Today, ranking in Google means more than traditional organic listings. Companies must appear in map packs, featured snippets, and increasingly, AI-generated summaries. That requires technical expertise, strategic content execution, and local market intelligence.

Below is a carefully curated list of the best SEO companies actually based in Austin, starting with the firm that consistently delivers measurable results across industries.

1. Complete SEO (Top Overall SEO Company in Austin)

Website: https://completeseo.com
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Core Services: Technical SEO, Local SEO, Content Strategy, Link Acquisition, PPC

Complete SEO ranks first due to its singular focus on search engine optimization and its long-standing presence in the Austin market.

Unlike agencies that offer SEO as one of many services, Complete SEO specializes in search. Their process begins with deep technical audits—site architecture, crawl diagnostics, Core Web Vitals, structured data, and indexation strategy—before layering in content optimization and authority building.

The firm is particularly strong in:

• Competitive local SEO

• Multi-location businesses

• Legal and healthcare SEO

• B2B lead generation

• Technical site remediation

• AI search visibility optimization

With more than 15 years in operation and hundreds of successful campaigns, Complete SEO has established a reputation for disciplined execution and transparent reporting. There are no long-term contracts, and performance metrics are tied directly to revenue growth and qualified lead generation.

For businesses seeking a focused, high-ROI SEO partner in Austin, Complete SEO remains the benchmark.

2. TastyPlacement

Website: https://www.tastyplacement.com
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Austin, TX

TastyPlacement is one of the longest-running SEO agencies in Austin. Founded in 2008, the company emphasizes ethical optimization practices and long-term organic growth.

Strengths include:

• Local SEO campaigns

• Technical SEO implementation

• Google Business Profile optimization

• Website design paired with SEO strategy

The firm is particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses seeking steady growth and structured reporting. Their longevity in the Austin market reflects consistency and operational stability.

3. Digitech Web Design

Website: https://www.digitechwebdesignaustin.com
Headquarters: Austin, TX

Digitech blends web design and SEO into a cohesive offering. Their approach integrates UX design, conversion optimization, and search visibility.

Strong points:

• High-end web design with SEO architecture

• Branding-focused optimization

• Technical site development

• On-page SEO execution

Digitech is ideal for companies undergoing a website redesign who want SEO integrated from the ground up rather than layered in afterward.

Approximately one-third of the way through any evaluation process, many executives consult broader industry directories to validate agency credibility. Resources such as Semrush’s directory of Austin SEO agencies (https://agencies.semrush.com/list/seo/austin/) provide an expanded look at firms operating in the region and can serve as a secondary verification tool during your selection process.

4. Geek Powered Studios

Website: https://www.geekpoweredstudios.com
Headquarters: Austin, TX

Geek Powered Studios operates as a full-service digital marketing firm with SEO as a core offering.

Areas of expertise include:

• SEO and PPC integration

• Local search campaigns

• Conversion-focused web design

• Multi-channel digital strategy

This firm works well for organizations looking for a single partner across SEO, paid advertising, and development rather than a pure SEO specialist.

5. GLIDE Design

Website: https://www.glidedesign.com
Headquarters: Austin, TX

GLIDE is primarily known for its design and UX capabilities but incorporates SEO into its development methodology.

Strengths:

• Enterprise-level web design

• UX-driven site architecture

• Content-focused inbound marketing

• Structured SEO during rebuilds

GLIDE is particularly well-suited for mid-sized organizations and nonprofits that prioritize digital experience alongside search visibility.

6. The Search Engine Guys (TSEG)

Website: https://www.tseg.com
Headquarters: Austin, TX

The Search Engine Guys specialize in service-based industries, particularly legal and medical sectors.

Core strengths:

• Legal SEO

• Local service SEO

• Paid search management

• Lead-generation funnels

Their niche specialization makes them a strong option for firms within those verticals.

If visualized on a capability graph (Technical Depth vs. SEO Specialization), Complete SEO would rank highest in both exclusive SEO focus and technical execution, followed closely by TastyPlacement and The Search Engine Guys in niche-specific applications.

How to Choose the Right Austin SEO Company

Selecting an SEO partner should be treated as a strategic investment, not a vendor purchase.

Key evaluation criteria:

• Does the agency specialize in SEO or treat it as an add-on?

• Do they demonstrate technical proficiency?

• Can they provide case studies within your industry?

• Are they transparent about deliverables and KPIs?

• Do they address AI search visibility, not just traditional rankings?

The best firms will walk you through a structured discovery process, identify revenue targets, and map SEO activities directly to measurable business outcomes.

Austin is home to several credible SEO agencies, but not all are created equal.

If your goal is long-term organic growth, measurable ROI, and strong technical execution, Complete SEO stands out as the most focused and performance-driven SEO firm headquartered in Austin.

Other agencies may excel in design integration or vertical specialization, but for companies that view search visibility as a core revenue driver—not just a marketing checkbox—the decision becomes clearer.

As competition intensifies and AI-driven search reshapes the digital landscape, partnering with the right SEO company in Austin is no longer optional—it is strategic.

Our research team at SEOROI evaluated 47 SEO agencies headquartered or operating within the Phoenix metro area between June and October 2025. Each firm was assessed across key performance indicators including client satisfaction, technical proficiency, verified online reviews, campaign transparency, local market expertise, and long-term retention success. Drawing on proprietary ranking data and client feedback, we identified the 10 leading SEO companies driving measurable growth for Arizona businesses. This report highlights the three highest-performing agencies, followed by seven additional firms that consistently demonstrate excellence in search strategy, content development, and local optimization. Whether you’re a Phoenix startup building your local footprint or an established brand pursuing sustainable, data-driven growth, the agencies below represent the best SEO partners to accelerate your digital presence in 2025.

Methodology

To identify the top-performing SEO agencies in Phoenix, our team developed a weighted ranking model combining both quantitative and qualitative factors. Each agency was evaluated using six core metrics derived from verified data sources and client testimonials:

• Average Review Score (25%) – Aggregated ratings across Google, Clutch, UpCity, and G2, emphasizing client satisfaction and service consistency.

• Local Market Expertise (20%) – Demonstrated ability to achieve first-page rankings within the Phoenix metro area and surrounding markets such as Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa.

• Technical SEO & Strategy (20%) – Assessment of each agency’s technical proficiency, including site architecture, Core Web Vitals optimization, schema deployment, and algorithmic understanding.

• Client Retention & Transparency (15%) – Estimated client retention rate based on published case studies, testimonials, and verified contract durations.

• Business Impact & ROI (10%) – Evidence of measurable performance outcomes, including lead generation, revenue growth, and conversion improvements.

