I was wondering if anyone here has used an SEO firm with good success? There seem to be a lot out there, and it's hard to separate who's actually good from the jokers. Thanks for any recommendations.

A client of mine used these guys a few years ago and had pretty good results, they are still around so I assume they are still good:

http://www.searchengineposition.com/

http://searchenginewatch.com/ has some good info on it about search engine optimization as does http://www.bruceclay.com/ but IMHO I would do a search for 'search engine optimization' on a search engine and see who comes up on top

seeengine.com

This should give you a great over view regarding SEO companies.
~ Old SEOs never die, they just lose their rankings. ~

http://www.stuntdubl.com/2006/03/24/seos-and-lawyers-its-a-joke/

You can read interesting articles on seo at this Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services Company Website. Really cool articles

You can use google optimization tool

They really only allow their advertisers to use it but all you have to do is signup as an adwords advertiser, Oh wait.. there is a setup fee of $25, but it is well worth it. After you signup just pause your account and continue to use the tool

As a matter of fact if you have an account here with us, a while back we provide every account with a free activation #...

anyway the tool is pretty neat once you get the hang of it. It tells you the keywords you should have on your site, how google sees your site, what it gathers from the content of your site **most important**

Here are some links that you can take a look at.. Again this is only for google but I'm experiencing that my ranking has increased for other search engines as well.

https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=25148&hl=en_US
https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=25918&hl=en

SEO Firms are a tough call... too many times I've run into self-proclaimed SEO Experts who really don't know much except how to take your money. I'm sure there are some good ones out there, but I suggest doing most of the work on your own. You'll probably get just as good results and not have to spend an arm and a leg. You can sign up with Google adWords and Free Links Direct for starters (see my signature for link). In fact, most SEO service companies usually just use AdWords or other tactics to drive users to your site. Be very weary of SEO "Experts" that promise top 10 ratings. They'll either give you a top ten rating on a very very niche term or you'll not see it at all. Anyway, just my experiences so far. Good luck!

Avalon is 100% right.

Having done SEO for my own site and 15 other client sites I have found the following to be true (at least in opinion by experience).

1) Natural ranking is a free lunch - if you have it - enjoy it while you can. Major search engines like Google re-arrange the playing field from time to time.
Aka: The Florida Update / Jagger update / Big Daddy update

2) The subject nature of a website has much to do with it's ranking success, meaning that it will be easier to obtain great regional ranking for a 'foot doctor in virginia or virginia beach' versus national ranking for the same. Whereas on the other hand obtaining great regional ranking for a 'jewelry' website is a bit harder and nearly impossible to acquire good ranking (SERP's) nationally. It all depends on your competition.

3) Don't chase the lastest algorithim fad. Build pages for users or your visitors -- not search engines.

More about the same here:
http://www.visionefx.net/articles/search-engines-change-their-minds.htm

Good luck,
Rick

You can also visit this seo company based in India. They have got some real cool live reviews from various clients worldwide.

Search Engine Optimization, SEO Marketing Firm

Has anyone ever used Netsol.com's services???