Web Design Forums

Katya · 18-07-2008, 08:52

Hi there,

I've been out of web design for a couple of years (maternity leave) and am looking to start freelancing, but want to be able to offer other services other than design. I'd like other people's opinions on whether it is worth doing an online course in SEO (difficult to attend a course because of the kids), and if so, which ones people would recommend?

Thanks

urban1977 · 18-07-2008, 08:59

Its not something that can be taught! Its something you learn about yourself really.

If your website is coded well with no bugs W3C validation passed
Has up to date and relevant information,
people link to your website as a resource
and you link to other websites to back up information on your own website,
possibly RSS feed (SE friendly)
site map (SE friendly)
easy to navigate
updated often
page titles <title> are relevant
DTD in place
<h1> <h2> tags for important headings
content flows correctly in text only mode
all images have relevant alt tags
meta tags (keywords, description) no so important these days for google atleast

See you already know this stuff! that will be £500 please... do you really think a course would be worth that kind of money? for common sense information?

Katya · 18-07-2008, 09:13

You're right... I do know this stuff already. But is it really that easy? I thought SEO was a lot more complicated than that... isn't it?

urban1977 · 18-07-2008, 09:19

Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization - SEMPO

Has information about Search Engine Marketing. Stick to the basic principles of design and W3C standards and you should have no problems.

Also old website don't know if it is still relevant Search Engine Marketing Tips & Search Engine News - Search Engine Watch

using google webmaster tools is another good resource

devan · 31-07-2008, 10:21

just been released to cover all the new types of internet marketing.

its a home course 12 cd rom pack with alot of other items

www . trafficsecrets . com / orderNOW

Merryman · 27-11-2008, 07:14

I agree with urban1977
SEO is something you should try yourself, learn the basics of SEO ( read articles and visit forums and SEO blogs) and use your knowledge for certain websites. Tey different SEO strategies and find the best for your niche.
Urban has given you really important tips

Justinskie · 27-11-2008, 09:54

Urban has indeed covered the requirements of whats involved in SEO at a technical level but if your offering it as a service the scope of the project expands depending on the client, the market or industry and the ability to produce results on line never mind the allocated budget.

Most businesses need to be carefully managed in regards their expectations in SEO as the perception can be "build it and they will come" and this is not the case. SEO is an ongoing process and depending on what route you take and how the strategy has been defined and backed up by the site itself, its ease of use forms of contact and generation of results.

It could be argued that this is where SEO actually gets complicated.

Its all well and good if you have the knowledge, skill and ability to create the sites etc. but making clients or businesses understand what they are paying for, how much they need or should be paying and how to understand the results and returns via the application of SEO.

Root Ninja · 27-11-2008, 21:34

I agree with Justinskie.

Firstly SEO is not just a one time thing, it needs to be maintained and monitored, in order to be successful. This means keeping up to date with advancements in the industry and ensuring your client is getting the results they expect.

Secondly, it depends on how big your clients are. If its a small company, with a small product, that does not have much competition, then you can learn the basics of SEO and see a result. But for larger clients its a completely different story. To put it another way, some companies spend £1,000 a year on marketing for their business, some spend £500,000+. These big companies dont want someone doing marketing on their site who is just learn bits here and there.

If you are serious about offering your clients a good SEO service, I would advise contacting an SEO company and working a plan with them to do SEO for you clients.

18-07-2008, 08:52	#1 (permalink)
Katya Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8	SEO online courses? Hi there, I've been out of web design for a couple of years (maternity leave) and am looking to start freelancing, but want to be able to offer other services other than design. I'd like other people's opinions on whether it is worth doing an online course in SEO (difficult to attend a course because of the kids), and if so, which ones people would recommend? Thanks

18-07-2008, 09:19	#4 (permalink)
urban1977 Multimedia Developer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 240	Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization - SEMPO Has information about Search Engine Marketing. Stick to the basic principles of design and W3C standards and you should have no problems. Also old website don't know if it is still relevant Search Engine Marketing Tips & Search Engine News - Search Engine Watch using google webmaster tools is another good resource Last edited by urban1977 : 18-07-2008 at 11:07.

31-07-2008, 10:21	#5 (permalink)
devan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 31	traffic secrets 2.0 just been released to cover all the new types of internet marketing. its a home course 12 cd rom pack with alot of other items www . trafficsecrets . com / orderNOW

27-11-2008, 09:54	#7 (permalink)
Justinskie Paddy Power Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Marbella Posts: 142	Urban has indeed covered the requirements of whats involved in SEO at a technical level but if your offering it as a service the scope of the project expands depending on the client, the market or industry and the ability to produce results on line never mind the allocated budget. Most businesses need to be carefully managed in regards their expectations in SEO as the perception can be "build it and they will come" and this is not the case. SEO is an ongoing process and depending on what route you take and how the strategy has been defined and backed up by the site itself, its ease of use forms of contact and generation of results. It could be argued that this is where SEO actually gets complicated. Its all well and good if you have the knowledge, skill and ability to create the sites etc. but making clients or businesses understand what they are paying for, how much they need or should be paying and how to understand the results and returns via the application of SEO. __________________ Justin Parks - Search Engine Optimisation Spain, On line Marketing Spain and Web designer Marbella, Spain

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18-07-2008, 08:59	#2 (permalink)
urban1977 Multimedia Developer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 240	Its not something that can be taught! Its something you learn about yourself really. If your website is coded well with no bugs W3C validation passed Has up to date and relevant information, people link to your website as a resource and you link to other websites to back up information on your own website, possibly RSS feed (SE friendly) site map (SE friendly) easy to navigate updated often page titles <title> are relevant DTD in place <h1> <h2> tags for important headings content flows correctly in text only mode all images have relevant alt tags meta tags (keywords, description) no so important these days for google atleast See you already know this stuff! that will be £500 please... do you really think a course would be worth that kind of money? for common sense information?

18-07-2008, 09:13	#3 (permalink)
Katya Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8	You're right... I do know this stuff already. But is it really that easy? I thought SEO was a lot more complicated than that... isn't it?

27-11-2008, 07:14	#6 (permalink)
Merryman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 27	I agree with urban1977 SEO is something you should try yourself, learn the basics of SEO ( read articles and visit forums and SEO blogs) and use your knowledge for certain websites. Tey different SEO strategies and find the best for your niche. Urban has given you really important tips

27-11-2008, 21:34	#8 (permalink)
Root Ninja SEO Specialist Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 132	I agree with Justinskie. Firstly SEO is not just a one time thing, it needs to be maintained and monitored, in order to be successful. This means keeping up to date with advancements in the industry and ensuring your client is getting the results they expect. Secondly, it depends on how big your clients are. If its a small company, with a small product, that does not have much competition, then you can learn the basics of SEO and see a result. But for larger clients its a completely different story. To put it another way, some companies spend £1,000 a year on marketing for their business, some spend £500,000+. These big companies dont want someone doing marketing on their site who is just learn bits here and there. If you are serious about offering your clients a good SEO service, I would advise contacting an SEO company and working a plan with them to do SEO for you clients.

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