Good search engine optimisation partner		Bad search engine optimisation partner
Starts the discussion with a number of live examples of current number one rankings or at least top five rankings to establish credibility. Presents detailed stats from current clients (confidentially, names removed) - showing before and after audited improvement Focuses on natural rankings and the process to achieve them. Focuses on conversion rates and ROI for your products and services and walks away if there isn’t clear financial benefit.		Avoids showing real live examples and doesn't have stats readily to hand. Relies on pre-packaged pitches, and “look how big we are, look at our impressive clients”. Drops names of big clients but won’t show any detail. Focuses on paid advertising and dismisses natural rankings as impossible to achieve, or worse, guarantees to achieve them in less than 3 months. Avoids the ROI discussion as too complex and wants the business whatever.

In general what you should look for is a partner who is following a structure. The process for natural search engine optimisation when done well is pretty standard.

1. Find the audience
2. Quantify the competition
3. Build an action plan for beating the competition
a. Content
b. Links
c. Tags
d. URLs
4. Establish the costs
5. Confirm the ROI – is it worth it for this business in this sector?
6. Ensure that the new traffic gets converted into sales at ever higher rates
7. Track, monitor and analyse everything

The process here is one that all experienced business managers will understand and the detailed schedule that should be then put before you should confirm that your search engine optimisation partner is approaching the partnership with sound business principles. Call us and we’ll show you what we mean!