It happens all the time. Web based businesses will get solicited by SEO companies who will guarantee that their web site will rank #1 on Google and other search engines. As any self respecting SEO firm will tell you, there is absolutely no way to guarantee a ranking that high on Google. Only Google themselves can, without fail, determine where your website stands in rank.
These boastful search engine peddlers who purport to have some vast knowledge of search engines like Google will charge what amounts to a couple months salary to do this. Many times they don’t even bother to tell you which keyword they’ll claim to get you ranked #1 on. It could be for something that has a very low to nonexistent search value. Not only that, but they could use black hat SEO tactics to move your company up in rank, only to get to delisted by Google later on. But by then, they’ve got your money and they’re on to the next victim.
All that any good SEO company can do is improve your company search ranking and continue to improve upon it as Google and other search engines change their secret search algorithms. At Frye / Wiles, we have a proven track record of driving important client keywords to high rankings. But we’d never be able to 100% guarantee a #1 ranking. We’re exceptionally good at what we do, but Google is the ultimate master in search. What number your company will ultimatly rank highest on depends on many factors, many of which have been discussed on this blog. But it is impossible to guaratee a #1 rank on any valid search term so it’s best to dismiss any offers from SEO lurks who say otherwise.
One comment so far.
Nate, your totally right. Then again, of course I would say that!