Comments on: ROI for SEO: Proving Value to the CFO http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/ SEO and Internet Marketing Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:11:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: The Visible Dentist http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-27943 The Visible Dentist Sun, 30 May 2010 18:33:30 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-27943 We are a small SEO and Web design service working in the dental industry niche (geo local positioning). I do agree that it's nearly impossible to warrant a specific ROI from SEO, however, when we have control over the site's design and it's ranking goals, we can give an estimate based on the results of other clients. I disagree with you somewhat though on a ranking guarantee; frankly, our SEO guarantee has been the central factor in both ours and our clients' success, especially with regard to their avoiding scam artists who play the Google card. We hear it nearly everyday; Dr. Smith paid X Company $20K for SEO and months later he still can't find his website for a single query, including his own name in his own city! The SEO service takes their money then reports, "sorry, we did our best, but as you may know, Google says no one can guarantee search engine positions." To be sure, neither ourselves, nor anyone can give absolute assurances that Google or another search engine will reward an SEO effort with page one positions, however, unless they do, our clients do not have to pay for incompetence. Payment is made only after a campaign is successful; meaning specific page one positions for the client's most competitive keyword phrases. Still, SEO as you well know, is only part of the overall equation; without a great site design that encourages conversions, the client will not fully realize his site's full potential. In the end, ROI is also dependent upon how well the client's staff handles phone calls and emailed inquiries. Thus, factoring in other people beyond your control, it's practically impossible to guarantee ROI from any Web dev project. John Barremore Houston, TX We are a small SEO and Web design service working in the dental industry niche (geo local positioning). I do agree that it’s nearly impossible to warrant a specific ROI from SEO, however, when we have control over the site’s design and it’s ranking goals, we can give an estimate based on the results of other clients.

I disagree with you somewhat though on a ranking guarantee; frankly, our SEO guarantee has been the central factor in both ours and our clients’ success, especially with regard to their avoiding scam artists who play the Google card.

We hear it nearly everyday; Dr. Smith paid X Company $20K for SEO and months later he still can’t find his website for a single query, including his own name in his own city! The SEO service takes their money then reports, “sorry, we did our best, but as you may know, Google says no one can guarantee search engine positions.”

To be sure, neither ourselves, nor anyone can give absolute assurances that Google or another search engine will reward an SEO effort with page one positions, however, unless they do, our clients do not have to pay for incompetence. Payment is made only after a campaign is successful; meaning specific page one positions for the client’s most competitive keyword phrases.

Still, SEO as you well know, is only part of the overall equation; without a great site design that encourages conversions, the client will not fully realize his site’s full potential. In the end, ROI is also dependent upon how well the client’s staff handles phone calls and emailed inquiries. Thus, factoring in other people beyond your control, it’s practically impossible to guarantee ROI from any Web dev project.

John Barremore
Houston, TX

]]> By: Brian of Claremore http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18231 Brian of Claremore Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:28:13 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18231 <p>Very insightful article. This is becoming more and more something that everyone is going to have to think about. Thanks for such a thought provoking piece. </p> Very insightful article. This is becoming more and more something that everyone is going to have to think about. Thanks for such a thought provoking piece.

]]> By: paisley http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18230 paisley Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:21:18 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18230 great article from one of the ancients.. great article from one of the ancients..

]]> By: Ephricon http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18229 Ephricon Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:28:04 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18229 <p>Great stuff here Bruce. In the end all marketing should/will come down to cost/benefit. ROI. As an SEO, you must first generate a positive ROI or ROAS for your client, then you must tell them about it! </p> Great stuff here Bruce. In the end all marketing should/will come down to cost/benefit. ROI. As an SEO, you must first generate a positive ROI or ROAS for your client, then you must tell them about it!

]]> By: Millard http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18228 Millard Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:35:34 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18228 Very well thought out post Bruce. Everyone makes some kind of claim regarding SEO, but like I often say on my Ebay posts (Just look at my 100% feedback over the last 11 years). That is about all you can do. Very well thought out post Bruce. Everyone makes some kind of claim regarding SEO, but like I often say on my Ebay posts (Just look at my 100% feedback over the last 11 years). That is about all you can do.

]]> By: Leanne http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18227 Leanne Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:53:17 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18227 <p>Fantastic post. It sounds like you have a lot of the same conversations that we do - I would imagine that most in this industry do. </p> <p>Just like you, all we can guarantee is that we'll continue to educate ourselves so that we can offer our clients the very best. </p> Fantastic post. It sounds like you have a lot of the same conversations that we do – I would imagine that most in this industry do.

Just like you, all we can guarantee is that we’ll continue to educate ourselves so that we can offer our clients the very best.

]]> By: Lydia http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18226 Lydia Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:50:41 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18226 Thank you, Bruce, for this posting and nice explanation on proving the value of SEO. "Proving" could only really come if there were two identical sites, with identical starting points and one brought in a competent SEO and the other did not. Since that doesn't happen, it seems track records and, especially, recommendations given to valued SEOs works best. You know I believe in your methodology and training for clients. I am glad you shared your thoughts on this touchy topic. Thank you, Bruce, for this posting and nice explanation on proving the value of SEO. "Proving" could only really come if there were two identical sites, with identical starting points and one brought in a competent SEO and the other did not. Since that doesn’t happen, it seems track records and, especially, recommendations given to valued SEOs works best.
You know I believe in your methodology and training for clients. I am glad you shared your thoughts on this touchy topic.

]]> By: Eduard Blacquière http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18225 Eduard Blacquière Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:32:12 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18225 <p>Definitely a challenge SEO companies face more and more while clients better understand search optimization (and what value rankings do (not) have).</p> <p>You name some good arguments why you can not predict SEO ROI, but will that convince a CFO? </p> Definitely a challenge SEO companies face more and more while clients better understand search optimization (and what value rankings do (not) have).

You name some good arguments why you can not predict SEO ROI, but will that convince a CFO?

]]> By: Eric Fransen http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18224 Eric Fransen Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:28:20 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18224 This is a must read for any SEM company! Thanks Mr. Clay. This is a must read for any SEM company! Thanks Mr. Clay.

]]> By: Murph http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18223 Murph Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:10:32 +0000 http://www.bruceclay.com/blog-test/2009/02/roi-for-seo-proving-value-to-the-cfo/#comment-18223 <p>I think a lot of people in the SEO world take the easy way out. Those who provide a service are those who can take a website and not only get it to rank well, but can also consult the client on what changes need to be made on-site to better generate leads, whether it's content development or better calls to action.</p> <p> </p> I think a lot of people in the SEO world take the easy way out. Those who provide a service are those who can take a website and not only get it to rank well, but can also consult the client on what changes need to be made on-site to better generate leads, whether it’s content development or better calls to action.

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