From when you fully grasp you need to seek the services of someone to handle your on the internet advertising initiatives, you are instantly confronted with a very significance matter. Who do you select, and how do you know it function for your business?
You may need to seek the services of on a regular personnel to handle your needs internally; or maybe you just need to delegate some particular items to a private SEO. Or maybe you need a group of experts to make and use a full-scale Web page plan.
Following are just a few tips to help you select the right On the web advertising expert for your organization's website; be it a enterprise or impartial SEO.
The SEO Package
A subject of excellent issue. Most experts believe that it is extremely hard to offer an SEO Company India offer and still offer an excellent assistance. While we do accept a certain level (we don't offer provide with any of our SEO solutions either), there is a place for such solutions.
Should your needs be very primary, or your objectives as simple as "better ratings," then there are a few organizations that offer offers to provide those needs. For example, if you own one resort and need to improve your awareness, then a enterprise with set offers may be what you need.
But if you are a part of home or home control organization, with several qualities in many different places in your selection, then a offer is not what you need. Instead, you will want to seek the services of someone(s) that will evaluate your particular needs regarding each element of your enterprise.
I've seen this circumstance go nasty too many instances. It would add up that what can be done for one website can be done for a few additional, right? Unfortunately, no, that's not the circumstance. With property or home control categories (in maintaining with our example) you will need to deal with such items like the domain names on which each property or home has a site, and should you switch them.
Duplicate content problems are also a big aspect to consider as you may be working with a CMS or have the same person(s) make the same duplicate for every room page for every property or home a number of or so instances.
Also, what if something comes up? This is the Internet we are discussing about; items change record. Will the offer that you purchased make credits to such situations? Will the items in the offer carry up to the long run of Internet marketing?
Either way, even we make use of offers for local SEO, they have to be approved by not only the consumer, but us as well. If a offer isn't going to function for your site, then it wouldn't make much feeling for us to provide it to you.
Who to choose
In situations where you don't need too much awareness or items are "standard," then you can select any type of SEO. An impartial or a enterprise will be able to offer you a service-based on your needs, or you can select to go with a organization that provides you a offer.
Remember though, that if you select a enterprise with offers, you already know what you're about to pay, and it's probably going to be more cost-effective than the rivalry. An experienced will sometimes large it took him or her to evaluate your site and contain the charges for that amount of time in your assistance charges. This may end up providing you the same assistance as a offer out there, with an greater price.
So, small resort in Red Store, Florida? Pick who you will, you're probably safe with a offer. Property Administration Crew with qualities all over or in aggressive markets? Choose a little more wisely; you may need to analysis your customized made SEO choice solutions.
Niche Professionals
You'll also have the choice of buying a expert or enterprise who focuses on providing your market particularly. This too supports its own pros and cons.
A market enterprise will have an practical knowledge of your market, and likely have on-hand an excellent set of locations from which they can get a backlink to your site. They will have a better comprehension at the kinds of objectives that will generate the best alterations, and how to get that visitors to your site.
However, a market expert will likely mistake when it comes a chance to find out which is actually required for your site. They will likely have offers, and will most often set you into one thoughtlessly, regardless of any aspects that would prevent such an offer.
This can also have an affect for the whole organization when a technique they had used gets away from them and becomes a major concentrate of every customer. If the effective characteristics of this technique was instantly ceased, then so to will be the website's ratings and visitors.
For example, it was a typical technique for property SEO organizations to weblink between other actual locations website for their clientele. After all, a agent in Holiday wouldn't normally do enterprise in Atlanta? This technique was used with such indiscretion that when The search engines determined to eliminate such kinds of backlinks, a large number of property sites dropped off the map completely.
You'll also have to fear about the amount of awareness your site will be given. Often instances, when you be given solutions from such a company, your account is considered as just another in the heap of clientele.
