SEO is of massive benefit when implemented correctly, but too many companies think that merely hiring an SEO service is a guarantee of success. But sadly this is not the case. The issue here is understanding what an SEO service will actually provide for you. They may alter your content so that keyword saturation goes up, make changes so that your PageRank goes up, and even provide backlinks for you if you pay top dollar. But that is it – they are not selling your product, service or site, and you are still responsible for making things happen and generating a profit. Think of it like this – they are beautifying your store front and putting you in the right location, but that is it – you have to entice people and make the sale.
The real way to check if SEO has paid off for you is to check your sales figures, PageRank, and consumer feedback.

 
SEO = Sales
Search Engine Optimization, SEO, is a process whereby your website is changed so that it appears on more diverse searches, and appears closer to the top of the search list. That is it. It is not Search Engine Optimization that miraculously promises better profits. So, in order to check that you have made the right decision investing in the process, check your sales figures before and after the SEO changes have been made. You cannot afford to sit back and wait in business, regardless of how well you think your website is doing.

 
PageRank
For every website like yours on the internet, there are hundreds that are similar to it, offering the same things as you. When someone searches a related topic, you need to make sure that your website is near the top of the list – research has suggested that most people only consult the first four or five links that pop up when they search. So if you are sitting on page 11, you have no chance. SEO should improve your ranking, so get some friends to do a search related to your business. If you haven’t moved up, you’ve been duped.

 
Consumer feedback
Be sure to listen to what your customers have to say, particularly those who have used your business for quite a long time. Positive comments after the SEO process are a good sign that you’ve done something write – use an opt-in email program to get the best feedback.
This guest post is brought to you by Victoria. She is a writer that is currently exploring Business Directory Canada and Canadian Finance Directory.