The other day there was some disturbing news brought to my attention. It seems that some SEO management companies are charging money to pick up customers listed in Google's business listings, "ie" ("Google Places") . This news is not only disturbing, but to contemplate that a company would acquire advantage of a FREE service and then charge customers to expend this service, is an outrage and fair insensible out ripping the customer off.
Any business can seize advantage of this service and all you need is a G-mail chronicle. The same can be said for Yahoo and Bing (these are free services) . This service has been around for a long time and is better known as Maps. When a local search is done in one of these major search engines there is a local intention showing up on the accurate side of your browser window showing local businesses in your location providing the service you are looking for. As far as SEO (search engine optimization) is concerned, does it succor your website? Not really. But what it does conclude is building a reputable online presence. Not fair anyone can list a business, you actually need to have a legitimate business with a phone number and mailing address. Yes this information is verified!
contemplate at this service as Google's yellow pages except it is free. There is a paid version that allows you to employ ad-words to promote your business, but this is totally optional. Also there is no intention to insure that your company will be listed in the top 5 positions, that would allow companies control placements and none of the search engines are going to allow that to happen.
If you are currently paying for a company to provide you SEO or planning to hire a SEO firm this should be offered as a free service. If they are wanting to charge you extra for this service I would seek information from the ethics of this company and would not hire them!