Hiring a typical expert will manage you the luxurious of having someone with a broader opportunity of practical knowledge to handle your on the internet advertising initiatives. They will use techniques that a market enterprise wouldn't even think about, because it was something acquired through years of trying and examining and being revealed to different conditions. This might price a little more though.
Where a typical SEO is going to "think outside the box," a market enterprise has their technique thought out out before you even call them. This means that on one palm they will be much gentler on your wallet; on the other, the assistance may not enjoy concealed possibilities and may be lack-luster due to a "quantity of quality" way of considering.
Who to Choose
Shop around. If price is a priority, then perhaps someone who focuses on your market would be the best select. If good quality, then be start to other aspects.
Transparency
The simple fact about On the web advertising is that it is no different than "traditional" advertising. There's a lot of analysis, experience, and several techniques to every technique. However, there aren't many "secrets" that we use to experience a purpose. There is no secret.
It's the best place to talk about the techniques your prospective enterprise or personnel will use to improve ratings and visitors to your site. You don't have to know the gritty information, an review will be good to start with. It's a excellent way to see if they will at least tell you, or will they try to conceal it.
If anyone every says "that's exclusive information," it better be in respect to some instrument they designed to document on a full, not a method used to advertise your site.
If you're considering that it's comprehensible that a expert wouldn't want to talk about his secrets and techniques at the risk of sacrificing a customer, then I answer with this:
Anyone can tell you how to colour, but will you be able to? A physician can tell you exactly what he's going to do during a too difficult, but would you be relaxed enough to complete it yourself? The publish we released on Standing in The search engines Places is a step-by-step, specific guideline on doing just that. But people will go through it and seek the services of us anyway.
This is because a profitable Web page plan needs time, practical knowledge and function. None of which will change into other places of your enterprise. You could spend a long time discovering how to increase your site, but those were a long time missing having someone at the entrance workplace or on the phone.
Who to choose
Someone who will be start and genuine with the techniques they plan to use. It's the best place to learn more about those techniques to guarantee they aren't against a search engine's suggestions, but for now basically comprehension they are willing to talk about is a excellent indication.
Budget
I stored this for last because it really should be the last, and least important identifying aspect (I know, so says the guy who provides SEO).
But it needs to be said that you will indeed get what you pay for. There are organizations of all kinds out there; providing solutions that range in price from $99 monthly to $1000 hourly. Hoaxes aside, you can think about the change in solutions offered by those different suppliers.
Consider rates from a organization's viewpoint. Whatever the cope is, they have to revenue on it. So, for $99 monthly, what can they offer to you while being able to pay 1 or more workers and still make a profit? Not much. I still haven't seen a assistance that was as well truly worth $99 and price $99 monthly. A assistance that is truly worth $99 isn't going to do much for your site anyway, and anything that price such a price is watered down to mean definitely nothing.
I also say that it should be the last factor because there is a flip-side to the typical sense. Selecting a enterprise basically because of a high price will not assurance a better assistance.
Most significantly you should go shopping around and make sure you are relaxed with both the assistance and the price.
Who to choose
There aren't really any challenging regulations for this one. Some private SEOs will be a careful select basically because they don't have the cost of a enterprise. However, perhaps they are extremely specialised or have located themselves as an specialist. In that circumstance, the enterprise may be more careful.From the moment you realize you need to hire someone to handle your online marketing efforts, you are immediately faced with a very importance matter. Who do you choose, and how do you know it will work for your business?
You may need to hire on a full time employee to handle your needs internally; or maybe you just need to outsource some specific items to a freelance SEO. Or maybe you need a team of professionals to create and implement a full-scale Internet marketing campaign.
Following are just a few tips to help you choose the right Internet marketing professional for your company's website; be it a firm or independent SEO.
The SEO Package
A topic of great debate. Most professionals believe that it is impossible to offer an SEO package and still provide a great service. While we do agree to a certain extent (we don't provide package with any of our SEO services either), there is a place for such services.
