Dev Basu explains that "identifying a client's existing inventoriable assets" is one of the tenets of being a good agency, whether you're a search-specific firm or part of a bigger shop. "Expert SEOs
can often spot such 'client assets' or 'useful inventory,' but that process can be optimized by simply asking the client the right questions," he says.
For example, find out if a client
has a list of unused domains. You can then start redirecting them to the main URL. Also, ask if they're promoting their URL through offline channels, as you can then start estimating where some of
their direct traffic is coming from. Other questions help deal with duplicate content issues, social media account consolidation, and even indexation problems.
"Folks, I've learned to ask
these questions over time and through experience, because I've lost precious time and money discovering errors on a client's site on my own time and without prior knowledge from the client," Basu
says. "Avoid the horror stories and OMG moments by remembering to ask the questions you usually don't ask your client the next time around."
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