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As long as there have been search engines there have been people claiming to be SEO pros/gurus/wizards/ninjas. These so called “experts” make amazing claims and promise you the world of rankings. However, in the end these charlatans often do more damage than good.
So, in hopes in saving a few souls from the dark side I introduce 6 tips in unearthing a true SEO Jedi.
6. Realistic Results – It is not uncommon to desire to have thousands of people to come to your website overnight—it’s human nature. However, it is also unrealistic, particularly with SEO. Yet, the SnakEOil salesperson will prey upon this desire in hopes to make a quick sale. A true Search Engine Optimization Jedi knows that SEO takes time and grows slowly. He or she will layout guidelines that must be met in order receive results that are realistic for your website.
5. Measurable Conversions - A true SEO Jedi knows that rankings and traffic mean nothing without conversions. Having conversions should be the real purpose of your website, and a SEO Jedi should work with you on converting the traffic that comes with rankings. Also, measuring the efforts for these conversions are absolutely critical. A SEO Jedi is not afraid in having his or her efforts measured (in fact, he or she should demand it).
4. Balanced Efforts - There must be balance in the SEO Force. Only optimizing your website without focusing on external factors (or visa versa) is a strong signal that you are not working with a SEO Jedi. A whole picture approach is a must and SEO Jedis knows this. A SEO Jedi also knows that they cannot always provide the entire solution, and will work closely with many others who can. Any one person who claims to have the entire solution should be seriously scrutinized.
3. Proven Results - Does one become a SEO Jedi without practice? Of course not, and therefore you should ask to speak with past clients and see current rankings. If he or she dances around this request than there are two possibilities: 1) there are no past clients, or 2) there are no past clients who are willing to validate the SEO expert. Both scenarios are bad and should be avoided. A SEO Jedi may not have hundreds of clients or rankings (since SEO takes a lot of work), but he or she should be able to provide satisfied customers for you to speak with.
2. Transparency - There really isn’t any great secret source to SEO. A SEO Jedi is willing to showcase any method that is used and shouldn’t be reluctant in sharing them with you. Most SEO Jedis realize that people need knowledge to make educated decisions. Not knowing what techniques are being used on your website can lead you down a dangerous path.
1. Ethical Techniques – This ties in well with #2. Many SEO Jedis have gone to the Dark Side and this is not where you want your website to be. Spammy backlinks, cloaked pages, stuffed keywords, and many other tactics will get your website banned. Demand that your SEO Jedi is 100% white had and with the Force. The stronger the white hat the stronger the Force is with any SEO Jedi!
Love the Demotivator, you are really good at those!
I feel like I’ve been trying to work my own SEO (since I have no money) and I’ve been somewhat successful (the Google toolbar says my page rank is a three – in just three months) So I guess I’m asking you what an SEO professional would tell me to do differently than what I’m already doing. Since I know you’re a Jedi. Jennie recently posted..Tuesday Funnies
@Jennie: First, congrats on your hard work. You are definitely doing the number one thing in SEO right—continually working at it.
Without knowing too much of what you are doing I cannot offer much assistance. However, the one mistake I often see both new and experienced website owners doing is focusing too much on their page rank.
To me page rank is very similar to a vanity license plate. It is nice to have one, but it doesn’t help your car function any better. I have seen websites with low page rank be able to do rather well in the search engines.
Your main focus should be building your website trust and authority. You do this by having great content and powerful websites linking to this content. These two main elements help your website to move up the search engines and to build a loyal community.
I know this is generic advice. If you can give me more insight to areas you want to improve on, or what you are doing exactly I can hopefully be more specific.
Love the Demotivator, you are really good at those!
I feel like I’ve been trying to work my own SEO (since I have no money) and I’ve been somewhat successful (the Google toolbar says my page rank is a three – in just three months) So I guess I’m asking you what an SEO professional would tell me to do differently than what I’m already doing. Since I know you’re a Jedi.
Jennie recently posted..Tuesday Funnies
@Jennie: First, congrats on your hard work. You are definitely doing the number one thing in SEO right—continually working at it.
Without knowing too much of what you are doing I cannot offer much assistance. However, the one mistake I often see both new and experienced website owners doing is focusing too much on their page rank.
To me page rank is very similar to a vanity license plate. It is nice to have one, but it doesn’t help your car function any better. I have seen websites with low page rank be able to do rather well in the search engines.
Your main focus should be building your website trust and authority. You do this by having great content and powerful websites linking to this content. These two main elements help your website to move up the search engines and to build a loyal community.
I know this is generic advice. If you can give me more insight to areas you want to improve on, or what you are doing exactly I can hopefully be more specific.
Best of luck!
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