bad customers - what do u do?

ive got a customer at the moment who is unhappy with what i have done....

basically, i did all the norm seo stuff - no tricks - all ethical stuff as i always do.....

he was unhappy with a text links bar at the top of his page - so i took it off. he was also unhappy that i had created htm versions of his static php pages (why i dont know)......

and is basically kicking up a fuss.....saying that i am using his site as a tester etc - hes basically just trying it on in my opinion. i am very ethical in my approach and am very friendly and give way too much support than i should do.

now, luckilly for me, i am 6'3 and 17 stone - and a club bouncer, so i have no trouble in getting payment, if he decides that he isnt going to pay.

but i would like to run my business properly and make him aware tha the things i have done are the norm and what he should expect from an seo....

what would you guys do?

It seems like your at a stage where your client doesn't feel you can make the right decision for them.

You see, they hired you because you are young, inexperienced and probably less expensive.

Honestly, he has nothing to complain about. (I am on your side here).

As you become more experienced, a client hires you and trusts that what you create for them is what is best for them, even if its against the clients better judgement.

In your case, the client feels that he is more experienced then you and does not trust you. Then why did he hire you?

If you can, explain to the client that they hired you for your skills and talent. Tell them you can make the changes he requested but it will be against your better judgement. Tell him the truth - you want the best for him.

If he disagrees with you then you have two options:
(1) Do exactly what he tells you to do
(2) Drop him and wish him good luck

Best of luck!

Cheers, rusty

Actually, since my post, i have spoken to him and explained why the changes were made....

I have to say that he initially agreed for me to do what i liked...

And he has apologised and is convinced that i was working in his best interests.

He is now at the point that he accepts that he was out of order and does not understand what is involved with seo.

So, all should be ok now, i imagine.

Im not young or inexperienced tho - been at it 5 years, but just set up my own company. I know i didnt have to say that, but i thought id explain

But thanks for your reply - much appreciated.

Sorry, you made it sound like you were brand new. I did not mean to say you were young or inexperienced. I just thought the client felt so.

You handled it perfectly and make sure to always be confident in your work. It rubs off to the client.

Be well.

a new development........

the client changed the pages that i created - DURING a spider of the site !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


now, the site still has reached top 10 on google across lots of keywords - with #1s and #2s also...

if they had left it, it surely would have got more ratings....

i am so angry - really angry - even tho they are the ones who have shot themselves in the foot by doing this..

they literally would have had so many more placements if only they hadnt done this...

i am having to stop myself from explaining to the client just how stupid that they have been!!!!!!!!!!1111


its days like this that makes seo a nightmare

LOL They very first thing you do with a client is to make them sign a written contract. You may have your legal advicer formulate the contract in a number of ways but one thing need to be clear.


1. The client must not do any an authorised changes to the site while they are under a SEO contract. If they do the contract can be abandoned by the SEO firm, but the clients has to pay in full.


How would a car mecanic feel if you did repair to your car at the same time as he did repair to it. And what if you "fixed" the repairs the car mecanic was doing. No owners, no advicers, no
"webdesign" firms during SEO and atlest for three months the site belongs to the SEO company. It will take up to three months to see the results of the SEO.