vBSEO now or later?

I am installing a vB site today and am wondering if it is worth it to purchase vBSEO now or later (hedging my bet in case the site bombs).

Is it hard to change things after a site is up and running or is it best to install the module right from the beginning?

Also, I was looking at a skin from vbstyles and read a thread on this board about the vbseo skin being "tuned" for seoing... how much of an issue is that to use an "untuned" seo sking like one from vbstyles?

You should definitely install vBSEO from the very beginnning for best results.

We will eventually be releasing our skin. However, vBSEO will still work with any skin you install - despite the fact that your template does play a factor in your SEO.

Does vBSEO come with an instruction manual or cheat sheet so that I know how to set up vB and your stuff for optimal settings out of the box?

Actually, a default vBulletin installation + default vBSEO is usually more than sufficient. However, what I recommend is to get it up and running and then request critique here. Staff and users will review your site and make recommendations.

I'd install it right away
ans as Joe said, the default vbseo settings will work, but I always tweak things a bit for my own reason, or a depending on what a client wants..

It's very easy to change the settings once you look around.. Plus there are many more experienced admins around here that would gladly share their XML settings

Run it from the beginning.

If the site bombs, you didn't try hard enough hehe, ok, so i bombed 4 sites in my days... but it was mainly because I lost interest or simply didn't have time to devote to it like I should.

Now that my main site is up and running and doesn't require much work, I'm spending most my time tweaking other sites I have and getting content together. Slowly, they will come.
Most sites take more than a year to become active.

At the very least, even if the site bombs, leave it up with a couple ads on it. Eventually, you'll make your investment back

Thanks! (Bought it!)

if you have any questions, please ask and congrats

Welcome aboard majordude.

Thanks!

I have a brand new domain and vb installation so I will track my SEO performance closely.

I'm a vb newbie (a fresh phpbb convert).