Value this service...

I asked one of the SEOs to improve one of my sites.

* Meta Tags Optimization
* Special Pages Development for all keywords
* Reciprocal Link Exchange Campaigns
* One Way High Page Rank Link (5 permanent)
* Google Sitemap Development and Submission
* Monthly Ranking report & Log analysis

Above steps is what the SEO suggested. How much do you pros value this type of service?

I would base it on what you want and what he/she delivers. A good seo will allow you to sit down and discuss what YOU want and how it can be accomplished.
As for the services he is supposed to be providing it may or may not improve your serps. It really depends on what your topic and target is.

* Meta Tags Optimization - no point but easy to do.
* Special Pages Development for all keywords - I agree with this one, its something I suggest. Many times sites just don't have the content required to rank in the first place.
* Reciprocal Link Exchange Campaigns - Strongly disagree with this. Reciprocal linking is a waste of time.
* One Way High Page Rank Link (5 permanent)- Yeah good, as long as it is relevant and not site wide.
* Google Sitemap Development and Submission - Yeah although I wouldn't expect miracles from, it.
* Monthly Ranking report & Log analysis - Good to quantify the results. Check location of search and validity of results.

Depending on what term is being targeted it is difficult to quantify value further.

I would suggest that the above is a basic SEO plan for a basic - intermediate keyword.

So I am quoted $150/month for this with committment of 6-8 months. Promised is ranking anywhere between 1-20 for the keywords on Yahoo and MSN - no promises for Google. Here are my KW

4th grade mental math
mental math practice
homeschooling
homeschool mental math
homeschool mental books
homeschool curriculum
homeschool resources
homeschooling curriculum
homeschooling statistics
homeschooling programs
homeschooling elementary
homeschooling events
elementary math
learn mental math
learning mental math
math activities
math books
math tutor
math tutoring
mental math
mental math trick
mental math technique
mental math game
2nd grade mental math
3rd grade mental math
mental math problem

I believe these are intermediate - somewhat competative.

Now I am aware of Google tactics and ofcourse I wouldn't expect anything. If I continue my own SEO skills (I would rate myself at 6/10 professionally because SEO is not something I do fulltime), I might rank high in Yahoo and MSN for sure. One of the sites I worked in 2004 ranks at #1 for few KWs in Y! and MSN. Does that mean from Indian pay standards I am worth $150 a month for such type of tasks?

SEO value fluxuates greatly depending on who you are talking to. It might be worth a gamble at that price and I can see how they can promise msn and yahoo. It just depends on how big your goals are as there are a variety of seo packages to choose from. I have some clients that just want to get their feet wet and others that want to go gung ho and I have different aggression level tactics for each. The moral of the story is that you get what you pay for.

THere is PLENTY of point, we all know all bots see the meta tags and many use them.



I wouldn't spend exclusive time in RL but it is NOT a waste of time, there is still relevancy in this type of linking.




And to everyone else low balling your services @ 150 a month, you clearly do not have the proper expertise or experience in the field to be doing SEO at all.

Depending on size of site, and how many plans this guy has will dictate price starting in the thousands.

This is why SEOs or wannabes flood the forums for 'Hire Me' posts because they don't start in thousands. Meager 100s and a lot of Western companies hire them. A bit off topic there.

I have seen the work done buy the guy and I of course know my own work, I think he is definitely worth it and the pricing - if I have to pay 150 compared to thousands then I shall definitely opt for a service from eastern world.

When you look into SEO the smart competitor will implement SEO long before within the business plan/design.

You are paying for expertise not clowns.

If you pay peanuts you'll get monkeys.