Searching for success

by Catherine Woods - Tuesday, 2nd October 2007

Companies can spend thousands of pounds a year on search engine optimisation (SEO) to ensure they appear on the first page of Google or other such sites when certain terms are searched for.

Money for old rope? Perhaps. But Dominic Hayhoe, the founder and managing director of Forces Reunited, argues that SEO as well as online advertising are vital if you’ve got a website or your business is internet-based.

“Before I started Forces Reunited, I worked in the SEO field. I obviously applied all the tricks of the trade I’d learnt to Forces Reunited, so we’ve always ranked well in the search engines,” says Hayhoe.

“I remember hearing a couple of years ago that internet advertising no longer works. But to be honest with you it’s the only medium that does work for us. It’s a good idea if you focus on people online.”

Forces Reunited is a website connecting those who serve, or used to serve, in the armed forces. Hayhoe also recently launched a new site, UpdateYourEmail.com, to help people find lost contacts.

Hayhoe suggests selecting an SEO agency based on recommendations. A track record in your sector is also useful. If you don’t have the cash for SEO, Hayhoe says you can do it yourself.

“To be honest, you can learn the basics in a month. Obviously, getting to grips with advanced techniques would probably take six months to a year, but you can learn as you’re going along.”

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Tags: forces reunited, dominic hayhoe, google, search engines, search engine optimisation, internet advertising, armed forces, marketing, seo, technology in business, growing a business,