I have chosen to do my own SEO.  I use a Search Marketing consultant that has created a 12 month strategy, this was relatively expensive to create but, I use two staff with different skill sets to execute on this plan.  I feel that this is the best way for my business.  

Strategy is the key for SEO, without it you are simply spinning your wheels.  Find the best person you can to develop your plan.  This should become a blue print that you can choose to action yourself, internally or outsource. 

Why pay a consultant $100 per hour, to update title descriptions, write articles or run ranking reports. Most SEO companies would be charging out between $100-$200 per hour as a minimum.

Having worked in the Industry for several years, I know first hand what the SEO companies do for their own websites vs what they do for clients.  This method costs me far more, but I am able to control quality, see output and have confidence that the money I pay is for work being completed.

It probably helps that, I have industry experience, but with a great consultant advising you, there will be no more smoke and mirrors..

Real question: What do SEO companies actually do these days? with getting backlinks being far less important as it used to be unless they're from another site in your industry.

Having great content consistently posted on your site with your keyword/phrase of choice in your title, description, <h1> tags, url, and at the beginning and sometimes the end of your text on your page is all you need to do.

I'd reckon go for an SEO company who creates content for you and even better, with you. Video, text and audio and pick one that works with you to create content that's based on your real-world knowledge and experience of your industry. Have them interview you on video and use those in depth interviews as video content, to write article content and make downloadable audios from them.

When you are picking a new SEO company, I would start with asking some of the following questions, I would mainly do this over the phone or you can meet them in person (probably advise meeting people in person) to get a better feel for the business and too see who will actually be working on your account (that is a bonus question already ask who is the main contact and their experience) 

Question 1. Ask them for current client case studies and results (related to ecommerce is a good start)
Question 2. Ask for testimonials via these clients.
Question 3. Check their current strategies they say they will use for link building are against current Google Guidelines here: http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66356 (ask they what strategies they will use)
Question 4. Ask them some technical questions which you have pre written example (do this over the phone/ meeting face to face too so they have to answer the questions quickly) example of some possible questions you can ask:
- What are your thoughts on schema market up?- What are your thoughts on hreflang?- What does QDF mean?- What are your 5 top on page strategies?- What are your 5 top off page strategies? See how quick they answer ;)
Question 5. If you are still concerned ask a friend who is in the IT or Digital Marketing space to interview the potential business further before taking them on.
Question 6.: Ask if they provide a monthly link building report with all links, if they do not provide you with a link report they are dodgy.

I hope this helps with the search. 

Hi David, I would prefer onsite and definitley DO NOT WANT automated operators as the repercussions of being penalised are too great.

Love to know who you are using and whether their practices flirt with 'spam territory' with their backlinks

Hi Brian,

I know that one of our members here Cheech from White Chalk Road is probably a good person to speak to regarding SEO he has given some really in depth answers here on this SavvySME SEO related question:

/question/118-does-either-com-or-comau-domain-have-an-advantage-over-the-other

You can have a look at SEO related questions and have a read of the answers and get in touch with who you like.

Hi there, I have used First digital in Sydney, Salmat digital and have heard very good things about eweb also in Sydney. This was all whilst I was at Tess Cameras basses in Melbourne and we had no issue with the interstate relationship. Cost really depends upon how aggressive you want to be but we were in the 3-5k bracket. I would think depending upon your site, 2k would be a minimum to get measure able results. It also depends a lot on if you can implement the change recommendations or write the content. You may have additional fees from your developer if structural changes are recommended. I would interview at least 5 companies and do a feature comparison chart of what they are recommending and make an educated decision with as many facts as possible.

hope this helps!

cheers jason

Hi Brian

We partner with a number of SEO businesses that we recommend for our clients - all are good. Typically, charges start from around $400 - $500 per month. Some have fixed contracts of 3 months minimum but you can get month by month arrangements. You need to think about whether you want off-site SEO and onsite SEO, or whether you just want offsite SEO? If offsite SEO is your preferred option, you can get some cheaper deals -  these are likely done by overseas operators and many are automated.

Let me know if you need any further help with this?

Thanks

David

Hi Brian

I am not sure whether this is the forum to promote or endorse any of our partners. Perhaps I could email or phone you to  give you these details?

Cheers

David