Should you fix it if it's not broken?

[inertia]

I have started freelance work recently and have acquired a couple of sites whose SEO and off page marketing I'm responsible for. These sites are doing well, good SERPs, good PR, good traffic etc.

Although these sites are doing well they have not been built or maintained with SEO in mind and as a result they are a bit spammy. I wont go into the full list of problems.

Now... I am in a situation where i could send the webmasters a HUGE email detailing all the things i want them to change and spend the next few months sorting the sites out. But... they already rank for most of their top keywords. So... what should i do? I can see three options:

1. Don't get them to touch anything as "if it aint broke don't fix it".

2. Slow release my recommendations and take the whole SEO process very slowly (this would work to my advantage if their SERPs did drop because i would have plenty of advice "in the bank")

3. Get the webmasters to sort out all the problems straight away.

I have a good idea what the best option is but as a young SEO trying to establish a career i thought it would be best to hear advice from seasoned pros.

[incrediblehelp]

Well depending on the problems i would go with option 2. It is bes tot implement changes one at a time anyways to identify which ones (if any) are effecting your current rankings/traffic.

[crankydave]

"If you wait until it's broke, it's too late"

That being said, I'm not a big fan of wholesale sweeping changes unless that's what the client wants. Do consider what it is the client wants and importantly, what they expect. Be clear on their expectations. Tailor your approach with that in mind.

If they are ranking well, they may not recognize the problems that you see. Suggesting wholesale changes is more or less telling them that what they've been doing or have done is wrong. I'm with Jaan. Implement what you believe needs to be done at a measured pace. Be clear with them "why".

Dave

[janeth]

I'd say #2 as well.

I really hare sites that are designed and set up with the search engines in mind and nothing else.

[inertia]

Cheers, I knew option 2 was the best course of action. I'm just very wary because these are the early days of my career and i cannot make any slip ups for my future business and reputations sake.

"Softly softly catchee monkey"!

[Khurram007]

I would go with the option #2.

The reason is not for your career sake. As you have asked for an advice, I would see that website as mine...

Making an overhauling of the website is not recommended. There are various things in SEO which might make the SEs to re-rank you, if you applied them. But some are those which SHOULD be applied in any case, if missing. For example, for me, the MOST IMPORTANT is the optimization of Page titles. If they are not, I would optimize them at the earliest.

For you career as well, its best to go with option #2. You will learn a lot monitoring the SEs rankings and behaviour while making the changes...

Best of Luck...

Khurram.
Home Page : amanat ali saregamapa sensation in bollywood music (http://www.AmanatAli.Net)

[edhan]

Normally I would say "if it aint broke don't fix it". But for option 2, it is best for long term. I do not go for a complete overhaul but rather use the method for option 2. This way will be the most advantage since it will be more as a preventive measure in long run.

You will gain the advantage of repair any situation before it's broken. Like the saying goes: Slow and steady wins the race!

[Janna122003]

I have started freelance work recently and have acquired a couple of sites whose SEO and off page marketing I'm responsible for. These sites are doing well, good SERPs, good PR, good traffic etc.

Although these sites are doing well they have not been built or maintained with SEO in mind and as a result they are a bit spammy. I wont go into the full list of problems.

Now... I am in a situation where i could send the webmasters a HUGE email detailing all the things i want them to change and spend the next few months sorting the sites out. But... they already rank for most of their top keywords. So... what should i do? I can see three options:

1. Don't get them to touch anything as "if it aint broke don't fix it".

2. Slow release my recommendations and take the whole SEO process very slowly (this would work to my advantage if their SERPs did drop because i would have plenty of advice "in the bank")

3. Get the webmasters to sort out all the problems straight away.

I have a good idea what the best option is but as a young SEO trying to establish a career i thought it would be best to hear advice from seasoned pros.

I understand you. It was really too hard to convince the client to change everything on the site because they know that it is already ranked on SERP. They were afraid to lose the rankings. But still try to convinced them.