Forum Moderators: open
They said that my site will rise in ranks since these specific people have the power to review and push sites up. Is this true?
I read everywhere that submissions do almost nothing and that we should just let the SE's find our sites through links from other sites. Am I getting fooled here?
How about asking them about some statistic on how submitting your site to above persons raised your ranking in SE's and what effect that had on your traffic etc.
Basicly, let them tell you WHAT they did, WHEN they did it and WHAT was the result of their actions.
I assume they are supplying you with regular log analysis stats. In which case you should be able to monitor whether their inputs have any effect.
The stats should tell you where the traffic is coming from, either in terms of a referal site or a search engine.
If you do not get stats, I would suggest you insist on them - you can never see what is happening otherwise
My SEO firm won't "reveal secrets", so they won't tell me specically who these special people are that they submit to. And, as they put it, "I should understand that".
Anyway, I get my own inbound links (I did 98% of my own site optimization as well). They only thing they do for me is manual submissions and position reports. They never access my server logs. So, it's becoming quite clear that I'm paying for nada.
The $million question is: what in your opinions should a client get from an SEO firm: definitely-should-expect and nice-to-have-but-don't-hold-your-breath.
I'll do some forum searches on the subject as well. THANKS!
My SEO firm won't "reveal secrets", so they won't tell me specically who these special people are that they submit to. And, as they put it, "I should understand that".
- If they won't tell you who, they have something to hide. Get your money back.
- I understand not giving away the farm, but it is referred to as "Client Education".
Anyway, I get my own inbound links (I did 98% of my own site optimization as well). They only thing they do for me is manual submissions and position reports.
- They are doing nothing for you that you can't do in your spare time. Get your money back.
-------------------
This seems to me to be the type of situation where a company passes themselves off as an SEO firm, but is in reality ripping off their clients by doing bad work that does more harm than good, or does nothing at all.
I think you need to ask/understand few things first.
1) When they say they will submit your site, what do they mean? submitting your site to
___a) Manjor search engines/directories
___b) Small search engine/directories
___c) Others web site for link popularity.
___d) Some link farm places - which they should not be doing
___e) in their recycle-bin so they can check submission off your list ;)
2) If they are actually submitting to some major directories or search engines and *if* somehow they have any friends working for that SE/Dir, then don't really expect them to come and tell you the names when you ask for them - this might be their trade secret.
*********************
But whatever the case, you have *all* the right to know
1) What they are doing on your site
2) Where they are submitting your site to (search engines, directories, web sites... anything)
3) If they cannot tell you anything, then next time when you send the check(payment) to them - *don't* sign it. So you may tell them, that you don't want your *signature* to be disclosed to them. ;)
The $million question is: what in your opinions should a client get from an SEO firm: definitely-should-expect and nice-to-have-but-don't-hold-your-breath.What is written in the contract and more. But never less :)
As a client you have right to know where your money goes.
It is understandable that they may not wish to give you a list of names of people, or even a list of organizations/companies for whom these people work. But it is your right to know how your SEO's "submissions" to these people help your site, and generally, what function/role these people play in helping your site. If they are webmasters of high-PR sites, fine. Same for editors of important directories like the ODP or Yahoo. Then again, maybe they run spammy link farms, and that would be bad, so you need to know.
If they won't answer your questions, tell them you won't pay 'em until they do. If they want you to trust them, then they should also trust you... Tell them to send you a non-disclosure agreement to sign, and then you need to have a serious talk...
<looking for the air freshener>
Jim
As it stands, my contract is written rather vaguely (i.e. "ongoing site consultancy"). Nothing is spelled out, so I don't have much ground to stand on for getting a refund. That's ok - I learned from this! I think I'll just finish out the contract (only a tiny more bit of money left to pay anyway) and see how it goes. Worse case, I'll pay them in full early, not renew the contract, and find another SEO firm to boost my ranks (I'm top in Google, but not MSN, etc.)
Thanks again everyone! You've helped me alot!
WARNING to all newbies looking for an SEO firm: get specifics on what you will be getting, beyond position reports and a vague "we will boost your ranks" promise.