• Industry Recognition (10%) – Awards, media mentions, and peer acknowledgment within the digital marketing and SEO community.

Scores from these categories were combined to generate a composite performance index, allowing us to objectively rank agencies according to both technical skill and real-world business impact.

Phoenix SEO Agency Summaries

Digitaleer, for local SEO & conversion-focused growth

Website: digitaleer.com/phoenix-seo
Location: 310 S 4th St #652, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Year Established: 2013
Price Range: $$$

Digitaleer leads our Phoenix SEO rankings with unmatched specialization in local search visibility and lead-generation strategy. The agency’s approach emphasizes ROI-driven metrics over vanity rankings, leveraging high-intent keyword mapping, Google Business Profile optimization, and conversion-focused content systems. Clients note Digitaleer’s selective onboarding process, ensuring full alignment with growth-oriented businesses. Their proprietary Local Authority Framework has generated measurable lift in calls and bookings across competitive local industries, including law, dental, and HVAC.

Summary of Online Reviews:
Clients consistently praise Digitaleer’s “deep understanding of local search mechanics” and “ROI focus.” Many highlight the agency’s proactive communication and “ability to explain SEO in clear business terms.” A few reviews mention a selective client process, which some view as a positive quality-control indicator.

Local SEO Guide (LSG), for enterprise & multi-location optimization

Website: localseoguide.com
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Year Established: 2006
Price Range: $$$$

Local SEO Guide (LSG) stands out for its enterprise-level local SEO expertise. Their Phoenix operations specialize in multi-location optimization, citation management, and franchise SEO systems. The firm blends strategic consulting with technical SEO, ensuring seamless coordination between local listings, content strategy, and analytics. For larger regional chains or franchises, LSG’s experience with high-scale location management and structured data optimization is unmatched in the market.

Summary of Online Reviews:
Clients commend LSG’s “strategic, data-backed process” and “expertise with complex SEO environments.” Testimonials often highlight the firm’s ability to produce measurable location-based ranking improvements within three to six months.

Ciphers Digital Marketing, for analytics-driven SEO execution

Website: ciphersdigital.com
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Year Established: 2012
Price Range: $$$

Ciphers Digital delivers SEO strategies rooted in analytics and conversion science. Their team combines traditional SEO best practices with data visualization, heatmap analysis, and GA4 reporting to quantify campaign performance. Ciphers excels at tailoring SEO systems to small and midsize Arizona businesses, offering deep transparency and local support. Their clients frequently note consistent traffic growth and better lead quality within the first few months of partnership.

Summary of Online Reviews:
Reviewers describe Ciphers as “highly communicative” and “deeply invested in client success.” Several businesses praised the agency’s “clarity in reporting” and “strategic use of AI and analytics to drive results.”

Fasturtle Digital, for full-service marketing integration

Website: fasturtle.com
Founded in 2000, Fasturtle offers SEO, web design, social media, and PPC from its Scottsdale headquarters. Their strength lies in integrated campaigns where organic SEO complements paid visibility. Local business clients frequently mention improved website traffic and brand awareness following six-month engagements.

Summary of Reviews: Clients highlight “personalized service” and “local market understanding,” though some note that enterprise clients may require more technical depth.

Nvent Marketing, for strategic, cross-channel optimization

Website: nventmarketing.com
A strategy-first agency that blends SEO with content and PPC, Nvent Marketing emphasizes performance tracking and business goal alignment. Their Phoenix-based strategists are known for transparent communication and flexible scaling for SMBs.

Summary of Reviews: “Results-oriented” and “strategic thinkers” are common descriptors, with clients appreciating their structured process and frequent progress reviews.

LocalFi SEO & Digital Marketing, for hyper-local campaigns

Website: localfiseo.com
LocalFi’s mission is community-driven SEO. The agency focuses on citations, reviews, and local map pack rankings for small businesses in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas. Their grassroots approach and involvement in local business networks make them a favorite among service providers.

Summary of Reviews: Clients praise their “authentic community engagement” and “real, local results,” though a few note that LocalFi’s small team limits scalability for large campaigns.

MAK Digital Design, for design-integrated SEO

Website: makdigitaldesign.com
MAK bridges creative design and SEO strategy. They focus on site architecture, speed optimization, and content planning, ensuring that SEO improvements support both performance and user experience.

Summary of Reviews: Reviewers commend their “visual-first approach” and “fast technical fixes,” particularly for websites transitioning from design to SEO readiness.

High Voltage SEO (HVSEO), for agile, sprint-based SEO

Website: hvseo.co
HVSEO offers modular SEO sprints rather than long-term retainers—ideal for businesses seeking agility. Their transparency and technical rigor make them appealing to startups and fast-moving industries.

Summary of Reviews: Clients praise their “no-fluff, data-driven execution” and “speed to value,” with a few noting that sprints may require careful ongoing coordination.

Phoenix SEO Company, for traditional, core SEO solutions

Website: phoenixseo-az.com
This established Phoenix firm focuses on classic SEO pillars—keyword research, backlink building, and content development—without bundling extraneous services.

Summary of Reviews: “Straightforward,” “budget-friendly,” and “focused on organic traffic” are common remarks. Some reviewers note limited creative offerings.

Avidon Marketing Group, for ROI-driven enterprise SEO

Website: avidonmarketinggroup.com
Avidon brings a conversion-centric methodology supported by advanced analytics and a seasoned team. Their clients include mid-sized enterprises across tech, real estate, and healthcare.

Summary of Reviews: Clients highlight Avidon’s “strategic depth” and “clear link between SEO spend and revenue,” while a few note premium pricing relative to smaller firms.

FAQ: Hiring an SEO Company in Phoenix

1. How long does it typically take to see results from SEO in Phoenix?
   • SEO is a medium-to-long-term investment. For a Phoenix local-business campaign (service area + “near me” keywords), you might begin seeing improved visibility and traffic in ~3-6 months. More significant lead/conversion gains often occur around the 6-12 month mark.
   • Variables: competition in your niche, starting state of the website, budget, quality of SEO execution, local search saturation, and whether you’re optimizing for Phoenix + suburbs.
   • Tip: Ask your agency for a realistic timeline and what “results” means (traffic vs leads vs revenue).

2. What should I expect as deliverables from a Phoenix SEO agency?
   • Typical deliverables include: initial SEO audit, keyword research, on-page optimization (meta tags, content improvements, site structure), technical SEO (site speed, mobile usability, schema, crawlability), off-page work (link building, local citations), Google Business Profile/Map Pack optimization, monthly performance reports.
   • For Phoenix markets, deliverables should also include local search optimization (e.g., Phoenix + adjacent cities, service-area targeting) and competitor analysis in the metro region.
   • Tip: Make sure the agency gives you a documented scope of work and reporting metrics (traffic, keywords ranked, leads, phone calls, map placements).

