is this possible...

I am the webmaster for company "x" and have just recently redesigned
and optimized their website for google and many other search engines.

The website generates about 5000 unique visitors per month and about
100 leads per month via a form. Today in a meeting it was proposed that
we hire an outside consultant or SEO to do a market analysis to provide us
with more traffic and more leads.

The SEO said that during the month of June they would send us 14,000
unique visitors and 200 leads. During the month of July 17,500 unique
visitors and 250 leads. And during the month of August 21,000 unique
visitors and 300 leads.

All for a small fee that I will not mention at this time.

Do you think what this SEO says is feasible?
What would be a fair price for this service?

Any information would be appreciated.

any advice?

Is this possible... to go from 5000 per month to 14,000 in a matter of
weeks, when the site has already been optimized and ranks well in the
search engines?

any response, advice, comments, suggestions....

possible, anything is possible.

if you ask the individual for a technical explanation, we can give you more information on if it is possible and ethical.

please ask the individual to write out what he/she will do technically so you can make your decision.

Feel free to PM and I will look it over OR just post it here and the experts will respond.

Thanks

Thank you both for your replies.

The site does not have to do with the holidays. We would like to maintain this traffic after the 3 month period. So the traffic they generate would have to be legitimate and that is a point I will make the next time I meet with them.

The fee is definitely not too low for PPC - we're talking over 15k.
They said the following:

1. Optimize web pages for search engines
2. Setup links with manufacturers
3. Setup links with non-business related sites
4. Setup sponsorships with business related sites
And a couple of others.

Would it be possible to do what they're saying based on those 4 bullets?

Thanks again for your expert opinions.

Thanks again PhilC for your response.

We haven't discussed what happens if they don't drive the traffic they
are guaranteeing - but the question will be raised.

Here is a full list of actions that they plan on taking to increase traffic.

1. Optimize the site for search engines (already ranked in top 3 on
multiple search engines on multiple keywords)
2. Refining response to initial online inquiries (takes 24 hours)
3. Automate and consolidate traffic reporting to present
4. Establish link relationships with non-competing sites
5. Establish link relationships with manufacturers
6. Sponsorship of "related information" content sites
7. Establish link relstionships with community focused institutions that have
the focus at our level
8. Establish link relationships with other industry associations

They also plan on going through our site and "empowering" the customer.
A lot of this has been done or is planned.
I guess it looks like we would be paying $15k for 550 leads and some
marketing optimization to our site.

If anyone else has any comments or suggestions I would welcome your
thoughts. Thanks again.

Do you have more information on what they will be doing to increase the functionality of the site - by empowering the customer?

I mean this could mean a bunch of things.

Also, it could take months to establish that many links. But if 15k is the price, I am sure they will be persuasive.

Sounds to me like they know what they are doing.

Have you asked for references? Can you speak with any of their other clients and see if their track record bears out their claims? What kind of guarantee do they offer - what if the numbers are not attained?

Aside from those questions, does it bother anyone other than myself when companies blur the line between marketing and true SEO? Most of what they are promising looks to me more marketing than actual SEO.

Good point, Phil. However, I was refering to those who just think that SEO is selling PPC or other types of advertising.

I prescribe to your defintion of SEO, just a little tired of those who are looking for the quick buck made on a promise they dont know if they can keep.

BTW, your site was my first lesson on seo and PR. Great resource!

SEO is part of marketing. I do not think that people blur it. I think that it was used here in the context of SEO b/c the sites name is SEO.

I would doubt a company that charges 15k or more would just title the proposal, SEO.

Anyway, I would love to see this proposal.

The amount they charge is irrelevant. What is important is how/if they deliver results. Especially in this case because they are promising a large increase.

In my industry, most website owners no little about what drives their traffic and are dependent on others. As a result, I see many of my colleagues and competitors get ripped off by scam SEO, or PPC resellers who overcharge and do nothing else. That's why references are key.

I didnt mean to generalize industry-wide. My experience has just been more negative than positive with SEOs who compensate for lack of real SEO skills with PPC and other marketing specific campaigns.

At the end of the day the cost here is $15,000. Is it worth it to your company? If it is and they do what they say they can, then spend the money. The first site I ever optimised was for international debt recovery. I charged £50.00, they are and have been number 1 and 2 on google and many other top engines for over a year now. How gutted do I feel? That aside My charges now reflect on what the job is worth to the client, and as I said if the increase in traffic etc turns you a profit on top of their charges then I wouldn't complain.

If i may I run a performance based SEO firm and I cannot even fathom paying $15,000 USD upfront that is rediculous! If they are that confident in their service they should ask for a small commitment portion upfront say 10-30% of the total contract value. Also contact other SEO firms to get counter quotes and evaluate their proposal. If it is everything it is cracked up to be then it will pass the test of having other reputable firms such as Bruce Clay, Seo inc or myself going over it. We would examine it unbiasly and give you an honest breakdown on the feasibility of the project. Also references are always a good idea. If you would like I would be happy to look into this for you and give you my thoughts. Before commiting to such a high price at least make sure you have all the facts. PM me or email me at morgan@performancemarketingltd.com and i'd be happy to help.
Warm regards
Morgan
PMG