Jul 16
Virtual Website Assistants Create Five Times More Value
We’ve already talked a good deal about website seo tasks for virtual website assistants here. But how much does work from a good virtual website assistant actually cost, and how much value do they create? Can we expect to pay the same rate for a virtual website assistant as we do for a more general virtual assistant or specialized virtual assistant? Should we accept high rates from virtual website assistants for specific tasks? A quick analysis of the market reveals true value virtual website assistants provide.
In my first post on virtual website assistants, I mentioned that doing a quick search for search engine optimization on elance yielded at least 2,500 results. Most individual virtual website assistants and virtual website assistant companies offer core SEO functions like keyword research, on-site optimization, and backlink building, and the average virtual website assistant charges between $8.00 and $18.00 per hour for these services.
These rates are certainly more expensive than the rates for generalized virtual assistants; the average virtual assistant on elance charges between $5.00 and $15.00 per hour. Is paying for a virtual website assistant really efficient?
To understand the real cost savings involved in hiring a virtual website assistant, it’s important to look at the rates that so-called “SEO experts” charge for their services. An article at SEOmoz on SEO Pricing and Costs reveals that mid-tear SEO companies charge up to $200 per hour for their services. That’s over a 1000% difference. In other words, it costs roughly five times less to hire a mid-tier virtual website assistant than it does to hire a mid-tier SEO expert!
Considering that both virtual website assistants and SEO gurus work from their own offices and communicate with clients via email and phone, the level of customer interaction they provide is entirely comparable. Likewise, a quick credential check on most of the virtual website assistant services in elance reveals high numbers of satisfied customers. People actually enjoy working with virtual website assistants, and they, like most virtual assistants, accomplish their tasks quickly and effectively. Virtual website assistant services clearly provide an incredible value to those companies that use them. It’s hard to beat getting the exact same services for one fifth of the price.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
It’s important to know the VA if how far his/her knowledge about the position before looking for the costs.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
@Virtual Assistant: Thanks for the comment! It’s definitely critically important to know what kind of knowledge any potential worker has before making the decision to hire. I’ve listed some good questions to ask during the interview process here: http://www.theupwardlymobile.com/2008/04/save-time-money-with-virtual-assistants/
August 6th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
While virtual assistants can and are cheaper, it takes an seo to know when they’re doing the work right. While building links for more traffic is the goal of most of us, customers want to see results in the “right now” time frame.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Wow nice blog!The second type of home typing business which is easily set up by anyone who can use a computer, is a virtual assistant business. The need for virtual assistants is growing rapidly with the development of technology and the ease with which people can set up an online business.THANKS