Whilst there are some great SEO people here on DP there are a few who are scammers - how do I know? ...because I was scammed. I just wanted to share my experience here for others to learn from my mistakes. So, how was I scammed? The SEO guy had good iTrader so I thought he could be trusted (later I realised his iTrader was not earned form doing SEO work! ) I paid a fee up front, I was told that payment would be refunded if I was not satisfied with the results. I agreed a specification of SEO work to be done. The SEO started the project, completed part of the specification, and then said job done. I asked for a part-refund as he only completed part of the specification, he said he would think about it. As time was going buy I tried to claim a refund through PayPal's buyer protection policy ... and here is the crunch - PAYPAL CONFIRMED IT DOES NOT PROTECT YOU WHEN BUYING SERVICES! Suffice to say the SEO guy didn't give me a refund either! So, in short I recommend the following: 1. Don't buy SEO work off anyone unless they have other DP users who recommend their "SEO services" ... don't just rely on itrader scores. 2. Agree a specification for the SEO work - what is to be done and by when it will be completed - and use mile stones if its a big or expensive project. 3. Pay with installments, do not pay 100% up front, and link the payments into mile stones completed in your work specification. This way you only risk losing a smaller amount of money. 4. If someone does some good work for you praise them in a thread - it helps other DPers. PLEASE NOTE - I AM NOT GOING TO NAME THE SEO GUY IN PUBLIC
If I may, I would also like to add about PayPal refund policy. I also notice guaranteed money back SEO work here which stretches for 6-9 months. Please be aware that refund is only claimable via Paypal if its like 30-60 days (not to sure about the exact duration) from the date of purchase. Bottom line is, you are buying a "guaranteed" service with no Paypal policy to back you up if its a scam.
There are lots of SEOs that say the work will take 6 to 9 months and give money back guarantees. Where are they going to be in 6 to 9 months time? Sunning themselves with your money.
Many people don't care of it works or its good for now, once the money is there for them they will take it.
While a lot of this may be true.. there may still be others on the boards who can do this work honestly without taking your money.. I mean there are people on here who have over 50+ itrader and over 1k posts I dont think they would waste all of that time and effort accumulating all of that for a few hundred dollars. So bottom line is just check their background of itrader and take notice to their posts, and how long theyve been a member.
Some people can build iTrader easily with quick-trade threads. iTrader and posts are not enough, you need to check their reputation specifically for "SEO services". Good SEOs (there are many here on DP) will have good "relevant" reputation.
If you want to do SEO services that require 'x months' - rather do it through a site like getafreelancer because money can go into an Escrow account.
sad to hear that one caution i can give any guy quoting 500$or less must be almost a scammer for some keywords harsha
Heheheh...gotta love that...that's why people are coming to me crying after they took a ride with the cowboys To answer your post... really sorry to hear that you got scammed and I'm sure there are many other people scammed on these forums by the SEO cowboys. Well half of the fault it is only yours, guys - if you can't afford or don't want to pay for proper SEO services, don't pay peanuts either. By doing that you will only get what you actually paid for. iTraders, posts, reputation means just very little on a public forum. If you have about 10 friends you can fake a strong reputation and iTrader, also when you offer a service and your friends come to post in your thread things like "excellent service", "great, recommended, thanks" people will bite and then they will obviously get scammed. What I suggest when looking to purchase SEO services is to ask the SEO guy to show you some examples of good rankings for his own websites. Don't ask for other jobs completed (clients) as this can be faked too...Check their own websites - any respectable SEO should be able to respectably rank for a few decent keywords at least (not silly long tail KW's like "search engine optimization usa arizona phoenix 52 palm street"). By doing that you can check the WhoIs and also make a general impression on the quality of the services offered. Also you should realize that SEO takes time...start small with a pretty accesible keyword or service, during this time you should see if the guy is good or not and decide if you'll go with him for more competitive KW and more serious projects. Just my two cents... Hope it helps
With all respects...this is just a silly comment. I know quite a lot of SEO guys being honest and working hard for their clients. ...and yes...it might take 6, 9 motnhs or even longer. SEO is not like doing shoppings
You know the funny thing about all of these people using the term "SEO"? What is being offered in regards to services where ranking in increased via use of backlinks, social bookmarking and other external methods, the correct term is "SEM" and not "SEO". "SEO" is specifically targeted to "Optimizing" your web site by way of coding it correctly so the "Search Engine" spiders can pick up the best information for your targeted keywords. "SEM" is everything pertaining to "Marketing" your web site for the "Search Engines" So, for some who use the term "SEO" and really meaning "SEM" should have a good hard think about this before opening their mouths and calling other's "cowboys" and what not.
I hate to hear about your troubles, but I would really love to know who the SEO was. If you cannot share within the forum could you PM me with the info? Thanks.