The previous blog post discussed what to look for in your SEO services and how to define these services Lets look at the next part to this and discuss pricing, experience and customer service.

One thing to remember - one size does not fit all. Some industries require more SEO resources than others. You must ensure you ask specific questions about pricing of the services you require. All recommended SEO services should be clearly described in a support document explaining the need for every item in your campaign.

SEO and positioning require a long-term commitment and realistic understanding of the technical and human resources required. Technicians do not work for minimum wage, and SEO systems require significant investment and maintenance. Most campaigns average $6,000 to $60,000 a year, whether in-house or outsourced.

Vendor Experience
Core competency is important when selecting an SEO provider. Ask the following questions to determine the experience and proficiency of the vendors you are considering:
• How many years of SEO experience do you have?
• Do you provide other Internet marketing services, or do you specialize in SEO?
• What is your company’s proficiency in SEO? Do you specialize in specific industries?
• What is the cost breakdown for these services (setup/maintenance, paid inclusion, etc.)?
• Will the work you do impact my existing site?
• What clients have you served, and what results were achieved?
• How long does it take to achieve results?

Customer Service
This is an important but often overlooked issue. You should be able to discuss your SEO plan with a qualified search engine technician or an account manager who understands every aspect of your campaign. You need to know what support services are provided and what will cost extra. Consider asking these questions:
• What customer support services are provided?
• How do you provide support (phone/email), and is there a limit (time/number of emails)?

Contracts and Reporting
Find out what the minimum contract includes, the cost of consulting, whether any guarantees are offered, and the hosting of domains used. SEO results are not usually guaranteed because they change continuously. That’s why it’s important to find out if maintenance and reporting are provided. Ask the following questions:
• Do you require a minimum contract and if so, how much?
• Do you charge extra for consulting or reoptimization?
• What maintenance do you provide, and what is the monthly cost?
• What reports do you provide and how often?

Your SEO services can vary from company to company - but if you ask the above questions you can be sure that you are going to get the complete picture, and you can manage your own expectations. Nicci And Lee recommends Business Academy Online Services for their SEO services that they provide. Give them a ring on +61 2 9114 6715 to discuss your SEO requirements.