What role a hosting company can play in SEO

[chinook]

I think there are several things that may be affected by your web host.
-proper dns entries
-redirections (are they done right?)
-access to raw logs
-uptime (if the host is down, the se's can't parse your site)
-Hot link from the host (hosts will often have fairly good pagerank)
-reseller program (most seo people have multiple clients?)
-support for multiple technologies
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So what else can a receptive host do for SEO ?

[ihelpyou]

The big problem with 'web hosts' are the fact they really never consider SEO for any of their clients. If one does, they are a rare one. You usually see the 'submit your site to blah, blah' without any regard to SEO. This is seen mostly with the bigger hosts.

The host can set themself apart with some type of program for their clients. Whether they do it in-house or they out-source it does not matter but there should be something.

[Blue]

I would suggest (borrowing from other topics in this forum) that a webhost ought to have a section devoted to defining ethical vs. unethical SEO techniques in order to take steps towards educating website owners/webmasters.

[chinook]

I would suggest (borrowing from other topics in this forum) that a webhost ought to have a section devoted to defining ethical vs. unethical SEO techniques in order to take steps towards educating website owners/webmasters

I think that is a very valid point, I have never seen anyone do it, it is something we will include. Are you thinking a list of do's and a list of don'ts.

[chinook]

The word ethical SEO consultant brings me to another point. Most of you on the board have a pretty good idea of who is ethical and who is less than professional. So a list of ethical SEO firms that can be referenced. Is this out of the question?

[Blue]

Yes chinook,

The big problem with 'web hosts' are the fact they really never consider SEO for any of their clients. If one does, they are a rare one. You usually see the 'submit your site to blah, blah' without any regard to SEO. This is seen mostly with the bigger hosts.

What Doug states could be addressed to the benefit of all, surfers and SE's alike, by some simple education at the point of creation of a website.

A list of do's and don'ts would be great IMO as long as it was carefully researched and presented in a way that takes into account the SE's rules on SEO.