I call BS.
Impossible, considering you don’t even have a places page, nor do you rank in Scottsdale until #7 in SERPs.
I operate in northern NJ, which has the highest population density and some of the richest towns in the country.
I have, by leaps and bounds, the strongest web presence in this area, and would not make a claim that a business can do $800k here without dropping a penny on advertising and relying on a weak search engine placement.
It just doesn’t work that way.
If I was to make an educated guess, I would say that even with a top ranking website in my heavily populated area, and not counting in referrals, repeat clients etc, one could roughly estimate $150 - $200k a year in fresh business, at best, from Google alone.
I would be very cautious of using an SEO service like this. No offense Dave - I swear. It’s just that these type of tactics are not sustainable. You’re going to wake up one day to find your site blown off the map by Google.
Plus ∞
The only ‘SEO oriented’ service I would probably recommend is a Hatch site, because it’s not based on trying to inflate the value of an existing site. It’s building a site for you from the ground up, with excellent design and content as the focus. If I were starting all over with a website and had the budget, I would probably go all out on a Hatch site, and have them build landing pages for all my major service areas and services.
As has already been mentioned:
Content is important to attract Google
Design is important to attract users, and keep them from ‘bouncing’ (clicking to your site, taking one look, and saying, “I’m outta here, this isn’t what I’m looking for”)
Design is also increasingly important to google, as they want people to find what they’re looking for. I’m certain that at this point in the game, a high bounce rate will hurt your ranking, because it’s evidence that people aren’t finding what they want. And google’s bots have some algorithms for detecting whether your site has good design principles, as well.
So any SEO service that manages to increase your traffic, and yet your bounce rate increases, is doing more harm than good to your online presence. Also, anyone who calls themselves an SEO professional, but does not themselves have a Google Places listing for their business, should be avoided
A lot of companies don’t realize that the “first build” on a website means absolutely everything.
could you elaborate on this please.
I could not agree more… But what this guy doesn’t realize is… I own a full service creative bespoke digital marketing agency. We are small… but we are good.
My average client engagement is $2,500 per month for full service plans including conversion rate optimization, reporting out the wazoo with crazy micro tracking. EVERYTHING is trace-able. EVERTHING. Which is probably why I have so many pen names… “online”. Anyway… Whatevs…
I believe this person is focusing just on Google Local, G Maps, G Places, Google My Business, etc. Another horse that has been known by many names.
Competition for ranking Google Places is really low in the window cleaning industry. It is soooooooooooo easy to do.
Question? For all of those that have not had “REAL SUCCESS” internet marketing for your company. Did you focus on buying keywords? Were you ranked for general BS branding terms that are not meant to get direct response results? Just curious. Did you do a digital interruption marketing campaign…? If doing digital media buys and re-targeting. (Adwords, etc.) What was your quality score? Did you know a re-targeting campaign will increase your media buy conversions by up to 151%? Meaning you can lower your CPC and your display ads be EVERYWHERE they go online for 2 weeks. (Kind of like having your face on a bus everytime the go down a different street online. Micro Branding and GREAT results.
Also, @Chris asked me earlier about my target demo. Why? Because he knows you have to micro target. I don’t stop with typical demographics used by traditional marketing consultants. I study psycho-graphics, buying patterns, motives, thought process, etc.
I built my website for iQ Window Cleaning and had my Google Local Ranking in the top 3 local listings within 24 hours. Google “oro valley window cleaners” See for your self. You can also Google “Tucson Internet Marketing” and you will see another iQ there too. Just saying.
Docs window cleaning is ranked number one specifically because of the age of the listing and the amount citations he has. He has been internet marketing for years… He didn’t even know it.
OK… Now because of what that guy said… I am rethinking EDDM. Well… at least for month one. I just paid $2,000 to have my truck wrapped and I have a new found discipline when it is coming to finances. So… If i reduce the EDDM budget. I will still have 5 marketing streams. One of the 5 actually counts as quite a few being online and all… I really don’t care about the SEO right now. I am slowly pushing organics for a reason. The majority of my conversion tracking results in other forms of internet marketing. After all, there is more than one way to get to Denny’s.
Hey man. Can you add me on voxer? I tried to add you the other day… I couldn’t figure it out… I have some facts, strategies, and procedures I would prefer not discussed in open forum. “The Secret Sauce” so to speak.
There are several ways to break up metrics of a target demographic. The odd thing about my area is… It is really poor, or really wealthy. Not much in-between.
Weird fact. The security guard at a neighborhood I do a lot of work in… Drives a Merecedes and lives in a bigger house than I do. My particular part of town is much more upscale.
