How does Search Engine Optimization(SEO) work? Do you have to pay for it?

[BLove]

I'm kind of new to this and I'm curious how someone goes about doing this. Like do you have to pay Google to get ur site on the top of the list or what? And if it is at the top of the search, is it like that forever?

[EricC]

Hi,

No, SEO doesn't cost anything, It's how you organize and structure your site so that the search engine spiders come to your site and index it so that people can find it. Since there are billions of websites out there, you may get listed but you'll probably just be added to the bottom of the list unless you use search engine optimization.

The way to optimize your site is to use the right keyword-focused content. If you want to know what that entails, here's an article that explains it: http://www.simple-internet-strategies.com/search-optimization.html

There are ways to pay Google to get to the top of the list but you would be clearly marked as an advertiser and therefore, you probably wouldn't get clicked on as often as the unpaid listings. I don't have stats to back that up but it makes sense, doesn't it? Who willingly listens to an advertiser? :-)

Best Regards,

Healthy Mom

[ArnoldB]

You do not need to pay google for this. you can make your own blog and put articles on it. you need to write on it everyday. you need to have familiar keywords, so readers will have a chance to see your blog. Your articles should always be original, never copy paste from another blog or website. good luck.

[cazzypooh]

I'll divide this in part to answer you question better.

1. Search engine optimization
Works by slowly bringing your website to the top of the search engines. I really suggest you read this. It solved all the doubts I had as a newbie:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

2. Paying for it
You can pay a company to do SEO for you. If you do it yourself it's free... but hard work.

3. Paying Google
Google can't be bribed for SEO. You can bribe them with AdWords It's their alternative to SEO that gets you to the top of the listings.

4. Long Term
No, it won't stay there forever. You need to work on keeping the ranking there. Plus, competition and algorithm (the Google algorithm that defines who's at the top of the SE) changes can affect your position.

[San Jose SEO]

I would disagree that there is no cost involved. I put in 1,000 hours learning to do SEO correctly before launching our first site. I spend several hours a day staying on top of industry changes daily.

So I $20.00 and hour we invested over $20,000 to learn our business. It has been worth every penny.

[JAlbert]

You cannot pay google so that you will be in the top position but you can pay someone to do it for you. There are SEO specialist that are willing to do it. But you can do it yourself. All you need is patience and time to be in the google top result.

[royaleviv]

yes SEO doesnt cost anything, but the SEO consultants suck out your blood. you better learn SEO your self, it is pretty easy. other wise the cost of the site will increase. it is always advisable to optimize your site first and then advertise it.

[San Jose SEO]

If you add time into the mix it can get very expensive learning SEO, but it is worth it.