Febuary 14, 2013 By Dennis N. Duce SEO/SMO Consultant Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Your web site has been up for years, you contracted an SEO pro to handle all that SEO stuff. It has been a few months since your pro started on that SEO stuff and you are trying to understand how well it is all working. So where on earth do you start? You hired this guy cause you needed help, how can you know if your pro is really doing the job. The Four points in this post will help you know the 4 basic things your company needs to maintain a good online image and strong Web Presence.

Why do you need this: I often speak on Web Presence, the title I most like to use is “SEO is Dead! What’s Next?” It is a catchy title but SEO is still a key part of any Online Image Management Program. The idea here is to get websites like Google, Bing, Yahoo and YouTube to rank you at the top of the list so your potential customers can find you FAST. If your customers (or you and your staff for that matter) can’t find you then your SEO program is DEAD and needs to be resurrected immediately.

What is the Easiest Way to Check This Out? Your SEO pro has a list of targeted keywords and long tail phrases he has developed for your website. Ask him for a copy, it’s that easy. Now it is time for you to do a little work, think through the list, would you use these keywords, would your perspective customers really type them in Google to find your company? If your conclusion is “No Way!” then the Keyword research has a lot to be desired. Next step take some time and type these Keywords and long-tail phrases into Google one at a time. See where your company shows up on the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). You need to figure out your Page Rank for each of these Keywords. You can do this simply, all search engines use the same format (10 listing per page) so if you ar the 6th listing on the 2nd page your company is 26th for that Keyword or Long-tail Phrase search.

What Your SEO Pro Should Provide: Let me be clear! If your SEO Pro claims he can get you to the first position on Google, Run For The Hills! It is not posible or ethical for a Web Presence Manager or SEO Pro to make such a statement since the SERPs belong to Google, Bing, Yahoo and YouTube.

The algorithms are changed regularly and they do not give this information out to the public. What can a good Online Reputation Manger or SEO Pro do? Provide your website with incremental movement up the SERPs past all of the garbage pages that got there with unethical SEO techniques that liter the results and waste our time. Feed back is key to this process and a good SEO pro will be able to provide you with your up to the minute Page Rank on all of the key search engines.

2- Make Sure You Have Active Representation on Key Social Media Sites.

Why Do You Need This? It is no secret that Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & Pinterest (along with many other Social Media site) give you a chance to keep your brand fresh in your customers minds. This will increase referrals increase traffic on your website and strengthen your reputation and online image.

What is the Easiest Way to Check This Out? Just having a page on Facebook or Twitter is not enough they need to be active and should involve the Keywords and Long-tail Search Phrases. It is also important that there is interaction with your Friends/Followers. All Social Media sites have their own internal search engines which rank according to how frequently involved each page is and what topics are trending. The bottom line here is if you (or your SEO pro) is not tweeting, pinning, or posting on Facebook you are loosing prospective customers. Fifteen minutes each day is all it takes just make sure you are active.

What Your SEO Pro Should Provide: Most SEO managers believe it is best to k=not have someone post on your behalf. I get that if you a celebrity, politician or well known author. A good SEO Pro/Online Image Manager will be able to help train you and your staff on best practices for Social Media posts and how to increase on line engagement.

Now, can I get a bit personal here? English was my WORST subject. I know big surprise right? You got this far in my Blog and I am sure you have noticed more than a few errors. I love public speaking, and face to face sales but this writing thing is for the birds. I believe that in this specialized world we live in we should all do what we do best.

A good Social Media Manager with properly compensated Copy Writers can increase engagement on your Facebook or Twitter feed. This does not mean you should go on auto-pilot and let your SEO Pro do everything for you. Set a timer for 15 minutes and get on Facebook (post, like, comment, update, and engage, EVERYDAY!), do the same for Twitter, LinkedIn or any other sites you are using to develop your online image.

Just like your CPA can do your taxes you still need to be actively engaged in providing him the needed paper work or the IRS will get you. If you are not active on Social Media your prospective clients won’t get you or find you! Do your part.

3- Suggest an Optimized Web Design and Micro Sites

Why Do You Need This? Web Design needs to be more about making sure your conversion rate is as high as possible. A lead-generating site is used to teach your clients what makes you a perfect fit for their needs. On the other hand an eCommerce site must be set up in a way that is easy to use and helps your clients to have a smooth and simple purchasing experience. If your site is not designed properly your clients will leave before they find out why you are the best fit or they will keep their Credit Card in their pocket long before they arrive at check out.

What is the Easiest Way to Check This Out? Web visitors need to be able to determine the purpose of your site at first glance. If a visitor to your eCommerce site can not complete the purchase in less then 4 clicks they will most likely buy from your competitors.

What Your SEO Pro Should Provide: A true expert in SEO and Online Image Management show you why your existing layout does not work with current Google layout algorithms. If it is not broke don’t fix it, Right? Same goes for design changes, if your SEO pro can not tell you why he is recommending the changes, RUN!

4- Optimize Your Sites for Mobile (iPads/iPhones, Android Phones and Tablets, Windows Phone, and Yes Even Blackberry)

Why Do You Need This? Web Chad Chiniquy CEO of Search Control said “By the end of 2012 it is expected that 50% of all web searches will be done from mobile devices. The conversion rates from mobile sites is 50% better than clients that find you from a PC or Mac.” If this is not compelling enough I am not sure if you will ever understand the importance of mobile web site. Make sure your mobile site has easy access to a touch-to-dial phone number as well as a simple to use map link that will open Google Maps and provide turn by turn navigation right to your businesses front door.

What is the Easiest Way to Check This Out? Check your web site out on your mobile phone (don’t have one, ask a friend, or your kids). What you want to look at is the upload time as well as the appearance using various formats as well as Search Engines. A good Mobile website will load quickly the text will be easily readable from you phone with out adjusting the screen size and the images will be clear not distorted.

What Your SEO Pro Should Provide: Well I guess this is simple, your SEO pro, or online image manager needs to be able to create an m.extension to make your website mobile ready. Just like the other examples run for the hills if this is too much for your SEO pro.

Many business owners and professionals in Utah are confused and overwhelmed about how to make the most out of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Web Presence and Online Image Management. This post is a simple overview of four items to check out. If you have any questions please post any questions in the comments below, post on my Facebook page, Tweet me on Twitter or send me an email dduce@searchcontrol.com