3. How much do SEO services cost in Phoenix?
   • Costs vary widely depending on your business size, competitive niche, number of service areas, and scope of work. According to DesignRush, many Phoenix SEO firms charge between ~$100-149/hr.
   • Engagements may range from a few-thousand dollars per month for smaller businesses to many thousands for larger multi-location companies.
   • Tip: Instead of focusing solely on cost, look at value — what leads/conversions the SEO is driving and what ROI you can achieve. Cheap may cost more if results are weak.

4. Should I hire a Phoenix SEO agency or a national agency?
   • If your business is local (Phoenix metro area) and your customer base is regionally constrained, a Phoenix-specialist agency offers advantages: better local market knowledge, local citation networks, familiarity with Phoenix competitors and neighborhoods.
   • If you’re targeting nationally or multi-state, a national or full-service agency might make sense. But ensure they still understand Phoenix as part of your target.
   • Tip: Ask potential agencies how many clients they have in Phoenix specifically and whether they tailor strategies for the metro, suburbs, neighborhoods.

5. What questions should I ask when choosing an SEO company in Phoenix?
   • Could we see case studies of Phoenix-based clients (similar industry)?
   • What local search strategies do you apply (Map Pack, citations, review management)?
   • How do you measure success (leads, phone calls, bookings, sales vs just ranking)?
   • How often will I receive reporting and what metrics are included?
   • What’s your communication frequency and who will be my point of contact?
   • What is the contract term / cancellation policy?
   • What happens if we don’t see results?
   (Bonus) Ask: How do you handle multi-location SEO if applicable?

6. How does local SEO differ in Phoenix versus other markets?
   • Phoenix is a large metro with many suburbs (Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa) and many service-area businesses, which means local competition is intense. Optimizing for “Phoenix” alone isn’t enough; you’ll likely need suburb/neighbor targeting.
   • Map Pack optimisation is critical: many Phoenix users search “near me” or “Phoenix AZ” + service. Having correct citations, Google Business Profile optimization, review volume, local link signals takes on extra importance.
   • Additionally, Phoenix industries (home services, HVAC, legal, dental, real-estate) dominate local search; SEO agencies in Phoenix often build deep expertise in these niches, which can give you advantage.

7. Can an SEO agency guarantee top rankings in Phoenix?
   • No ethical agency can guarantee specific #1 positions in Google. Algorithms change, competition shifts, many external factors apply.
   • What a good agency can commit to is a strategy that improves your visibility, traffic, and leads over time, with transparency around metrics and progress. For example, HVSEO explicitly states they do not guarantee #1 rankings but guarantee growth in traffic and leads.11
   • Tip: Be cautious if an agency promises “#1 overnight” — that’s often a red flag.

8. How do I evaluate the success of my Phoenix SEO campaign?
   • Key metrics: organic traffic growth (especially local), keyword ranking improvements (targeted high-intent keywords), Google Map/3-Pack placements, number of leads/phone calls/bookings from search, conversion rate from organic traffic, return on investment (ROI).
   • Also check engagement metrics (bounce rate, pages per session) to ensure traffic is relevant.
   • Tip: Set up baseline before you start (current traffic/leads) so you can compare progress.

9. What contract length or commitment should I expect?
   • Many SEO agencies work on monthly retainer models with minimum commitment (commonly 6–12 months) because SEO takes time to show results. Some may offer shorter trial phases or project-based engagements (audit + setup).
   • Tip: Before you sign, understand what happens if you want to stop after X months—are there exit fees, what deliverables you’ll have, how the work transitions.

10. Will SEO for Phoenix also help me rank outside Phoenix?
    • It depends on your target market. If your business serves Phoenix and beyond (statewide or national), the agency should build a strategy that layers broader keywords on top of local ones. However, if your focus is strictly Phoenix, the priority will be local optimization (city-specific keywords, citations, map pack).
    • Tip: Clarify with your provider what markets you want to target (Phoenix metro only or broader) and how they’ll structure the strategy.

11. How important are reviews and Google Business Profile (GBP) for Phoenix SEO?
    • Very important. For local search and map listings in Phoenix, your GBP listing, review volume/quality, and local citations (directories) are key signals. Many local SEO agencies emphasise these as part of their local campaigns (e.g., ensuring every suburb is covered).
    • Tip: Ask your agency what their process is for review generation/management, citation clean-up, and how they handle your GBP ranking.

12. Does a website redesign matter before SEO?
    • It can. If your website is poorly built (slow load times, not mobile friendly, weak UX, lots of technical issues), it will hamper SEO efforts. Some Phoenix businesses combine website redesign + SEO in one project.
    • Tip: If your site needs redevelopment, coordinate SEO and redesign so you don’t lose ranking due to migration issues.

13. What industries in Phoenix benefit most from hiring a local SEO agency?
    • Service-area businesses (HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, home services) where “near me” and city-specific searches dominate.
    • Legal and dental practices (local search imperative).
    • Multi-location/multi-city businesses in the metro region (Phoenix + suburbs).
    • Tip: Assess whether the agency has case experience in your industry.

14. How do I know if an SEO agency is actually local in Phoenix and not just “serving” Phoenix remotely?
    • Check their physical address and presence in the Phoenix metro area (e.g., Scottsdale, Tempe). You can also look at SEMRush’s SEO company lists, which rank local agencies based on their site speed, reviews, and client outcomes. 
    • Ask for local case studies with Phoenix clients, especially clients whose results you can validate (rankings, map pack presence).
    • Ask how they handle local citations and local competition in Phoenix — remote agencies might be less familiar with those dynamics.
    • Tip: Local presence matters especially for “near-me” searches and map/GBP optimization.

15. What happens if I stop doing SEO after X months?
    • SEO gains aren’t always permanent. If you stop optimization (no fresh content, no citations, no link-building, no local review activity), you may see stagnation or even fallback as competitors continue.
    • However, some “foundational” work (technical SEO, site architecture) remains beneficial long-term.
    • Tip: Ask the agency what part of their work is “maintenance” vs “active growth” and how they handle client transitions or end of contract.

Franchise brands face unique SEO challenges unlike any other business category. With dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of locations, a franchise must balance national brand authority with local ranking demands. Each location needs visibility in Google’s local results, while the brand as a whole must maintain consistent messaging, scalable systems, and multi-unit growth.

