How to select the best SEO company

Use Google - Does it make sense?

[vibgyor79]

Is this a fair assessment? To find out which are the best SEO companies, go to Google.com and type in some SEO related keywords like "SEO company" or just "search engine optimization".

Can I assume that the companies that are listed in the first 3 or 5 pages are the best in the business? The logic behind this is that SEO companies listed in page 10 or 20 of the search result are unable to promote their own website - then how can I expect them to optimize my website (& expect results)?

Is this a fair assessment? Is the logic flawed?

Ashwin

[Brett_Tabke]

No. Most search engines are not fond of people advertising that they can acquire rankings on their search engine. There for, there is a large turn over in seo kw's. Most often, you can't find seo companies near the top of the better keywords. They are most often dominated by news sites.

That being the case, most of the better seo companies prefer to stay off the se radar under seo kw's.

[Marcia]

ashwin, you'll enjoy some of the comments in the second part of this thread:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[deejay]

There's also the logic that those SEOs who are successful and in demand because of their quality work... may not have a lot of time to spend on their own website, and don't rely on it as a primary source of customers (word of mouth being better).

[Chris_R]

I think you can modify this approach:

1) Always ask for listings from SEO "firms"
2) Always look at those listings - do not hire anyone who uses techniques that people on here will whine about to google (1x1 pixels, hidden text...)
3) Look at the PR of their sites
4) Check sites in archive.org to see how long they have looked that way.

It is easier to exclude SEO firms than it is to include them.
Brett is right that those that know what they are doing try to avoid attracting attention.

[vibgyor79]

The AdWords co-ordinators do not seem mind SEO companies advertising their wares. Type in a SEO related keyword and you will see a colorful search result loaded with regular AdWords Select ads (almost 8 of them for certain keywords) and the top sponsored links!

[fathom]

seoconsultant and add com extension.

The companies here have been selected because they do not exhibit spam tactics on their web sites.

This doesn't guarantee quality of work of the listed companies... but simply a method of identifying companies that have at minimum surpassed a basic screening process.

It is a much better process than just "who's No#1" or who wants to pay to have a shoot at your business.

[pageoneresults]

Now, once you've selected the best SEO company, you need to know what questions to ask them. There was a rather lengthy topic on this not too long ago. Lots of people involved and lots of good information.

Questions to ask SEO Company [webmasterworld.com]

fathom was there. ;)

[glengara]

*most of the better seo companies prefer to stay off the se radar under seo kw's.*

I'm going to try to console myself with this thought having dropped out of page 1 for my keyphrase.
Let you know if it works.