4 replies to this topic

[Scottie]

You may want to read this thread first.

[SearchRank]

Hi well,

You seem to be referring to both SEO and web design. We treat each different.

With web design, we collect 50% up front and 50% on completion. For very large projects, we would still collect 50% up front but then another 25% at the halfway point and the final 25% at completion. We always use a contract which basically defines what is expected of each party.

For SEO the contract is different and basically defines what we are to do in optimizing their site, shows which keyword phrases will be targeted, whether there are any service guarantees such as top ten placements, etc. and how frequently maintenance will be performed. Any guarantees that are offered are based on our experience and not on any control we have over the search engines. In other words, we will look at a phrase a client wants to promote and decide whether we think with optimization if we can see a top ten ranking for that phrase or not. The contract will provide a guarantee but then tag phrases that are not included in that guarantee. The guarantee itself is there to show clients that we are going to put forth our best effort and not to guarantee any specific position - no one can do that.

As for payment, we require the full set up fee for optimization and campaign creation up front and then maintenance fees are billed monthly once campaign begins.

Bottom line with any marketing is it is nearly impossible to guarantee anything in writing about positions or results because we the marketers have no control over the search engines nor over the people that use them. All marketing is at risk. One simply needs to monitor as to whether the campaign is successful or not.

Hope that helps.