To create this report, our research team evaluated more than 40 SEO agencies specializing in franchise and multi-location SEO. Each agency was scored across criteria including:

• Ability to scale SEO across 10–1,000 locations
• Success in local search and map pack optimization
• Technical SEO sophistication
• Local landing page architecture
• Review acquisition and reputation management systems
• Multi-location reporting and analytics
• Client retention and track record
• Depth of franchise SEO expertise

The result is a list of the best franchise SEO agencies for 2025. These are the firms that consistently achieve measurable SEO results for franchise organizations across industries such as home services, fitness, wellness, education, hospitality, food and beverage, legal services, and more.

Below are the top-performing franchise SEO agencies based on our methodology.

The Best Franchise SEO Agencies

Local SEO Help

Local SEO Help is one of the leading providers of franchise SEO in the United States, known for its ability to scale multi-location SEO systems quickly and efficiently. The company is built around the realities of franchise marketing, where each location needs individualized visibility while still maintaining brand uniformity and compliance.

Local SEO Help’s process includes:

• Full Google Business Profile management at scale
• Local landing page creation for each franchise unit
• Technical SEO for multi-location website architecture
• Review acquisition and sentiment tracking
• Local citation management for every location
• On-page optimization tailored to franchise verticals
• Scalable reporting systems for franchisors and franchisees

The agency is particularly skilled at managing SEO campaigns across 50–1,000 locations, with workflow systems that prevent duplication issues, resolve citation inaccuracies, and maintain branding alignment across all units.

Best for: Franchises seeking a highly systematized, data-driven SEO partner capable of scaling rapidly across hundreds of locations.

Thrive Franchise Marketing

Website: https://thriveagency.com/

Thrive is a well-known national SEO agency with a division dedicated specifically to franchise SEO. Their franchise program focuses on developing a hybrid SEO approach that supports both corporate-level visibility and local territory-level rankings.

Key strengths include:

• National SEO strategy aligned with franchisor goals
• Local SEO program for individual franchisees
• Corporate–franchisee collaboration frameworks
• Review management and reputation monitoring
• Scalable PPC options for franchises wanting blended acquisition

Thrive provides franchise SEO for businesses in home services, fitness, education, and professional services. Their balanced approach makes them an excellent fit for franchisors who want both centralized oversight and local-level autonomy.

Best for: Franchises needing both national SEO leadership and local campaign execution for individual units.

Scorpion

Website: https://scorpion.co/solutions/franchise-marketing/

Scorpion is one of the most recognized multi-location digital marketing companies, serving franchise systems across industries including home services, legal, healthcare, and hospitality. Their franchise SEO team focuses on highly structured systems and automated SEO processes.

Key strengths:

• Enterprise-level tools for multi-unit SEO
• Local business listings at scale
• Centralized content management
• Franchise reputation management systems
• AI-powered reporting dashboards

Scorpion is known for having one of the industry’s most advanced marketing technology stacks. This makes them a strong choice for large franchise brands that require robust software, centralized control, and detailed insights across hundreds of franchise locations.

Best for: Enterprise-level franchises seeking a complete software + services solution.

Rallio

Website: https://www.rallio.com/

Rallio is a franchise marketing platform with embedded SEO, social media, and local engagement tools. It specializes in improving local discoverability for every franchise location through a mix of content, listings management, and review workflows.

Rallio’s SEO focus includes:

• Local search optimization
• Listings management and cleanup
• Engagement tools to encourage customer reviews
• Brand compliance systems
• Multi-location content strategy

Rallio is especially strong in blending SEO with social media user-generated content, which helps retail and service-based franchises improve local visibility.

Best for: Franchises needing SEO combined with social media and review engagement.

Hiper Local Marketing

Website: https://www.hiperlocal.com/

Hiper Local Marketing specializes exclusively in multi-location SEO and franchise digital marketing. Their strength lies in their location data accuracy systems, which ensure that every franchise unit is represented consistently across Google, directories, and local hubs.

Hiper Local focuses on:

• Directory synchronization across 70–100 platforms
• Multi-location content development
• Geo-targeted keyword planning
• Local competitor analysis per franchise location
• Structured location page rollout and indexing

Their attention to data consistency is especially important for franchises with dozens of locations, as incorrect or inconsistent listings can severely undermine local SEO performance.

Best for: Franchises that must maintain strict accuracy across hundreds of citations and local listings.

Cardinal Digital Marketing

Website: https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/

Cardinal Digital Marketing serves multi-location and enterprise brands across healthcare, franchise fitness, law, and corporate home services. Their approach emphasizes local search visibility backed by conversion-focused tracking and analytics.

Cardinal’s strengths:

• SEO for regulated industries
• HIPAA-compliant digital marketing for healthcare franchises
• Local landing page optimization
• Reputation and patient/customer review programs
• Lead attribution and per-location ROI tracking

Cardinal offers advanced analytics support, helping franchisors understand which locations are growing, which are struggling, and what strategic adjustments are needed.

Best for: Healthcare and professional service franchises requiring compliance-focused SEO.

ClickTecs

Website: https://www.clicktecs.com/

ClickTecs is a franchise-focused digital agency recognized for its specialized franchise SEO framework. They work with both emerging franchise brands and established multi-unit enterprises.

Their process includes:

• Franchise SEO audits
• Franchise development SEO (FD SEO)
• Local franchisee SEO campaigns
• PPC + SEO hybrid strategies
• Conversion optimization

ClickTecs is one of the few agencies that invests heavily in franchise recruitment SEO, which helps franchisors attract new franchisees while also supporting existing units.

Best for: Franchises that need both franchise lead generation and local store growth.

Franchise Ramp

Website: https://www.franchiseramp.com/

Franchise Ramp focuses on marketing systems for franchise brands, including SEO, CRM integration, and digital advertising. Their SEO methodology emphasizes building long-term organic growth across regions with highly structured workflows.

Capabilities include:

• Franchisee-level SEO support
• Local review generation systems
• Market-by-market keyword expansion
• Local landing page frameworks
• Scalable call tracking

Their emphasis on accountability makes them a good fit for franchisors looking for performance-based reporting and consistent optimization.

Best for: Franchises wanting SEO combined with strong CRM and lead tracking.

Franchise Marketing Systems (FMS)

Website: https://www.fmsfranchise.com/

Franchise Marketing Systems provides a full suite of franchise growth solutions, including SEO for both franchise sales and consumer marketing. Their SEO program supports both sides of franchise growth: acquiring new units and supporting existing ones.

Their SEO services include:

• Franchise development SEO
• Multi-location content plans
• Competitive analysis
• Local optimization for franchise locations
• SEO consulting for new franchisee launches

FMS is well suited for emerging franchises that need strategic marketing systems put in place before large-scale expansion.

Best for: Growing franchises needing both development and local SEO.

How to Choose the Right Franchise SEO Agency

Choosing the right agency is critical because franchise SEO requires a very specific skill set. Here are the most important factors to consider.

