I am compelled to write this article because several clients of an unnamed web design company asked me to.  I cannot mention these people's names because there is a GAG on their free speech.

Let me explain...  These people purchased web sites and signed a terms of use that restricts them from voicing any complaints they might have regarding the services they paid for!  In fact, they can be sued for $2500.00 plus $100.00 for each person that reads this complaint.  IT DOES NOT MATTER if this unhappy person is telling the truth or not.  Amazing, isn't it?

I have only truly become frustrated with one company in the last five years of providing web sites to my clients.  THIS is that very company. This same company has received over 300 BBB complaints in the last 18 months, over 5000 negative posts in ripoffreport.com, forced to change their name, and supposedly kicked out of the Better Business Bureau!  I did not know you could be kicked out of the BBB??

Here is the legal wording to watch out for…

Please read...

43. Negative Comments/Slander
Client specifically agrees not to engage in negative comments or slander regarding HWS, including but not limited to publishing, or causing to be published, complaints or derogatory comments regarding HWS in any format, including but not limited to, print, newspaper, television, radio or on internet complaint sites, blogs or other public internet forums.  Should there be a breach of this condition HWS will be entitled to liquidated damages in the amount of $2,500.00 for each publishing or posting.  If said breach occurs on an internet complaint site each hit to that website will be considered an individual breach of this condition, and subject to additional liquidated damages of $100 per occurrence.  Further, HWS shall be entitled to litigate this matter, and obtain the money damages together with injunctive relief.  The prevailing party to that litigation shall be entitled to an award of attorney's fees.

For the full Terms of Use please go to; http://tinyurl.com/cgnj87

I know they offer the lowest prices on the internet to build websites, but the lowest price does not make them the best Website Design Company.

When they say they can do everything we can do and offer a CHEAPER price, they can not. They can only offer a CHEAPER Price and Product.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

Business Hours: (Monday - Friday) 10 AM - 6 PM Eastern Standard Time

I just had a great call with a gentleman named Ken who has a uniform company and now he's looking at getting a website with us and had this great question, "How Much Does SEO Search Engine Optimization Cost"?

With that question I had a couple of answers...

#1 - It can cost you dearly if you don't have "SEO" Search Engine Optimization.

Go to google and type in the KEYWORD "UNIFORM", you'll see 110,000,000 Million Hits. Where do you think you're company will show up if you don't have "SEO" Search Engine Optimization done to your site? If you answered 110,000,001 you get a Gold Star.

#2 - As much as you want to spend.

While at WebsiteForge we give you SEO Technology on your site and the Initial Consultation with Kevin Gannon, a third party company who will set-up your site, submit it and consult with you initially for no extra cost... if you really want to be successful "SEO" Search Engine Optimization should be considered an advertising cost, no different than Radio, Print or TV except you'll get more bang for your buck.

Here's an example... if you spend $200/mo on SEO and make $5000/mo how much would you spend on SEO? If you answered as much money as you could spend, you get a Gold Star.

I was on a phone conversation with a gentleman that uses Kevin Gannon and pays him over $1000/mo for "SEO" Search Engine Optimization. He was telling the owner of WebsiteForge the HUGE success he was having using Kevin along with our Software. He is making tens of thousands of dollars in "SEO" Search Engine Optimization spending $1000 which is less than a normal radio station would charge for about a 1/2 week schedule. He said he was going to double or triple the amount he spends on "SEO" Search Engine Optimization using Kevin Gannon. What kind of results do you think he can expect? If you said, double or tripple or more... You get a Gold Star!

RECAP....

Our "SEO" Search Engine Optimization Technology and set-up is FREE, and you will do very well by having Kevin Gannon set-up your site and show you how you can manage our own SEO Search Engine Optimization Campaign... but, if you have the money to spend on SEO Search Engine Optimization you'll only increase your odds of success and have it done faster.

If you have any questions about "SEO" Search Engine Optimization, or how WebsiteForge can build you a better website, please contact me.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

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This was my reply....

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I take it this is your first website?

Buying a website is like buying a new or used car, you can buy a low end used car cheaply.  It won't get you very far and it is going to be expensive to maintain.

Low end websites just like used cars need a lot updates and maintenance to keep them going and eventually a complete need engine.

Many think a car is just a car, like a website is just a website.  However,  the technology in the lower end web site products are 5-10 years old and are not easily found in the search engines.

A customer that finds you in search engines is the most important part of having a website! It's like the fuel for your car.  No search engine listings -- No customers.

A new WebsiteForge site is like buying a brand new car that gets the latest and greatest features every week!

We add over $200,000 in new technology to your site every year in the form of  2-8 software upgrades weekly.

We provide unlimited service.  Remember your car needs oil and maintenance.  WebsiteForge provides these upgrades at no extra cost! 

Best of all -- we provide unlimited gas (search engine features) driving customers to your website to purchase your products and services!

And if there is a chance you doubt what we are saying -- we will guarantee the success of your business or we'll give you your money back.

What everyone needs to know is -- There are no successful websites based on the "used car analogy".  Successful web sites spend 10x's more money to try to compete with a WebsiteForge web site!

I talk to 600-1000 people a month, most are people who never had a website before.  Typically basing their buying decision on price.

Those who have actually had experience with at least one web site in their past realize the huge benefit of WebsiteForge and our methods.

The combined services and upgrades we provide typically start making money to moment they are found in the search engines! Not long after we set their site up the correct way.

Facts are stubborn things:

- Our retention rate is 98.5%

- Our cancellation rate is less than .05% which is the best in the industry.

- Most web design companies have less than a 50% retention rate and a 25% cancellation rate. 

This means, we know what we are doing!  Helping businesses just like you succeed online.

Before choosing any business please check Ripoffreport.com and the BBB.org.  Ask for a copy of the company's "terms of use" or "contract".