Should your needs be very basic, or your goals as simple as "better rankings," then there are a few companies that offer packages to accommodate those needs. For example, if you own one hotel and need to increase your visibility, then a firm with set packages may be what you need.
But if you are a part of a property management company, with several properties in many different areas in your portfolio, then a package is not what you need. Instead, you will want to hire someone(s) that will analyze your specific needs regarding each piece of your business.
I've seen this situation go sour too many times. It would make sense that what can be done for one website can be done for a few additional, right? Unfortunately, no, that's not the case. With property management groups (in keeping with our example) you will need to tackle such items like the domains on which each property has a site, and should you move them.
Duplicate content issues are also a big factor to consider as you may be working with a CMS or have the same person(s) write the same copy for every room page for every property a dozen or so times.
Also, what if something comes up? This is the Internet we are talking about; things change all the time. Will the package that you bought make concessions to such situations? Will the items in the package hold up to the future of Internet marketing?
Either way, even we make use of packages for local SEO, they have to be agreed upon by not only the client, but us as well. If a package isn't going to work for your site, then it wouldn't make much sense for us to sell it to you.
Who to choose
In cases where you don't need too much attention or things are "standard," then you can pick any type of SEO. An independent or a firm will be able to offer you a service based on your needs, or you can choose to go with a company that sells you a package.
Remember though, that if you choose a firm with packages, you already know what you're about to pay, and it's probably going to be cheaper than the competition. A professional will sometimes lump the time it took him or her to analyze your site and include the fees for that time in your service fees. This may end up giving you the same service as a package out there, with an increased cost.
So, small hotel in Orange Park, Florida? Pick who you will, you're probably safe with a package deal. Property Management Group with properties all over or in competitive markets? Choose a little more wisely; you may need to research your custom SEO solution options.
Niche Professionals
You'll also have the option of choosing a professional or firm who specializes in servicing your industry specifically. This too holds its own advantages and disadvantages.
A niche firm will have an experience in your industry, and likely have on-hand a great set of places from which they can get a link to your site. They will have a better understanding at the types of targets that will produce the highest conversions, and how to get that traffic to your site.
However, a niche professional will likely fault when it comes time to determine what is actually needed for your site. They will likely have packages, and will most often set you into one blindly, regardless of any factors that would hinder such a campaign.
This can also have an impact for the whole company when a tactic they had used gets away from them and becomes a main focus of every client. If the effective nature of this tactic was suddenly stopped, then so to will be the site's rankings and traffic.
For example, it was a common tactic for real estate SEO firms to link between other real estates site for their clients. After all, a broker in Orlando wouldn't normally do business in Atlanta? This tactic was used with such indiscretion that when Google decided to negate such types of links, thousands of real estate sites fell off the map completely.
You'll also have to worry about the amount of attention your site will receive. Often times, when you receive services from such a provider, your account is viewed as just another in the pile of clients.
Hiring a general professional will afford you the luxury of having someone with a wider scope of experience to handle your online marketing efforts. They will implement strategies that a niche firm wouldn't even think about, because it was something learned through years of trying and testing and being exposed to varying environments. This might cost a little more though.
Where a general SEO is going to "think outside the box," a niche firm has their strategy planned out before you even call them. This means that on one hand they will be much kinder on your wallet; on the other, the service may not enjoy hidden opportunities and may be lack-luster due to a "quantity of quality" mindset.
Who to Choose
Shop around. If price is a main concern, then perhaps someone who specializes in your industry would be the best pick. If quality, then be open to other considerations.
Transparency
The reality about Internet marketing is that it is no different than "traditional" marketing. There's a lot of research, trial and error, and multiple approaches to every campaign. However, there aren't many "secrets" that we use in order to achieve a goal. There is no mystery.
It's a good idea to discuss the methods your potential firm or employee will use to increase rankings and traffic to your site. You don't have to know the gritty details, an overview will be fine to start with. It's a good way to see if they will at least tell you, or will they try to hide it.
