Submission/optimization software

[Kurieuo]

I run a web hosting business and recently had a client ask if I submit sites to search engines. I know this is no small task and if I did begin to provide search submission services - I want to do it properly.

Seeing that the most time consuming task would be submitting and optimizing websites, I would really love to get a piece of software that helps with such tasks. However, at the same time there are those who say you'll be penalized and banned from Google and possibly other places for using them.

After rummaging through these forums I've developed a list of some main submission pieces of software out there. They are Web Position, TopDog Pro, Search Engine Commando, AgentWebRanking and SubmitWolf.

At the TopDog Pro site, it says that TDP "helps protect your web site from being blacklisted by working like your web browser so search engines think you're submitting by hand." Is this true?

For those who do use (or have used) such software, what do you recommend and have you had any bad experiences?

Thanks for any help,

Kurieuo.

[NeedScripts]

Hello and welcome to WebmasterWorld.

Without taking any specific names, I would like to say "When you are using rank checking software you are taking a risk".

And about your question about optimization, I don't think it is something that some software can just do it for you.. instead there is going to be lot of human work there. So to learn more about optimization.. here is a very common anwers "Dig into WebmasterWorld" you will find pratically anything you are looking for (but just hidden in words).

So if I were you, I will stay away from position checking softwares and work on

1) Content
2) Quality Content
3) and more quality content.

Remember, with quality content it will be easy to build link popularity and gain more popularity too.

[watercrazed]

Seems to me 3 different issues, here. Site submission, SEO, and rank checking. While not a host, I have had hosts that do site submission, it is not a big deal for me (site owner) or the host, at least how most do it. A monthly submission of the homepage, to between 6 to 20 search engines that accept automated submission. IMHO Of limited value but easy to add to your menu at little cost or effort, not much danger to you or site owner. SEO is a lot of work to have any effect, hard to automate well. Maybe some code checking, or a run through something like page critic, and provide a few general recommendation. But really would have to be a fee for service, not part of a bundle. The dangers of rank checking is new to me, Might need to do some homework on that one :-).

[Kurieuo]

Ahh I do believe I'm talking about the whole lot, but I never thought of breaking it up.

I could offer site submission, however isn't it a bit useless without SEO? For example if the person wanting to put a site up is a bit clueless and does not even have proper metadata (if at all), then submitting the site wouldn't work very well would it?

[Woz]

Perhaps you could outsource some of this.

Automated Submission is fairly useless these days, except perhaps for the smaller engine as watercrazed suggests. But then the traffic return would probably not warrant the effort to be honest. As long as the client sites are found by Google, AllTheWeb and Inktomi you have covered almost all the bases. You could do this by creating a pgae listing sites hosted by you, although this may have some drawbacks. The only other Engine that would need submission is AltaVista who require a hand submission.

Directories are another story, requiring either a very well crafted Title/Description and submission to the correct category, or $$, or both. Eitherway this is best left to someone who is experienced in this area. A simple "she'll be right" submission may do more harm than good.

SEO is another step up the ladder and again best left to someone experienced in this area.

Hence, rather than do automated submissions that may harm listings, it may be better to find someone up there who does all this professionally and form some sort of a working arangement.

Onya
Woz

[NeedScripts]

however isn't it a bit useless without SEO?

Yup it is... So it would be a good option to let the customer know that they should not except any great results by search engine submission. Cuz, if you first raise their expectations and they dont' get that *they think* they should be getting, then you will be the bad guy.

[Kurieuo]

Thanks for the info, I can now clearly see all the different areas. I have done a bit of SEO with my own site - and it took a while and I can see that it is a continual effort rather than a one off thing.

I am considering outsourcing for SEO services but will have to think about, and then I would have to decide who to outsource to? ;)

I like the idea of having a directory listing on my website of clients - but what would be the drawbacks? I'm thinking of just offering this as a service with a bit of submitting and leaving it up to them to optimise - maybe provide helpful links to information SEO techniques or outsource if they really want it done right.

If I were to get into SEO more (even if it were for my own website), is it really bad to use programs such as TopDog Pro for any tasks such as submitting and obtaining rankings and positions for keywords? I took a look at a trial version of TopDog and it looks like it would make life a lot easier getting rankings on keywords and the reports are great stuff!

Kind regards,
Kurieuo.