SEO for many years has moved from one level to the next. In the mid to late 90s, SEO was all about meta tags, keywords, and backlinks. Spam central hit the net as website owners grew brighter and took note on what worked. Don’t kid yourself, you know you did it too (at least to some point). It was an “if you can’t beat em, join em” scenario. Venturing into mid 2000’s, we discovered that not only did we have to have backlinks, but they had to be relevant. We also noticed that “content is king” and to be on top of your game, you must have relevant content on your website that related to your backlinks. Meta’s were still important, but the keyword tag nearly lots all meaning.
We are now approaching the end of 2007, and boy are times changing. There are enough online social networks, blogs, and user feedback sites to make your head spin. You can no longer just be “on” the internet; you have to be “in” the internet. Many markets are falling behind, as the ones that jumped on board when the internet first started or soon there after, and kept abreast of the changing online market, are striving to the top.
Within the last 6-7 months alone, SEO services took a leap up the ladder. No longer can an SEO specialist manage 50 accounts, we are cut down to10 max to give each client the understanding and dedication they deserve for their services. SEO/SEM packaged contracts dwindled down and we now must customize them per clients need. Prices have gone up as more time is needed to receive well rounded desired results, and hourly pricing is necessary to keep businesses afloat. Now we must focus on details details details. There is always more to come, so sit tight and keep focused on your target market, your niche, what they use, and who you are. That is the key, has been the key, and will always be the key, to online success.
