My SEO Client Does Not Want To Pay Me Anymore

[SolidTactics]

Hey everyone, I got my client ranked on page one of google for some highly competitive keywords. I focused my link building efforts to get links directly to his website. The client told me that he plans to use my services for years and that our relationship will be long term. We had the understanding that he would pay me monthly for my services, however now that he is ranked on page one of Google he is kicking me to the curb and he says he doesn't want to pay me and he doesn't want to to continue optimizing his site with me anymore.

I'm trying to figure out ways to prevent this from happening in the future? One thought I had was to create several private blog sites, build backlinks directly to them, and create links from my private blog sites directly to the clients site, and get him ranked from the links from my private blog sites. This way if he decides that he no longer wants to pay me i can just turn off the link juice from my private blog sites that point to his site.

In addition, I'm thinking that I would also get links from private blog networks to point to his site also. I know that most private blog networks charge a monthly fee for this and I would simply pay that monthly fee for the links as long as the client pays me. In the event that the client stops paying, the private blog network links get shut off as well.

Of course on top of all this I will push natural links from public sites to the clients siteas well, such as blog comments, guest blog posts, etc.

The bottom line and objective here is that the majority of the actual "link juice" would come from sites that I manage or can control, so if the client decides that they don't want to pay me anymore, I can always turn off their links or make them no-follow. After a few months they will see the results and loose their rankings.

What do you guys think and do you have any suggestions? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[SmartMan]

Instead of creating "Private Blog Sites", you've to create a page/site optimized for certain keywords and 301 it to your client. 301 comes handy like On/Off switch. You keep building backlinks that page/site which is under your control and the 301 will do the rest. If he ever wants to stop paying you, simply remove the 301 and his site will be Buried deep under the SERPs.

 

[SolidTactics]

Smart man thanks a lot, I will look into this. Does anyone else have any other suggestions not mentioned?

 

[Duffers5000]

Approach his competitors and tell them " see how I am able to put a business on to the front page of google ? how would you like to be in that position for a very fair fee"

The private blogs idea is good, I think the most important thing to stress to clients is that seo is an ongoing project and if you decide to stop your site will start to drop.

Why has he decided to stop using you is it a cost issue or does he not see the value of being high up in google ? Good to see someone trying to find a way forward in this situation. Too many times the first thought that occurs to people is "im going to do an xrumer blast of porn sites and screw this guy up "

 

[BigFatWallet]

You did SEO for his site and got paid a monthly fee. Now he does not want to continue with you. Period. Get over it and move in life and try to find more clients by showing what you are capable of.

Building your own private network and removing the links that they pay your for (after they stop paying) is highly unethical IMO and speaks volumes of your unprofessional behavior that will for sure deter people from buying your offerings.

 

[steelballs]

I think with respect you plans are in the main a foundation to develop SEO from however all sites that eventually get to top of page 1 will have picked up many viral 'juice links on the way!

For me I would adopt cash flow revenue control say sign them up to six month and 12 month contracts then they get the ranking and you get the money

After all you are doing nothing for your reputation if a guy pays you to get ranked then he discontinues with the services. at which point you Jump 'Out of the Pram' and disconnect all his links. What have you achieved a new dummy to suck on, while at the same time wrecked your reputation, because he paid you to connect not disconnect.

Take some time have a rethink and come up with new honest professional way to keep the SEO money coming in!

From your well written OP you are smart enough to do that

Good Luck

 

[weruncompanies]

You did SEO for his site and got paid a monthly fee. Now he does not want to continue with you. Period. Get over it and move in life and try to find more clients by showing what you are capable of.

Building your own private network and removing the links that they pay your for (after they stop paying) is highly unethical IMO and speaks volumes of your unprofessional behavior that will for sure deter people from buying your offerings.

Sums it up perfectly. He paid you monthly till he got to page one. That's the point. If he doesn't want to continue he doesn't have to. If he thinks his ranking will stay up there without SEO then let them leave.. It's his fault if it starts dropping in rank not your concern anymore. Don't do the private network links that's just unethical, you'd have to let him know that once he stops paying the monthly fee he loses that feature.. If you put me in your clients situation I'd do the exact same. I'll pay you till you rank me to page one, and that's it. I'm not going to pay you monthly to keep me at page one, when there's a huge chance I'm not going to fall off in the first place...

 

[VinceC]

Don't do the private network links that's just unethical,

r u serious??? i dont see anthing wrong creating private network links which OP going to in future, just stated this in the agreement next time and tell them that the will lose their exclusive right in kewords the ranking after dis-engaging the service.

 

[artificial_genius]

r u serious??? i dont see anthing wrong creating private network links which OP going to in future, just stated this in the agreement next time and tell them that the will lose their exclusive right in kewords the ranking after dis-engaging the service.

It is unethical because you are basically holding them hostage. You can do this, but I'd make sure it was recognized beforehand that this is how you are going to do things. Basically, if you are doing this they need to understand they are renting links and not paying for rankings. Otherwise, if you spring this on clients after they cancel they will be very pissed off, and the last thing you want are ex-clients badmouthing you to whoever they can.

 

[cocococo]

As been said its unprofessional to delete his links if he paid initially for em. If I was you, I will move on and wait till his ranking decreases and he will come back to you to get them higher then the ball is in your court and charge him double for not honouring his contract in the first place.

