web designer, search engine optimization (seo) consultant, Philippines

SEO FAQ (Search Engine Optimization) simplified

TheLoneRiderChances are, you invested in a great website...great products, superb services, awesome price, BUT, nobody knows it exists. Perhaps it's on the 200th page of the search engine results. It's next to useless. You're not alone. In fact a lot of websites are designed without regard to search engine optimization (SEO).

Relax, let me worry about your SEO ranking while you worry about running your business. But before you ask for a quote, please read on. An informed client makes informed decisions.

-- TheLoneRider

What is SEO (search engine optimization)?
SEO is a technique designed to enhance the search engine ranking of a website using the site's keywords. The industry benchmark for SEO ranking is Google - that is where I base my SEO work, with due consideration to Yahoo and Bing. The goal of SEO is to put the site #1 in a search engine's search results. My SEO is organic (natural with no payment made to a third party) and ethical (no dubious approach that might blacklist the site).

Why is SEO important?
Because 82.3% of new visitors to your site come from search engines according to Google Analytics. This means that if your site is not SEO, for every 18 visitors you get to your site, you're actually losing 82 potential visitors. Less web traffic means less revenue - it's that simple.

Google Analytics
Source: http://www.seoconsultants.com

Can you provide a track record of your SEO performance?
The table below gives a snapshot of my SEO performance. You can easily verify this yourself as you can enter the keywords on the specified search engine.

WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE RANKING as of Sep 26, 2010
TheLoneRider Keywords: "traveling, mountain biking, skin diving"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 272,000 search results
Bing search result ranking: #1 out of 1,260,000 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #1 out of 1,240,000 search results

Phyllis Wallbank Educational Trust Keywords: "educational trust, Phyllis Wallbank"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 936 search results
Bing search result ranking: no ranking
Yahoo search result ranking: #2 out of 548 search results

SIBAT Keywords: "renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, Philippines"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 73,300 search results
Bing search result ranking: #1 out of 443,000 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #1 out of 435,000 search results

Endemic Pursuit Tours Keywords: "Bird Watching, Sightseeing, Philippines"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 38,600 search results
Bing search result ranking: no ranking
Yahoo search result ranking: 2nd page out of 148,000 search results

Total Cleaners Keywords: "dry cleaning Ashburn"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 38,500 search results
Bing search result ranking: #8 out of 192,000 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #14 out of 163,000 search results

Kaisahan Keywords: "agrarian reform, rural development, local governance, Philippines"
Google search result ranking: #2 out of 636,000 search results
Bing search result ranking: #1 out of 81,100 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #1 out of 39,400 search results

Tribal Adventures Keywords: "outdoor adventure Philippines"
Google search result ranking: #1 out of 247,000 search results
Bing search result ranking: #1 out of 4,490,000 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #1 out of 5,200,000 search results

Bolsa Manufacturing Keywords: "bag manufacturing Philippines"
Google search result ranking: no ranking
Bing search result ranking: #2 out of 5,630,000 search results
Yahoo search result ranking: #2 out of 4,780,000 search results


Please refer to my Portfolio page to see more of my work.

Can you guarantee a #1 spot in Google?
I don't guarantee search results ranking and I would be wary of anyone who gives such guarantees...except maybe the Google programmers since only they know the proprietary algorithms used. The only promise I can make is to exert best effort using the ethical and organic SEO technique I've developed that produce meaningful results.

But can you guarantee that the search engine ranking achieved will remain at that level for any minimum of time?
I cannot guarantee a period when it stays at any level. The web is dynamic. Ranking is a function of factors that constantly change - competition, Google's own changing algorithm, emerging technologies, site management by client, content updates, etc. As Google maintains on their site, "Our internal systems are always changing, and the web itself is an ever-shifting ecosystem"

If a meaningful ranking is achieved for a given search, consider it a snapshot. It can change the following day. From 5th, it can go up to #1 and then fall to 7th within a month's period. However, in my experience using my proven method, the changes are not drastic. It might climb or sink a few notches within a year.

How many keywords can I use for my site?
The less number of keywords, the more manageable and more meaningful. I would suggest a maximum of 3 keywords. I can optimize the keywords to work in combination.

After doing the initial SEO service, do you provide additional monthly service to maintain top ranking? If so, how much would you charge on a monthly basis?
My service is a one-time effort that takes about 2 weeks to complete. I do not provide any additional monthly service for SEO (as I don't find the need for one). My one-time fee is based on an agreed contract price. However, as I constantly upgrade my skill set for SEO, I implement the latest technique to all my existing clients at no charge provided I have continued access to their server. This I do out of my own volition and is not part of the contract.

Clarify what your 1st page means. I can set my Google prefs to display 10 | 20 | 30| 50| 100 results per page.
By 1st page, I mean the top 10. The page should say:
Results 1-10 of about (no of results) for (keywords) (xxx seconds)

After the SEO work, can I immediately see improvements in my search engine ranking?
It really depends on when the search engine robots and spiders index your site. I would say that on the conservative side, 3 months would be a worst-case basis.

How much do you charge for SEO service?
My rate varies depending on the following:

What are your terms?
Once I scope the work and provide a quote, I will also include the terms.

If my ranking goes down, do I get a refund based on the rate scale?
No. Since all my work is still in place, the reason for the ranking decline could be from any source. The web is dynamic and as I wrote above, I don't guarantee your ranking will stay where it is.

How do I pay you?
Banking information will be included in the quote.

Ok, I want you to do SEO on my site. What should I do now?

Email me the following info:

I'll do my homework and get back to you with detailed questions.

I need more info!
Email webmaster@thelonerider.com for more questions.