Right and Wrong?
Ethical Search Engine Optimization
Ethical?
Ethical – “being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.” Synonyms associated with ethical are upright, honest and honorable. There are thousands of SEO practitioners and companies seeking to serve you, the customer, with your
Search Engine Marketing need. It would be nice to know that you were dealing with an individual or company that was upright, honest, and honorable.
Search Engine Optimization?
My favorite definition of Search Engine Optimization is, “the ability for someone to find your web presence by entering a keyword in a search engine that is applicable to your product or service.” Your online presence is optimized so that it is found by a larger number of people who need what you are promoting. Pretty cool huh!
It is amazing what is being searched for in the major search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN. In November of 2007 there were 10.8 Billion keyword searches. That boggles the mind. Forward thinking churches and ministries are tapping into that searching to communicate the message of the gospel, and build the kingdom of God.
Why does Ethical SEO matter?
Why do you have website or blog? For most people it is to deliver a message. That message might be that they have a product or service to sell. For others it could be to let others know of the benefit of their organization. You might have the spiffiest looking web presence this side of heaven, but if nobody sees it, what good is accomplished? If you are selling a product and the people who need that product can’t find you, then you are on a quick path to a failed business. If you have the wonderful message of redemption and people don’t become aware of that message, then the Great Commission is not fully realized.
There is a right and wrong way to go about just about any activity. As far as Search Engine Optimization goes, I have chosen not to cut corners or try to out smart the search engines. I don’t want my sites, or my client sites to get in trouble with Google. Choose to travel the upright, honest and honorable path. Take the ethical approach to SEO for your company / ministry and you will never regret your decision.
I welcome your comments, as well as invite you to contact me for a free consultation regarding positioning your website or blog to be found by more people who are looking for what you have.
![[Ask]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/ask.png)
![[backflip]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/backflip.png)
![[blinklist]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/blinklist.png)
![[BlogBookmark]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/blogbookmark.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Furl]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/furl.png)
![[Google]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[MySpace]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Propeller]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/propeller.png)
![[Reddit]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/reddit.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Email]](http://ministrymaven.com/MMaven/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
SEO Consultant?
SEO consultation for churches
Marketing or Outreach
Churches have been marketing the message of Jesus for centuries in a variety of ways.
- Anyone remember the large bus ministries of the 70′s?
- How about gospel radio and teaching ministries at 6:00 in the morning?
- Vacation Bible School
- Television Ministry
- Tract Distribution
- Seeker Friendly Services
All of these tools have had a certain level of effectiveness over the years. In fact, some congregations are so firmly entrenched in these approaches that they are suspicious of other effective tools that emerge from others experience, or new technologies.
What benefits can come from using a consultant for online outreach?
- Cost Saving
- Focused Approach
- Expertise
- Did I Mention Cost Savings?
It is impossible to be an expert in every area. Pastors and church leaders have limited experience with online marketing. Even if they had a sufficient understanding, not many of them would have the time or ability to implement the strategies of a well rounded Internet marketing plan. Oh, and did I mention cost savings?
Reason not to use a consultant?
Yep, there is a very good reason for not using a consultant to plan and execute your online marketing program … Truth be told, there are churches out there that do not want to grow. They have become complacent and comfortable in their existence and reaching out to others just produces a situation that is “messy” in their eyes. These groups would certainly not want to utilize Internet marketing. Why? Because Internet marketing works.
No obligation to find out …
I invite you to contact me for a free consultation. We can explore together whether it makes sense for your organization to hire a consultant to plan and implement your online outreach.
