that your offering. We probably, in our case, I believe we’ve registered just about every product name that we own and offer directly. So, we perceive that if you are being branded under a particular product and consumers out there will recognize you under that product name or keyword name, then they’re more likely to type that into a domain or search for you by that. By having actually that domain name, that you then redirect to your main web site, you’re basically covering your bases.
Monte: Right. That’s a very good strategy. So, you know a couple of things that we’ve picked up here are the dash in between your domain names, if you have a 2- or 3-word domain name, is important probably only for search engine relevance, but you want to definitely focus in on registering your domain name as the single word as if it was one word combined.
David: I would definitely recommend that for all of our clients to do that.
Monte: Right. And then keywords, to register those as domain names if they are relevant to the products or services that you provide on the web, to cover yourself.
David: That’s right. Especially if you have some of those terms trademarked, it always great to be covered that way as well.
Monte: Oh yea, for sure.
David: Because you never know whose likely to register a domain name and then try to piggy back off your own branding and off your own networks.
Monte: Right. That’s a great point. You just got back from SES I understand as well. We had Noel McMichaels on the air last week. At SES, what are some of the top, hottest things to look forward to in the next 12 months in search and directly related to your business?
David: There’s probably far too much to go into. There’s always something going on. That’s the best thing about this entire industry. It’s very dynamic and it’s fast-moving, and there’s always something great on the horizon if not already just being launched. For example, MSN came out with their Beta search solution.
Monte: I heard they did a pretty good job on launching that product at SES in Chicago this month.
David: Yes, fairly impressive booth in comparison to everybody else; but that was fairly expected of MSN, which also makes you think what the paid inclusion program will be. Because they did drop hints that there is something coming on board, but just when they didn’t disclose.
Monte: What do you think it is?
David: We’ll see.
Monte: [Laughing] Okay. And what’s the other big thing that you noticed from the show?
David: It’s just how competitive it is. We noticed that many of the SEO firms [inaudible]. It’s very hard now to compete against everybody else. Everyone seems to be quieting that they’re a full service SEO firm, and it makes it very hard for any clients to distinguish what a full-service solution is from one to the other. It just makes you think how you need to market yourself to actually stand out in the crowd.
Monte: Right. So when you’re shopping for an SEO firm or someone to bring your identity on line, what are the two top things that you can think of that one should definitely be on the lookout for when they’re interviewing an SEO firm to take on a campaign for them?
David: There’s a lot of criteria. Most important is the response time. Whether they actually take a week or two to reply to your email or telephone call. That’s the first indicator. And two, could be locality, where they’re based, whether they can actually manage your account fairly quickly and would be responsive to your needs. And one of the crucial parts always is experience. What they do, what other clients they have, testimonials that they can provide, etc. So you can make sure that yes they do that type of work and they do that type of work well.
Monte: Alright, well that’s great. Well, David, we really appreciate your time today. I know we’re going to be giving you a buzz here in a little bit after we get done with the show; so we’ll give you a buzz in a little bit. I really appreciate your time today and maybe you can hang out, I don’t know if you’re online in the chat area, but I’m sure people are going to be asking some questions.
David: Well, sure. Definitely a pleasure. Always a pleasure to be at WebMasterRadio.FM, so.
Monte: Well, great, we really appreciate it.
David: I think last time we did participate in the chat and happened to log on as well.
Monte: Okay. Great. Well I really appreciate it, and thanks for being so far away and yet so close.
David: Indeed.
Monte: Alright. We’ll be back with you in a little bit. We’re going to break for an advertising break, and we’ll be right back in a couple minutes to wrap up the show.
David: Alright. Take care and Merry Christmas to everyone.
Monte: Thank you. Bye, Bye.
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