the search engine dilemma

From: Linda Rocco <GUMMYLUMP_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri 21 Jul 2000 10:25:55 EDT

Hello

    I have been reading this list for quite some time.
I was wondering if anyone else out there has become
disgruntled with search engine placement. I have
noticed a strong trend over the past year for "pay for
- guaranteed placement". I used to be extremely
skeptical about any guaranteed placement. I thought it
was an advertising ploy used by not-so-honest
entrepeneurs.

    I have been submitting clients to search engines by
hand for the past 3 years with great results. Then,
about 6 months ago I retained 3 clients all in the
debt counseling field. The results for them have been
dismal. I am now refunding most of their money. This
never happened before! I tried doorway pages,
rewriting the text, changing alt tags, image names, and
anything else that I'd read about. Still, after 6
months these companies were not even picked up by 5 of
the Top 8 search engines. As for the other 3 - I can't
even find where they're listed because it's so far
down the list. I use Web Position Gold and they only
report the Top 30 spots.

    I began wondering if it was just that their field
is highly competitive. What I think now is that since
debt counseling is such a lucrative field, most of the
companies can well afford a $500 per month charge for
guaranteed search placement. One client would make
that up! So, I have decided to enlist one of these
"guaranteed placement" companies. I still feel like a
sell out, but I have to admit that I like the 60 day
money back guarantee. I am sure that some of these
companies are seedy, but with some thorough checking I
think I found a good one. They just guarantee Top Page
or Top 30 listing depending on the service you
purchase. They don't guarantee you'll be first on
every engine. I think that would be a little much to
believe! And, as a web designer I get a reseller cost,
so I'll still make some money on the service. I think
it will be worth it just to release this stress that
has been building over my failure for these clients.

    Any thoughts out there?

Sincerely,
Linda Rocco
Web Spinners Design Co.
www.webspinnersdesignco.com
www.gummylump.com




Received on Fri Jul 21 2000 - 09:25:55 CDT