We received a posting from a newcomer who writes “I got a proposal in an email that said an SEO company can guarantee me top placement for $149 per month. Is this a scam?”
Normally one of us would just reply to the thread but it’s such a good topic, I thought it should have a top spot.
In short – I am not able to say whether or not it’s a scam. I will say however that you really need to be careful with proposals like this. First of all, I don’t know how anyone can guarantee top placement on any search engine – unless they own it. And I don’t think the people offering this service own any big search engines. Which brings up a good point… What search engines can they guarantee placement on and for what keywords?
I suggest, that when dealing with any SEO professional – or wannbe – offering such a guarantee, you ask the following questions:
• What search engines will I attain top 10 listings in?
• What keywords will I get top listing for?
• Can I see your references?
If they don’t have good answers - forget it. And if they do have good answers, get it in writing.
I agree with the following. It has been my experience that when dealing with companies that guarantee number one positions you should ask who they have also helped to be number one. Have them show you which companies that are number one due to their SEO efforts. Then match them with their references. Go as far to call some of them to see how their experience with the SEO professional was for them.
Then you have the knowledge to make a much more informed decision. There are scams of many kinds out there so just get a much information about the company as possible.
Great question!
Comment by Scott Jason — October 14, 2005 @ 3:33 pm
Hi,
I am running a design firm named RDSnetworks(www.rdsnetworks.net).Me myself has been telling my clients and fellow friends that niether i nor any other company can quarantee rankings in search engines.The optimization process is slow and takes time to reflect as it depends on lots of things starting from website development,content ,keywords
,titles,descriptions ,backlinks or reciprocal
link and blur blur!Though a good SEO can prove good results but cant guarantee.
So thats the thing which is to be conveyed to all our fellow readers and friends that SEO is not a matter of days,it depends upon lots of things.
Hope your message reaches the majority!
Comment by Ramandeep — October 23, 2005 @ 9:20 pm
I have hired one of these companies and they did get me to the top, but it was for a word that was related to my site but that word was not searched so it did me no good. Since then I have done my own SEO and I have learned a lot. You are right on track with the companies playing tricks.
Thanks
butch
www.ourcrazydeals.com
Comment by butch — October 25, 2005 @ 11:09 pm