RE: Alliance?

This is an excellent discussion! Somehow I managed to get a reputation in our area as a SEO expert and was subcontracted to consult on several high profile sites as technical lead on SEO. This has recurred over the past four or five years. 

But.

We make most of our revenue building websites, and the revenue earned from the SEO work is usually hard-earned, and distracts me from the business of building and running our company. I am loathe to let go of the reputation as a SEO expert, but I am afraid it is becoming unavoidable. The only other option is to hire and train a junior staffer in this area, so we can continue to perform the service. 

Basic SEO has not changed in 6 years - if you understand the principles then just keep on doing what you are doing. This means that once a Search Engine spider has located and indexed your site they will find and highlight the correct keywords. 

The problem comes in, as you correctly identified in the concept of online marketing. The process of locating, registering in and maintaining a listing in good Search Engines and directories has become a specialized job: add to that email newsletter writing, online networking email listservs, banner advertising buys, keyword buying etc. and you have an entire (huge) industry.

I agree that the best solution is to treat it as another service, and either build that into your team (another person), or find a company that you can form an alliance with, who will not poach your web development clients.

Just like Mario, I guess I could have just said it all in the last paragraph, but I have opinions too :).

Cheers

Kevin Jackson

--
Biz-Zone Internet Group Inc.
Web developers, publishers and consultants,
Non-profit Associations a specialty.
http://www.biz-zone.com/ - Mailto:kevin(at)biz-zone.com
Phone: (905)640-8441 - Fax: (905)640-0934

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