It seems like more and more web site companies are offering SEO services.
It's a strong buzzword to get Realtors interested in their product since
everyone is realizing that unless you're high in the search engines, you
could be wasting your money on a website.

I've been receiving numerous emails from a web site company that was at the
latest CAR show promoting their web site product and SEO services. I
responded asking for a list of sites that they have done SEO work on and
what the keyword phrases they rank well with.

My request was given to the SEO guy. Here's a summary of the responses I
have received so far.

Response #1: Don't know, need to research
Response #2: Here's a site that ranks well in Google with 5 phrases

I checked the phrases using the Overture tool. 3 of the 5 were phrases that
NO ONE searched on in Oct 2006. The other 2 had minimal searches. I asked
who chose the keyword phrases, them or the client. He responded that he
thought the client did. (UGH!)

If you are looking at SEO services from a vendor, either paid or included in
the product price, make sure to ask the simple question on supplying you a
list of sites with keyword phrases.

Any good SEO company is going to have a list they can give you which you can
verify by searching yourself. You bet that a SEO company that produces
results will be happy to share these results with you. If a company can't
give you a list, or the list they give you have keyword phrases that no one
would use, then you should know what to expect.

If you currently have a website from a vendor, you should ask them this
question as well. It will give you an idea if you have a CHANCE to be ranked
well. I've done some research by searching on real estate keyword phrases
and seeing who is in the Top 10 from big to little cities. Rarely do I find
a template web site vendor in the Top 10. When I do, I check the age of the
domain and almost all have been on the net for at least 4 years.

Keith Byrd