Philosophical Value of SEO

Convincing company of SEO viability.

[kilatzin]

My company's group has spent considerable time reviewing different SEO options. Time and time again, I've heard firms state that our site violates every standard SEO technique. However, my development department has proven to be very reluctant to the notion of changing their structure and processes to make the site more search engine friendly. One argument that they consistently make is that search engines are always making improvements to catalog dynamic non-search engine friendly URLs. Another argument they push is that most solutions provided by the SEO firms take money and resources our company just does not have. They also argue that what is deemed important in SEO today, probably won't be tomorrow, and the effort doesn't seem worth it in their eyes. Given the choice of worrying about building and maintaing a site vs. promoting it through search engines, they will always choose the former. Thoughts?

[The_Hitcher]

Depends what your company does. However, they're right in saying what is current may not be tomorrow. For SEO to work you need someone right on the pulse and thats really what you pay for. No SEO can give a cast iron guarantee of a return but if the SEO is any good, they'll make a huge difference to visitor numbers. I can think of at least one big UK company that started their business directly as a result of a chat I had with their Directors one rainy Saturday morning. Often with large companies, you literally need to follow the boss round the golf course. Its when you have to go through numerous hoops that its hard going. Most businesses like ideas that generate money - more a case of hitting the right guy.

[creative craig]

However, my development department has proven to be very reluctant to the notion of changing their structure and processes to make the site more search engine friendly.

What knowledge and skill does the department have in seo, anything credible?

Anyone can tell you that what is important today, maybe rubbish tomorrow, also I dont think that it has anything to do with your company and its goals - it probably has something to do with the seo companies that are approaching you.

[edited by: creative_craig at 2:02 pm (utc) on July 21, 2004]

[digitalv]

They also argue that what is deemed important in SEO today, probably won't be tomorrow, and the effort doesn't seem worth it in their eyes.

Of course it isn't relevant in their eyes - they could care less whether the company brings in a greater income as long as they get a steady paycheck.

They're partially correct in the sense that what is important in SEO today may not be tomorrow, but why should that stop you from attracting more traffic today? Your company's budget would be much better spent on an SEO who can stay up to date with search engine changes than developers with a "it's not worth it" attitude.

When you say developer, do you really mean "web designer"? Web Designers who don't know anything about SEO will often try to discourage management from hiring an SEO because most SEO's can also do web design - and if you had a full time SEO, they could also double as a designer. I know that's not always true, but I suspect that's what your designer is thinking.

If you mean "developer" in its true meaning, a programmer, then you're probably dealing with someone who knows how to code and script like a mofo but doesn't understand basic optimization. Some optimization is never going to change, such as having target phrases appear in the natural text on your pages. It's been said before that a good developer is a bad web designer, and though it's not always the case, I've seen this ring true more than not.

[ogletree]

it probably has something to do with the seo companies that are apporaching you.

That is the key. Don't ever use a company that approaches you with a hard sale. A good SEO may make an inquiry but will not make a hard sale. If they are good then they are turning down business. They will have very good refferences.

[remthewanderer]

Some optimization is never going to change, such as having target phrases appear in the natural text on your pages. It's been said before that a good developer is a bad web designer, and though it's not always the case, I've seen this ring true more than not.

what exactly does "having target phrases appear in the natural text on your pages" mean? sorry to change topics a bit but that struck me as something i have not heard of.

[ogletree]

He means that if you write a paragraph go back and try to fit in the kw you are going after in that text. The writer may not have thought to do this.

[agerhart]

Don't ever use a company that approaches you with a hard sale. A good SEO may make an inquiry but will not make a hard sale.

That is a horrible generalization.....and not true.