9 replies to this topic

[dharrison]

Hi all

A few months ago, one of my clients got brainwashed by some clown who claims that he can get their home page to the top of Google. All he seems to have recommended is adding a hundred-weight of meta tags to the home page and repeating the keywords. I said that wouldn't work, but since then, I have suggested links and had very little feedback and wrote them an article, which they were confused as to why it wasn't a pitch.

Now they want me to add all the meta tags tot he home page anyway (Their words "We are fully aware of your opinion of the tag option, but if we try it and it doesn’t make any improvement, at least we will be aware from our own experience that it doesn’t work.") And now I am unsure whether to carry on or not.

Should I add the tags to show them it doesn't work in the hope that they trust my opinion again, or should I just let them down lightly and say "look this isn't working, find another SEO"?

Any advice from fellow SEOs would be gratefully received.

TIA

[piskie]

That is a commercial decision that only you can make.
Ask yourself do I really need them. Also, is this the first of many interferences following them having discussions with this same clown or yet another one.

[SERPico]

Unless you need the money. I would simply tell them that if they don't trust your opinion and question your experience then they have to look for someone else, because you want to do things right for them.

If they want to prevent you from doing this then you have to decline their business, especially if there is another person they are letting interfere with your services.

Only you can tell if the frustration the client causes is worth your time.

[ScottSalwolke]

You seem to be in a Catch 22. If you don't add the keywords you could anger the client. But if you add the keywords it could be the work that your doing for them could be paying off at the same time. Then they could mistake this success as being the result of the keywords. I think the thing you have to decide is how badly do you want this client.

[Jill]

Bottom line:

Clients don't tell you what to do. You tell them what you're going to do.

Otherwise, they don't need to be a client. If they already know what they want, then let them do it. They obviously don't need you since they already know everything.

[dharrison]

Good point. Thanks all of you.

[SEMSEO]

HAHAHAHAHAHA I love this part:

Bottom line:

Clients don't tell you what to do. You tell them what you're going to do.

Otherwise, they don't need to be a client. If they already know what they want, then let them do it. They obviously don't need you since they already know everything.

[rolf]

from experience, three's a crowd in these situations. If your client belives the clown over you at this stage then what's going to happen when they start telling the client that any improvement in traffic/preformace/rankings is because of their advice, not yours?

[donp]

This is a bad client...sooner or later you will get bit even worse. Get away asap, there is no way you can satisfy them.
The minute I hear a potential client expound on the merits of meta-tags (showing me how "savvy" they are), I'm outta there. Last time I heard that I ended the sales call as fast as I could and left - the business folded within 18 months or so later. A manager that thinks meta tags are the cure-all usually has a lot of other dumb, antiquated ideas. Usually these types of managers will also set the blame on you when things aren't right, why give then the chance.

[dharrison]

This is a bad client...sooner or later you will get bit even worse. Get away asap, there is no way you can satisfy them.
The minute I hear a potential client expound on the merits of meta-tags (showing me how "savvy" they are), I'm outta there. Last time I heard that I ended the sales call as fast as I could and left - the business folded within 18 months or so later. A manager that thinks meta tags are the cure-all usually has a lot of other dumb, antiquated ideas. Usually these types of managers will also set the blame on you when things aren't right, why give then the chance.

Exactly and I'd love to know what they think I've been doing for the last 6 months!! I have sent them an email just explaining that as they have turned to the dark side the campaign is now fruitless. I have kept it open as I did design their website (which is my first trade).

Thanks all,