Budgeting For Search Engine Optimization
3plains - Apr. 05, 2008
Overview
With the web growing in popularity, it is more important for business owners to start tapping into that marketing budget for things like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Internet Marketing is becoming a more popular alternative to traditional advertising like newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV. I have spoke with people with several small business owners and a large percentage don't even know that SEO exists and that SEO / SEM can be a great investment!
Cost
I like to see customers set SEO up on a budget. Why? SEO's spend hours tweaking out websites and if we set you up on a monthly fee or retainer, we are giving you X amount of hours monthly. There may even be a setup fee. SEO fees can run $25/hour all the way up to $900/hour.
Partnering
Some SEO's may even offer a partnership and work for free provided they get a cut of the sales. Be prepared for them to take a chunk of the revenue in your business, but it's business you don't have so its only fair SEO's get their cut.
Trackable
SEO and results are easily trackable. There are several sophisticated programs that enable SEO's and professional internet marketers to track how many people are visiting the site, how many are buying, conversion rates, regional demographics, and more.
Examples
I have seen dentists, ecommerce shops, chiropractors, hunting businesses cut out their newspaper and magazine budgets and trust a good SEO into a monthly fee for business. SEO results.
Results
SEO and Internet Marketing is just like building your brick and mortar business.... it takes time and results are not instantaneous. Some results may not even appear for 6-12 months.
Conclusion
If traditional advertising isn't giving you the conversions you are looking for or expect, why not give SEO a try. Keep an open mind with your SEO about new business ideas and give it a solid year. You may even find business in places you least expect.
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