Analysis of (SEO) Analysis for site

Recently, we hired an SEO Company to provide an SEO analysis of our website to grow traffic. I wanted to know if the experts here find the suggestions credible, or have better suggestions.

Here are the highlights of what they've recommended:
1. Current search engine visibility is too low. They recommended creating a detailed site map.
2. Link popularity is too low. They recommended a reciprocal link building campaign.
3. Keyword Density problems. They recommended adding keywords throughout the body, and in the title. They suggested putting some in bold text, or in <H1..H6> tags.
4. Optimize site for text based browsers alone.
5. Finally, they recommended some keywords. I believe they were just generated from Google.

Our e-commerce shop is www.hmedicine.com

All of those items are SEO 101 and should be a starting point for any site. So technically they are good pointers although if you paid a lot to have them come up with that list, its not great.

What exactly did you hire them to do? The analysis?

And if so, do they work on those points as part of the payment?

I hope that was an introductory free analysis. Sadly, many average and below average SEO firms are beginning to do what web designers of the same or lower caliber have been doing for years: trumping up big charges for basic, stupid simple techniques and strategies that are nothing more than the bare-bones basics anyway. The SEOing for dummies book has more information than what it seems they have "imparted" to you. I know that at one time I myself was paying an SEO $500 monthly to do things that I learned how to do myself within a month or so and did a much cleaner and better job at to boot (higher rankings, less text and copy that didn't make sense because it was placed there specifically for SERP effect). I also found out (through this wonderful board) that my SEO was following several outdated and possibly even counter-productive myths (such as living and dying on Google PR) that were not necessarily in the best interest of achieving my bottom line goals.

My advice would be that if you or someone on your staff has the time to study and work on SEO, do it. If not, find someone who is at least ahead of the pack (which is the name of the game anyway in SEO) so that they will be worth your money.

Actually, since it's mentioned, why not get one-way BLs instead of reciprocals?

And KW density is a myth. Term weight would apply.

Site structure is critical and should be addressed.

Why would you optimize a site for text-based browsers? Less than 1% of Internet users even know that's an option.

I agree, the suggestions seemed very basic when compared to discussions on this board. It included a lot of charts comparing our site to our main competitor to show how they're ranked higher than us.

The analysis was provided for free in exchange for some services we've provided them. But, it doesnt even seem worth those.

Look at the links in my sig, especially the 605 and 1000. That will give you something to work with.

I would hope that paletexan is paraphrasing the report from the SEO .. .otherwise, no wonder we get a bad name for ourselves!.

Pay them only for results, if they get you in the top ten of one of the big search engines each month, then pay them, otherwise walk away and find another agency that gets paid by results.

Yes, i did paraphrase somewhat. But, paying for results sounds reasonable to me as a consumer. I always figured SEO professionals would charge for their time regardless.

rmccarley, thanks for point me to your posts. They are very helpful . I've made some proposed changes and the test site with the changes is http://test.hmedicine.com

In my experiecne they do. They won't garauntee results and will charge regardless, which is why I'm trying my best to learn it myself.

There are very few businesses that are paid regardless of results. It's hard for me to swallow when I didn't know what they were actually doing. Even after having a good idea of what's done it's hard for me to pay someone for low-medium (at best) competitive keywords and not have them garauntee results.

It's like paying a mortgage broker $10k to try and find you a loan. When he's unable to find you a loan he says "Sorry, it did't work out." Yes he spent time but you as a consumer received nothing.

$.02

Brian

There are lots of good SEO companies (like mine) that will charge a set up fee and charge for analysis etc, but on an ongoing basis will only expect payment on results!

Creating a site map will make it much easier for search engines to index the site. Do it carefully though.

1) The advices are good, but basic.

2) About payment methods honestly I see normal to charge a SMALL analyze / suggestions fee - because after all that person spent some time analyzing your site and making you good suggestions and maybe in the end you will decide to implement them by yourself or don't come to an agreement regarding price, etc. But still this should only be at the level where it covers it's time and not geenrates profit - the profit must be generated based on results.

I'd rather spend money for them if I get the results that I want... I mean why would I spend my money for no guarantee that my site will have progress... Yes, their suggestions are simple but be careful about the terms they're using... i mean they might use terms that you're not familiar with if telling you simple stuff doesn't have an effect on you... try to expand your knowledge about SEO and probably you won't be needing to hire an SEO... there are lot of helpful people here in this forums... don't stop your thirst for knowledge!

Its a good point, and I always start by agreeing a list of 100 search terms with my clients. This list comes from their own META tags, brainstorming with them, terms from their own promotional material, then a small amount of niche terms that all the above has missed

I agree, the suggestions seemed very basic when compared to discussions on this board. It included a lot of charts comparing our site to our main competitor to show how they're ranked higher than us.
Thanks
SEO Expert Hyderabad