Comments on: SEO Services: Value Meal or Consulting that Provides Value?

By: Suchmaschinenoptimierung

Suchmaschinenoptimierung — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:43:06 +0000

I think that SEO and SEM is always a individual service that you can’t offer like a value menu. Every client and every business needs a individual consulting and service…

By: Motobootverleih

Motobootverleih — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:53:30 +0000

I think that SEM should always be approached as a custom solution for every client as this allows the client to receive all the service that they really need for a great campaign, as well as allowing the consultant/firm to receive compensation for everything the do.

By: suchmschinenoptimierung

suchmschinenoptimierung — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 19:34:06 +0000

Do somebody knows a us-seo how works for europe too? We search for an interesting partner in usa. please give feedback to us. greetings

By: Randy Duermyer

Randy Duermyer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:58:55 +0000

I think packages have their place in the business, but packages need to be customizable and flexible depending on the specific needs of the client, the client’s goals and objectives, the client’s market, the state of the client’s existing online presence, the speed at which the client wants to achieve goals and objectives, changes in the industry, etc.

I agree that one-size-fits-all never works, but in my mind offering customized and flexible package plans helps define the client’s expectations up front, in a measurable way. Until the results start showing up, it also gives clients a way to see that they’re getting their money’s worth. It’s then much easier for the consultant to live up to and exceed those expectations, adding value and trust in the client’s eyes, which in turns solidifies the ongoing relationship with the client. To me, that makes the package offering a Happy Meal and not a Crappy Meal.

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Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:43:42 +0000

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By: Maria Palma

Maria Palma — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:14:05 +0000

Lee,

I think that prepackaged deals are ok for the small internet business owner who is just starting out and doesn’t really know what he/she wants. However, I do agree that packaging services for bigger companies is pretty difficult. A smart SEO firm knows to sit down one-on-one with the client to assess exactly what services would benefit the company.

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:52:43 +0000

Mike, I can understand your position since HubSpot serves that particular market. I do indicate in the post, “For the most part, these services are focused on the “value” SEM market of budget focused small businesses.”

The focus of this post in the position against packaging search marketing services concerns larger organizations more so than very small businesses just getting on the web.

By: Mike Volpe

Mike Volpe — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:16:01 +0000

I disagree. I think that prepackaged services make a ton of sense, especially for an important, large and underserved part of the market.

There are many (over 25 million) small companies that need a simple SEO and marketing solution, and developing a “custom” proposal for all these companies just isn’t scalable.

Of course big companies will alwasy have budget for $10K+ monthly fees and they should get custom stuff and have a personal consultant hold their hand for that kind of money.

But for the vast majority of businesses, a prepackaged service might not solve all their problems, but it brings a ton of value – customers are happy and vendors make money.

Mike Volpe

By: Chad Mauldin

Chad Mauldin — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:54:50 +0000

I agree. Consulting is not a place for “value meals”. I also agree that offering these kinds of packages lowers the quality of services that can be supplied and can potentially ruin the relationship with the client.

Great post.

By: Kun Dang

Kun Dang — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:29:17 +0000

In some ways, getting pre-packaged services is part of the learning process.

Just like if you went into a foreign restaurant for the first time, if the menu had a taster menu, surly you would pick that because you had little idea of the suitability of all the other items on offer.

The key is to do research and fully understand what your needs are, objectively. Then you can mix and match bespoke solutions to cater to that need.

By: Nick - Super Affiliate Marketing Secrets

Nick - Super Affiliate Marketing Secrets — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:14:54 +0000

I think this is especially due to the fact that most people are too lazy to do something themselves. Then smart people see that, and create services tailored to their needs.

Great post!

Nick