SEO Work Agreement
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Contract and Agreement
“Company” – Paul Barrs Publishing
“The Client” – [Your Business]
1. Paul Barrs Publishing will provide The Client with Search Engine Optimisation Services (hereinafter referred to as “SEO”) as described in this contract and agreement. Paul Barrs Publishing will use specific keywords and/or phrases to improve the search engine ranking of, and/or position the contents of the Client’s website, as stated in the initial invoice. This agreement covers both On Page SEO (points 1-a thru 1-e below) and Off Page SEO (items 1-f thru 1-i) agreement.
Note: Please note that complete SEO success is rarely achieved in 3 months, and even if it is, your ranking (whatever it may be) is NOT guaranteed in search. You do not ‘own’ that ranking, you have no rights to it; and the minute you stop working on it you are likely to lose it to someone else who IS working it. A solid SEO strategy is a continual plan, it never stops.
1-a. Keyword selection / review and competitor analysis
1-b. Set up of Rank Tracking and Reporting
1-c. Set up of Goals in analytics (may require change of URL for some pages)
1-c-1. Set up / integration of Google Webmaster Tools
1-d. On page SEO for meta-data
1-d-1. On page SEO for page URL’s / site structure
1-d-2. On page SEO for page content
1-d-3. On page SEO for internal links
1-e. Revise / rewrite current content pages.
1-e-1. Adjust internal linking to suit.
1-e-2. Set up or Review Blog Function
1-e-3. Advise on schedule for future blogging.
1-f. Review Google + / Local Business listing
1-f-1. Modify as required.
1-g. Review other local business directories.
1-g-1. Update NAP listings / Citations on other local directories.
1-h. Social Media
1-h-1. Review current social media strategy and advise on additional options.
1-i. YouTube
1-i-1. Review YouTube Channel.
1-i-2. Advise on schedule for video creation / options.
2. The fees for the SEO services to be provided are stated in the monthly invoices. All fees must be paid in advance at the beginning of each calendar month or within 7-days of the issued invoice.
Paul Barrs Publishing’s SEO services are intended to serve two main purposes: 1) to provide the Client with increased exposure in search engines, and 2) to drive targeted online traffic to the site.
Paul Barrs Publishing’s SEO Services will include (but are not limited to):
* Researching keywords and phrases and competitor analysis to select appropriate, relevant search terms (up to 20 phrases). This is usually completed in the first month along with Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics verifications.
* Editing and/or Optimisation of text for various html tags, meta data, page titles, and page text as necessary (depending on the number of pages to be optimised, this may comprise the sole tasks for month 2 and 3).
* Analysis and recommendations on optimal website structure, navigation, code, etc. for best SEO purposes. Restructure if required.
* Analysis of site integration to Google Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics, Google +, Google Authorship, Google Places for Business and relevant Social Media properties. If none of these properties are set up then this can form the content of tasks in month 4.
* Recommend, as required, additional web pages or content for the purpose of “catching” keyword/phrase searches.
* Create traffic and ranking reports for The Client’s website and any associated pages showing rankings in the major search engines.
* Obtaining links from other related websites and directories in order to generate link popularity and traffic (this will ONLY commence once all ‘on-page’ SEO is completed).
3. For the purposes of receiving professional SEO services, The Client agrees to provide the following:
* Administrative/backend access to the website for analysis of content and structure.
* Permission to make changes for the purpose of optimisation, and to communicate directly with any third parties, e.g., your web designer, if necessary.
* Unlimited access to existing website traffic statistics for analysis and tracking purposes.
* A @yourdomain.com email address for the purposes of off-page SEO (something like paul@yourdomain.com) if required.
* Authorisation to use The Client’s pictures, logos, trademarks, web site images, pamphlets, content, etc., for any use as deemed necessary by Paul Barrs Publishing for search engine optimisation purposes.
* If Client’s site is lacking in textual content, The Client will provide additional text content in electronic format for the purpose of creating additional or richer web pages. Paul Barrs Publishing can create site content at additional cost to the Client. If The Client is interested in purchasing content from Paul Barrs Publishing, please contact Paul Barrs Publishing for a cost estimate.
4. The Client must acknowledge the following with respect to SEO services:
* All fees are non-refundable.
* All fees, services, documents, recommendations, and reports are confidential.
* Paul Barrs Publishing has no control over the policies of search engines with respect to the type of sites and/or content that they accept now or in the future. The Client’s website may be excluded from any directory or search engine at any time at the sole discretion of the search engine or directory.
