Search Engine Marketing Standards of Excellence

2004-12-01 - It appears that we have quite a bit of support from our existing membership at the directory. We were a little surprised at the sheer number of responses that have been coming in since sending the initial announcement about our intentions.

Read page one of what our SEO Consultants Directory Membership have to say...

2004-12-06 - I think standards are a great idea. My main interest in standards would be the ones that have to do with what we "advise" a client with. Lately I "advise" them that content is also part of the effort, and that they need to seriously budget content creation into their campaign.
Well, the point is, I am interested in contributing.
2004-12-06 - How are you going to address the issue of standards? If it is in terms of should we stick to SEs terms of service, and only use techniques therein even if that may not be the best solution for the particular client, then I would have significant concerns - if it is how we should deal with clients in a professional business like manner, such as giving them an idea of how risky the techniques we are proposing for their site are then I am interested in contributing.
2004-12-06 - Thanks for the email concerning the development of Standards for the SEM industry. Rather than trying to develop a set of standards to impose on the industry as a whole, are we not better to develop our own set of standards/code of ethics that all members of the SEO Consultants Directory must adhere to and to hold up as an idea that all SEM's should aspire to. A bit like a quality mark for SEM's.
Obviously, as part of this process, people applying to the directory for inclusion that are rejected must be provided with feedback on why they were rejected and given the opportunity to reapply.
2004-12-06 - This sounds like a good idea - one where I think SEMPO missed the boat a bit. To be effective I believe SEO standards should be broken down into components such as:
- On Page Optimization
- Copywriting
- Website Architecture
- Off Page Optimization
- Link Building
- Directories
2004-12-06 - I think a visible set of standards that are easy for clients to understand would be beneficial. SEO Consultants members would have to state it on their website with a link to a separate page, where they would state their opinions and guidelines on the matter.
Clients have to believe ethics mean something otherwise they would think its frivolous and a sign of bad judgment on the SEOs part. I'd prefer that the ethical standard set our membership out as "premium SEOs" and slime balls aren't welcome. If an SEO doesn't state his position on the issue right on his Web site, then he's leaving the door open to pick up some slime ball clients.

The standard would have to be general enough to incorporate the major search engines who have different business guidelines, and who are full of conflicts of interest themselves.

The whole area is a tricky one since a client can fire you, then go hire a slime ball or get themselves into trouble and put the blame on you.

Well, that's my two cents worth!
2004-12-06 - I am very much in favor of your call for standards. We spend a considerable amount of time and resources having to properly educate our clients on not only approved tactics and strategies, but also what are the things to avoid. I personally feel that with the explosive growth of the SEO market we're spending more and more of our time educating our clients away from unethical practices and standards being pitched by very aggressive SEO companies.
2004-12-06 - I think you've already jumped off that bridge. SEO Consultants has already set a standard for membership. The guidelines outlined for membership/peer review are a published version of the standards you expect members to practice. In truth I value my listing in SEO Consultants for that very reason, it is selective.
I realize that a portion of the SEO community believes that our job is to serve the client - not the search engines, and that the client is best served by using whatever tactics are necessary to obtain SERPs. That argument makes sense until you consider the bigger picture. The SEO, the user, the client and the search engines are part of a community. Having members of the community at odds does not help the community function to its greatest potential. But as a community, all members need to contribute, share and assist each other. So it's just as much a responsibility of the search engines to work with SEOs as it is for the SEOs to use best-practice tactics.
2004-12-07 - Interesting proposition on the standards. Because its never been done I don't know how it would be, but that's not to say it couldn't be. I think the biggest issue you'll run across is getting a list of standards that most could agree on. There are so many areas of SEO that are in hot dispute over their effectiveness or their "hat". But I say its worth a try.
2004-12-07 - Brave stuff :)
I certainly don't mind putting in a bit of effort on getting something going along these lines. But it is walking into a minefield - as I've indicated when I've attacked self-appointed "spam cops" in the past.

However, despite that, I feel that reasonable, professional guidelines should be laid down and, to that end, I'd be happy to become involved.
2004-12-07 - This is in answer to your question about standards. I think we should have a standard and as consultants we should be trying to work with the search engines and not against them. Is SEO Consultants the right place to do this? Well, my first question is: Is anyone else doing this, like SEMPO? I like the idea of the whole membership coming together to form those standards but there will be some gray areas, I would imagine. I would be willing to help but my time would be limited.

Comments and/or Questions?

If you've read this far, that probably means you have interest in what we are proposing. If that is the case, send us an email (to the address you have on file for us, or use our contact form) letting us know your thoughts on the issues we've addressed in this section and any others you feel are pertinent. We would first like to get a feel from our membership as to whether or not we are barking up the wrong tree as they say. Is it time? Or, should we let it go? Are we (the SEO Consultants Directory Membership) the right people to start the ball rolling?