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SEO`ed or Bamboozled?

 
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ebiznewbie

posts: 17

Jun 09, 2008 4:44 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Submitted for critique: http://www.thebabyclothesisle.com
OK...I think I`ve plucked up enough courage now to be critiqued.  I am getting ready to do a major revamp of all my e-tail sites. Because I knew literally nothing about SEO one year ago when my parter and I bought the package of e-commerce sites,we hired the job out to a cooperation that convinced us that it could increase my flagship site`s visibility. I waited the requisite time; I looked at the fancy charts they so dutifully showed me; I waited for the "qualified shoppers" to visit. Nothing. I began to suspect that what Internet Advancement (Utah or state of Washington) was doing was increasing their bottom line, not my visibility. To this day, the site has still not made us a single red cent. Did that company really do anything at all for me? Or, did I get bamboozled?
alaskabear

posts: 4

Jun 09, 2008 6:31 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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After doing a little research I`m sorry to say it looks like you`ve been bamboozled.  Internet Advancement has had numerous run-ins with the Washington state`s attorney general`s office.
 
 
 


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Far North E-Commerce http://www.farnorthhosting.com alaskabear@farnorthhosting.com
Webline

posts: 687

Jun 09, 2008 6:49 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I handle the website for the main company I work for, and for our keywords/phrases we have numerous number 1`s in all the major engines.

About a year ago, this same company called us, and I happened to answer the phone. I don`t remember the callers name, or the exact conversation, but in a nutshell, the first thing out of his mouth was "Hey, I see your company needs some help with better search engine rankings".

Huh? I didn`t think so, and wondered how they got our number to start with, but I played along. Basically I acted like I knew nothing about websites or SEO but was interested in what he had to say. After a few minutes of his garbage, I`d had enough.

I told him "You know, I`m looking at a report for our SEO, and it shows 10 of our keywords and phrases at #1 in every major engine. I`m not sure how you can improve on that. Oh yeah, I`m the webmaster also."

He basically just laughed, said "OK", and hung up.

I got their company name and number from the Caller ID and finally traced them back Washington state, and some research found all types of lawsuits and legal crap they`ve been hit for, for the same thing you`ve talked about. So I`m pretty sure it`s the same company.

What`s really sad is that they not only go after people without the knowledge to know whats really going on, but they aren`t penalized to a point to stop them when they do get in trouble.

Sorry to hear this happened to you. Personally, I would contact a legal/prosecutor`s office that has already gone after them; maybe down the road it will be a little more ammo against them.




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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons


houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Jun 09, 2008 6:56 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I agree.  I don`t know that comapny name..... but we`ve been contacted by a few of those companies that have made, great promises. Like M Hall, I didn`t think they could do anything better for us either. So, I`m glad I didn`t talk with them any further.  I`m sorry that you had such a bad experience.  I`ve experienced a few bad apples myself.
 
But,... ebiznewbie wanted a website critique, from you website guys and gals also. :)
 
Janie
houseofjerkyjanie6/9/2008 7:21 PM
vwebworld

posts: 1237

Jun 09, 2008 7:04 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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It`s always upsetting to learn of someone not getting what they paid for.
 
Unfortunately, SEO is not your biggest problem.... your ecommerce site loads very slowly, there are a few broken links to images, and the colors for your menu make it hard to read.
 
Design-wise, I`m not sure why you have a calendar in the middle of your page.
 
Oh....just noticed "powered by stores online".  Sorry, there are a bunch of "rip-off" stories about them. I think this is the company that does free seminars, and tries to get you to go to their all day training then sign up for their program/web site.  I`ve been to a couple of their free seminars - for the free dinner  and give away.
 
I do not know what your deal is with them, but your site does need some work to make it work and be user friendly. I think their ecommerce program is proprietary - so you might not be able to move it to another web host. But my recommendation is to get a new site created with a different ecommerce program.
 
What is your commitment with them - for your site and/or hosting?
 
If you want to discuss your options outside of public posting, do not to hesitate to PM me. I`ll be happy to give you my suggestions free of charge.
 
~Roland


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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter
vwebworld

posts: 1237

Jun 09, 2008 7:12 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Also, your site is not indexed by Google.
 


-------------------------

Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter
DaleKing

posts: 1061

Jun 09, 2008 7:21 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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ebiznewbie, I don`t know why so many members here tip-toe around the truth and are worried about being politically correct. But I`m not one of those members. There`s really no nice way to say this, so I`m going to come right out with it. Your website is horrible! You need to tear it down, and start from scratch. If you can`t afford to hire someone to help you build a decent website, save your money until you can.
 
Having a website presence like you have now is worse than not having any website at all. Also, why did you give your money to an SEO company without thorougly checking them out first? With the advent of the internet, it`s so much easier to compile research data on a company or individual than it`s ever been before.
 
Having said that, I`m sorry you got burned. I really am. It never feels good to be taken advantage of, after you place your money, hope and trust in a company. Hopefully, you`ll exercise better judgement in the future.
 
Dale King


-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!


houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Jun 09, 2008 7:31 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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 tiptoe?  Some things might be better off talked about privately. Is horrible, neccesary?

Why did she hire the company? Some people,.. are great sales people.

 
Dale, it would be a great help if you would tell people what steps to take, to thoroughly check out a company before doing business with them.  
 
Janie

 

houseofjerkyjanie6/9/2008 7:34 PM
DaleKing

posts: 1061

Jun 09, 2008 7:41 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Dale, it would be a great help if you would tell people what steps to take, to thoroughly check out a company before doing business with them.  
 
 
 
 
Janie, I`ve stated before in no uncertain terms that I don`t think you`re qualified to dispense business or marketing advice to anyone. My opinion hasn`t changed.
 
Now if you want to get into a pissing contest Janie, you`ll have to do it without me, because I`m through talking to you.
 
Dale King
DaleKing6/9/2008 7:44 PM


-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!


houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Jun 09, 2008 7:54 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Dale,
 
Why do you jump all over anyone that challenges what you say?  It`s a forum full of discussions.
 
No contest Dale. I don`t need to win anything. 
 
You said, "I`ve stated in no uncertain terms." .... Please...
 
I`ve done very well in business, thank you.  And if I ever thought I could give anyone advice, it would not be sugar coated, but by being very positive, because there are so many possibilities for us all. 
 
Janie
houseofjerkyjanie6/9/2008 7:56 PM
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