Experience Working With Multi-Location Organizations

An agency must have a track record of managing SEO at scale and understand how to avoid common issues like:

• duplicate local pages
• NAP confusion
• local keyword overlap
• territory conflicts

Dedicated Franchise SEO Systems

Look for:

• scalable workflows
• structured onboarding for new franchisees
• centralized dashboards
• automated reporting
• consistent brand guidelines

Technical Expertise

Strong franchise SEO partners should understand:

• multi-location site architecture
• structured data for local businesses
• page speed across hundreds of pages
• international or regional SEO considerations

Review and Reputation Management

This is crucial for:

• ranking in Google Maps
• improving customer trust
• maintaining long-term SEO authority

Transparent Reporting

The agency should report performance at the:

• corporate level
• franchise group level
• individual location level

Contract Flexibility

Franchises grow quickly, so look for:

• modular pricing
• fast onboarding
• the ability to add or remove location

FAQ: Franchise SEO Agencies

1. How long does franchise SEO take to show results?
Typically 3 to 6 months for initial improvements and 6 to 12 months for major gains.

2. What does franchise SEO typically cost?
Between $1,500 and $4,000 per location per month, depending on scale.

3. What is the difference between franchise SEO and regular SEO?
Franchise SEO requires scalable systems, multi-location optimization, local listings, and centralized brand consistency.

4. How do agencies manage hundreds of franchise locations?
Through structured workflows, automation tools, and location-level reporting.

5. Should franchisees have individual location pages?
Yes. They are essential for ranking in local organic search.

6. How important are Google reviews for franchise SEO?
Extremely. Reviews directly affect ranking in the map pack.

7. What KPIs should a franchise track?
Local ranking changes, organic leads per location, review velocity, and conversion rates.

8. Should every franchise location have a Google Business Profile?
Yes. It is essential for local visibility.

9. What causes duplicate content issues for franchises?
Reusing identical pages across many locations without sufficient local differentiation.

10. How do franchise SEO agencies onboard new locations?
They create local pages, claim listings, optimize GBP, set up tracking, and build citations.

11. Which franchise industries benefit most from SEO?
Home services, healthcare, wellness, fitness, education, food service, and legal services.

12. Should franchises use subfolders or subdomains?
Subfolders generally perform better for SEO in multi-location systems.

13. Do franchisees need access to SEO reporting?
Yes. Location-level transparency supports accountability and performance improvement.

14. What are red flags in franchise SEO agencies?
Guaranteed rankings, outdated reporting, lack of a scalable system, and unclear deliverables.

15. How often should local pages be updated?
At least quarterly to maintain freshness and relevance.

16. How do agencies manage citations for hundreds of locations?
They use software for bulk updates combined with manual quality checks.

17. What role does content play in franchise SEO?
Localized content helps each location compete in its market.

18. How does SEO help franchisors attract new franchisees?
Through franchise development content, targeted keywords, and recruitment-focused SEO.

19. Should franchises combine SEO and PPC?
Yes. Blended campaigns accelerate growth, especially during expansion phases.

20. How do franchises maintain SEO performance over time?
Consistent updates, review management, technical maintenance, and location expansion support.

What Is Broken Link Building?

**Broken link building** is a white-hat link acquisition strategy that identifies outdated or non-functional (404) pages with existing backlinks. The goal? Rebuild or improve that content on your own domain, and reach out to those linking to the dead page—offering your updated version as a replacement.

This method leverages **pre-validated link bait** and turns outdated assets into a renewable source of authority backlinks.

—

Why Use Broken Link Building?

– **Instant Link Opportunity**: These were already link-worthy pages. You’re capitalizing on proven backlink intent.
– **Low Barrier to Outreach**: You’re solving a real problem (a broken link) with a relevant fix.
– **Evergreen SEO Asset**: The content you create can attract links indefinitely.
– **Enhanced User Experience**: You’re helping webmasters fix errors, improving their site quality.
– **Bypasses the Guesswork of Linkbait**: You already know the content type that earned links.

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Tools You’ll Need

– **Xenu Link Sleuth** or **Screaming Frog SEO Spider** – for crawling websites and spotting broken links
– **Ahrefs**, **Majestic**, or **SEOQuake** – to check backlink profiles of broken URLs
– **Wayback Machine** – to view the original content of the dead URL
– **Google Sheets or Notion** – for tracking outreach and link prospects

—

Step-by-Step: Broken Link Building Workflow

### 1. **Find Source Sites to Analyze**
Start with niche-relevant blogs, resource pages, or directories. Target both current and dormant domains, particularly those that haven’t been updated in a while—they’re link rot goldmines.

> Tip: Use advanced search operators like
> `site:dmoztools.net “SEO resources”` or
> `intitle:resources inurl:links`

—

2. **Scan for Broken Outgoing Links**
Run each source site through **Xenu** or **Screaming Frog** to uncover broken outgoing links.

– Export the list of broken links.
– Filter only **external 404 errors**.
– Disregard ad/tracking URLs, JavaScript files, or site admin pages.

> Pro Insight: Prioritize links with readable, descriptive URLs—they’re more likely to have been rich, evergreen content.

—

3. **Validate the Link Potential**
Use **SEOQuake** or **Ahrefs** to check how many backlinks the 404 page received.

– Focus on broken pages with **10+ referring domains**.
– Check the authority and relevance of those domains.
– Ensure the anchor text and surrounding context align with your content goals.

—

4. **Recreate (and Improve) the Dead Content**
Visit the **Wayback Machine** to see what the original page offered. Then **one-up it**.

Your rebuild should:
– Be more current and factually accurate
– Include updated statistics, visuals, or downloadable resources
– Feature better UX (readability, mobile-first formatting)
– Follow on-page SEO best practices (H1-H3, internal linking, metadata)

> Advanced GEO Tip: Use **Natural Language Processing (NLP)** tools to extract semantically related terms and co-occurring phrases from top-ranking pages, then sprinkle them contextually throughout your version.

—

5. **Identify Linking Domains**
Once you’ve rebuilt the content, **export all referring domains** from the backlink profile of the broken URL.

Segment prospects:
– **Active sites** with DA >30 or traffic >500/mo
– Resource pages or articles where the broken link appears *in-content*
– Prioritize editorial links over blogrolls or footers

—

6. **Craft Your Outreach Email**
Send a direct, benefit-driven message:

“`plaintext
Subject: Quick Fix for a Broken Link on Your Site

Hi [Name],

I was browsing your excellent post on [Topic] and noticed a broken link pointing to [OldURL].

