SEO’s importance as an industry is astonishing considering how it started. Now, what used to be a smattering of people who would optimize their own websites and those of friends, finally realized their skills were needed in a new marketplace. This then emerged as the SEO industry we know today.
At first, it was keyword placement. There were all kinds of techniques, ethical and unethical but the industry along with the slow legislation, began to coalesce into something one would recognize as an industry full of professionals. SEO is huge for several primary reasons as well as secondary reasons. As the need for higher placement in the search engines was called for the spots became a premium. No longer was a site listed by a search engine due to its fame or even function. SEO experts looked below the sheets and discovered the mechanics of how the search engines operated. With this knowledge they were able to manipulate the results in their favor.
Search engines quickly went into action trying to battle SEO because the results were devastating to the small guy. People started to complain but it fell on deaf ears. The search engines just didn’t have the manpower to thwart the SEO experts and soon there were SEO shops opening up all over the web and in every language possible.
As more and more people gain access to the web, they’ll too need SEO if they want to get their sites off the ground.
SEO is so widespread a series of techniques and technologies that is has become both art and science. Regulation by government due to deception, theft, and outright fraud by shady SEO companies may change all that. This will add yet another challenge for SEO, but the demand will continue to grow and the expertise more fine tuned.
When all is said and done, the search engines will continue to change their search algorithms hoping one day to be able to beat any and all SEO attempts that take advantage. Until then, the SEO experts will be most needed.
If you’re thinking of getting a SEO expert, there are things to watch out for. First, are they legit? Some unscrupulous people often set up fly by night SEO websites only to take the money of their clients and then whisk away into the night. Other companies promise the Sun, Moon, and stars. This is unrealistic by any means. Other companies will blatantly boast that they can get your site to the top of the search engine results overnight. Again, anyone saying that is pulling your leg.
You want an SEO company that puts things on the table. They will explain the process from beginning to the end and let you know what to realistically expect. They’ll point out that it takes several months of continued effort, not some quick shot to the top.
References are okay, but in today’s markets, fake testimonials are a dime a dozen. Your SEO company will allow you to see their statistics so as to assure you the activity is real time.
So the jury is in. SEO isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.