 |
| Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
The whole call seemed fishy to us. The caller identified his company as a "Google Partner" in his noticeably scripted spiel. At no time did he mention his name or his company's name. With a waft of other voices in the background it sounded like one large telemarketing scheme as opposed to a genuine SEO Marketing company. So what was the full story?
We asked the caller to hold on a second as we had some questions. He was a little belligerent asking if we didn't want our company to appear on the front page of Google? We said, hold on a minute, what company do you work for? "Global Tech, but don't you want to be on the front page of Google?"
We politely declined this obvious marketing scam and the final piece of argument sealed it for us. The "Global Tech" employee asked why we were not interested, is it because they are not Google? "No," came our reply, "we are not interested." Which was followed up by "we can remove your business from Google in a day you know? Would you like that?" At that point we hung up on the flailing employee who was now resorting to Google threats.
This phone call occurred at the end of October. Since then Suddcorp Solutions has remained on Google despite the threats from our "Google Partner". Some Googling around with the number and the company name turned up a plethora of results. Apparently this company is well known for:
- Promoting false Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services.
- Calling businesses claiming their computers have been sending virus and adware removal services and they can help...for a fee.
Some reports of people calling from "Global Tech" have also come from the following phone numbers:
- 360-322-6159
- 818-420-4298
- 949-273-0169
So what is a small business owner to do in avoiding being swept up in a scam like this?
Google
Google protects it's crawling and indexing algorithms very closely. Beware of any Search Engine Optimization companies who claim they can remove your listing from Google or claiming to be from Google. This is because only a select number of Google Engineers know exactly what the company's proprietary search algorithm is and are highly unlikely to outsource it. As well, the search algorithm is automated to crawl the internet looking for sites and carefully indexing it based on the rules set. Thus, it is highly unlikely that any company, except for Google themselves, would be able to remove a listing from Google completely.
Google Partners
During the phone call we experienced the "Global Tech" employee mentioned they were "Google Partners". This term was meant to build credibility on their end without claiming they were calling from "Google". But what are "Google Partners"? These are companies who Google has put through rigorous training and testing on a frequent basis in Google products and web marketing methods. The partners receive training and product update information directly from Google. However, these "Google Partners" do not work directly for or able to influence Google search in any way.
SEO Companies
Good SEO Companies know the basic strategies to get a website on the first page of Google over time. None can guarantee 100% a website will be on the front page of a certain Google search right away. This is because it takes a while for Google to find your new page, catalog it and figure out where your page ranks. A good SEO company has strategies that include using keywords, content writing, social media and platforms.
How do you ensure you have found the right SEO company? Ask for referrals from others you trust, review the online reviews carefully and make sure to Google the company's name to see what comes up. A good SEO company will have positive reviews on websites like YELP! and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Finally, if an employee of a company is recommended to you directly make sure to look them up LinkedIn to familiarize yourself with their work and possible previous client testimonials and endorsements.
How to Increase Your SEO?
Not interested in working with an SEO Company but would rather do it yourself? Google "Search Engine Optimization Strategies" and watch the results roll in. Sure there are lots of people providing free advice on various items to optimize your SEO. The best place to start is to remember four simple points of what Google loves:
- Fast loading website. The faster your website loads the more Google's search algorithm likes your page.
- Wordy text. Spread out your keywords throughout your website and blog entries. Using your keywords periodically will help Google searchers find you from a variety of keyword search sequences.
- Fresh content. Fresh up to date content Google will give your content priority. This is especially so for the latest developments in the world.
- Inbound links. Google searches out how many different ways your website is linked. The more credible the page (PageRank) that links to yours, the better affect on your website's SEO.
The most important thing to remember of the above four points is not one tactic by itself will work. A real mix of all four is required. Even then, you will not be #1 on all search topics out there as others from around the world are trying to exactly the same as you. But by gradually building a website that loads quickly, building credibility through fresh content and gaining inbound links over time, Google will take notice and reward you with higher search result rankings
Beware of cold calling SEO companies who promise they can put you on the front page of Google or threaten to take you off Google completely. These shady shysters only want to fool you into taking your money. Doing a little research and finding a reputable company you can trust is worthwhile to protect your company's online reputation and save you money. Remember, SEO is a major way to make it easier for those looking for your services to find you and build a relationship with. So make sure to do it right from the beginning and on an ongoing basis
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.