Hi there I did a bit of SEO work for a friends site and developed a real interest in the field, doing alot of reading and stuff really enjoying it. I have a few attempts at design work and its not really what I am good at...

I have one site that I designed and I got it ranked #1 on all keywords I targeted on google but it took time and alot of trail and error stuff, to be honest I still amnt sure if I just got lucky. I worked alot on key word placement, meta data and such.


Couple of questions...

1) Friend of mine has said he wants someone to do SEO work for his company, I have no problem doing it but the problem is he wants me to quote him for work(consultancy basis), question that comes to my mind is how long is a piece of string, I would love to help him out and become 'professional' at it but unsure where to start. Any ideas.... Pricing...where to begin... in a role like this.

I am afraid of taking on work and not providing the results people expect.

The is alot of 'SEO Consultants' popping up on the web, its a role that I would love to work on and become proficient in, because it interests me, but I just wonder if its a fad and if search engines are making the algoritms more and more complicated to stamp out SEO.

This one of the reasons why I didn't take a professional role in it although I did work inhouse for a while. You simple cant guarantee results within Search Engines which is something that's off putting for me - I like being in control.

I do however work for friends but only after giving them a good briefing about search engines etc.

Search engines are making the algorithms more and more complicated, most of all Google. In saying that, seo/marketing people are still going to be needed for websites.

Pricing wise would really be down to what your time is worth. Set an hourly rate and stick with it.

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No chance of it being a fad. Google benefits and feeds the industry.

Working for friends is a tricky business. If he knows that you are inexperienced yet wants you to do the work then more fool him.

I'd try and keep the work professional rather than a mate doing things as a favour, set the hours, price, expectations, work, targets, payment etc.

If you think it's more than you can handle and is in a fairly competitive market then I'd stay away from it, and go and work on other projects to give you the confidence while keeping your friendship in tact.

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I've started to do some work, with performance related bonuses, it works out quite well for both the client and myself. Bonuses could be related to SERPS or traffic or some other metric.

Also I tend to ask for a separate budget to purchase things (links/directory listing/etc.)

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