Giving Search Engine Optimization a Bad Name

How often do you get spam email which claims to get you number 1 in the search engines? Well, I got one today and thought that I would share it with readers:

"Nobody knows where your website is, unless you do the right things. We stay current with search engine criteria to make sure your website gets listed in the top 3 spots for Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Alta Vista, etc.. If you want a no obligation quote for our services, with examples, reply to this email or visit us on the web at: www.finishline-solutions.com If we don't perform....you don't pay."

For a firm that purported to get people "top spots" on the search engines, I thought I would check to see how they ranked. Here are the results:
Google: No Rankings
Yahoo: 1 Page listed
MSN: No Rankings
Ask: No Rankings

This is not surprising as they only had one web page and this was poorly optimized.

I often tell clients that the first step in selecting a web developer or web optimization firm is to check where they are actually ranked on the search engines. Poor rankings will invariably equate to poor service. However, you may need to look a little further afield as many companies come up with the excuse that they are too busy to update their own sites. My suggestion would be to either ask them for examples of client sites they have worked on, or to check out the portfolio on their website. Once you have identified these companies, telephone them and ask how happy they are with the service they received from the web developers/internet marketers (happy should equate to how their work mad a difference to the "bottom line").

And yes, I did add this company to the spam filter!