SEO is a very large topic and in our experience needs to be customized to each client need. Rebena posted quite accurately in my opinion.

I would also like to add:
"Press Release posting" to the list as well as general algorithm navigation management within your site. (now that can often get truly complex).

I find it customary to give free seo advice with every site I build because why build a a really nice site if no-one will be there to see it correct? I don't know why more vendors don't do so.

Putting a sitemap.xml together for google also helps your cause. Some CMS providers automatically generate this for you as you manage your website.


After all is said and done another thought hit me. content, content, content. in general the site with the most optimized content normally wins. (this is also individual according to each site) but well written content to fill the internet with useful information is always most advantageous. After all the internet's sole purpose was information sharing when it was first created and that is what it still does best and what it still optimizes best for. Therefore blogs, forums, articles, blogs and other important information like that on your site will always be of advantage to you. Just as important as back-links and other traditional SEO management techniques.

I hope this helps.