I’m thinking about putting a Better Business Bureau “Reliability Program’ seal on my site. It’s costs about $525 for a year between BBB membership and the program enrollment. Since our customers are businesses rather than consumers, I don’t think BBB membership matters to them. But, by displaying the seal, you get an OBL to the BBB site which displays a basic info about your company. There’s no link back to the originating site though. (However there is a '@yourDomain' email link.) I don’t think it is beyond possible for g-bot to follow the link to the BBB domain, find the company info and give the originating site some credit for a BBB report (presumably positive). I know this is a stretch and maybe I’ve been in the sun too long today, but does anyone have any knowledge on whether a BBB seal influences SERPs at all? /*tom*/
IMHO, like DnB (Dunn and Bradstreet), it is nearly completely worthless.. Again, IMHO. All the years I have been in business I have found that money like that is better spent on an employee, tires for my car, food in my kids belly, or for local things like the Chamber of Commerce membership. Sadly though many of those can be a waste as well. Your mileage may vary of course. Now as to whether that silly seal influences the SERP's? Spend your $525 on getting your site listed in directories, SE's, or just pocket it and do it yourself.
I am assuming it would be only one link so would not expect a great benefit in serps. From a customer aspect it might be beneficial since it would tend to add a degree of authenticity as to who you are. I was having trouble finding something I really wanted as Christmas gift. The only site I found showing had absolutely no contact information (address, e-mail, telephone number). I would not buy from them. Shannon
For a contribtion of > $200, you can include anchor text links in a PRWeb press release. If I were you, I'd spend the money on 2 press releases, and maybe spend the money left over on paying someone to write the release for you. The anchor text links in a PRWeb release are far more valuable than anything you'll get from the BBB site. As always, IMO. AmCy