With all the available search engine optimization services, what is the best bet for a solopreneur?

I apologize - the article link is:

http://www.bytelaunch.com/bytelaunch-blog/seo-search-engine-optimization/how-...

You can start by using our free SEO tools and services. It will definitely help you increase your presence on search engines. http://www.attracta.com

Hope this help.

It's important to understand what's possible. For some very competitive terms, you'll never crack the top 5 or top 10 in Google, and if you do, it's months to years of waiting. Also, make sure the SEO company you works with gives you a list of the keywords they'll go after, and how much volume each keyword is estimated to have per month.

This is a big subject, but I hope this helps you get started.

Roger

I recommend you take the challenge just google it. This will allow you to learn for free what you need to know about seo so that your confidence goes way up.
"The challenge" makes it very easy for you to learn the basics of seo to get started today. Without hiring an expensive seo firm. My best advice is to learn and apply what you've learned.

It is tricky. One project I am considering in the future is a marketing consultancy that would help people in this type of issue...the only way to get the information is to have gone through it.

First thing I'd say is that if an agency says that SEO can do what you want, and doesn't mention PPC as well, I would question if they are the best bet. I'd also say that you should look for social media to integrate - a new small business called the Web Marketeers is definitely somewhere to go for more info.

I would find someone that can teach you the concepts of SEO, help you with keyword research, and advise on link building strategies. Often times it is difficult to outsource quality link building (the most critical part of SEO success) because you are in the best position to understand your niche (not someone else). For example, guest articles and posts in forums are great for SEO buy do you want someone else writing your content and representing your brand?

You also want to be monitoring your own stats (which means training in Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools) rather than rely on some report from your SEO company. For example, many companies will measure success based on high ranks, when that successful rank may not be sending you any traffic, or converting to leads.

An investment in the tools and best practice knowledge is all you need and then leave it to yourself to execute upon that. Be prepared to put in a lot of effort before you see real results, SEO is a continuous effort of course that should be planned in with your regular business activities (just like general marketing would.

What is your budget, what kind of consulting business is it, are you focused on local or national clients, and what are the size of the clients (single people, small businesses, enterprise corporations)? It would help to post this as a part of your question because the answer may change, depending.

Hi Colin::- Blake here.
I've read thru these answers and some are totally spot on while others are, to be honest, pushing their wares. the ONE THING that I'd recommend for anyone looking towards SEO/PPC or any other type of promotion is to first know Exactly what you want from your campaign before you even discuss it with any providers. Do you want your site to get sign ups? Different technique than selling a product, I think you would have to agree, will be necessary. Different area's to target and all that for the result you want. In my mind and for those of us who pursue Real World results instead of alleged 'rankings' and 'traffic' you got to ask for referrals, who they've done it for in the past. Without proof, you're buying a cat in a bag that could be a duck, if you know what I mean. Being conversion focused - for whatever your business needs to grow, be it signups, subscriptions, sales, etc.. - is really the only practical way to gauge success or failure for your program. Your getting 20k hits per day from the link bait you bought but no signups?
You're "ranking" second nationally with with little or no sales improvement?? Or would you rather have - my sites listing for over 200 (example, folks, an example only!) small niche keywords/phrases and my signups/subs/sales are up to lets call it, again - an example!

and I'm up to 5/8 sales per day when my sales before the campaign were 3/5 per week? Which would you prefer to be with?? Look around your area, I'm sure there'll be a local company that can provide this for you or (shameless plug here..) simply Google "seo management company" and touch bases with the first company in the organic rankings listed there - that's us.
Cheers - - - - -

Don't worry about SEO yet, focus on these issues first: website goals, target market, content strategy, lead collection tactics, and social networking strategy. Your approach to SEO should be developed based upon the decisions made in these areas.

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Because the field is so populated, it will be very difficult to get to the top for anything but narrow, specific searches.

Use Google AdWords https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal to find out what terms are being searched and pick some narrow ones so you can be the big fish in the small pond.

I am new to SEO, but you should look at hubspot.com or someone similar. I am in no way advertising for anyone nor am I associated. I just know their name and heard B. Halligan speak