Search Engine Optimization by Akulink
It makes you want to pull your hair out ! You've got this wonderful, content-rich, information-packed website, and you feature the world's best products at the lowest prices. Problem is, you've got no traffic!
You think you did your homework
And that despite the fact that you've followed the recommended web-publishing guidelines religiously, you've made your site cross-browser compatible, and you've listed it with all the major search engines (see search engine myths) Even though your site predates the invention of the typewriter, you still find yourself occupying the basement position on Google, Yahoo or MSN...
Meanwhile, to add insult to injury, some other web site with outdated technology, shoddily-organized links, poor content and downright bad products or services continues to mock you from the top search engine position.
Time to call in the cavalry.
Time to call in a search engine expert. That is the area in which Akulink specializes . We've been trying this for a long time now, and frankly, we've spent a lot of money in the process. And for years, admittedly, we did not have the results to show for it.
But now all that blood, sweat and tears has started to pay off. Our web sites are now appearing in top ten positions, and staying there. And yes, the money is starting to flow in consistently.
What's a top ranking worth?
Many companies claim to be able to put you at the top position. A lot of them even offer you a money-back guarantee, and price their services around $2000. Ask yourself this. If they could really do what they promise, why would they sell the service so cheap?
You don't think $2000 is cheap? Well, it is, compared to the benefits that accrue from a top ranking in Google, MSN or Yahoo.
Depending on your industry, a top ranking could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. In June of 2003, a top position in Google for the keyword "car" would have yielded about 30,000 visitors a day. How much is that worth to a car manufacturer or car dealer? Now multiply that value by 365 for a year's worth of appearances.
So how much should I pay for a good optimization?
Well realistically, the price should be linked to the time involved in the optimization, the complexity of the undertaking, and the competitiveness of the industry or keywords for which you are seeking a top ranking.
For some esoteric terms or highly - specialized industries, it is not so difficult, or so costly. A great optimization of a small site could take about 3 or 4 days work and would start at around $1000.
But for popular terms or large industries, such as travel,sports,entertainment or music, the competition is ferocious and the undertaking is monumental. A search engine specialist can easily dedicate months and even years of work to the task, and the cost can run into five figures, and even six figures.
Is it worth it?
One site we've optimized spent over $10,000 in the process. Do they have top position? No, they only rank in the second to third page of results on most engines. (This is a very tough industry, with the big boys spending millions of dollars a year to maintain their positions.)
Is it worth it? We think so. The site now attracts about 5000 visitors a day, and nets over $20,000 per month in profits.
How can I distinguish the pro from the quack?
So how can you be sure that if you spend whatever it takes - even if is serious money - the service will really deliver? How, in short, do you distinguish the pro from the quack?
Use your common sense. Here are some thoughts for starters...
- What's the company's track record? Has the company done this successfully for others?Get referrals and check them religiously.
(We've seen numerous cases of fradulent claims. When you check the sites in the engines, they are nowhere to be found... Or worse, they're ranked way up there, but they've never heard of the "specialist" in question.) - Does the search engine specialist take his or her own medicine? Are his own web sites optimized?
- How does that specialist rank in its industry?
If I were a rich man...
Ok, so you've found the company to work with and you are convinced of the concept and benfits. You still may not have the money to get started... If you are a new company with a good product but your industry is very competitive, how do you come up with the investment needed?
Our recommendation
Plan A: Find a sugar daddy
If you really have such a tremendous product, then find an investor and convince him.
A good web optimization will pay for itself 10- and 20-fold. Show the investor this on the hand of real historical
examples and it will make sense to the investor.
Plan B: Crawl before you walk and walk before you run.
Approach the optimization process gradually. Take things
a step at a time. If you can, start with just one or two product lines or services.
There are many levels of optimization and a slight optimization is better than none. Done properly, the process will bring you more traffic and more business. Re-invest some of those new revenues in more optimization.
Plan C: Sell your concept to us !
Let's face it, we know our services work, so with the right company, we're quite willing to face the up-front costs and "rent" the service, since we'll make more in the long run.
Of course, time is money, and we have to pick our partners carefully. With the right type of company, whose products and management we like, we are willing to create joint-ventures. If you have a leading product or service and a compelling web site to market it, you may be a candidate. If we like your product or service, and we can come to an agreement with you as to revenue sharing, we will negotiate and sign a multi-year contract with you for results-based performance. more...