Just a heads-up—this page no longer exists, but I recently published a refreshed, updated version that might be a perfect replacement:
[YourURL]

Hope this helps your readers—and thanks again for curating such valuable resources.

Best,
[Your Name]
“`

> Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of who you contact, their responses, and links gained to avoid duplicate outreach.

—

7. **Track, Measure & Improve**
– Record link wins (and no-responses)
– Revisit non-responders in 30–45 days
– Use links gained to build tier-2 links or expand internal linking strategy
– Analyze anchor text distribution and referring page relevance

Final Thoughts: Scaling with Strategy

Broken link building isn’t just about link recovery—it’s about strategic content replacement and value creation.

When done correctly, it creates a **feedback loop of SEO, content, and outreach synergy**:
1. Authority acquisition
2. Topical relevance
3. Referral traffic
4. Brand visibility

Affiliate

First of all, one of the most brilliant minds in affiliate and search marketing, Diorex, has started his blog up again. Here’s a little jewel of a commentary that I’ll bet 99% of the search community missed on the introduction of the Google Affiliate Network and why you need to kill off your use of Google Analytics. First to sphinn it gets a hot story!

Diorex also pointed me to this bit by PunditX on making serious bank from Google Pack referrals. Impressive, and it shows how much work is required to succeed for real with this stuf..

I need to give a hat tip to Smaxor for sharing that Diorex was back up (Smaxor used to have his old posts hosted on his blog when Diorex’s blog turned the lights off). He’s also shared a little goody about Namecheap offering free SSL certificates with new domain registrations; it’s good for a limited time so get yours now! I’ve already got about a half dozen :D.

To give you an idea of how valuable that is, Godaddy sells their Turbo SSL for 24.99/year or 26.99 a year. It’s an acquisition strategy, and you better believe it’s working. I’m shifting my purchasing activity to Namecheap from Godaddy.

While nowhere near being on the level of the above mentioned elite marketers, I did come up with an original idea in a guest post for Jordan Kasteler on how to discover and nail your loose-lipped Affiliate Managers. It might get a few AMs fired if you use the technique and blog about it, but then, why were they AMs to begin with?

http://roguedomainer.com/ is a wonderful blog on search, affiliate marketing, and internet marketing generally (not in the wannabe “I’m gonna rank for this term despite only offering seo” sense, but the real deal). Know about being prepared?

AffSpy is now in public beta. Go sign up – it’s free :D!

Social

Perhaps you don’t know about being prepared, but did you know that affiliate marketing and social marketing can coincide? Have a look at the rogue’s guide to Yahoo Answers. Be prepared for some social engineering!

Personally, however, I think this is where people can genuinely claim that blackhats are unethical – they’re tricking folks into buying their products. I’ve said several times in the past that SE guidelines aren’t a moral code, but this has nothing to do with SE guidelines.

As far as being a thought leader and appealing to people’s higher senses, Leo Babauta does it the best. See this post uncopyrighting his stuff and letting others reproduce it anywhere free. Plus he’s aware of the potential SEO ramifications. Imho, he knows that others will give him credit and the good will will get him lots more links than if he just blogged regularly. Sheer genius.

While we’re on the topic of being a thought leader, I love when others lead the way down the wrong path so that you can learn from their mistakes and not screw up like that. It’s a sad story, but you must read this post-mortem on a failed vertical search / information retrieval company. Hat tip to my friend Ben Yoskovitz’s Twitter.

Did you know that email marketing is used for “customer relations management”? You probably did if you’re in enterprise marketing, but I didn’t. Sounds a lot like social to me, and in fact Sitepoint’s email marketing kit – a great investment I’ve recently made – explains some tips for that. In that spirit, I share with you 10 tips for better sign-up forms.

Why care about email? To build your distribution network for better content-based link building, right?

Socialize your lead gen, say Ion Interactive. An interesting twist on improving your whitepaper-based efforts!

Link Building

My friend Ann has either been analyzing the blackhat side of search or just getting really bright n creative on her own, but this post on managing social profiles, and the useful chart she includes, is a must read.

She’s been on a roll with some awesome posts lately, and another one is this wonderful, well-researched and presented ultimate seo tools guide. I’ve bookmarked it and so should you!

(On a related note, am I the only one who didn’t know that the Xs in the hub finder tool link to the particular pages a link is from, and that those show up in exports to CSV? I felt like such a moron when I found out, having wasted countless hours trying to discover the context of some links…)

SEO CO did a study on how the MSM links out / does not link out.

Why your linking tests suck – You don’t have to agree with it, and you can take the drama with a grain of salt, but reading this will definitely make you a brighter SEO.

Lyndon Antcliff shares some linkbait ideas. (Aside: I shared some linkbait ideas earlier, link here if you missed them.)
On the whole, I found them interesting, but wasn’t crazy about some of it:

Re: Payday loans linkbait – “If you can get pro and anti groups discussing on the same page you have hit payday gold.” Lyndon recognizes that these loans abuse people … and then [tacitly] suggests it’s a niche worth pursuing. Fake linkbait doesn’t hurt anyone, and I was actually cool with the kid-gets-hookers-plays-videogames story and honestly entertained. But working in a niche like that is something I find distasteful, to keep it in polite terms.

Roger “Martini Buster” Montti explains how India can work for you as far as link building goes.

Seth Godin This category needs to have its own post.

Miscellaneous

Google-knol-is-behaviorally-targeting-ranking-well

12 Shopping Cart Abandonment Mistakes via Palmer Web Marketing

SEO vs Social Media: Take the traffic quality test. Courtesy of James Duthie of Online Marketing Banter, some original research! Nicely done James. Though it could have been better had the social media traffic considered been niche-related vs general. My Sphinn traffic bounces much less than SU traffic, for instance.

Joost deValk gives us an absolutely wonderful, end-to-end resource on getting that pesky WordPress search working properly. I can’t wait to implement and report back!

For my Russian readers, Proother translated the Internal Link Building plugin – cool stuff guys! Anyone who wants to create another foreign-language version is more than welcome to it! I’m happy to acknowledge your work here and let my readers know. You’ll be responsible for updating as I update though, fyi.

How to turn lurkers into posters is a wonderful bit on creating and managing online communities. Also from Sitepoint, this time from the “iFroggy” network, comes this piece on managing violations of your community’s guidelines and documenting them.

If that’s your bag, you’ll probably like this forum for Community Admins, and this WSJ article addressing why many online communities fail and iFroggy network owner Pat O’Keefe’s comment on it.

Getting more into the techie side of stuff? Learn how to set up your own cron jobs (scripts run automatically on a schedule, with no need to turn them on/off) easily.

Are you getting your arse handed to you by your channel “partners”? John Andrews spills the beans on why small + local businesses need to think twice before partnering with Marchex, and why you need to be careful not to pay for others to develop footholds in your revenue streams.