 

[Scritty]

As been said its unprofessional to delete his links if he paid initially for em. If I was you, I will move on and wait till his ranking decreases and he will come back to you to get them higher then the ball is in your court and charge him double for not honouring his contract in the first place.

^^^^

See if his competitors (particularly those you have overtaken with your original client) will pay you to get them back
Private blog farm is not a brilliant idea. UNless you build one for every client or only have a couple of clients then you are going to show a big footprint very soon. When google de-inexes your serps' farm both your sites and the clients site will be gone.

If you think dealing with a client who thinks "job done - I don't want any more" is hard - I can tell you it's a lot harder when you have to deal with a client fuming mad because your actions have caused his site to be de-indexed altogether.

In future maybe consider signing clients up to a contract. Say $1000 per month or $10,000 for the year. If they quit inside the time they are still obliged to pay.

Check this out

[URL]http://www.seotakeaways.com/best-seo-contract-in-the-world/[/URL]

Scritty

 

[SolidTactics]

Approach his competitors and tell them " see how I am able to put a business on to the front page of google ? how would you like to be in that position for a very fair fee"

That's a good point as a post solution. A perfect case study and example. This tactic can even be applied if they continue to pay you.

The private blogs idea is good, I think the most important thing to stress to clients is that seo is an ongoing project and if you decide to stop your site will start to drop.

My client understood this point, however he feels that he can remain on top even if he doesn't pay me, that's why I have the problem now. His intention is to stop paying me until he see's a drop in rankings, then he'll call me back. The problem is I did a super job on his seo, and I build a ton of links, it will be a while before he see's any drop in rankings. That's why I'm upset that he just wanted to stop paying me

Why has he decided to stop using you is it a cost issue or does he not see the value of being high up in google ? Good to see someone trying to find a way forward in this situation. Too many times the first thought that occurs to people is "im going to do an xrumer blast of porn sites and screw this guy up "

He stopped using me for costs primarily and he's ranked on top now.

 

[Catt Mutts]

If I understood well, guy clearly tricked OP into belief that he will be a long term client and after getting first results he just kicked him out. Who is unethical there? That client was surely a jerk since he first talked and will surely continue to be in the future. He will do that again unless he learns the lesson the hard way. I hate those people, and I wouldn't doubt at all what my next move would be.

 

[KINGCOS]

An anonymous style, denial of service(dos) is your best bet.


Jks

 

[assphuck]

Did your client not pay for the links you already built?

It sounds to me that you now want to HARM your client and hold him hostage to your service. This is wrong, and I personally would not spend a dime with you for doing such a thing.

I don't care what the client said he may or may not do. Business conditions and priorities change. Therefore, funds get reallocated according to needs. Unless you have something in writing, like a real contract, instead of focusing your efforts on harming your past clients you should focus on better communication skills to retain them once you achieve their goals.

 

[danny1]

His intention is to stop paying me until he see's a drop in rankings, then he'll call me back.

Let the client know that if he wishes to use your services again, that's fine, but previous client's will be charged more than new/existing clients (due to increased demand). If he wishes to use other services, that's fine too, but remember that there are many 'cheap' seo services that won't deliver the results that you have.

Then, work hard on getting new clients, who'll pay in advance. Use a contract that's legally enforceable.

 

[SolidTactics]

Did your client not pay for the links you already built?

It sounds to me that you now want to HARM your client and hold him hostage to your service. This is wrong, and I personally would not spend a dime with you for doing such a thing.

I don't care what the client said he may or may not do. Business conditions and priorities change. Therefore, funds get reallocated according to needs. Unless you have something in writing, like a real contract, instead of focusing your efforts on harming your past clients you should focus on better communication skills to retain them once you achieve their goals.

I will get to everyone's comment, but this one I want to be clear about. My question was asked with the intention and strategy for future clients. This particular client tricked me and made me think that he will use me over the long term. He has the funds, but he's just being cheap and wants to wait till he drops in rankings, then once he drops he'll probably want to negotiate on my price (at least that's what I'm thinking).

 

[Kosher1]

Don't give up so easily !!!!!

Did you have a contract. ?

I had a company do this to me, then they took me to court to request all their money back cuz they weren't making the 'millions' they expected.

I went to court and counter sued.

Their claims were dropped and I was awarded big $$$$...

Did you have a contract ?

 

[Kosher1]

Did your client not pay for the links you already built?

It sounds to me that you now want to HARM your client and hold him hostage to your service. This is wrong, and I personally would not spend a dime with you for doing such a thing.

I don't care what the client said he may or may not do. Business conditions and priorities change. Therefore, funds get reallocated according to needs. Unless you have something in writing, like a real contract, instead of focusing your efforts on harming your past clients you should focus on better communication skills to retain them once you achieve their goals.

What part of ops post made you 'think' he wants to harm his client ?

 

[DeskCoder]

I will get to everyone's comment, but this one I want to be clear about. My question was asked with the intention and strategy for future clients. This particular client tricked me and made me think that he will use me over the long term. He has the funds, but he's just being cheap and wants to wait till he drops in rankings, then once he drops he'll probably want to negotiate on my price (at least that's what I'm thinking).

It's business dude, he ran out of money ... move on. The WORST thing you can have in business in a negative reputation, so why even tempt it.

Tell him you have seen plenty of sites that did backlinking and stopped, and then they got penalized (mine did). Offer him a long term package at a discount. Don't just cut your losses and run, try to win him back ... but do it ethically.