* Due to the competitiveness of some keywords/phrases, ongoing changes in search engine ranking algorithms, and other competitive factors, Paul Barrs Publishing does not guarantee #1 positions or consistent top 10 positions for any particular keyword, phrase, or search term. However, if Paul Barrs Publishing fails to increase traffic to the site’s overall rankings across a number of relevant keywords within eight weeks of services, The Client may terminate the 6-month contract and agreement early.
* Google has been known to hinder the rankings of new websites (or pages) until they have proven their viability to exist for more than 3 months. This is referred to as the “Google Sandbox.” Paul Barrs Publishing assumes no liability for ranking/traffic/indexing issues related to Google Sandbox penalties.
* Occasionally, search engines will drop listings for no apparent or predictable reason. Often, the listing will reappear without any additional SEO. Should a listing be dropped from the Google index during the SEO campaign and does not reappear within 30 days of campaign completion, Paul Barrs Publishing will re-optimise the website/page based on the current policies of the search engine in question.
* Some search directories offer expedited listing services for a fee. If the Client wishes to engage in said expedited listing services (e.g., paid directories), the Client is responsible for all paid for inclusion or expedited service fees. Paul Barrs Publishing can offer a list of expedited listing services upon request.
* Linking to “bad neighbourhoods” or getting links from “link farms” can seriously damage all SEO efforts. Paul Barrs Publishing does not assume liability for the Client’s choice to link to or obtain a link from any particular website without prior consultation.
5. Paul Barrs Publishing is not responsible for changes made to the website by other parties that adversely affect the search engine rankings of the Client’s website.
6. Additional Services not listed herein (such as managing pay-per click campaigns, copywriting, etc.) will be provided for a fee of $150.00 per hour plus additional costs.
7. The Client guarantees any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork provided to Paul Barrs Publishing for inclusion on the website above are owned by the Client, or that the Client has received permission from the rightful owner(s) to use each of the elements, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend Paul Barrs Publishing and its subcontractors from any liability or suit arising from the use of such elements.
8. Paul Barrs Publishing is not responsible for the Client overwriting SEO work to the Client’s site. (e.g., Client/webmaster uploading over work already provided/optimised). The Client will be charged an additional fee for re-constructing content, based on the hourly rate of $150.00 per hour. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Paul Barrs Publishing’s obligation to provide any SEO services shall cease in the event the Client’s conduct overwrites the SEO services provided. For example, if the client’s webmaster uploads content without consulting Paul Barrs Publishing, then Paul Barrs Publishing is under now obligation to provide SEO services for the remainder of the agreement period.
9. Venue and Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arising from this Contract will be litigated or arbitrated in the State of Queensland in the Commonwealth of Australia. This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of such state.
10. Disclaimers.
10.1. SEO is not a one time activity like website development. It is an ongoing process. If you stop link building your rankings may eventually fall & so may be your revenue.
10.2. SEO is a very time-consuming process. It may take anywhere from 4 months to 6 months to see results depending upon the competition, hence minimum contracting term of 6 months.
10.3. New websites may get temporary boost in ranking for some targeted keywords for few days but then it settles down to its real place. This is known as ‘new site boost effect’ and it is quite common to happen.
10.4. Website search engine rankings often fluctuate any day, any time because of on-going changes in the ranking algorithm, SEO efforts made by the competitors or both.
10.5. There is no guarantee/warranty of project timeliness, added expenses and end results if SEO work is destroyed either wholly or in parts , either knowingly or unknowingly by any party other than Paul Barrs Publishing or without the prior consultation/knowledge of Paul Barrs Publishing. Examples include –
* Renaming, re-locating, adding or removing any file, folder or sub domain on a web server including web documents, robots.txt, .htacess file, sitemap.xml, rss.xml etc
* Making any changes on an optimised web page.
* Changing the head section of a web page like changing the title tag or certain tags required for website authentication.
* Adding, removing or modifying contents, functionality or a widget.
* Changes in the anchor text
* Removing the Google analytics code from the web page.
* Changes in the site architecture.
* Renaming URLs of a web document.
* Linking out to any website without prior consultation of the SEO.
* Taking down the website or part of the website.
10.6. There is no guarantee/warranty of project timeliness, additional expenses and end results if:
* There is a server outage for prolonged time.
* The Client fails to resolve SEO queries on time or make delays in providing required access, documents, permission or any support for SEO purpose.
* The Client fails to make necessary changes on the website as and when advised.
* The Client refuses to educate himself about SEO when required.
11. Entire Understanding
This contract in conjunction the issued invoice constitutes the sole agreement between Paul Barrs Publishing and The Client regarding SEO work. It becomes effective when the “Client” makes the first deposit towards the overall cost of the project. It is the spirit of this agreement that this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement for the Client and the Company.
With deposit of such funds The Client” confirms that they have read and understand the terms set forth in this contract and agreement.
End.