FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
answers to common questions about SEO and our services.
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What is SEO?
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Why do I need SEO services?
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Can't I just pay Google, Yahoo!, etc. for better placement?
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My web designer said they optimized my site as they built it. Can I still benefit from a dedicated SEO optimization?
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My web host or service provider advertises that my site is provided on a SEO-optimized server. Will I still benefit from your services?
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Why can't I just use one of the low-cost automated submission tools provided by various services to improve my search rankings?
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Is SEO just manipulating and exploiting weaknesses in search engine algorithms to gain an unfair advantage? Is SEO unethical or illegal?
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How long will it take before I see improvements in my site's search engine ranking position?
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How can I benefit from SEO if I my website doesn't sell a product or service or if my website is not a primary marketing tool for my business?
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My website is for a non-profit or charitable organization with a minimal marketing budget. Can you donate SEO services?
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A competing SEO service promises #1 ranking. Do you guarantee specific ranking or placement?
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I already have a web designer, marketing firm, and/or web hosting/service provider. Can you integrate with them?
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Can't you just insert keyword-filled meta tags on my pages?
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Will it be necessary to change service providers?
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Do you provide web hosting services?
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Help! My website was banned from the index of Google and/or other search engines' indexes as a result of improper practices by a previous SEO service provider. Can you help?
Search engines are not necessarily under any strict obligation to reinstate your site following a ban, but we have the necessary knowledge and experience to identify problems and practices that may have precipitated a ban and assist you through the process of applying for re-inclusion. Simply indicate the nature of the problem in your request.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a focused and deliberate process of applying techniques to improve your site’s ranking in search engine indexes like Google, Yahoo!, and MSN Live for queries for targeted keywords and phrases.
Estimates say as much as 80% of traffic to a typical business website originates from search engines. In many cases a focused SEO effort can improve search engine rankings enough to dramatically increase website traffic and sales conversions. And even if your website is not a primary sales tool, ranking well in search engine results helps increase the perceived legitimacy and image of your business.
No major modern search engines modify their search rankings based on paid contributions. It's important not to confuse organic or "natural" search results with pay per click advertising systems or paid inclusion directories, though we can assist with those services as well. Though they are an important part website marketing they are separate from organic search results which garner the lion's share of click traffic..
It's possible a web designer may have incorporated a few optimization measures into the construction of a site, but when deadlines loom designers often focus more heavily on the visual impact and raw functionality of a website with little if any focus on deliberate Search Engine Optimization efforts. While quite often there was a well-meaning intention to optimize at a later point, typically very little real effort or at least little knowledgeable effort is actually applied to optimizing a page for search engine visibility. Even otherwise well-built and attractive website can benefit from a focused and deliberate Search Engine Optimization process.
The proof is in the pudding: does your site rank well for your keywords now? Do you want it to?
A web server requires one (and only one) characteristic to be considered "optimized": it must be reliably accessible by search engine spiders and robots with minimal downtime and outages. Any server that remains reliably active and reachable by search engines can be said to be "SEO optimized," and indeed this is expected of most any reputable service provider even without considering the impact on SEO. Hosting companies often overstate the impact and benefits of an "SEO Optimized" web server.
Again, the proof is in the pudding: does your site rank well now?
Automated submission tools provide no benefit at all to search rankings. Most even promise submission (and don't even guarantee inclusion) to enormous numbers like "over 300,000" search engines and directories. The four major search engines ( Google, Yahoo, MSN Live, and Ask.com) account for more than 95% of search volume. Other directories have severely limited viewership and little to no impact on search rankings and traffic. At best such automated services will do little to nothing to improve traffic and rankings.
More often than not such automated tools can cause your site to incur penalties by placing links to your website in spammy "bad neighborhoods" known to search engine administrators and engineers.
Properly applied SEO methods are entirely ethical and legal. Google even provides a page that explains SEO and provides tips for selecting an SEO consultant. It's not about manipulating or tricking the search engines — it's about making sure you're putting your best online foot forward and realizing and maximizing the potential already in your website. We do not use spam or "black hat" techniques not only for ethical reasons, but also because such techniques are easily caught by search engine engineers and can incur substantial and sometimes irreversible ranking penalties.
The time required varies with each individual website, and several factors may influence the length of time required. In some cases we have seen significant improvements to search engine rankings in just weeks. For sites hosted on newly registered domains or sites that have seldom been modified or updated over a period of years it may take longer. We will provide a timeframe estimate when we analyze your site.
While many of our clients are businesses, many non-business entities seek our services as well. SEO can be an important part of your web presence, image, and Online Reputation Management. Prospective customers, clients, employers, or even donors to non-profit organizations often research people and organizations on the web before committing to a relationship. If your site ranks well for targeted keywords relating to your organization's mission, your online reputation, presence, and legitimacy are improved.
We are occasionally able to provide free or minimum-cost optimization and website promotion services to charitable organizations, but unfortunately the volume of requests makes it impossible to donate services to every requesting organization. Send us an email for more details.
We will guarantee results and improvement. However, no one can absolutely guarantee specific placement, especially for very competitive search terms. Though many SEO companies provide such guarantees, in reality only search engine administrators are positioned to absolutely guarantee specific rankings. In our view such guarantees are irresponsible and we refuse to mislead our customers.
We often work with 3rd party web developers, service providers, graphic designers, marketing consultants, and public relations firms as part of concerted efforts. We will be pleased to integrate into your team.
With a history of overuse and abuse, meta tags are not heavily weighted by modern search engines. Google in particular pays them close to no attention at all in determining rankings. Following changes to limit spamming and irrelevant results, the SEO optimization of your site is now a much more involved process. FireForEffect SEO has the knowledge and expertise to publicize your website in the modern era.
In most cases we are able to work with existing quality service providers. Changing web hosting providers is seldom necessary as long as no aspects of current service providers inhibiting your website's ability to rank well.
We prefer to focus on Search Engine Optimization and web marketing and leave associated services to others. As such we do not provide web hosting services in-house, but in cases where a new service provider is required we often recommend Superb Web Hosting:
