How Do You Know?

Often I am working with a client to enhance and broaden their online presence.  In fact, this is an almost daily occurence.  In the course of these conversations it's rather interesting that they will get a call or email from someone out of the area promising to guarantee first position on Google for their website.  Sometimes they even get that call from a local person masquerading as a marketing professional.  Well, here's the advice I give.

• For those who are not local, that is easy.  I tell them if the person cannot walk into your office or meet you out in the public if you don't have an office, tell them to get lost!  Seriously, do you think there isn't someone in your local community or the next closest who cannot help with your online visibility?
• For that local person who can walk in, let's determine their knowlege level with a few simple questions you can ask them such as:
• What is a SERP?
• What determines ranking in Google Places?
• What is a title tag?
• What order does Google read the website?
• What is an alt tag?
• For the local person who can answer all your questions, let's talk about their experience and outcomes:
• How many current clients do you have?
• Do you have written and signed testimonial letters?
• What will you charge me for each change I want  you to make?
• How many of your current client websites rank in first position on the major search engines?
• How many of your current client websites rank on page one or two of the Google search results?
• What level of ongoing support do they offer?

This is just a brief conversation to share with you some of the things you, as a business owner, should be asking anyone who wants to manage your online visibility and presence.  If you have questions or comments, please post here or email me at lisafausey@gmail.com.