1 hr of SEO vs Paid Link

[Boodreaux]

Can me paying an SEO firm $250 for one hour of work benefit me more than buying a lifetime link on Best of the Web for $249? ( Firm said I had to buy a min of 8 hrs though)

The firm strongly suggested that I not purchase a paid link. (All my major competitors have paid the $249)

Boodreaux

[MassivePrime]

I'm baffled by this question can you elaborate?

What is your SEO firm asking you $250/hour for? I also cannot imagine what possible value you will get by paying $249 for a life time link on a directory unless it's dmoz.

The fact that your competitors paid the $249 might be an indication that the directory brings traffic that converts but even then I am curious to find out how you know that all your competitors are there? Did a rep from the site call you and tell you that or did you find out for yourself? Ultimately when it comes to SEO, paying for links is a big no no. With more info might be able to give better advice

[Mcarle]

Web blogs & directories are getting nailed these days.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/unnatural-link-warnings-blog-networks-advice

I feel that a GOOD SEO person will want you to focus on natural links & content as apposed to buying links that may very well be penalized in the next ... well whenever they are deindexed...

Yes, your competitors might be buying those links, but you will be happy when they do go down in flames and you rise to the SERPS because of it. If you are truly itching to buy links... then buy them from local merchant directories that are in your field, then at least you are advertising to people who live/work in your area...

[Sean_Dawes]

How about spending a few hours and read http://www.seomoz.org/beginners-guide-to-seo as I can ensure you that even the newb can learn something that is better than spending 1hr of SEO consult as that agency seems pretty expensive at $250hr

[Mcarle]

Yes & no, Learning is great for those that have time for it, but if he has already hired a firm then his time would be better spent on earning income through his own sources...At some point SEO like all things that require much time to learn needs to be left to those who can do more with that one hour then he can do in 3 months.

[Sean_Dawes]

If he is debating the budget of 1hr or spending same $ for a paid link, he isnt hiring a firm. He is trying to get gains from a small investment. His time is better spent learning some basics. Most sites are so bad that simple changes and learning how to structure content can get him gains in the near future.

[KeriMorgret]

It depends on what that one hour of work will get you. Is that one hour of work total, or are they prepping with an audit then spending an hour to explain it to you?

What have they said you'll get out of that hour?

[Boodreaux]

SEOmoz has this recommended list of directories and  "BOTW.org" is the 15th best directory to purchase a link from out of 229 recommended sites.  I just looked at the site and saw a bunch of my competitors on there.  Since I only had 3 links I felt I need to purchase a couple.  For the rest of the year I will just be linking to industry related sites. I have a feeling that these "good" directories will be okay as long as I get them in the proper ratio to my non paid links.  Will probably take a hit right now because I bought two.  Also got Business.com.

[Boodreaux]

They said 8 hours minimum for $250 an hour and then each hour thereafter it would just be at the same hourly rate.  The would have been doing all the set up including keyword research.  Seemed a little high...so I have been burning the candle at both ends to learn this stuff.  Bought two new books yesterday ($70).  If I new for sure that I would have the ultimate optimized site with the proper keywords it might be work it to me.  I guess I just have to research the company more to find testimonials etc.

[Boodreaux]

We are a nationwide group with very little local traffic.  I think I will probably start focusing on getting links from industry specific sites with good domain and page authority. I will also follow the link you suggested.  I had no idea that good directories and blogs were under fire.  Thanks!

[Boodreaux]

Yes...I will end up doing both...because staying up until 4 or 5 AM many nights is not going to work for me in the long run.