How long have you been providing SEO Services and Internet Marketing services?

I have worked as a Search Engine Optimization Specialist since 1999. First, I worked specifically for a web company optimizing their 800 e-commerce web domains. I found that Search Engine Optimization was a field I truly enjoyed. It is a fast paced, constantly changing, and challenging environment.

Are you an individual consultant or are you part of a team?

I am SEO Specialist with strategic partners. I have worked both as a stand-alone marketing consultant and with teams of web designers and programmers. The entire process of Search Engine Optimization is a team effort with key players being - the client, the web designer, any other marketing or advertising specialist, and the graphics designers. I have worked as a team player, which was both a supportive environment and an enjoyable experience that makes the entire web marketing process flow smoothly.

How long has your web site  been online?

Although I have worked behind the scene since 1999, I recently decided that having a web presence would be beneficial. We spend most our time helping our clients and do not work on our own web site much.

Can you provide recent successful SEO campaign results?

References are available. I have encountered problems in the past with competing companies; therefore I do not list clients on the site anymore. We might put up a section where clients can log in and post messages.

What experience do you have in web design and  programming environments?

Website design experience is enough to help my clients sites be successful and functional. I know enough to control HTML code to the extent that a successful SEO Specialist requires. I also work closely with my partners to make sure everything is as it should be. I have worked with php, Oscommerce and Drupal programming.

I was professionally trained as a Computer and Networking Engineer with many platforms, networks, and programs, far too many to list.

What are the " Best Practices"  for  the SEO industry?

The best practices for any Search Engine Optimization is to always follow the rules and guidelines in place by the Search Engines, and never using any spamming techniques. Secondly, staying current is vital! This is necessary as Search Engines change their frequently to provide more reliable and relevant search results. If I used outdated information, my clients would suffer. Needless to say, they wouldn't be successful and neither would I.

Can a small business effectively compete online using traditional optimization strategies?

Small businesses can compete very effectively online using SEO as their primary online marketing strategy. 85% of people looking to buy products are using the search engines either for researching, or purchasing. Once a web site has achieved top placement using traditional optimization techniques, holding the searchers attention is critical. Fast, eye pleasing graphics and color scheme, well designed, and easy flowing navigation will turn the searcher into a customer.

Can you assure us that the marketing strategies and methods that you are utilizing fall under the criteria of Best Practices for the SEO/SEM Industry? Can we assume that this means no penalties for our website?

I have been able to maintain my reputation as a reputable SEO by getting my clients first page placement using search engine compliant rules and guaranteeing my work. I take great pride in being a Search Engine Optimization Specialist. I stay current with all industry standards and guidelines. I have never used any unsavory practices. Even if a practice might not be considered ok by one Search Engines standards, I do not use it on any of them.

How many search engine marketing campaigns have you been involved with? What was your role for those projects? How many are still active?

I have been the head Search Engine Optimization Specialist on over 850 campaigns. While working for the web company, I achieved my first #1 position in the first month. Campaign activity changes monthly.

Are there any guarantees for top search engine positions?

I guarantee first page placement on one of the top Search Engines with all my Contracts. My success depends on my client's success. My clients are more than just a business to me. Every client is personal and has specific needs which we work very hard to make sure the clients needs in online marketing are met and the client is happy with our level of service.

Will top search engine positions depend on a Pay Per Click program or similar keyword bid management program like Google's Cost Per Click program.

I normally do not recommend Pay Per Click programs to clients because it can get costly and the results are not long lasting. By the time a client realizes they need a Search Engine Optimization Specialist, it is normally because their sales have dropped, or the e-commerce web site they paid for is not performing to their expectations, and the company is in trouble.

If a client wants a Pay Per Click campaign, I do a market analyst of the best keywords, estimate cost, and then present it to the client. I track all activity, and inform the client if the campaign does not seem to be working in their best interest.

What is Google PageRank and how does it affect our website? How would you address improving our PageRank with Google, and other search engines that calculate the number of quality inbound links to our website?

Google PageRank is the specific software that Google uses as a system for ranking web pages. PageRank counts links as votes in relation to the importance of the page. In improving the ranking on Google, a link analysis is done, and then I find relevant and important directories and web sites for a Link Popularity increase.

What changes can we expect you to make to our website to improve our positioning in the search engines? Will these changes be visible?

Most changes are made to the code of the web page, and are not seen by a searcher. In Search Engine Optimization, sometimes its required to make some visible changes. The most frequent visible change to web sites are the headers. These changes are made in attempt keep the searchers interest. Content is another that is normally changed. This involves either adding rich content in the text of the body, or taking out text that is not relevant to the site.