If you're like most people, your phone has been ringing off the hook and your inbox has been stuffed with unsolicited messages from so-called SEO experts who promise to get your website to the number one position on the first page of Google.  Don't buy it.

 

I mean, literally, don't buy it.  I've seen too many promises with price tags that are overinflated.  With the decline in business spending, many media companies have been forced to sell other services - specifically online.  They have trained their staff to sell Pay Per Click programs and Search Engine Optimization for websites.  But remember, these people are not experts.  They are merely salespeople who have shifted their focus from one medium to another.  You'll be paying for an expertise that doesn't exist.

 

Additionally, there are many people working from their homes claiming the same things.  Many even boast of "secret" partnerships with Google, Yahoo or Bing.  Don't be duped.  Google guidelines clearly state that there is no special price break for anyone.  Click this link to learn more:  http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35291&cbid=1pzf1bq6oexis&src=cb&lev=answer 

 

Am I saying there's no way to optimize your website for search engines?  No. The bottom line is - be leery of anyone selling you search engine marketing or online ad campaigns like Pay Per Click and promising the moon.  Most of these people are dramatically marking up the cost and giving you poor key positions for your ad.  Google even says "Reserve the same skepticism for unsolicited email about search engines as you do for 'burn fat at night' diet pills or requests to help transfer funds from deposed dictators."

So what's a business owner to do?  First, do a little research.  There's plenty of information out there.  The Google site above is a great place to start.  Educate yourself.  Then find a marketing partner you can trust.  If your agency truly has your best interests in mind, they will show you the Pay Per Click price they pay.  If there is a mark-up, it should be fair and known to both parties involved.  At Cowtown, we will run your search engine marketing campaign fairly and honestly.  We know the ways to get your website seen (keywords, page descriptions, metatags, etc.) and we know the practices that violate search engine guidelines and will get your site removed.  We want our clients to succeed and we have the track record to prove it.  Call us at (913) 649-4040 and we'll optimize your website and help set up and manage your online marketing to give you real results at a fair price.