If anyone every says "that's proprietary information," it better be in regard to some tool they built to report on a metric, not a method used to promote your site.
If you're thinking that it's understandable that a professional wouldn't want to share his secrets at the risk of losing a client, then I respond with this:
Anyone can tell you how to paint, but will you be able to? A doctor can tell you exactly what he's going to do during a brain surgery, but would you be confident enough to perform it yourself? The post we published on Ranking in Google Places is a step-by-step, detailed guide on doing just that. But people will read it and hire us anyway.
This is because a successful Internet marketing campaign requires time, experience and hard work. None of which will translate into other areas of your business. You could spend hours learning how to optimize your site, but those were hours lost having someone at the front desk or on the phone.
Who to choose
Someone who will be open and honest with the techniques they plan to use. It's a good idea to learn more about those techniques to ensure they aren't against a search engine's guidelines, but for now simply knowing they are willing to share is a good sign.
Budget
I saved this for last because it really should be the last, and least important determining factor (I know, so says the guy who sells SEO).
But it needs to be said that you will indeed get what you pay for. There are firms of all types out there; offering services that range in price from $99 a month to $1000 per hour. Scams aside, you can imagine the difference in services provided by those different providers.
Consider pricing from a company's perspective. Whatever the deal is, they have to make a profit on it. So, for $99 a month, what can they provide to you while being able to pay 1 or more employees and still make a profit? Not much. I still haven't seen a service that was at the same time worth $99 and cost $99 a month. A service that is worth $99 isn't going to do much for your site anyway, and anything that cost such a price is diluted to mean absolutely nothing.
I also say that it should be the last consideration because there is a flip-side to the common logic. Choosing a firm simply because of a higher price will not guarantee a better service.
Most importantly you should shop around and make sure you are comfortable with both the service and the price.
Who to choose
There aren't really any hard rules for this one. Some freelance SEOs will be a conservative pick simply because they don't have the overhead of a firm. However, perhaps they are highly specialized or have positioned themselves as an authority. In that case, the firm may be more conservative.
You may need to seek the services of on a regular personnel to handle your needs internally; or maybe you just need to delegate some particular items to a private SEO. Or maybe you need a group of experts to make and use a full-scale Web page plan.
Following are just a few tips to help you select the right On the web advertising expert for your organization's website; be it a enterprise or impartial SEO.
The SEO Package
A subject of excellent issue. Most experts believe that it is extremely hard to offer an SEO Company India offer and still offer an excellent assistance. While we do accept a certain level (we don't offer provide with any of our SEO solutions either), there is a place for such solutions.
Should your needs be very primary, or your objectives as simple as "better ratings," then there are a few organizations that offer offers to provide those needs. For example, if you own one resort and need to improve your awareness, then a enterprise with set offers may be what you need.
But if you are a part of home or home control organization, with several qualities in many different places in your selection, then a offer is not what you need. Instead, you will want to seek the services of someone(s) that will evaluate your particular needs regarding each element of your enterprise.
I've seen this circumstance go nasty too many instances. It would add up that what can be done for one website can be done for a few additional, right? Unfortunately, no, that's not the circumstance. With property or home control categories (in maintaining with our example) you will need to deal with such items like the domain names on which each property or home has a site, and should you switch them.
Duplicate content problems are also a big aspect to consider as you may be working with a CMS or have the same person(s) make the same duplicate for every room page for every property or home a number of or so instances.
Also, what if something comes up? This is the Internet we are discussing about; items change record. Will the offer that you purchased make credits to such situations? Will the items in the offer carry up to the long run of Internet marketing?
Either way, even we make use of offers for local SEO, they have to be approved by not only the consumer, but us as well. If a offer isn't going to function for your site, then it wouldn't make much feeling for us to provide it to you.
Who to choose
In situations where you don't need too much awareness or items are "standard," then you can select any type of SEO. An impartial or a enterprise will be able to offer you a service-based on your needs, or you can select to go with a organization that provides you a offer.
