Sick of so called SEO "experts" and want to DIY?Well, Google want to help you - they' - Business Forum

**NikkiPilkington** · #1 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008, 10:39 AM

Well, Google want to help you - they've released an official Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide aimed at webmasters.

At the very least it will help to demystify some jargon and procedures - and if you have the time and the inclination, could help you to SEO DIY ASAP wink

Enjoy!

Nikki Pilkington

TownDeeds · #2 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008, 11:16 AM

Blimey, that's a bit scaremongery for a thread title isn't it?

I don't see anything in there that would make anyone particularly sick.
It's just the basics that you can pick up by asking ANYONE who knows SEO.

James.

**NikkiPilkington** · #3 (**permalink**) 13th November 2008, 11:19 AM

Not scaremongery at all - I'm one of the so called SEO experts

And nowhere did it say that Google were sick of anything - it said that Google want to help you DIY.

Paul Norman · #4 (**permalink**) 15th November 2008, 05:35 PM

I think it is a typical positive Google move. They do want to help, and to level up the playing field maybe.

Most good web people will know know of what they have said, but I think it is a useful bit of reading for folks doing on line business. It wont put any SEO people out of business, but does give them a back up reference to point people at to support what they do!

Kasumi · #5 (**permalink**) 17th November 2008, 06:51 PM

Very useful document from Google - and I totally agree its not going to put any SEO expert out of business.
In fact I personally think its a positive step in helping people to understand the concept behind search engine optimisation (and that has to be a good thing - surely!)

Website-Designer · #6 (**permalink**) 17th December 2008, 10:28 AM

I'm a so called "seo expert", but I'd still like to think I know a hell of alot more than even than what the guidelines state.

It still get enquires , weekly, people are still interested having SEO outsourced, I guess its so the blame could be passed on....

The majority of my clients have CMS websites, which do prove to be a pain in the bottom!

Google just want to send there searches to the best information, that's how its always been and always will be.....

**NikkiPilkington** · #7 (**permalink**) 17th December 2008, 10:37 AM

Absolutely Website-Designer - as I've said, I'm a so called expert too - and enquiries are at an all time high - but there will always be people who want to do it themselves, and surely it's better that they have the correct guidelines than read something that's 3 years out of date?

And yes, CMS sites, unless they're either designed with SEO in mind, or you know how to reprogram them, are a very large pain in the bottom

brandmantra · #8 (**permalink**) 24th December 2008, 09:04 AM

the best site to learn SEO

**uglydoll** · #9 (**permalink**) 24th December 2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikkiPilkington

Well, Google want to help you - they've released an official Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide aimed at webmasters.

At the very least it will help to demystify some jargon and procedures - and if you have the time and the inclination, could help you to SEO DIY ASAP wink

Enjoy!

Nikki Pilkington

Thanks Nikki - very useful. I particulary like the option to display our main site's google stats on my homepage. Excellent

Veler · #10 (**permalink**) 26th December 2008, 06:03 PM

Really worth to read document. But I think that people (companies) are hiring SEO specialists not only because thaty can't do it themselves but because they are busy with their own business.

As for me I prefer to outsource boring and routine tasks and pay somebody to do them for me...

handbaghabit · #11 (**permalink**) 30th December 2008, 04:08 PM

Thank you for the link I am always eager to learn to SEO but do find there is a lot of confusing/conflicting and out of date info out there.
Lori

easycheapweb · #12 (**permalink**) 7th January 2009, 03:33 PM

For a lot of small local businesses, SEO is hardly required. If they have their business name, business type and location that's enough. A plumber in Warrington doesn't need a high listing for plumbers, just for plumbers in Warrington. No need for an "expert".

**NikkiPilkington** · #13 (**permalink**) 7th January 2009, 03:46 PM

Completely agree with you, easycheapweb - which is one of the reasons I recommended the Google document, and one of the reasons that I offer 299 Steps to Website Heaven for free.

But, to expand, let's not forget that even 'plumbers in warrington' may need a hand sometimes. And what about 'plumbers in london'? Or other bigger places where more than a handful of people will be competing for the same "local" search phrase?

As has been said here before, the documents I have referenced are good, basic guides, and will help explain and guide you through the process. It may be that that's enough, it may not be, in which case, you may need the help of someone with more knowledge in the industry and techniques.

**OldWelshGuy** · #14 (**permalink**) 7th January 2009, 03:48 PM

but they NEED to know at the very least that they have to have that phrase in their page title to rank. Also with som many directories around they are going to need some link building if they are to break past them. for example plumbers in Warrington delivers directories in the first 20 positions.

**uglydoll** · #15 (**permalink**) 7th January 2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikkiPilkington

Completely agree with you, easycheapweb - which is one of the reasons I recommended the Google document, and one of the reasons that I offer 299 Steps to Website Heaven for free.

and thank you for that too. I've got my copy now, and will begin working through it tonight

**pete** · #16 (**permalink**) 7th January 2009, 05:32 PM

Who defines the title of Internet marketing expert?

The site/business owner? If so most of their main pages should rank highly for Internet marketing related keywords

Former and current clients, this is possibly a better metric

Most information on what is needed to get a site ranked highly in Google is in the public domain, that said it is also mixed with plenty of incomprehensible gabble.

People who are really good at SEO, have a website that ranks highly in competitive sectors, they have a systematic approach to their work, they experiment regularly, have an abundance of patience, do not make false promises and seldom have time to post on forums.

easycheapweb · #17 (**permalink**) 8th January 2009, 07:29 AM

Naturally us 'Internet Marketing Experts' are self-appointed, opinionated and none tooo shy either.

**NikkiPilkington** · #18 (**permalink**) 8th January 2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

People who are really good at SEO, have a website that ranks highly in competitive sectors, they have a systematic approach to their work, they experiment regularly, have an abundance of patience, do not make false promises and seldom have time to post on forums.

Agreed, but let's not forget that people who are really good at SEO know that posting on forums increases brand awareness and half decent backlinks... among other things

Nikki P, Internet Marketing Expert

**pete** · #19 (**permalink**) 8th January 2009, 08:03 AM

Niki forums are a good place to find work, no sure about a sound backlink strategy

Of course a few forum posts get indexed by Google however due to the inherent way forums are designed they are considered a poor method of generating backlinks. The amount of signature links on any given page is excessive, this added to sidewide advertisment links, the poor way URL's are generated, the way old pages are pushed back and the unfriendly code all highlights this.

As Mark is aware I run my own forum SEO Forum, it offers very little in terms of backlinks to anyone, it was set up more as a hobby, I just struggle to find time to post there.

I'm a firm believer in having a varied approach to SEO, simply because the goalposts change so very often, last year alone Google tweaked their algorithm over 250 times, so if I do a spot of link building via forums its simply dropping off a URL in the CP and making 1 or 2 posts, do that a few thousand times on related forums and there will be some benefit, not to the state of your sanity though.

Forums are better for generating work, improving ones knowledge and having a laugh with other Internet junkies. Find the right one with the right people and they are certainly addictive.