Cold Calling SEO Companies
Cold Calling SEO Companies
Now, I work in Sales so I am a sucker for other sales people. I end up thinking “Ahh, aren’t they doing such a good pitch, I’ll buy from them” or I will analyze what techniques they are using on me. I really am that sad. So when I got a call from a company who wanted to sell my Electric Ride on Toy Business some SEO expertise I thought I would like to hear what they had to say.
Now, first off the guy was a bit too pushy straight off. I can understand and tolerate the (false) sense of urgency that needs to be generated sometimes in order to get a customer to make a decision, but surely not in the first few minutes of talking to me. Particularly when I told him my position in the Company was Sales Manager. You see, I’m nice like that, I like to give the sales guys a few points to help direct the Pitch. Again I reiterate, I’m sad. He tried to convey to me that my site was on the verge of slipping off into the void of the etherweb in the next 10 minutes if I didn’t sign up for their SEO Package. At about £1000. Now, dont get me wrong, for a new start business we do ok, but we aren’t Sir Alan Sugar territory just yet. So I turned the tables.
ME: How did you find us in the first place?
The Apprentice: Erm, searching on the internet.
ME: Oh, our Search Optimization cant be too bad huh?
Americas Next Top Model: Well, we actually ran a report on where your site currently ranks and you aren’t appearing in any of the top search engines for your main search term, which is why we feel…
ME: What search term? (Its always good to interrupt mid flow to see who quickly they can regain their mental footing).
The Badger: Umm, “Ride on”…we analyzed your competitors and found that to be the most important phrase.
ME: Really? Even though when you search Google for “Ride on” the top results include a mountain bike shop and a Railway Track Supplier!? According to my current Google Traffic Analysis Ride On Toys and Ride on Cars, Electric Ride on Toys Electric Ride on Cars are the top Searches. Which we do rank well on!
Trinny & Suzannah: Uhh we have Search Engineers who will specifically handle your project and over a year will guarantee a top ranking…
It was at the mention of the word guarantee that I felt I had to end the phone call. No company can guarantee you a top ranking. What position will I get, where will my competitors be, what if google changes. These are all pertinent questions, but a responsible SEO Expert will not be able to guarantee that you will get a top ranking, that you will get ahead of your competitors or that Google reshuffling the pack wont change your positions. Dont get me wrong, SEO Companies should be able to get you top rankings, but what they should be showing you are previous or current clients who they have optimised and where they currently rank.
Oh, and the SEO Company shouldn’t be dropping its pricing or terms just at the slightest indication that you want to go away and think about it/speak to your business partner/need to look at your budget.
I learnt a valuable lesson from the Cold Calling SEO Company, and that was being able to spot someone who knew what they were talking about and someone that is just doing a Sales Job. I am by nature a Salesman, but I always pride myself on knowing as much about my product as I can so that I can help a customer and give them guidance, not just flog them what I think is the most they can afford. Maybe that makes me a bad sales man, but at least I am a happy one.
In short, when approached by these companies;
- Find out who the company is, how they found you and also the history of the company.
- Ask questions to gather whether the person you are dealing with has a depth of knowledge into Search Engine Optimization.
- Ask for examples of previous or current projects so you can go off and check the rankings yourself, and not just take their word for it.
- Have a clear idea what you want to be ranked under, no point in spending money to get picked up on something not relevent to your business.
- Do some background research into the SEO Company to see if they get any good or bad press on the internet.
- Dont be afraid to ask them to call you back so that you can do your own research and make an informed decision.
- Dont be pressured into making a decision, their discounts are usually always available.
- Find out about the length of the contract, their Reporting Process and also cancellation if you are dissatisfied.
That should do for starters, I am sure there are a million other little things to keep in mind. But above all, this is your website they are dealing with, you Business, so you should be in control and should be kept 100% informed of everything they intend to do before they are going to do it. After all, would you let a stranger take your brand new Aston Martin DBS for a spin? Keep that in mind and you wont go far wrong.