Graphic SEO: Buyer Beware
One of the most disconcerting parts about working in this industry are all the fly by night operations that pop up and offer prospects unfounded promises. These sites offer website owners grandiose promises and sometimes downright lie. I had the unfortunate incident of dealing with such a website owner. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in the industry. Therefore I wanted to add a few general tips to watch out for, using Graphic SEO as a case study.
Research the company / site owner.
The owner of Graphic SEO is Joseph Alvini, a college student, who has no staff. The only alleged “expert” at the firm is himself. When hiring a firm, my suggestion is to find out more about the company’s owner. Is it a one man shop? Is the owner of that shop an actual expert or simply a self purported one? Before plunking down any kind of money with a firm do your homework.
Is the company a legal entity?
Check with the company’s city to see if it is actually a registered business. For instance, Graphic SEO currently has no business license and is operating illegally. There are plenty of legitimate companies out there. Do not waste time with one that does not even take the time to operate legally. Trust is essential in life and business. I find it difficult to trust any person or company that is operating without going through the proper channels.
Does the website have a phone number?
All reputable websites should have a contact telephone number. It is an indication that they care about customer service. Longer standing companies tend to have a toll free number to further prove their commitment to customer service. I am always weary if no contact number is prominently displayed or upon calling it nobody answers. The SEM industry is convoluted and confusing. Ensure you are dealing with a company that cares enough about their customers to actually speak with them.
There are of course many other common sense suggestions before conducting business with a firm. My hope is that this helps people save a few dollars and prospective clients steer clear of businesses, such as Graphic SEO, that are operating illegally and with little genuine concern for their clients. There are many excellent local and international search engine marketing companies that exist. Please simply be careful before sending one money.
crazysem said,
May 22, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
I spoke with this college kid. Thanks for the warning Agilis. A reputable SEO company is hard to find. I certainly did not like the fact that after discovering the site’s telephone number it directed me straight to a generic voicemail.
agilis said,
June 10, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Update…
After posting this information, I received the following email and multiple calls from the alleged CEO of Graphic SEO.
“Dear Mr. Yorzinski,
I am sorry that you are so troubled by my having a business that you
feel competes with you, that you have to resort to discrediting my business on the internet and make claims that are false. I would prefer that you cease and desist from this behavior so that I do not have to take further steps to protect my name and my business name. Upon advice of counsel, I’m writing this letter to you so we can avoid court proceedings. Please, seek advice from a professional to understand the financial liability you may incur by continuing this practice of of discrediting me and my business. I would prefer our relationship remain professional and cordial.
P.S. Upon receiving this letter, please, scan this letter with your signature so I can have receipt that you have, in fact recieved this email. I will be sending this to you through multiple emails, only one reply is necessary.
__________________________________________________________________________(printed name)
__________________________________________________________________________(signature)
Sincerely,
Adam Dodson
CEO of Graphic SEO LLC”
It is safe to assume the original article on this site received attention. Graphic SEO now displays a telephone number on the contact page of their website. Also, as of 5/27/08 Maryland approved the company’s registration as an LLC after one of the company’s authorized persons paid a $196 in fees, $70 of which went towards an expedite fee. There are also two people listed on the articles of organization as adult individuals authorized by the persons forming the LLC:
Adam Dodson
Joseph Alvini
http://www.agilismarketing.com/graphic-seo.pdf
As of the date of the above filing, obtained from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, legally Graphic SEO is not a one man shop.
One odd portion of the email sent to me is that nowhere in the blog’s original post is Adam Dodson’s name mentioned, yet it is referenced that it discredits his name. The email also stated that false statements and claims are made on the blog. This seems entirely untrue based upon the postings published date. Rather the appearance left in my mind is that the alleged current owner of the business, an individual who had no known prior association with this entity, went ahead and filed an expedited articles of organization after somebody stumbled upon this post.
Furthermore, the email reference counsel. I cannot help but wonder any alleged counsel who would suggest sending a cease and desist type of letter via email around 8:00 at night.
I am also left with curiosity as to who Adam Dodson is and his experience in the SEO industry. The original posting is intended to caution buyers before making a purchase and suggests conducting research on a company before spending money. As all smart business owners know, this helps ensure they are dealing with trustworthy individuals and entities. The email received from Adam Dodson only further cements the importance of conducting such research. This holds true regardless of any future steps Graphic SEO or other search engine optimization firms elect to take regarding their businesses.
My hope is still the same: that company owners do not plunk down money to any individual or group that exhibits suspicious practices. Especially considering that there are numerous reputable companies that offer internet marketing services and a solid track record to back up those services.
Additional information worth noting:
The website’s current and previous WHOIS information is as follows:
Registrant:
joseph alvini
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: GRAPHICSEO.COM
Created on: 08-Apr-08
Expires on: 09-Apr-10
Last Updated on: 08-Apr-08
Administrative Contact:
alvini, joseph jalvini@aol.com
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States
(443) 957-1404 Fax —
Technical Contact:
alvini, joseph jalvini@aol.com
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States
(443) 957-1404 Fax –
agilis said,
June 13, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I called Grahic SEO multiple times, in part curious as to this company’s responses times on the telephone number listed. If I reached a person I also wanted to ask if they wished to add a comment to this blog. Unfortunately, I received nothing but their voicemail stating they are a premier SEO company and to please leave a message.