@JfromtheD you are absolutely correct sir…
Wrapped Vehicle (appointment for Jan 9th.) I bought an 03 Nissan Xterra for this venture for really really cheap. I strong text
2500pcs 1st month, then 5k per month direct mail postcard campaign
Secret Sauce
Media Buy Campaign
Display Ad Network Campaign on Microsoft and Google network for maximum benefit. Stalking everyone who visits my website and following them around to remind them of my awesomeness.
Strategic Secret Sauce
More Secret Sauce
My real business plan includes investing xx% that really makes a difference between marketing campaigns that grow or just maintain.
$20k per month is absolutely do-able with my ad-spend strategies. In fact… My projections are a little higher… Based on experience. Not theory.
EDDM is new to me… I was always a flier guy before. But I was broke too. I am still kind of broke. Just my definition of broke has changed over the years. I definitely have some catching up to do after the motorcycle wreck… that’s for sure.
@cactus27, with pleasure.
First off, I will make no secret of the fact that I own a web services company. It has been in development for quite some time (I refuse to half-ass anything with my name attached to it).
I don’t mention it for two reasons:
My own observation: In this industry it seems that a lot of people who get their website to rank first page on Google in their podunk town seem to self qualify themselves as a “SEO Guru”. Anyone remember Paul MacQuillan? The Legend of Doug? Nuff said.
Guys like myself look at websites differently. I am a competitor’s nightmare. I’m the jerk that looks at a company’s page and immediately opens the source code to see how they’re screwing it up. Its actually kind of OCD for me nowadays, and I’m not talking about just window cleaners and pressure washers… it goes across the board to all industries.
In regards to my “first build” statement:
First build is the term I use for the initial process of building and optimizing a website, and making sure it is visible, at least in the beginning stages, on the internet.
I’ve noticed in my research that a lot of top shelf design and SEO firms simply miss the boat when it comes to “first build” optimization. I don’t know if its because they simply missed it, they use cheap labor, are possibly inexperienced aka “fake it til you make it”, or just don’t give a crap (inexperienced client syndrome).
Without a strong foundation, a house will not stand. Build it on rock, not straw.
Quick things like, you know, GETTING THE FREE POSTCARD FROM GOOGLE, or optimizing code make all the difference. An end user shouldn’t have to tell their designer this. If the designer is legit, it should be built into the clear, concise strategy. Half of these little things I see missing on MANY sites can be fixed in a few seconds for free. It boggles my mind when these things slip through the cracks across the board.
Switching to SEOs (Search Engine Optimzers)
A good SEO doesn’t look for you, you find them. A good SEO doesn’t robocall you or troll Facebook groups. A good SEO doesn’t have poor online reviews, a poor history with the BBB (always check), or guarantees. A good SEO will not misrepresent themselves as Google, ever.
There are a million scams and shams out there, simply because there is profit to be made. Protect yourself. Ask for references. Research a company online. Look at the SEO’s own website. Does it look like it was made in MSPaint in 1995? Probably a bad idea to get into bed with them and hand them control of your “baby”, aka your livelihood.
A great example of a world class ripoff is 29 Prime, or whatever they are called this week.
They are the “Hi, its Sharon your local Google Specialist” telemarketers.
From an SEO standpoint, they charge $300 - $500 a month for absolute jack shit.
My guess is that they rely on an uneducated clientele to perpetuate profits. Its a brilliant business scheme for those without morals. How many people who fall for their schpeil are SEO educated enough to perform a self audit on their own web presence? Probably not many.
Long story short…
A website is only as strong as its foundation. Pretty does not equal functional.
An SEO without a clear, concise plan of action is not likely to yield results. Without proven systems in place, you’re just pissing in the wind.
"Guaranteed placement’ and/or “Quick fixes” are pure bullsh*t. It doesn’t work that way.
Educate yourself. Learn to audit your own website and web presence, and in the process, learn to audit others’ websites (including half ass SEOs). You might be surprised at what you find. There’s a lot of smiley glad-hands with profit agendas willing to take your money out there. Make sure you aren’t the sucker du’ jour.
An SEO claiming astounding numbers in a service area based industry without having a Google Places page, etc, is delusional. Pure and simple.
We have 2 office managers for phones and payroll, and 18 employees who clean windows. Did $800k in 2015.
Usually the LOUDEST guy in the room is the least educated.
The ROI in window cleaning business is tiny compared to other business opportunities, so guess where I dedicate my attention? My SEO company only charges for results, and then is done billing after you reach your optimum location in the SERPs. Not sure why I even defend myself since you don’t know me. You know ALL the OTHER SEO guys, so I guess in your mind I’m that guy.
Good luck in your business and I hope God Blesses you and your family in 2016.
OMG… This should get marketing post of the year!
@SqueegeeNinjaNJ you not only hit the nail on the head. You made that nail your B$#@h.