Remember though, that if you select a enterprise with offers, you already know what you're about to pay, and it's probably going to be more cost-effective than the rivalry. An experienced will sometimes large it took him or her to evaluate your site and contain the charges for that amount of time in your assistance charges. This may end up providing you the same assistance as a offer out there, with an greater price.
So, small resort in Red Store, Florida? Pick who you will, you're probably safe with a offer. Property Administration Crew with qualities all over or in aggressive markets? Choose a little more wisely; you may need to analysis your customized made SEO choice solutions.
Niche Professionals
You'll also have the choice of buying a expert or enterprise who focuses on providing your market particularly. This too supports its own pros and cons.
A market enterprise will have an practical knowledge of your market, and likely have on-hand an excellent set of locations from which they can get a backlink to your site. They will have a better comprehension at the kinds of objectives that will generate the best alterations, and how to get that visitors to your site.
However, a market expert will likely mistake when it comes a chance to find out which is actually required for your site. They will likely have offers, and will most often set you into one thoughtlessly, regardless of any aspects that would prevent such an offer.
This can also have an affect for the whole organization when a technique they had used gets away from them and becomes a major concentrate of every customer. If the effective characteristics of this technique was instantly ceased, then so to will be the website's ratings and visitors.
For example, it was a typical technique for property SEO organizations to weblink between other actual locations website for their clientele. After all, a agent in Holiday wouldn't normally do enterprise in Atlanta? This technique was used with such indiscretion that when The search engines determined to eliminate such kinds of backlinks, a large number of property sites dropped off the map completely.
You'll also have to fear about the amount of awareness your site will be given. Often instances, when you be given solutions from such a company, your account is considered as just another in the heap of clientele.
Hiring a typical expert will manage you the luxurious of having someone with a broader opportunity of practical knowledge to handle your on the internet advertising initiatives. They will use techniques that a market enterprise wouldn't even think about, because it was something acquired through years of trying and examining and being revealed to different conditions. This might price a little more though.
Where a typical SEO is going to "think outside the box," a market enterprise has their technique thought out out before you even call them. This means that on one palm they will be much gentler on your wallet; on the other, the assistance may not enjoy concealed possibilities and may be lack-luster due to a "quantity of quality" way of considering.
Who to Choose
Shop around. If price is a priority, then perhaps someone who focuses on your market would be the best select. If good quality, then be start to other aspects.
Transparency
The simple fact about On the web advertising is that it is no different than "traditional" advertising. There's a lot of analysis, experience, and several techniques to every technique. However, there aren't many "secrets" that we use to experience a purpose. There is no secret.
It's the best place to talk about the techniques your prospective enterprise or personnel will use to improve ratings and visitors to your site. You don't have to know the gritty information, an review will be good to start with. It's a excellent way to see if they will at least tell you, or will they try to conceal it.
If anyone every says "that's exclusive information," it better be in respect to some instrument they designed to document on a full, not a method used to advertise your site.
If you're considering that it's comprehensible that a expert wouldn't want to talk about his secrets and techniques at the risk of sacrificing a customer, then I answer with this:
Anyone can tell you how to colour, but will you be able to? A physician can tell you exactly what he's going to do during a too difficult, but would you be relaxed enough to complete it yourself? The publish we released on Standing in The search engines Places is a step-by-step, specific guideline on doing just that. But people will go through it and seek the services of us anyway.
This is because a profitable Web page plan needs time, practical knowledge and function. None of which will change into other places of your enterprise. You could spend a long time discovering how to increase your site, but those were a long time missing having someone at the entrance workplace or on the phone.
Who to choose
Someone who will be start and genuine with the techniques they plan to use. It's the best place to learn more about those techniques to guarantee they aren't against a search engine's suggestions, but for now basically comprehension they are willing to talk about is a excellent indication.
