Google Partner/ Google+ Advice?

[R1 Indy]

I recently started a google adwords advert (just over a week ago) to try and increase my online presence and try and increase business which has been a bit lacking. (I'm a relatively new electrical contractor)

The other day a received a call from a google partner (i have no idea what this means?) who asked how my advert was working.

I told him it was early days, however its only really a temporary measure until i am visible on google +/ maps.


At this point he transferred me to a college specialises in this sort of thing.

He did a bit of googling/research while i was on the phone and told me all my competetors google plus pages etc are a joke. (which is true, they are all just blank pages, most have no websites etc)

He claims he will create a google+ page for me and manage it going forewords.

He believes in 4-6 weeks i will be on my local google maps, with the aim of No1, due to lack of competition.

He showed me a couple of examples he has done, and they do look very good and professional google+ pages.


For this it would be a 1 off payment of £175+Vat, Then £90+Vat per month to manage things going forewords. (12 month contract).


Now if this is true, it does not seem too bad value.

I get these sort of calls often, claiming i will own the world in 10 days!
However this guy seemed different, there was no forceful bluff telling me i have to sign up today etc, asking why i won't sign up today. ( i would have just put the phone down)

He seemed pleasant, gave me all the info, gave me his name and direct number.


I understand what he does i could probably do myself, but i just don't have the knowledge of how these things work.


Just thought i would put this up here to check its not a known scam? Or if anyone has used such Service?

Or any advice on getting onto google+ Maps

Cheers

Edited by R1 Indy on Sunday 15th February 11:32

[randlemarcus]

The 175 seems not unreasonable, for getting a blank page into something that looks OK to both Search and humans. What's the 90/month for then? He doesn't host it, he can't do the social stuff, because that's your business, and one would hope that he isnt thinking of doing anything like stuffing it with positive reviews?

How much for a one-off, you do the social bits, like encouraging positive reviews from happy customers, and you revisit in six months?

[Hoofy]

Depends. If he can generate more business for you then it's piss cheap. If it just becomes another cost then it's a complete waste of money.

Is there a way of monitoring your new page's performance?

[jammy_basturd]

randlemarcus said:

The 175 seems not unreasonable, for getting a blank page into something that looks OK to both Search and humans. What's the 90/month for then? He doesn't host it, he can't do the social stuff, because that's your business, and one would hope that he isnt thinking of doing anything like stuffing it with positive reviews?

How much for a one-off, you do the social bits, like encouraging positive reviews from happy customers, and you revisit in six months?

I agree with this. £175 is just about reasonable. No idea what they'd do for the on-going cost.

Also, make sure YOU set up the page. Too often I've seen these sort of deals where they set up the page for you, then further down the line you want to move away, they keep control of the page and then you're stuffed because they've registered the page in your companies name and you can't register a second page using the same name.

[R1 Indy]

Thanks, I think you have highlighted what my concerns were.

Ie, happy with the setup charge, not sure what I'm getting for the ongoing charge.

I know he said they continually add content, but I don't think £90/month is good value for this, when I could probably add more relavent content myself once setup.


I think I will call tomorrow and see if they will do just the setup?

Otherwise, can anyone suggest a company to get this setup?

Cheers.

[jammy_basturd]

To be honest, just set it up yourself, there really isn't much to it - just like setting up your own Facebook page.

[jonamv8]

We'd set it up for £100 and charge you zero maintenance. If it was me I'd just set it up myself

[R1 Indy]

Thanks, I'm going to give it a go myself, if i fail i may give you a shout.

I have all the basic details, and the address verified on my local business listing, however it is not showing up on a google search map, neither is the box on the right hand side if i google myself.


Does this take a while before it will become visible? Or am i missing something?

Cheers

[jonamv8]

Presume you are yet to verify your address?

[R1 Indy]

jonamv8 said:

Presume you are yet to verify your address?

The address is verified, I had already done this via the postcard.