Tea websites or loan websites, it doesn't matter - any website can benefit from paid SEO

A Search Engine Optimization firm can be an invaluable asset in your Internet marketing campaign. They specialize in knowing how to heighten your search engine positions, monitoring those positions regularly, and adjusting their strategies to account for unwanted results in any given month. Since this takes a lot of effort, time, and specialized knowledge, it can be in your best interest to go to an outside source rather than try to maintain high search engine positions on your own.

However, like every business, there are good companies, and there are lemons. Knowing the right questions and the criteria to look for will help you choose an affordable, effective search engine optimization company.

Consider their approach to raise your search engine positions when looking at different companies. To increase your posts, steer clear of companies that use cloaked, doorway, or bridge pages. These techniques violate most search engine policies and, in the worst-case scenario, will only get your website severely penalized if not removed entirely from a search engine's index.

No matter what kind of website you run, it is vital that you do not think that only specific topics would benefit from paid optimization. A website about Tea might help just as much as one about marketing or loans. Why would tea be the subject matter? Well, entirely paid optimization could benefit any subject.

Another essential element is to guarantee that the company you hire will not work with your competitors while they are working for you. This would seriously compromise the effectiveness of the search engine optimization campaign. Be aware that some companies will use the success they achieve for your website to sell their services to your competitors. So get your guarantee in writing, and make sure it is legally binding.

Of course, one of the most critical factors you want to check out is the company's track record of results. However, could you not take the company's word for it? They will undoubtedly be slanting their results to sell their services to you. To go beyond their simple statement of success, ask them a few pertinent questions, and verify their answers.

Also, find out what keywords and phrases they are claiming great results with. It's easy to get high rankings with unpopular words. For instance, the keyword "cat leashes" will get a high popularity ranking because no one else would think of using it. What you are looking for is good results using popular keywords. Check out the software Wordtracker, available at www.wordtracker.com. You can order a free trial or a subscription from 1 day to 1 year. This software rates the popularity of keywords and phrases based on actual search engine use.

Next, look for good results over an entire site that the company claims to have successfully worked for. You want to see a wide range of positions over several different search engines using different keywords or phrases for the entire site. Request a report for any client the company claims to have done well for. This report should show good positions on several popular search engines for various keywords and phrases.

When you are checking out search engine optimization companies, ensure they have done the work they claim to have done. Some companies will use other companies' results to get you to sign on with them. If you are in doubt, call the company they are showing you results for, and ask for the name of their search engine optimization company.

It's important to remember that a successful search engine optimization campaign will result in maximum exposure across a wide range of popular search engines using various keywords and phrases. This is the formula for a successful campaign, and you should always keep it at the forefront of your marketing strategy.

Ask the search engine optimization company you are considering for a report that shows you rankings across several popular search engines for at least six months. Remember: search engine marketing is a continual process, and you need a company that understands this and keeps constant tabs on your search engine positions. That company must also be able to adjust its strategy if search engine rankings drop.

Since search engine marketing is ongoing, your positions must be constantly monitored. If you want your search engine optimization company to do this for you, request a monthly report sample. This report must show rankings for the most popular search engines. Don't be impressed by a description that only shows great results for a limited number of small search engines. These are pretty easy results to acquire. Also, confirm that the popular search engine results they are showing you are indeed the popular search engines currently.

Be sure the sample report the company shows you are in a format you can easily understand. For example, it could be in the form of a chart that covers at least six months and presents data such as the top 50 positions broken down every month or five pages each month. Then, ascertain that the company you are considering monitors these positions or pages monthly and that the sample report they show you includes findings and recommendations for the specific site. This ensures that the company will continually monitor and adjust its strategy rather than gather statistics on your positions. You need a company that actively participates in your search engine marketing campaign, not just an information gatherer.

Your finances have to figure into your choice of the company but bear in mind that a search engine optimization company is crucial to the success of your marketing campaign. It is not just a casual accessory. If you cannot afford a company that will do a thorough and reliable job for your website, you might consider waiting until you have the finances in place.

Suppose you have to find a company and can't wait for your finances to catch up. In that case, you may be able to find an affordable company that will also be able to supply quality, reliable work, such as a relatively new company. Remember that risks involve using a company without a proven track record - and that risk is your money! Don't take that leap unless the company can supply you with a least a few references.

References are the most reliable indicator of a good company. Don't use a company that won't show your references for any reason, confidentiality included. Remember - even doctors will provide references! The firm you choose should provide you with a minimum of two references, one from the past and one current.

When you contact these references, be prepared to ask precise, specific questions so that neither of your time is wasted. Ask them about their experience with the company, such as their availability to answer questions and deal with problems and their ability to meet deadlines. Ask the reference to rate the overall performance of the company.

The essential question to ask is whether the work of the search engine optimization company resulted in higher profits for the reference. Without profits, it doesn't matter whether your positions are at the top of the list or not.

Well, now you are armed with the relevant facts, take the bull by the horns, and your website about Tea, marketing, or absolutely any kind of subject could end up with a new lease of life, and your stats counter could start to rise like a thermometer in a heatwave.