Budget
I stored this for last because it really should be the last, and least important identifying aspect (I know, so says the guy who provides SEO).
But it needs to be said that you will indeed get what you pay for. There are organizations of all kinds out there; providing solutions that range in price from $99 monthly to $1000 hourly. Hoaxes aside, you can think about the change in solutions offered by those different suppliers.
Consider rates from a organization's viewpoint. Whatever the cope is, they have to revenue on it. So, for $99 monthly, what can they offer to you while being able to pay 1 or more workers and still make a profit? Not much. I still haven't seen a assistance that was as well truly worth $99 and price $99 monthly. A assistance that is truly worth $99 isn't going to do much for your site anyway, and anything that price such a price is watered down to mean definitely nothing.
I also say that it should be the last factor because there is a flip-side to the typical sense. Selecting a enterprise basically because of a high price will not assurance a better assistance.
Most significantly you should go shopping around and make sure you are relaxed with both the assistance and the price.
Who to choose
There aren't really any challenging regulations for this one. Some private SEOs will be a careful select basically because they don't have the cost of a enterprise. However, perhaps they are extremely specialised or have located themselves as an specialist. In that circumstance, the enterprise may be more careful.From the moment you realize you need to hire someone to handle your online marketing efforts, you are immediately faced with a very importance matter. Who do you choose, and how do you know it will work for your business?
You may need to hire on a full time employee to handle your needs internally; or maybe you just need to outsource some specific items to a freelance SEO. Or maybe you need a team of professionals to create and implement a full-scale Internet marketing campaign.
Following are just a few tips to help you choose the right Internet marketing professional for your company's website; be it a firm or independent SEO.
The SEO Package
A topic of great debate. Most professionals believe that it is impossible to offer an SEO package and still provide a great service. While we do agree to a certain extent (we don't provide package with any of our SEO services either), there is a place for such services.
Should your needs be very basic, or your goals as simple as "better rankings," then there are a few companies that offer packages to accommodate those needs. For example, if you own one hotel and need to increase your visibility, then a firm with set packages may be what you need.
But if you are a part of a property management company, with several properties in many different areas in your portfolio, then a package is not what you need. Instead, you will want to hire someone(s) that will analyze your specific needs regarding each piece of your business.
I've seen this situation go sour too many times. It would make sense that what can be done for one website can be done for a few additional, right? Unfortunately, no, that's not the case. With property management groups (in keeping with our example) you will need to tackle such items like the domains on which each property has a site, and should you move them.
Duplicate content issues are also a big factor to consider as you may be working with a CMS or have the same person(s) write the same copy for every room page for every property a dozen or so times.
Also, what if something comes up? This is the Internet we are talking about; things change all the time. Will the package that you bought make concessions to such situations? Will the items in the package hold up to the future of Internet marketing?
Either way, even we make use of packages for local SEO, they have to be agreed upon by not only the client, but us as well. If a package isn't going to work for your site, then it wouldn't make much sense for us to sell it to you.
Who to choose
In cases where you don't need too much attention or things are "standard," then you can pick any type of SEO. An independent or a firm will be able to offer you a service based on your needs, or you can choose to go with a company that sells you a package.
Remember though, that if you choose a firm with packages, you already know what you're about to pay, and it's probably going to be cheaper than the competition. A professional will sometimes lump the time it took him or her to analyze your site and include the fees for that time in your service fees. This may end up giving you the same service as a package out there, with an increased cost.
So, small hotel in Orange Park, Florida? Pick who you will, you're probably safe with a package deal. Property Management Group with properties all over or in competitive markets? Choose a little more wisely; you may need to research your custom SEO solution options.
Niche Professionals
You'll also have the option of choosing a professional or firm who specializes in servicing your industry specifically. This too holds its own advantages and disadvantages.
A niche firm will have an experience in your industry, and likely have on-hand a great set of places from which they can get a link to your site. They will have a better understanding at the types of targets that will produce the highest conversions, and how to get that traffic to your site.
