Does SEO work?

[popcreativeltd]

Hello, I have a question which I really want to get to the bottom of.

We are carrying out some SEO for a client. Im currently using the tools in Moz to help me with this. Im currently trying to target "Dentist Balham". We are following all the "rules" creating content, created a mobile friendly site etc. However the site that is coming top is www.balhamdentalcare.co.uk which carries non of the things we are doing, in fact a lot of the content is PDF downloads. They don't do well in the SERP Report compared to other sites. Its basically not a great site but its coming up first. Does any one think this can be beaten or does it just come down to the fact that they use  "Balham" in the domain name?

Thanks for your advice.
Ade

[popcreativeltd]

Thanks for that, i feel inspired! I know it can be done its just sometimes you feel your doing a lot of work and you look at another site and think "there not doing half this stuff, why are they doing so well?" Im of course also looking at other areas/keywords to improve the SEO but as you know most clients get certain terms into there heads that they want to show up for. Thanks for your help.

[popcreativeltd]

Thanks Jeremy, I've not been working on the SEO that long, less than 2 months. I guess my question is more to do with the fact that its hard to say to a client "This is SEO and this is what needs doing on your site" then for a client to simply turn round and say " well this company doesnt do that and they are top".

[EGOL]

I took a quick look at the BalhamDentalCare site.

You ask... "Does any one think this can be beaten".

In the organic SERPs, yes, absolutely.  They can be beaten.  There are many things that competitors could do a LOT better.  But those competitors would have to do a LOT of work to match them.

In the local results.  They have great position - but a smart competitor who is willing to work hard could beat them.

You also ask.... "or does it just come down to the fact that they use  "Balham" in the domain name?"

Having the word "Balham" is slightly helpful.  But that word in the domain will only decide their position against weak competitors.  When competition increases a word in the domain means very little compared to all of the other work that needs to be done to be competitive.

Quite honestly.  balhamdentalcare.co.uk has done a fantastic job creating content.  If they ever learn how to do really good SEO or hire a really good SEO then the other "dentists in Balham" are going to have a difficult time beating them.  If they simply write better title tags and sharpen the optimization of their pages they will be a lot stronger.

A small amount of smart work could make them a lot stronger, but most competitors have an enormous amount of work just to pull even with them in their current state.

Beat them now while they are in low form and hope that they don't get smart.

[McFaddenGavender]

I think an important thing you forgot to mention was how long you have been carrying out your SEO strategy for this client. This is essential to know - high ranking websites do not happen quickly.

Having a keyword in the domain used to be extremely beneficial, but Google has began not factoring it in nearly as much.