Trying to please everyone
Success in the Search engine optimisation business has its own pitfalls. Getting customers websites on to page one of the major search engines is every web site marketing businesses aim, and Google gives us the vast majority of traffic to our customers websites so I look to them first for results, though I never under value the traffic coming to our sites from the other major players, MSN Yahoo etc.
The other day whilst doing some searching I found a page where seven the ten top results were for web pages that I have optimized, from several different sites, this, and something that was said by Jill Whalen www.highrankings.com started me thinking. Ok I admit it, that initially the feeling is WOW!! and at the same time an involuntary smug sort of grin spreads across the face. (well it was a Google results page) Anyway, Jill had said in an article I read recently something about limiting the number of clients she takes on that are competing for the same business. I realised that I am starting to compete with myself for my own customer’s high rankings and that I need to do something before it becomes embarrassing.
I have been in Scottish tourism industry for a number of years and started Tourism Site Fix primarily to specialise in tourism web optimisation and design working from home here on the shores of Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. Going back again to what Jill said, I think the time could come when I have to limit the number of each type of accommodation provider customers that I accept, at least on a local level, which would be a pity after spending many hours chasing local business. I also optimise and maintain other types of tourism business sites for example Jacobite.co.uk who do cruises on Loch Ness as well as tours to other visitor attractions in the Highlands. What would I say if a direct competitor of Jacobite asked me to do the same for them!! There are only four or five Loch Ness Cruise companies, could I possibly accept a contract like that ? In the same way this could manifest itself with web design, as we always optimise new websites, our customers will be competing against each other with sites that have all come from my desk.
I imagine hoards of ex customers forming a lynch mob outside my door all blaming me for not delivering what I promised, and all wanting my head to roll. I can justify my position though and accept this possibility without any guilt, this is why. The ongoing success of web sites that get to the top of the search engine organic rankings and remain there for months and years at a time is due to the level of input of a business into the web site. I think I can safely say this; a website that is regularly maintained, developed and updated with new content will achieve long term success. No matter how good a site starts out it will eventually be overtaken in the rankings if it is neglected. Getting a new killer website is just the beginning. However, I still need to do something to limit the number of same occupation businesses I take on from a local point of view!
The other day whilst doing some searching I found a page where seven the ten top results were for web pages that I have optimized, from several different sites, this, and something that was said by Jill Whalen www.highrankings.com started me thinking. Ok I admit it, that initially the feeling is WOW!! and at the same time an involuntary smug sort of grin spreads across the face. (well it was a Google results page) Anyway, Jill had said in an article I read recently something about limiting the number of clients she takes on that are competing for the same business. I realised that I am starting to compete with myself for my own customer’s high rankings and that I need to do something before it becomes embarrassing.
I have been in Scottish tourism industry for a number of years and started Tourism Site Fix primarily to specialise in tourism web optimisation and design working from home here on the shores of Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. Going back again to what Jill said, I think the time could come when I have to limit the number of each type of accommodation provider customers that I accept, at least on a local level, which would be a pity after spending many hours chasing local business. I also optimise and maintain other types of tourism business sites for example Jacobite.co.uk who do cruises on Loch Ness as well as tours to other visitor attractions in the Highlands. What would I say if a direct competitor of Jacobite asked me to do the same for them!! There are only four or five Loch Ness Cruise companies, could I possibly accept a contract like that ? In the same way this could manifest itself with web design, as we always optimise new websites, our customers will be competing against each other with sites that have all come from my desk.
I imagine hoards of ex customers forming a lynch mob outside my door all blaming me for not delivering what I promised, and all wanting my head to roll. I can justify my position though and accept this possibility without any guilt, this is why. The ongoing success of web sites that get to the top of the search engine organic rankings and remain there for months and years at a time is due to the level of input of a business into the web site. I think I can safely say this; a website that is regularly maintained, developed and updated with new content will achieve long term success. No matter how good a site starts out it will eventually be overtaken in the rankings if it is neglected. Getting a new killer website is just the beginning. However, I still need to do something to limit the number of same occupation businesses I take on from a local point of view!
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