Turn to Search Engine Optimization — Domain Developers

Buy domain. Develop. Then what?

As domainers turn to development to monetize their domains, they may be discouraged to find the revenue on their developed sites not meeting expectations. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as developing mini-sites or full-fledged web sites, launching them, and letting the checks roll in.

That’s when search engine optimization (SEO) comes into the picture. I’ve always been turned off by the SEO business since it seems so hocus-pocus. Firms ask you to trust them to get you higher in the search engines and ask you to write them a big check. They tell you “we’ll tweak your pages and submit your site to directories”, but they don’t tell you much else.

But search engine optimization firms are becoming more modular. Consider HubShout, which offers three SEO packages with clearly defined activities. HubShout audits your site, creates content, submits articles, creates and distributes widgets, leverages social networking sites, and issues keyword friendly press releases on your behalf. Each package clearly states what you get.

I’ve been playing around with a free trial to HubShout’s Search Ranking Tracker. This tool tracks where your web site ranks in Google for terms you select. Unlike a number of other services, it tracks your rank on a daily basis.

But ought to you outsource your SEO? My take is “no” for mini-sites, but “yes” for full-fledged web sites. The cost of hiring a good SEO service is too much for mini-sites that you hope to make $100 or so off of each month. But if you are developing a major site or selling products, it makes sense to focus on what you do well and outsource the rest to experts.