This phone screening question for job candidates is golden.

Some of you know that amongst the seo services I offer are website valuing and buying. Well ebizvaluations have created a tool I long wanted to create myself: a closed-deal scraper / aggregator / valuator.

The idea is to collect the data in the market that similar sites have sold for and then appraise your site accordingly. I’ve seen that technique work extremely accurately at NamePros, and if this tool can be effective, I’ll be quite impressed.

On a related note, one of the first pieces of linkbait I designed was a suite of site appraisal tools at Website Auction Hub. Unfortunately the site’s owner broke off communication with me at one point and I had to stop working with them before we got to promoting the tools. It’s been over 2 years now, and I’d love to hear feedback from any of you who might use the tools. I honestly don’t think they’ll be as good as ebizvaluations though, at least based on the principles of their tool.

An interesting evolution in spam vs anti-spam, where the bad guys win, unfortunately. Old but worth reading.

A real spammer selling SEO scams.

http://www.rimmkaufman.com/rkgblog/2008/07/15/rss-is-about-content-not-presentation/
A mini case study by the good folks at RKG.

Ideas on search and beyond – because building your brain is as important as building the bank account.

Google: the mother of antitrust battles?

The Five Big Mistakes That Changed My Life and How I Moved Past Them – SmartNow.com

Malwebolence – The World of Web Trolling

 by detritus

Tasting domain names is the practice of buying them with the intent to return them during the 5 day grace period, while profiting off the typein traffic the domains get during those 5 days. It’s the web equivalent of buying a prom dress for prom then returning it. Google Hot Trends, for those who don’t know, shows you the 100 keywords with the greatest change in search volume in the past 24 hours.

Anyways, trendy domaining is something I’ve done in the past. From personal experience, I can confirm that there is money there to be made … but very little, if you’re not automating things. That’s because:

1. First, because mainstream domainers are already doing this, automatically. So most of the hot keywords’ domain name equivalents get taken as soon as Google Hot Trends refreshes.
2. Second, you need to look for keywords where there’s an intent that you can monetize without much thought, using adsense for domains. Otherwise, you won’t earn much, if anything. I’ve had 2 cent clicks before, on domain name parking, I kid you not.
3. Third, this raises a problem particular to Hot Trends keywords, which is that they’re often news-related. The intent isn’t commercial, then – the intent is to get information. So you’d have to either (i) figure out a filter to eliminate these domain names from consideration or (ii) figure out how to monetize news traffic. In case you didn’t know, mainstream news media are getting less than 1 cent per pageview on much of their CPM deals. So you could try working out a CPM deal where you show your banner ads above framed news sites, but you’d better have MASSIVE volume, if you want to make money.
4. Fourth, you need to consider what you’ll make per hour. Suppose it just takes you 10 minutes to find a hot phrase whose .com isn’t yet registered. You buy it. That takes another 2-3 minutes. So let’s say you can find and buy 4 – 5 domain names in an hour. Even some of the hottest terms on Google Trends don’t get that much type-in traffic to the domains, so you can only expect a handful of clicks, from my experience. Remember: Those aren’t terms with a lot of volume, necessarily, they’re terms with lots of CHANGE in volume. E.g. 1000% more than normal or whatever. But 50 -> 500 searches still isn’t many type-ins you’re gonna get.

Note: You can also only do this for an hour a day with Google Trends, because after that there’s no more words to mine. So doing this manually doesn’t scale really well anyways.

 by monkeyc.net So when I did it, I got $2 worth of clicks. I was trying out domain tasting at the same time, and got a refund (minus I think a 50 cent charge bc Godaddy is weird, if memory serves?) on the domain so I was $1.50 ahead. Supposing you made $10-$15 a day on this… that’s still a lot of work for little ROI.

Plus it’s not just the hour spent finding and buying the names – you still have to return them afterwards! So you’re probably coming out with, at best, $15 for an hour and a half of work, which amounts to $10/hour. At worst, it’s $10 for 1.5 hours, meaning you’re making $6.66/hour. Here in Montreal, that’s actually less than minimum wage. Can you not make more money online than working a minimum wage job?

(That’s a rhetorical question – people with web skills can make great money. Start out reading everything in the Problogger.net archives, then learn SEO from yours truly ;).)

Therefore, automation is key to making money off tasting Hot-Trends-keyword domain names. That way you can

• get enough domains,
• pick the right domains, namely those whose typein traffic has value to advertisers
• before other domainers snap them up,
• measure traffic levels and earnings
• create rules on when to either drop them within the 5 day refund period, or keep them for the rest of the year on the assumption you can make more than regfee off the remaining typeins you’ll get in the next few days.

And if you automate all that, it’s enough to make, maybe, $50/day – there’s still the other domainers to compete with. Fair money, but still a lot of work for an incertain ROI. Most intermediate+ internet marketers can create projects that are more profitable in the medium-long term… especially those with the programming skills to automate the above and refine it.

Sometime soon I’ll either post my spreadsheet I use to forecast new projects’ SEO ROI here, or make it available only to subscribers… So add my rss feed to your reader already ;)!

p.s. Gyutae is the first blogger I know of who has written on domain name buying based on Google Hot Trends, and has been producing other awesome content generally, so you should subscribe to his feed, imho.

p.p.s. Speaking of Hot Trends, I got several hundred visitors today, April 1st, from ranking this post for April Fool’s Email and variations on that. I checked the domain name aprilfoolsemail.com last night and it was available, for those of you want to try this.

9. We’re experts in the three types of link: the reciprocal link, the paid link and the chainlink.

8. Of course it’s normal for link counts to change day-to-day by +/- 50,000.

7. This will cost you your time, money and sanity.

6. We follow the Google Webmaster Guidelines. ;D

5. Some killer link sources we access include the Cafepress used panties store.

4. Our SEO team leader is a pro who speaks at numerous conferences. His name is Jason Calacanis.

3. Your report? What report? (Via Acquisio bid management‘s Marc Poirier.)

2. We source content from professionals, like Paris Hilton and Ron Jeremy.

1. We tripled your traffic! We’re now ranking for “Infant Porn”!

If you liked this post, add my feed to your rss reader! Kudos also to Tamar Weinberg, Matt Inman, Rebecca Kelley, and Brian Hancock for their help and feedback!

Note: If you like this post, please link to this page from your blog or share it on StumbleUpon by clicking this button: 

Here’s how to project the ROI you can expect on SEO. This way, when your boss asks you to predict next quarter’s SEO numbers to help him with his forecast to analysts, you predictive task will be easy. Better yet, the ROI forecast you make will be defendable.

