I've just been contacted by this company

I know what you're all going to say but would this be worthwhile?

[chrisholgate]

As the title suggests, I'm pretty sure I know what you're all going to say about this site but thought I’d try you anyway. I was recently contacted by a company called IMBQ (they are a .com so I'm sure you can work out the address to avoid me having to post URLs to this forum).

Basically, they use the old technique whereby you type a name into the address bar such as 'mobile phone' and then the site links straight in to an appropriate advertiser (Virgin Mobile in this case). I'm obviously sceptical but the guy reckons that 11,000 people with their software installed typed in the phrase which I would target myself under last month. That would mean, theatrically that I would get 11,000 targeted (ish) hits per month extra traffic for £300 + VAT.

Does this sound like a scam or is there some possibility that this could work? Any advice would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

Chris

[mat_bastian]

I would really want to see those numbers backed up some how... maybe negotiate a one month trial offer with them. I've always been really skeptical of these programs but someones gotta like em so maybe I shouldn't be so stodgy.

[ukgimp]

If you really were going to get 11,000 targeted visitors for each month at that cost it could be worth it depending on how many convertions you make.

Chances are, that as with most things if they sound too good to be true then then likely are.

I am not sure how much usage of keyword in the address bar there is. Not that much I would have thought, but I may be wrong.

On a side note despite your none URL drop you have still been a bit specific actually mentioning the name. I would loose the letters if I were you, or you may find it done for you

Cheers

[ukgimp]

Just found this which sounds related:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[Birdman]

>>I am not sure how much usage of keyword in the address bar there is. Not that much I would have thought, but I may be wrong.

I think that figure may be higher that you think. I can think of many times watching people type into the address bar to search and not even know the difference because alot of the browsers will default to a search.

[cornwall]

Personally I would not touch it with a barge pole. These sorts of sites tend to travel in hope than ever to arrive and deliver results

[Mike12345]

Ive been approached by a few companies like this, following of the back of realnames.

I tried it once and it was a complete waste of money, but they didnt promise figures like these guys that approached you did. Why not offer to pay them £25 for one months exclusive use of the keyword. They wont trial you for free, but this way they'll think that your likely to extend your agreement. Youll only lose £25 at the most this way.

Just a thought.

:)

[martinibuster]

Please, not ANOTHER post about a realnames clone. Someone posts about this seemingly every ten days. It's so repetitive.

I just noticed that some of the more recent threads ASKING THE VERY SAME THING have been deleted.

If you read the following partial list you will see what I mean.

9/2002
[webmasterworld.com ]

10/2002
[/url]http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum5/1492.htm[/url]

1/2003
[webmasterworld.com ]

2/2003
[webmasterworld.com ]

3/2003
[webmasterworld.com ]

Ok. Last one out please turn off the lights.

[msgraph]

Previous discussions, like what martinibuster greatfully listed, provide great feedback on this topic pretty well.