If "got milk??" gives you a little white mustache...whats the tag for "got merit??"
SEO is a "JOB".
Another job for those who can/must do it themselves... and a profession for others.
Depending on your website level...you either "do it" or pay.
I run a business, manage a website,
SEO the website, and help coach my sons T-ball team (among countless other things).
Why do I have enough time to coach you may ask???
Because I "PAY". I pay to have the lawn cut. I pay to have large projects done. I even pay to have my oil changed in 20 minutes.
And...if/when I feel that my website has enough income to "PAY" for
SEO work, I will pay for that too.
That is when the "merit" plays in as it does with anyone you pay to do a job you want/need done.
Who the heck wants to waste time painting a shed or worring about links or loss of
PR....I'd rather yell "fore!!!"
Im not gonna pay some ding-dong to install a window in my house or
SEO my site. The research to find the right contractor or SEOer is based on their merit to make the choice.
You need to look at
SEO as a "job". If you do it yourself, webproworld is an excellent place to learn (you should know how its done even if you pay someone to do it).
Do it yourself, have pride in "your" work and move forward.
When the time comes where your site goes to another level..more employees, IT dept, marketing...etc (or ya just cant do it)
Im sure at that point you will happily "PAY" an SEOer so you too can play ball with your kid or kick back with mikmik over a mug of Romulan ale.
Hey...even being envolved in a forum is a job of some sorts...
The Mods and SEOers here seem to be quite willing in answering, even my, sometimes stupid/easy/redundant questions (and NOT being paid to do it). Thank you. Little by little, I will also be able to offer what I have learned.
Right now if I was told that it would cost $25000 to
SEO my site I would not be able to stop laughing as I too feel that my level is easily accomplished with what I know.
In 5 years though...that may be a cheap offer.
Good Luck :)