You have a limited budget of $2,000 (US). Do you buy links or create / seed content?
-
We have a client who is being told by their incumbent supplier that they should renew their annual contract to buy links on 4 domains by their incumbent SEO agency. It will cost approximately $2,000.
We are recommending they produce decent content, like a video, an infographic based on data that is exclusively theirs and seed this with bloggers / real world publications / trade press / etc.
The client is struggling to make a decision because he's caught between two SEO's with different approaches. He doesn't have the budget for both. He's scared of losing his position in the SERPs.
So, I said I'd get some votes from other SEO's. Which would you recommend?
Option 1
- 1,000's of links
- on 4 domains
Option 2
- Create link bait
- Seed using social media
GO!
-
If you're not providing at least some of both of those services for your potential client you will be doing ineffective SEO and somewhat of a disservice to them. The link building efforts should support quality content. It will help with the dissemination. To me spending all your money on content would be like buying a car but not spending any money on gas.
-
No. 2
Produce Great content - I would suggest... take a topic - a crucial one - on which ur target audience really needs help.
Make a full strategy around producing 4 pieces of content to comprehensively cover the topic so that everyone really understands it.
Hire a pro - a professor, doctor etc who really knows the topic and is actually well known for it.
The 4 content items are
1. An article (SEO optimization is best on articles)
2. White-paper
3. Video - this could be Q&A interview with the same expert who has produced the content OR it could be a teaching video for the topic
4. Infographic
Finally.. once you got it all... ensure you market the whole package and seed it every where as a whole package.
And now... just spend $200 (out of the initial $2000 budget) to ask and get 3-4 top bloggers with the biggest and most relevant following to write a post on the content package OR give 2 anchor text links to the page where u will host the content.
Hope this has been helpful.
Regards,
Talha
-
Absolutely - Content - that's what the whole idea of having the site should be in the first place - you have something that attracts others.
If it's the E-commerce site - articles about specific products, if it's a Blog - you know already what you want it to contain. Links generated this way will last longer and will be constantly expanding - meaning every so often someone will place a link to your article somewhere else. Have a look at how many links you can find in the threads posted in this forum - most of them to the Google resources, but still - if it was a forum about something else you'd find a different ones.
I've never spent a penny on links and I do have really good results by just posting new articles of interest and tutorials.
What you could also do is to create the RSS feed for all these articles and submit them to the RSS directories - that is if you want to generate some links. Every time the RSS feed is updated (either dynamically from the database or manually) the RSS directory displays the new link automatically.
I hope this helps.
-
Good idea to keep some budget back for Stumble Upon ads... Not really got a great deal of experience here, but they should be useful to get the social sharing started.
-
Need a button for 'two thumbs up' EGOL!
That's a more comprehensive answer than we'd have hoped for.
To answer the questions, the client is keen to generate the content. We've had some ideas that we think will get knocked for six (if you don't mind me changing your baseball to a cricket ball) and we're looking to help them identify the audience that will share it.
But, seeing it set out so simply, it's a great reminder that we really need to do ALL THREE wonderfully, to get it right.
Brilliant EGOL, thanks so much.
-
I would do the same as EGOL.
If I did go the infographic route I would keep some money back for stumble upon ads and adwords to try and get the social signals going.
-
Just like Egol said, it is all about engaging your audience:
1. You can create the content that is good for SEO, but will it drive traffic?
2. Is you audience more opened to video or articles? Or maybe webinars, infographics, etc. etc.
First of all, I would check for what my audience is looking for, what is that really makes them take action and then try to work out with the budget part and plan the creations strategy.
Gr.,
Istvan
-
If I had the $2000 I would spend all of it on content... and if I had a steady stream of $2000 / month I would spend ALL of it that way.
Would I do it if I were your client? I don't know. It depends on three things....
-
Who will be making this content? Most people can't make successful content. At least, that's my opinion.
-
Do you have content ideas that will hit a homerun?
-
Do you have an audience who will engage with that content? (share it widely)
Do you have ALL THREE of these? If you fail in any one of them then you wasted $2000.
To be fair, you need certain things in place for paid links to succeed. Those things vary by niche but are mainly based upon what is on your site and how effective it is at converting visitors into money. Much more complex, in my opinion, but easier to pull off.
-
-
Number 2 if done correctly.
And if your client still doesn't see sense - email them this: http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66736
-
Well,once again I come up with the same issue: please forget about SEO companies who tell buying thousands of incompetent link in order to rank higher.
Instead I would go on your idea, create something that is really helpful for their possible clients, their visitors. Go try to create some video series, start blogging, be there on social networks and respond to their inquiries.
In long term the results will pay out.
I hope you can convince your clients.
Good luck!
Istvan
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Links to Social Media accounts, rel=nofollow/follow and rel=me
Hi guys, I just saw this rel="me" attribute and I can't find any reputable recent (within last year) information. I never heard of this and wonder if it's any beneficial in any way. At the same time, should I use nofollow or follow on links from website to social accounts? I've heard different opinions but, again, no recent relevant and trustworthy information. Please, kick me into right direction. However, when kicking, please give me some proof, rather than thoughts 🙂 Thanks!
Social Media | | DmitriiK0 -
What's your preference - regurgitate content on social media or just post it the once?
Hi All, Not been on the forums for a while and this isn't really an SEO question. How do you feel about Twitter feeds that constantly regurgitate the same content. It's pretty much industry standard on most pages but if the content is yours, no affiliates or other people are involved - is it really necessary to plug the same 500 word blog post over and over? Personally, I don't like it. I think it looks spammy and unprofessional and in all honesty, I unfollow pages regularly because of it.. What do you guys think? Am I squandering content by not regurgitating? Happy Monday all - Jamie
Social Media | | SanjidaKazi1 -
Possible to automate/semi-automate twitter followers into specified list(s) after the fact without doing so one-by-one?
I have a list of about 3,000 Twitter followers and would like to segment my followers into separate lists for "emergency preparedness" and "travel." Is there a tool that can help me automate this without reviewing each profile one-by-one?
Social Media | | Timmmmy0 -
Looking for some link bait ideas for local businesses?
I own an agency and have several local clients. Particularly clients in the service areas - Window replacement company, Roofing company, Foreign Car repair company, and an Asphalt paving company. I really want to run some link bait campaigns, and would love any input you guys might have. Thanks in advance for your ideas:)
Social Media | | RonMedlin0 -
Any issues with buying Twitter followers, FB fans, or Youtube subscribers?
I've seen many websites on flippa selling twitter followers, FB fans, or Youtube subscribers. Any caveats about doing so? Thanks.
Social Media | | webtarget0 -
Is it ok to have 'Authors' that write content for multiple sites even if in the same industry?
Hi all, I have a client that has 2 websites (different brands) in the same industry. I have encouraged them to become authors when writing content for each respective website and hook up their Google+ profile to the posts. Is this detrimental for SEO if they are writing for both sites? Or is it in fact a positive thing? Looking forward to your thoughts on this!! Thanks, Elias
Social Media | | A_Q0 -
How fast to post content to Google+
If an established publisher gets started on Google+, is it better to post one or two things a day like a real person would, or is it okay to do a "data dump" and post a ton of articles at once? Does it matter if the account is a brand or personal page? Thanks.
Social Media | | ebenthurston0 -
How Do I get Content & Pictures into Thoora Results?
Wondering if any one is having success with getting their content and pictures into Thoora.
Social Media | | bozzie3110