Google listings is this too good to be true

[ruthxxx]

I have just had a call from a company called Premier Websearch offering a google places listing for £125 that guarantees being on the 1st page on google for my category search within a 25 mile radius

Is this a scam please?

 

[dan@webpeasy]

There are so many variables that go into how Google determines search results. I'd be suspicious of anybody guaranteeing 1st page, especially for such a low price.

Edit: after a quick look at their website, I'd stay well clear.

 

[ruthxxx]

Ok thanks very much I am a bit naive but could do with some promotion

 

[WillLoxley]

There are so many variables that go into how Google determines search results. I'd be suspicious of anybody guaranteeing 1st page, especially for such a low price.

Edit: after a quick look at their website, I'd stay well clear.

What specifically about their website put you off?

 

[fisicx]

Avoid, avoid, avoid. Don't touch this with a bargeple.

 

[Excel Expert]

I would say with 99.9% certainty it is a scam - Be aware of any company offering 100% results on Google, especially if they approach you.

WillLoxley - I think the most telling part about the website is an empty testimonial page

 

[UKSBD]

1st page on google for my category search within a 25 mile radius

You already are so why pay someone else?

It's like saying, pay me £125 and I will rank you top 10, then after being paid just get you to do a search.

 

[NickGrogan]

given that they don't rank first page for web design Manchester or digital marketing Manchester
I think this tells you all you need to know about the offer.

 

[ruthxxx]

I am not at the moment UKSBD?

 

[UKSBD]

I am not at the moment UKSBD?

Is it not the site in your profile?

 

[ruthxxx]

yes but I though I was way way down??

 

[ruthxxx]

haha clever point Nickgrogan!

 

[UKSBD]

yes but I though I was way way down??

It all depends on your settings

Do a search, click search tools, put you postcode in, search again, pay the £125
Crafty and simple as that.

 

[YouMustBeLiam]

I will point out that this isn't necessarily a scam, what they are doing is setting up your google + places account. You will in fact return first in the results for local searches, here is an example: You list your business on google maps locally as 'locksmith Leicester' then after a short while google will index this and when somebody searches google for 'locksmith Leicester' your business will show up, right at the top with google maps to the right and several other businesses who have done this exact same method.

The only part of it being a scam is the charge of £125. It is completely FREE for you to do this, you just sign up for a google account and list your business on the map using google places. If you require any help doing this, I will be happy to arrange a time to talk you through it.

 

[fisicx]

You will in fact return first in the results for local searches.

Not if there are 20 others all competing for the same local search.

 

[Nuno]

The scam is promising first page of Google. Charging for services someone can do themselves for free is called business. The charge is for time and expertise.
I don't bake my own bread or clean my office windows. But I could.

(This leaves aside the argument that in business you should cost in your time for all work activities.)

 

[YouMustBeLiam]

Not if there are 20 others all competing for the same local search.

Completely right. These companies do this all day everyday though, so they have already done their research before contacting the company. I find it hard to believe if they don't do any research and then just start promising the google first page ranking, then it becomes a scam for sure.

 

[fisicx]

They haven't done any research, it's just cold calling. No different to the emails I get promising #1 spot on google.

It's not a scam as nuno said, it's just using the ignorance of the recipient to sell a service they may not need.

 

[DesignerNick]

yes but I though I was way way down??

I just did a search for Wedding Dresses Leicester and you are on the first page, 4th in the listings:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wedding+dresses+leicester

With a few citations and a couple of reviews you could well be overtaking some of the other competitors when it comes to just the Google Maps Listings.

 

[Nuno]

Which means the original company offering the service were right. Legally, just this side of villainy, but right.

 

[DesignerNick]

Which means the original company offering the service were right. Legally, just this side of villainy, but right.

Yep, they wouldn't have too much work to do. Sell 10 of those a day and you have made a nice amount although you would think that most people would check a before and after of their listing?

 

[UKSBD]

Like I said in previous post
"It's like saying, pay me £125 and I will rank you top 10, then after being paid just get you to do a search."

 

[Ben_Doyle]

As already stated, no one can guarantee results for Google rankings whether in the local listings or in the organic search results.

Google make updates to their search algorithms daily so what works today might not work tomorrow.

£125 to set up a Google+ is fair I think but to rank that page well, believe it or not, takes continuous SEO work, albeit a different type.

Also, do they rank for their own search terms?

Just checked 'web design Manchester' and 'SEO Manchester' and they're nowhere to be seen.

That says it all really.

Ben

 

[ronnie7272]

I have just had a call from a company called Premier Websearch offering a google places listing for £125 that guarantees being on the 1st page on google for my category search within a 25 mile radius

Is this a scam please?

If it's a guarantee then you could negotiate the contract so you only pay £125 once the Google Places listing is on page one for 90 consecutive days or whatever terms you feel is reasonable.

Suppliers often re-define the word 'guarantee' to their convenience. Guarantee to me means money back or replacement if the product/service doesn't work or breaks over an agreed period e.g. 12 months. Ask them what are they actually guaranteeing and what do you get in return if they are unable to deliver? Their guarantee might be page one listing for 1 day in the first 12 months which is pretty meaningless.

Ask them to email you the contract and read the small print and then you'll have your answer if this is a scam or not. If you think the contract is reasonable but loaded towards them, renegotiate or don't deal with them. For £125, you could just take a punt and give the forum a review of the quality of their product/service short, medium and long term.

It's very easy to answer 'this is a scam' but unless anyone has experience using them then no one can give you a definitive answer as ranking Google Places listings is pretty straight forward but every market niche has a different level of competitiveness and your business may have been targeted by them as they know you have little competition for your specific local keyphrases today. In 3 months time they might be also working for your competitors knocking your Google Places listing off page one so you could check their terms to see if you have exclusivity for your keyphrases within their client base and sister companies. If this is a scam these sort of business owners usually have several companies and countless brands.

 

[Nuno]

.... to see if you have exclusivity for your keyphrases within their client base and sister companies. If this is a scam these sort of business owners usually have several companies and countless brands.

Exclusivity for £125?
An offer like that would flag up a scam.

 

[Dan Izzard]

The words 'exclusivity' and 'Google' really don't go well together! As pointed out, £125 for setting up a well tagged and populated places page may be a legitimate offer (albeit steep), but any kind of guarantee is an instant flag. I would bet that Google have set up places to be as easy for users to add their own businesses and I would suggest that if you are web savvy enough to be posting in a forum then you are well qualified to set it up yourself

 

[10dial]

Yeah it might be a spam.. This Forum is really awesome and people in this forum are very helpful by their suggestions regarding all business issues.. Appreciative.. !!

Regards
10dial