In this presentation, Joshua Jacoby of My Favorite Web Designs outlines the agency’s systematic approach to search engine optimization (SEO) for clients of varying maturity levels. He emphasizes the need for a natural, "organic" SEO strategy that avoids algorithmic penalties (Panda, Penguin, Hummingbird) by progressing methodically. The process begins with a comprehensive audit of the client’s existing social media presence (Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, spokesperson accounts) and on‑page factors such as keyword density, title/meta tags, Open Graph tags, NAP consistency, anchor text, and image alt text. Jacoby then identifies low‑hanging link‑building opportunities—most notably adding a do‑follow URL to a Twitter profile. Early implementation of Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics allows the team to monitor keyword rankings, organic traffic, and referral/social traffic. A distinctive feature of the firm is its detailed monthly reporting, which includes a timesheet of every task, hourly rates ($25/hr for basic SEO, $40/hr for graphic design, $50/hr for web design), rankings, and a secure list of usernames/passwords for all created accounts. The presentation concludes with contact information for prospective clients.
Chapters
Getting started on SEO is different for every customer because every customer starts SEO at a different point. Some customers have had their websites for years and have been engaged in social media and blogging and are starting relatively far along the search engine optimization path. Other customers have just built their websites or just switched to brand new domains and have groundwork they must lay for SEO to be truly effective. SEO is known as organic search optimization, and the reason it is called organic is because it must appear natural to Google and to the search engines how it is done. If we are overly aggressive or if we try to optimize too fast, we can be penalized, which would prevent SEO from ever being effective. So, it's very important when starting your search optimization program to be sure that the person who is going to be handling the marketing has a plan that takes into account penalties from Panda, Penguin, and Google's Hummingbird update to their search algorithm. One of the most important parts of avoiding these penalties is to have a good foundation of social engagement with your consumers. So, one of the first things that My Favorite Web Designs looks at when they establish an SEO program for a client is how their social media is currently set up. Do they have a Facebook page? Do they have their clients invited to their Facebook page? Do they have a Google+ and a LinkedIn page for their company as well as their personal accounts? Do they have a public spokesperson for their company representing them on social media? These are all different things that are part of a brand's success, and we look at that when we're putting together an initial SEO program for a client. Of course, optimization on the website is part of the initial assessment, including keyword density, title and meta descriptions, Facebook OG tags, integration with social media, the ability to share, consistency of name, address, and phone number on the website, the use of anchor text in links, the alt text on images, and many other on-page factors are all examined as part of the initial assessment for onsite optimization. We also look at what links can be built for the site, and we look for low-hanging fruit. For instance, many companies may not have ever had a Twitter account, or on their Twitter account may never have included their URL in their profile section, which is the only dofollow link from Twitter and a PR 9. So, we look for low-hanging fruit and links that we can get for the client that will be of high value. And totally legitimate in the eyes of Google. We also establish Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics tracking on our websites very early on so that we can see the progress and results from our work. We also track a sampling of keywords so we can see how we're moving in the search engine ranking positionings. Though we have to look at the traffic on analytics as well, because a good SEO is not only interested in the search traffic, but also in the social media traffic and referral traffic that they can achieve. One of the things that really sets My Favorite Web Designs apart from other Arizona search engine optimization companies is our monthly reporting. We send detailed spreadsheets with a timesheet tab that shows the amount of time spent on each and every task for the month. We bill our search engine program at $25 an hour for basic optimization tasks. $40 an hour for graphic design and $50 an hour for web design work, and we reflect every single minute of it in the timesheet tab on our monthly report. We also have the rankings in there as well as the usernames and passwords for every account that we create for you, which is especially important because you want to have copies of your social media passwords and your Yelp login and your— Thumbtack and all your different local accounts so that you'll be able to manage those on your own or with the help of My Favorite Web Designs. But every good business manager should have a copy and backup of their passwords and accounts, which is why we include it every month in our monthly report. If you have any questions or you'd like to discuss your unique SEO situation, please give me a call at 480-335-1330. Or you can email me, josh@myfavoritewebdesigns.com, and I'd love to help you out with any optimization queries you might have.