However, a niche professional will likely fault when it comes time to determine what is actually needed for your site. They will likely have packages, and will most often set you into one blindly, regardless of any factors that would hinder such a campaign.
This can also have an impact for the whole company when a tactic they had used gets away from them and becomes a main focus of every client. If the effective nature of this tactic was suddenly stopped, then so to will be the site's rankings and traffic.
For example, it was a common tactic for real estate SEO firms to link between other real estates site for their clients. After all, a broker in Orlando wouldn't normally do business in Atlanta? This tactic was used with such indiscretion that when Google decided to negate such types of links, thousands of real estate sites fell off the map completely.
You'll also have to worry about the amount of attention your site will receive. Often times, when you receive services from such a provider, your account is viewed as just another in the pile of clients.
Hiring a general professional will afford you the luxury of having someone with a wider scope of experience to handle your online marketing efforts. They will implement strategies that a niche firm wouldn't even think about, because it was something learned through years of trying and testing and being exposed to varying environments. This might cost a little more though.
Where a general SEO is going to "think outside the box," a niche firm has their strategy planned out before you even call them. This means that on one hand they will be much kinder on your wallet; on the other, the service may not enjoy hidden opportunities and may be lack-luster due to a "quantity of quality" mindset.
Who to Choose
Shop around. If price is a main concern, then perhaps someone who specializes in your industry would be the best pick. If quality, then be open to other considerations.
Transparency
The reality about Internet marketing is that it is no different than "traditional" marketing. There's a lot of research, trial and error, and multiple approaches to every campaign. However, there aren't many "secrets" that we use in order to achieve a goal. There is no mystery.
It's a good idea to discuss the methods your potential firm or employee will use to increase rankings and traffic to your site. You don't have to know the gritty details, an overview will be fine to start with. It's a good way to see if they will at least tell you, or will they try to hide it.
If anyone every says "that's proprietary information," it better be in regard to some tool they built to report on a metric, not a method used to promote your site.
If you're thinking that it's understandable that a professional wouldn't want to share his secrets at the risk of losing a client, then I respond with this:
Anyone can tell you how to paint, but will you be able to? A doctor can tell you exactly what he's going to do during a brain surgery, but would you be confident enough to perform it yourself? The post we published on Ranking in Google Places is a step-by-step, detailed guide on doing just that. But people will read it and hire us anyway.
This is because a successful Internet marketing campaign requires time, experience and hard work. None of which will translate into other areas of your business. You could spend hours learning how to optimize your site, but those were hours lost having someone at the front desk or on the phone.
Who to choose
Someone who will be open and honest with the techniques they plan to use. It's a good idea to learn more about those techniques to ensure they aren't against a search engine's guidelines, but for now simply knowing they are willing to share is a good sign.
Budget
I saved this for last because it really should be the last, and least important determining factor (I know, so says the guy who sells SEO).
But it needs to be said that you will indeed get what you pay for. There are firms of all types out there; offering services that range in price from $99 a month to $1000 per hour. Scams aside, you can imagine the difference in services provided by those different providers.
Consider pricing from a company's perspective. Whatever the deal is, they have to make a profit on it. So, for $99 a month, what can they provide to you while being able to pay 1 or more employees and still make a profit? Not much. I still haven't seen a service that was at the same time worth $99 and cost $99 a month. A service that is worth $99 isn't going to do much for your site anyway, and anything that cost such a price is diluted to mean absolutely nothing.
I also say that it should be the last consideration because there is a flip-side to the common logic. Choosing a firm simply because of a higher price will not guarantee a better service.
Most importantly you should shop around and make sure you are comfortable with both the service and the price.
Who to choose
There aren't really any hard rules for this one. Some freelance SEOs will be a conservative pick simply because they don't have the overhead of a firm. However, perhaps they are highly specialized or have positioned themselves as an authority. In that case, the firm may be more conservative.
