Outsourcing SEO is About Trust
4th February 2009
|
As SEO has become more widely accepted and understood as a marketing channel, companies have had to make decisions to either insource or outsource their SEO efforts. And, as the SEO industry matures, the SEO space has become flooded with all sorts of people claiming to be an SEO Consultant. Of all my reading fodder, this hit a nerve. And, I mean that in a good way. I’ve been an SEO Consultant for several years, and occassionally the amount of my work exceeds my bandwidth. When that happens there are 2 people I use to outsource my work. I’ve tried a few others, but these are the 2 people I trust from our experiences together. I really don’t need to check their work. But, I DO check their work. And, they get it right everytime. In the past, I’ve tried a few others to outsource. But, inevitably I’ve had to redo the bulk of their work. So, it’s cost me more in both time & money. Relationships are invaluable. Whoever you outsource your work to, make sure you get along on a personal level. It’s easy to get the wool pulled over your eyes if you don’t have an established network. Everyone wants to be your “friend”. Other SEO “experts” will try to convince you they are the best, and most knowledgable. It might just be that if you don’t have any pre-existing SEO relationships, that you’ll need to take a chance. Lessons learned / Life Choice: Stick with the person you trust, and nuture that relationship. Photo credit: PhotoBal Related posts: |
February 4th, 2009 at
Thank you for the wisdom. I have not reached the place of outsourcing as of yet but will keep this in mind.
Great post.
February 5th, 2009 at
Shimon, I felt your heart in this post. I have been both vendor and client and feel passionately about what I tweeted. It applies to the traditional work force as well. If you have hired good people to get the job done, then let them do it! Micromanaging is an inability to let go of control or a validation that you don’t trust your own decision making, both lead to less than ideal results and create unnecessary stress for client/employer and vendor/employee. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with others!
February 6th, 2009 at
In house or Outsourcing - trusting the people handling your accounts is always an issue. As a consultant - managing campaigns means always maintaining a hands on approach - and utilizing internal or external labor to expand your ability to provide services (not walk away from them completely).
I think the advice”
“Outsourcing tip: Hire talent you trust and let them do their job. Your micromanagement can hinder the process & results”. applies more to the client who is less knowledgeable then the service professional - that same advice does not apply to the consultant who’s entire role is to manage/ micromanage.
February 6th, 2009 at
You’ve hit the nail on the head with this one, trust. Clients have been burnt so many times that by the time they make it to you they just assume it will be the same. This also goes along with outsourcing your work if the load becomes to much, nothing is worse the having to redo work from someone else.
February 7th, 2009 at
Great advice! I’ve also had the same problem with trying to outsource work to different people only to have to re-do it again and waste both time and money. I only use people I can trust and know their work. Also, great insight on the value of quality of life vs. making money.
February 7th, 2009 at
I would also like to add: look for an agency that actually has an office, answers their phones and maybe even responds intelligently to your emails.
If they are hiding their location and phone number, you have to wonder why.