Comments on: 5 Ways to Engage Small Businesses in SEO

By: Dev Basu

Dev Basu — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:42:49 +0000

@SEO London – I guess the case here is that the onus is on us as search marketers to show value in seo for SMBs. Any new advertising medium faces an initial resistance, but things are getting easier.

@Marios – Any changes in the contract are difficult to come about, especially if the client is happy with the plan they are already paying for. That said, I'd say the key is in the upsell. Show your client how much better their competitors are doing, and how much more flexibility you'd have to have them rank in premier positions. I know for many an established seo, the smallest client in the initial stage became the biggest client later on.

@Nick James – SEO is intuitive in many ways, so I'd explain the website vs seo debate this way – you need eyeballs for your website no matter how pretty it is..No eyeballs = 0 Sales garnered from online lead generation

By: Nick James

Nick James — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:30:56 +0000

Great post Dev. I know exactly what you're on about, I've blogged about it before.
Here in the UK there seems to be a complete lack of understanding from small businesses as regards to SEO and online marketing. It's often a case of "I've paid an arm and a leg for the website, surely that's enough. Why on earth should I pay any more?"

By: Héctor

Héctor — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:18:53 +0000

Hey!
I have been asked many times about a pay-for-performance by small business and I always was reluctant to. Anyways, you made me think a lot about that and I promise I will start thinking how to improve it in my two companies

Thanks for your Help
Héctor

By: HighFivez.com: Your Guide Through The Blogosphere

HighFivez.com: Your Guide Through The Blogosphere — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:12:00 +0000

[...] 5 Ways to Engage Small Businesses in SEO [...]

By: Marios Alexandrou

Marios Alexandrou — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:22:58 +0000

I could see it being very difficult to switch from a pay-for-performance model to a retainer. Even with a good relationship, what motivation is there for the client to take on more risk just because results to date have been positive?

By: Make Money Blogging

Make Money Blogging — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:02:44 +0000

Some great tips. I can see alot of small businesses agreeing to the pay by traffic or even better for them conversion.

By: SEO London

SEO London — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:29:14 +0000

I like the idea of pay for performance. I think Small business seems to be very reluctant to spend money on anything for which they don't get results straight away. I cant believe the negative attitude some potential clients have towards SEO.

By: Dev Basu

Dev Basu — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:50:41 +0000

@Shariv – My philosophy towards small biz seo entails creating long term relationships with the prospective client. Often times as you've described, the competitors have no idea of seo and it may not be excessively difficult to get them to rank within the firs 30 or so results. Taking baby steps is important, as many clients consider it enough to just SEE their name on a search engine result. That said, I may operate at a loss initially using the pay for performance plan, but I have the opportunity cost of creating a long term relationship with the client.

By: Tad Chef

Tad Chef — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:24:28 +0000

Yeah. Very down to earth post resonating with my experience. I just don't convince people to do SEO though. They have to see that their competition outranks them before they come by themselves.

By: Shana Albert

Shana Albert — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:10:55 +0000

No need to apologize, Dev. I just wanted to let you know so that you can make the change.