Hi there, I have a question, need feedback as far as how to handle this issue with a client: I offered a guaranteed top 5 ranking for a client - quoting 8 different keywords. One of the keywords was "general" and the rest were local (contained state / city names). The price quoted for the average keyword was roughly $250. Google must have had an error presenting the number of results for the "general" keyword, causing us to wrongly evaluate the price we would have to charge for that keyword. Alternatively, there is a also a chance we searched for the wrong keyword. A few weeks after starting, we noticed the issue, and stopped optimizing the general keyword. The other keywords were now at the top 5 (7 out of 8). The client saw that and refuses to pay for the entire batch of keywords (we didn't charge the bulk of the payment upfront, rather upon delivery), claiming his main keyword was the "general" one we did not optimize, and he would not have taken the deal if that keyword was not optimized. Keep in mind - each keyword was quoted at $250 (on average - $220, $290 etc.), and the client agreed to pay a total of around $2,000 for all 8 keywords, instead of paying just $240 for his "general" one, which according to him was his main keyword... Could the client be right here? As far as I see it, that means I could offer a $1K quote each for a list of 100 keywords, and the client can avoid paying $99K if I succeed with 99 / 100 keywords, claiming the last one was his main keyword... Needless to say, I am upset, and wanted to get some feedback. When the client originally contacted us, he inquired about 2 of the "local" keywords only - the "general" keyword which appears to be his main one was added in a later e-mail, before we closed the deal. Adi Friedman Two Believers.
You've answered the question yourself. The client added the general keyword before you closed the deal.
Can blame the client bcz general the main keyword for them. Any how he has to pay u at least half of amount and give time to promote the main keyword to get the full.
Did you have a contract or some other kind of written oder? If so - he should be paying according to the contract.
First, nothing in life is guaranteed except taxes and death. You set yourself up for the fall by offering such a guarantee for top 5 rankings for multiple keywords. Always get a good down payment before doing any work or require 100% payment up front. Your prices are low. Consider raising your prices so that you can get at least 50% of the money upfront so you are not left holding the bag if someone refuses to pay the full amount.
Good point there, writen contract for any kind of job should do great helping such situation. But, there are way to many occassion that an online trades was not based on a writen and a signed contract from both sides.
Contracts are great if you live in the same country as your clients. If you live in Israel and the client lives in the USA, its not worth it to try to recover $2k using the legal system. That's not even a full retainer for a good IP attorney here in the states... The OP can play hardball with the client. Simply threaten to undo all offpage SEO unless you are paid within 14 days...
You might think so, but without a contract nothing is worth anything. This is why you get at least half deposit or pay on every performance, if all else fails and you do not get payment. Most SEO experts, the few that are on here. That if you want to enough you can blacklist or at least destroy the reputation of a website and content. It will cost them time and destroy work, fair is fair but use your head next time. No money, no work. No contract no play. You must trust your clients, you learn fast the hard way in this business.