Guys like Paul, Kevin D, and even SD Doug were the ones who motivated me to become a marketing guy. I learned traditional marketing on this forum. I then spent years learning while doing product creation and launches. Everything Ryan Diess teaches… I learned the hard way. All because of what I learned from this forum and its members launched me into a new career path.
Traditional SEO is dead. It has been long dead in the Internet Marketing world. SEO is a small part of a big WHOLE.
There is a synergy required between your social signals, your local citations, your on page SEO and so much more. For basics…
Think So Lo Mo
Social Local Mobile. If you don’t have that synergy. Enjoy the results you have while you still have them, because the SoLoMo concept was outdated 2 years ago.
There are several hundred changes to Google’s Algorithm every single year. You only hear about a few. Keep up the good fight! It is a constantly evolving entity.
Those are not great numbers with that number of staff members you should have done 1.5 million + . I’m no marketing pro far from it but I asked people at my net working group that have degreea related to marketing, seo, and coding. what the say matches with what Louie and squeegee ninja NJ have been saying. Anyone how needs SEO and analytics should do there research on what company they choose to use. Degrees, experience, customer reviews good and bad, references. This stuff cost a lot of money to have done, so make sure you choose the right person/company.
this seo crap confuses beyond belief and one of the most frustrating things i find is not being able to understand the post from the people that say they know what they are talking about. i have tried to learn about seo here and just can’t, maybe i’m too dense.
i have tried 3 companies i found on this forum, hatch, resposibid, and daves seofmb.
all 3 were decent, when i left responsibid they treated me very well.
when i left hatch i was told i had to give 30 days notice even though they advertise "cancel anytime"
i started hacth in may 2014 here is my traffic after a year:
Jan 2015: 4 Unique Visitors, 0 Leads, 0% Conversion Rate
Feb 2015: 4 Unique Visitors, 1 Lead, 25% Conversion Rate
Mar 2015: 8 Unique Visitors, 2 Leads, 25% Conversion Rate
Apr 2015: 26 Unique Visitors, 6 Leads, 23% Conversion Rate
May 2015: 46 Unique Visitors, 11 Leads, 24% Conversion Rate
i started with dave in june of 2015 her is my trafic starting with the first PARTIAL month
June: 249 Visitors
July: 953 Visitors
August: 473 Visitors
September: 140 Visitors
the last time i talked to dave he told me they would keep working to get me ranked higher but i was paid up and would not be billed any more. no other supplier of any kind has ever told me anything like that in 40 years of business.
dave did not solicit me i found him from a recommendation on this site.
shop around, listen, make a decision based on the best info you have at hand i guess.
I agree with you its hard to understand join some networking groups and ask the tech guy questions most of the time they can help you. I think it’s important to make sure the right demographic is visiting your site and not just a bunch of non buyers. I don’t know how to tell this but I’m sure there is a company that can provide that service.
I am sure they are out there too…
The bad thing about asking the tech guy…
Well it’s just that… He is a tech guy.
Tech guy doesn’t mean marketing professional.
Keep that in mind too.
OK, EVERYONE… Just R.E.L.A.X (Spoken the the amazing Aaron Rogers)
I’m putting a LINK right here where you can GO SEE first hand how our business ranks in All of the Metro Phoenix Area, Flagstaff, and now even starting in Tucson.
I Challenge Mr. SqueegeeNinjaNJ to Look at ALL 19 EXAMPLES of Rankings I put into my Google Drive.
READ and look through ALL 19 of these ranking examples, and then someone please tell me,
“There is no way you are making $800k a year… There is no way you have 17 employees… There is no way SEO works… You don’t know what you are talking about… And on and on and on”
I DOUBLE-DOG-DARE you to say I know nothing about SEO.
I said a few posts ago, it is in my heart to HELP other window cleaners get business…
Unfortunately there are WAY too many people who are not spending time cleaning windows who think I’m the fool in the room.
Guess what, Phoenix has a slow season for window cleaning in the summer.
Guess what again? We haven’t given our guys a day off in 3 years for lack of work. There is no slow season if you DOMINATE Google’s SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS LIKE WE DO.
One more time… I DOUBLE-DOG-DARE anyone here to say I do not know how to make SEO work for window cleaners.
Hands down we DOMINATE Phoenix and Flagstaff, AZ.
Seriously, GOD Bless you all in the 2016.
I wish you all the very best in business this year!
Please don’t take offense but I removed your links. Although I would imagine you provide a fine service I just don’t want to be in the business of advertising SEO services here at WCR. It goes beyond the scope of what I wish to achieve with this forum. I hope you understand. And please no hard feelings.
No worries. I never post here so I didn’t know. Thanks for your update
Then email me and I’ll email you the link. haha!
