Yellow Pages vs. Search Engine Optimization
September 20th, 2008 by adminI just took my dog to the pet spa while I left town for the weekend, leaving my business card for emergency contact info. When I picked her up, the owner and I were discussing how to get the most from his website 
when I told him I would be glad to help if he ever has problems. He had read my business card, and knew that I did SEO, to which he said that he had SEO, the Yellow Pages. I have heard it a thousand times, but it still gets to me…the Yellow Page listings are not search engine optimization services.
So here is the difference between SEO services and Yellow Pages listings:
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Yellow Pages listing. With services similar to local and regional directories, the Yellow Pages directory offers several packages that include a listing on their site. The search results will return a listing for the Yellow Pages site, and then users will be directed to your company site.
The Downside: Search results ALWAYS link to their site, searchers aren’t directly routed to your site; your site never ranks, and you have no long-lasting effects. Ranking is contingent on any work done on their site, you are dependent on them to have high rankings and good site maintenance.
•An independent SEO and Internet Advertising Company. Taking an SEO company one step further, they will offer complete SEO services, as well as other internet advertising, social advertising, banner advertising, and affiliate marketing to give a complete presence on the internet. This type of company may also assist you in the selection of a web designer, or participate in the web design process to achieve the best on-site optimization possible.
The Downside: This type of company is dedicated to your company’s complete online presence and therefore has no downside.
