As with pretty much any type of activity – if you have never done it before and have no knowledge about the subject – the best place to begin would be the library (or in most cases – the internet). I strongly encourage you to look at a few articles online as well as flip through a number of introductory books on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing). You don’t have to become an expert in the field from reading about the subject, but it would serve you well to get a general sense about the journey that you are about to embark on. Look over a few recommended books that I have listed here to begin your understanding of the science behind SEO and SEM. On a side note, if you don’t yet have a website – that is not a problem – you can register your new domain at Host Monster (probably THE best hosting service available with tons of features at your finger tips.) You can then build a simple site (or you can contact us and we’ll set one up for you).

Your next step should be to find a friend, a colleague or a professional acquaintance who has connections with SEO / SEM professionals or who have done search marketing themselves. Pick their brain a little. Tell them about your project (your website), tell them what your goals are, tell them what you’ve learned from your preliminary research – have them clarify a few things for you that may be confusing at first. More often than not – they will point you in the right direction (whether it’s back to the books or to a respectable SEM/SEO professional).

Finally, once you have a good understanding of what your are in for (you understand SEO and SEM terminology, you understand the various techniques and principles) you really have two choices: you can attempt to perform search engine optimization on your own or you can hire a consultant to do it for you. Whatever route you choose, do a quick cost-benefit analysis on your business in regards to SEO / SEM spending for your website (don’t forget to figure your time into the equation). If you think you are up to the challenge and wish to offset the cost of hiring a consultant with your personal investment of time – try that route. If you feel that it would be less painful to hire a Search Engine Marketing and Optimization professional to do the work for you – start shopping around. You can always get free quotes and more often than not a free consultation.


Sergey Gorbatov
Principal Consultant, Sell With SEM
info@sellwithsem.com