New media marketing specifically search engine marketing, is the only form of marketing to grow during the recession.  Just in the past two years, search engine marketing has increased from $20 billion to $37 billion in 2009 and is expected to reach $60 billion by 2012.  It’s worth big bucks to be on the first page of Google, but how do you know what your paying for?  Here are five easy steps to verify you are with a legitimate SEO agency. 

#1  Ask for references.  Simple enough yes, but many people don’t take the time.  By asking up front you are setting a standard for your professional relationship with your SEO firm.  They will know right away how serious you are and this can help weed out the wheat from the chaff.

#2  Don’t believe the hype.  If a company says they can put you on the first page of Google in a month and you are currently on the 10th, then very politley kick them the hell out of your office.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and Google didn’t become an internet juggernaut by being fooled.  Realistically, it takes about three months to see movement in quality, organic seo. 

#3  Special website checker services.  There are at least 10 different free services online right now which can check your website.  Some require registration, most do not.  I have included a couple we use in the beginning to help you understand how easy this can be done.  If a company tells you they created special software to keyword optizmize/seo/ bot your website, just know they copied it from somone else.  Run the check yourself.  Educate yourself on the lingo, then hire a professional to make the changes you already know are necessary. 

http://www.seocentro.com/

http://www.websitegrader.com/

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal -use this to help discover keywords people are searching for you havn’t thought of

(part 2 to be released Friday 4/2/10)

author: John Millican