I just finished reading a piece of spam, wrapped up as an article, bemoaning how people’s heads were being filled with myths and untruths regarding SEO; surprise, surprise, this person offers SEO services. Now I’m not going to deny that SEO (search engine optimisation) has a place in web marketing, however can we please all just stop, take a deep breath and calm down?

SEO is not:

  • the silver bullet that will make your business an overnight success
  • easy, although in many ways it IS simple
  • cheap – though it can definitely be cheaper than a lot of people would have you think
  • always necessary – yes that’s right, it is not always necessary, especially if you’re a home-based micro/hobby business!

If there’s one thing that annoys me more than people feeling they have to pay a fortune for web hosting/development, it’s the same group of people being brainwashed into thinking that they need to pour 1000s of dollars into all kinds of SEO services. Quite literally this is a case of people being blinded by science, and being ripped off because it’s an area they know nothing about.

Do You Even Need SEO?

Lets’s just go back to that point about SEo not being necessary; a sacrilegious comment to many web professionals I’m sure. Ask yourself this, how many people are there searching Google for “hand-made baby bootees Adelaide” or “Winnie the Pooh birthday cake maker in Perth”? Not too many is the answer you’re looking for.

Most of these type of businesses thrive mostly on word-of-mouth, social networking, offline networking and showcasing products at markets, fairs and other similar events. They get their name out there, they put their products under people’s noses, and they slowly build up a reputation. Business info, including web address, Facebook page and contact details, is included on business cards, flyers and other marketing literature. Finally, they use the cutting edge technology of actually talking about their business!

Radical huh?

Compare the Costs

When you’re just starting out, getting your name “out there” can be achieved using very cost-efficient  methods – don’t fall for the lies of the snake oil salesmen, you really do NOT need to be spending loads of cash on SEO.

  • A large batch of good quality business cards can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less
  • Flyers can be printed at a reasonable cost similar to business cards
  • Attending networking events in your area (e.g. Motivating Mum) can be a very effective way to market your business, make contacts and enjoy the social aspects too. Net cost is probably a few dollars a week.
  • Talking to people about your business both offline and through networks such as Facebook – FREE!

 

When You Do Need SEO – Don’t Get Ripped Off

As I said before, SEO can be a very useful component in your marketing efforts, however, before you hire someone make sure you talk to them, ask them questions, and look out for potential pitfalls like:

Being quoted a low amount per month, then gradually being told there is a need to increase the hours spent on SEO work

Don’t be blinded by science and don’t let people talk at you; insist on clear explanations in lay terms. If they get nervous about that, run away.

Be dubious of anyone who tells you this is the only advertising you will ever need, or that SEO alone will make you rich – it’s a potent weapon, yes, however it is a part of an overall arsenal

 

Unfortunately SEO is one of those areas of technology and online marketing that is still seen as a “black art” my the general populace; while this perception exists, so there will exist rip-off merchants eager to alleviate unsuspecting folks of their hard-earned cash.

Remember – you might not need SEO right now, and even if/when you do, be assured that there are good providers out there, such as Chicks Talk Tech, who you can actually talk to and not get ripped off!