The detailed explanation on making your forecasts follows after the flow chart.

1) Pick some short-tail or mid-tail keywords. There’s no point picking long tail keywords, because the ROI on them individually is small in absolute terms.

2) Check the keyword for commercial intent.

– Microsoft offers a keyword commercial intent estimator tool. Caveat emptor: The tool’s estimates can vary significantly by day, so just take it as another data point, another road sign along the way.

– Correlate that by asking people to do word associations with the given keyword. You can use Amazon’s Mechanical Turk for that. The associations will show the intent behind a given search.

– Compare the Cost-Per-Click (CPC) estimates Google provides you with for each keyword (set on exact match). The higher the CPC, the likelier there is to be commercial value.

Note: For CPCs under $1, this isn’t very meaningful.

3) Find search volume for your target keywords.

Use Google’s KW tool on exact match to find the exact volumes on target keywords.

It’s crucial to use exact match, and not broad match data, because rankings will result in getting you traffic for your exact match keywords and maybe a few variants. It’s best to be conservative.

3.5) Don’t just accept those search volume projections at face value. Double check.

– Run a PPC campaign.

– If you’re not going to run a PPC campaign (eg if the CPCs are too high), you MUST at least correlate the data to other people’s numbers:

• Use Wikirank, if you see Wikipedia in the top 10.

• Compare with Aaron’s tool.

• Ask friends who’ve been in the same vertical about the search volume. Apparently the accuracy of Google’s numbers varies by vertical, so friends who’ve been there can provide valuable insights. (It’s not too difficult to find such friends once you’ve been in this business for a few years.)

• Also, check against competitors’ keywords. Are you on the right track or really, really clueless?

4) Find out whether you can rank. Scope out the competition:

• Look for backlink numbers and quality,

• Consider backlink growth rates,

• Calculate backlinks/referring domains to find out if there are big brands you need to be aware of,

• Look at their anchor text,

• Consider their own domain name – an indicator of anchor text past, present and future, as well as financial backing for marketing.

5) Estimate your costs including domain, hosting, site design + development, links, man hours.

Note: As pointed out by professional search marketer Simon Serrano in the comments below, certain costs are fixed regardless of whether you do SEO or not. So if you’re doing this with an existing site, then you can exclude those costs. But you’ll probably compensate with the man hours etc.

My perspective in suggesting that the domain and hosting costs be included was that of someone starting a new site from scratch, with the mentality, “I’ll rank and sell to search traffic.” For them, the exact match domain might be a big cost that wouldn’t be incurred otherwise, for example.

6) Estimate the traffic attainable from various positions. See Aaron’s big resource page on the topic and scroll down about 1/3 of the way for the breakdown of Click-Through-Rate (CTR) percentage by position.

Hat tip to my friend Henry Shih of online jeweler Ice.com for coming up with the idea to “make a range of projections, from conservative to optimistic” last summer. Todd Friesen has also suggested this.

Update: Given Universal search results with maps, news, videos, images etc., you may want to review these results downwards to be conservative. As Simon points out in the comments, the CTR data has changed significantly since the time AOL leaked its numbers.

7) Calculate your potential revenue.

If you’re an affiliate: i) Multiply those attainable traffic numbers by your CTR. ii) Multiply again by the merchant’s conversion rate. iii) Finally, multiply by your average commission. Take multiple values for both your own CTR and the merchant’s conversion rate, so you have a range of estimates from conservative to optimistic.

To simplify, if you know what your earnings per click will be (eg recently work in the niche), you can multiply traffic by EPC.

7b) If you’re an adcents publisher: Multiply that by your CTR and EPC if you’re selling CPC ads.

7c) If you’re a retailer / lead buyer: Multiply that by your conversion rate and then by your average if you’re the merchant.

8) Finally, divide your potential revenue by costs. This gives you your SEO ROI – the return on investment for each dollar you put into SEO.

I do this in a spreadsheet for convenience. If you add my rss feed to your reader, you can download a copy of the spreadsheet for your own use.

This has literally saved me thousands of dollars and countless hours by helping me avoid niches that offered a lower ROI for the same time and money investment…

p.s. If you want to know how to prove SEO ROI on past activities, that’s easy. Open your web analytics, and see how many organic visitors on non-brand keywords turned into leads or sales. Alternately, show your rankings increase if you’re not yet in the top 10, and thus not driving traffic just yet.

Found this post useful? Add my feed to your reader for more advanced SEO tips for inhouse SEOs, consultantts and independent webmasters and affiliates! If you want a price estimate for SEO services, you can get one quickly here.

I was preparing a syllabus for a course I called “How To Learn Internet Law For Fun And Profit”. The above thought occurred to me as I was reading for the basic section on ethics I needed to design.

Some Greek philosophers’ argue that the “happy man being a self-realized person and one who thus necessarily does what is good.” That jives really well with how I see some of the awesome profs I’ve had, like Rod Macdonald, Jill Guedon, Morteza Danechrad, Michael Duckett and Yossef Attoun. All of them are the epitome of what I think of as self-realization.

I don’t think a single one of them knows the others, yet I’d say they’re all kindred spirits in that they

1. Are ethical
2. Give back to their communities (implicit in 1, but felt it should be mentioned anyways)
3. Are brilliant
4. Teach with rare skill – it’s truly their calling
5. Have a toughness/resilience that is remarkable (I know each of them personally, and can tell you that they’ve not led the easiest lives).

What particularly gets my goat is those macho affiliates who act tough and think they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread just because they generate profits online. When they say that “those who can’t, teach,” they’re dismissing people of the highest quality, in every sense of the word.

The simple truth is that those who cannot, write inflammatory pieces on blogs nobody reads ;). Seriously though, I think both my version of that line and the better known version express two extremes that are rarely seen in reality – most people fall in the middle of this [bell] curve. What say you, you who can think?

Second, in response to my 4Q visitor surveys, Tara Cervantes wrote me the following in response to the question, “What do you value most about the [company] website?”

“[I]nsight, shared knowledge, great food for thought. I’m an Internet Marketing Master’s student who just can’t get enough (now I’m thinking of old Depeche Mode)…Anyway, great site, I signed up for the blog. Your site made it as a reference for my usability class. The specific assignment was about Personas, just so you know, since the post we read talked about how you read user comments. taracervantes@(sitename removed to prevent spam)”

How can you not feel good when you see feedback like that  ? I’d noticed Full Sail-referred-traffic in my server logs (the information your server records about each visitor), but to get a verbal explanation for it (since the page is restricted to Full Sail Internet Marketing Master’s students) is even better.

If this site is good enough for Full Sail’s Master’s students, perhaps you’d like to add my rss feed to your reader?