Should you pay for SEO before you see any results?

[RedEvo]

To RedEvo's point.........in the past I've personally had 3 different web designers, all limited companies insist on 50% upfront and the 50% balance prior to uploading a finished site onto a server.

Amazing, my advice would be don't ever work with companies who ask for cash up front.

d

 

[Employment Law Services]

Anyway - PFP...... someone save me!! :001_unsure:

Great debate guys and very enlightening too, I can honestly say that your replies have actually softened my previously hard position! :001_smile:

PFP then............

 

[RedEvo]

It is I agree, and I am sure that a business such as yours that is far more established and well known than the likes of myself has an easier job there - and more than likely a healthier bank balance to offset costs! One day I will hopefully be in the same position!

It's how I worked when I was one bloke in a bedroom, I've always worked on trust.

d

 

[RedEvo]

PFP then............

What's that?

:mellow:

d

 

[Employment Law Services]

Amazing, my advice would be don't ever work with companies who ask for cash up front.

d

Definitely won't be and mainly due to the insightful responses in this thread I might actually consider using a web design company again............maybe

 

[RedEvo]

Definitely won't be and mainly due to the insightful responses in this thread I might actually consider using a web design company again............maybe

Crikey! don't do that, rogues and vagabonds the lot of them....

d

 

[TomB]

Hey Intrepid,

That's awful, and i bet they were large companies as well and as soon as they had your money they didn't care.

I would never dream of doing that to a client.

It understandable that you have the feeling towards web designer but i promise you we aren't all like that!

Gordon's point as well it equally valid thought that as you become more established and well know, and with better cash flows it easier to charge less upfront.

Are you class all of us in that redevo, including me

 

[RedEvo]

Are you class all of us in that redevo, including me

Hey Tom, it's only my opinion. I never charged up front and never understood firms who did, even when I was a one man band.

It's only my opinion.

d

 

[RedEvo]

One thing I would say on this subject, and this IS NOT targeted at anyone in this thread or forum.

When you ask for payment up front you give out a signal that you are a bit strapped - even if you are not. Larger firms want continuity of service and if they smell the potential for a firm to fold through lack of funds they will direct their money elsewhere. It's potentially a self fulfilling prophecy to charge up front.

Again, just my humble OPINION not a slant on anyone else's prefered modus operandi.

d

 

[TomB]

Nah its fair enough its your opinion. I wasn't kicking off don't worry A wink would have been better than a sad face!

Different business have different ways of working.

And like i said I don't always charge up front depends on the client and the job.

At least we've all helped intrepid to realise that we aren't all that bad!

So back to PFP, is this a fairly new thing that seo companies are offering?

 

[TomB]

One thing I would say on this subject, and this IS NOT targeted at anyone in this thread or forum.

When you ask for payment up front you give out a signal that you are a bit strapped - even if you are not. Larger firms want continuity of service and if they smell the potential for a firm to fold through lack of funds they will direct their money elsewhere. It's potentially a self fulfilling prophecy to charge up front.

Again, just my humble OPINION not a slant on anyone else's prefered modus operandi.

d

actually that a good point redevo, never thought of it like that!

Might have to rethink that model again then!

so how do you break down when you charge? is it a monthly payment plan, or on milestones, what works well?

T

 

[RedEvo]

So back to PFP, is this a fairly new thing that seo companies are offering?

SEO companies have been working on a sweat equity basis for some time. PFP suits black hat better than white hat so it depends which camp you're in.

d

 

[TomB]

I honestly hadn't notice to be honest.

Definetly prefer whitehat.

I'm currently thinking about employing a seo company for me site as I just am useless at it, other than the basics.

If only a i could afford you RedEvo . . . :laugh:

T

 

[RedEvo]

actually that a good point redevo, never thought of it like that!

Might have to rethink that model again then!

so how do you break down when you charge? is it a monthly payment plan, or on milestones, what works well?

T

We provide detailed itemised quotes, including day rates for items that can't be fixed, and bill on 30 day terms at the end of the month against completed items.

It's simple and it works and clients understand it.

d

 

[RedEvo]

I'm currently thinking about employing a seo company for me site as I just am useless at it, other than the basics.

You are doing a good job, just keep doing it.

d

 

[TomB]

You are doing a good job, just keep doing it.

d

Thanks!

Appreciate that!

T

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

I think the PFP model could work. At the end of the day if the customer is getting more conversions and a better return on investment then it's a no brainer to continue with it. I always do think that there's a tipping point with this and it's key that there's some way of realising this.

I guess the only real issue is identifying what constitutes good performance if a client knows very little about SEO or is the assumption that better performance means more conversions and profit so it's pretty tangible anyway.

Just to echo Tom also... It's nice to see you on the forums RedEvo

 

[PeterHoggan]

PFP suits black hat better than white hat so it depends which camp you're in.

I offer PFP services and have done for some time. Does that make me black hat then? Please explain how PFP suits Black Hat SEO's better.

 

[TomB]

I offer PFP services and have done for some time. Does that make me black hat then? Please explain how PFP suits Black Hat SEO's better.

Do you find that people try and abuse it Peter?

T

 

[RedEvo]

I offer PFP services and have done for some time. Does that make me black hat then?

I've no idea what kind of SEO you do It's my view that PFP would encourage some to employ dubious techniques to ensure they meet their obligation and get paid.

d