That is a hard question and I will try to answer it from my perspective and experience.

SEO (search engine optimization) is important so that search engines can evaluate your site to provide back results to people that are searching for you through Google, Bing, Yahoo and the others.  It is not however the end-all, be-all and is somewhat intrinsic to the basics of maintaining your website.

Years ago, search engines were not as smart as they are now and used “meta data” to help sort things out.  This data consisted of keywords, phrases and descriptions hidden at the top of the page.

Although we don’t know exactly how the search engines work (if someone tells you they do, they are lying to you) we do know basics like keeping information fresh, writing good content, using the proper tags, making sure people are linking to you, social media, that will improve your results in searches.

So going back to “is this important”, yes its important but not as important as constantly feeding your site and using it to its fullest.  There is also industry research that indicates around 70% of clicks come from organic results and not paid search advertising.  Pretty amazing right?

Proper SEO is not something you buy but is a process and yes there are tools to help. This is a race not a sprint.

One more thing, if someone tells you they can guarantee you anything with an SEO program other than improvement, they are lying.  TBD has gotten more business from clients that were burned by these fly-by-night SEO shops that anything else.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and hopefully this was helpful.

Industry: Higher Education

Site: http://www.Connexxia.com (Now a James Tower company)

Description: Connexxia provides a patented service called AdmissionsGenie® that helps colleges and universities improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their admissions and orientation efforts by using the Internet to its full potential as a personalized, two-way communications medium.

Overview: Connexxia needed a design partner to create high-end graphic designs for their contracted admissions programs, within timeline and budget.  We have continued to work with many of their clients as an interactive & usability consultant as needed.

Target Audience:

High school students interested in enrolling in prospective college or university and/or college student who may be interested in transferring to another school.

Details:

Connexxia wanted a design firm with the knowledge of, not only world-class design standards but working knowledge of industry standard web development practices as well. They wanted a partner that could take a wide range of input and give the school a high energy design that is more than what they asked for.

Solution:

By using our in depth knowledge of web design and development practices, we were able to give Connexxia exactly what the client wanted, therefore streamlining the production time line and making the client very happy.

Additional schools include:

• Georgia Tech
• Marietta College
• Northwestern College
• and many more.

Working with the design, and content provided by PHP Communications for their client Bradford Health Systems, TBD Creative, Inc. developed a mini-site for their new and innovative recovery program, The Reprieve at TheReprieve.com.

The Reprieve helps individuals with chemical dependencies discover healthy and fulfilling lives free of alcohol and other drugs. By providing intense, yet surprisingly affordable, treatment in a homelike atmosphere, The Reprieve is making successful recovery a reality for more and more people.

This project was developed quickly to coincide with a new marketing campaign that introduced and promoted the program.  A smashing success, the website has attracted new clients in their most desperate time.

We look forward to working with PHP and Bradford on new initiatives as they develop.

TBD Creative, Inc. is a woman-owned new media development and consulting firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm provides interactive design and new media consulting, as well as traditional marketing, advertising, and online media planning.

In order the serve their customers with a full range of creative services, Infinity Insurance is offering special discounted services through TBD Creative Inc.

TBD will offer logo design, web design and interactive consulting services to Infinity’s over 3000+ affiliates throughout the country.?  Through the InfinityPerks program, agents are given information and offered services to help improve their business in this tough economy.

TBD Creative is proud to be partnered with Infinity Insurance.

TBD Creative, Inc., Interactive Design and New Media Consulting, worked with Crystal Mountain Spring Water to design and develop their new web presence.

TBD provided design and standardized development processes for the new site. Crystal Mountain required a visual and robust site that could showcase their products as well as give them the ability to update content with a customized content management system.

Expect great things as we continue to evolve this site to take and manage orders and payments in the future through a fully integrated online tool.

Crystal Mountain 100% Natural Spring Water is always pure and fresh, and it comes to you directly from its pristine sources from springs throughout the Tennessee Valley. The company is based in Huntsville, AL and is known worldwide for its award winning products.

TBD Creative, Inc. is a woman-owned new media development and consulting firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm provides interactive design and new media consulting, as well as traditional marketing, advertising, and online media planning.