One large web site company in Utah actually has a clause that states they have the right to sue you if you say anything bad about them.  They can sue you for $2500 per occurrence.

That type of policy conicides with a  "bait and switch tactic". Once you have purchased  you can't get your money back... and you signed a one year contract with them that says you can't voice your outrage.

At WebsiteForge, we take the risk out of purchasing a website by giving you an unconditional 12 month money back guarantee for any reason and no contracts!

Hopefully you'll find this e-mail useful like many others have over the years. If you do choose another company and learn the hard-way, please contact me so we can get you on the right path to online success.

I do wish you the best.

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This was the response back...

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WOW. You are so right. I did not do any research on this company and I am completely shocked at the reports against them.
I have had websites before. I have never had 1 made for me. I have always done my own.
Your price is just to far out of my reach.
Thanks for the help.
Kim Henriksen

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Summary...

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Other website companies have much lower prices for a reason! They offer a low-end product that will not be found in the search engines, it will cost you a lot to update and maintain, plainly put... you just will not be happy with it because you won't make any money unless you are paying money in advertising to send them to your site.

It's kind of like being nickeled and dimed for everything you have.

Remember... You Get What You Pay For!

Don't be fooled in letting these companies tell you that they can offer you everything that we do but for less... if they did... they would cost the same or even more, because people would be willing to pay the price... instead they just pay the price!

If you can not afford to purchase a website from WebsiteForge, just let me know what your budget is and I will try to offer you a solution with a company that can meet your budget so you won't be Ripped-Off by what I call... the used car (website) salesperson.

I wish you nothing but the best in your online endeavor.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

Business Hours: (Monday - Friday) 10 AM - 6 PM Eastern Standard Time

Scott Neil,
 
Your websites look professional and well made; however, I may choose to go with a local firm to support our local businesses, which are hurting right now due to the recession. Why should I choose WebsiteForge over a local business to design my website?
 
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Great Question! I am asked this all the time...
 
I know how you feel. I asked the same question to WebsiteForge before I had a website built over 7 years ago... 2 years prior to ending up working for WebsiteForge after my last decision to never work with a local web designer based only on the idea that I was keeping someone else employed.
 
It is a noble idea to keep local businesses in business, but it is an even better idea to keep you in business, right? Please hear me out on this...
 
I know you think a website is just a website and regardless of who builds that website you are going to have the same results, right? I used to have that same idea in my head too.
 
That is until I found WebsiteForge...
 
I have had over twenty websites in my life. None of those sites ever produced a dime without me spending money to direct traffic to my site. It did not matter if I spent $100 or $40,000; the results were always the same until I found WebsiteForge.
 
 
WebsiteForge was the only company that ever drove traffic to my site without costing me money!
 
Why? Because, WebsiteForge was the only company that had Search Engine Technology that allowed the Search Engines to index my site the way that it should of been done in the first place.
 
Most of these small local design shops do not have a clue about Search Engine Optimization and how to drive the traffic to your site so you make money instead of spending money on advertising to drive traffic to your site.
 
What I found was, "WebsiteForge delivers results in the Search Engines while others can only make promises" and only then did I make money from my website." Moreover, the technology WebsiteForge provided for me and the Customer Support far out-weighed what I always had received from the local person who never called me back once he had my money and took 4-6 months to build a site and everything else that went along with that.
 
I found WebsiteForge to be one of the most professional companies ever to work with, so I started referring my clients to WebsiteForge. I referred so much business to WebsiteForge that they made me an offer to handle all their sales for the company... and I have been here for over 5 years now spreading the Website Gospel on why you should choose WebsiteForge over everyone else.

And that is why I feel you should choose WebsiteForge over the local person to design your website, because after all, it's more than just designing your website, it's your business.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

Business Hours: (Monday - Friday) 10 AM - 6 PM Eastern Standard Time

Hey Doug,

I was talking to a company claiming to be a Fortune 500 Web Design Company and they told me you build websites with templates and they build sites where every page is custom and I should stay away from templated sites, meaning you, because they are not serach engine friendly.

It's my understanding from a little research that most companies do a custom design and then take that design and create a template so it's the same on every page which is the proper way to make a website so you have continuity and less confusion and better functionality.

Why would this Web Design Company tell me this?

Mike C.

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Hi Mike,

Unfortunately some companies promote misleading sales tactics to confuse people who may not know much about website terminology.

The truth is; Templates that you can purchase from companies like Template Monster and other sites may have coding in the template that may prevent the search engines robots and spiders from crawling the template properly. Keep in mind Template sites should only be purchased by Webmasters, you'll see that in the fine print. Why? Because you'll need software to edit the sites to make them work the way you want.

Templates have a double meaning though... a template also refers to a Custom design. The design is created into a template so, like you mentioned the site will have the same look on each page. Any professional company will create a template from the design they made to keep the continuity and functionality of the site. You can always change the content inside the page with text and graphics to make the page look unique.

We build Custom sites and create a clone of the design for every page and code the site with our Search Engine Optimization software and make the sites Search Engine Friendly. Any company that tells you we don't do SEO is just lying to you. Matter of fact, call or e-mail Brian Shockley at shopbakersnook.com who has been extremely successful with our SEO and is found hundreds of times in the search engines top pages for his Keywords and Key Phrases... or better yet call Mike Giordano with knowyournanny.com who used to be one of their clients and now is found #1 in Google for Nanny Cam and is making over $60k a month.

I have to admit it's frustrating being an honest person working for an honest company and having to compete with a company that promotes misleading sales tactics just to make a buck.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

Business Hours: (Monday - Friday) 10 AM - 6 PM Eastern Standard Time

Everyday I get anywhere from 5-10 people calling me to share their website horror story with me about other companies.

This one today came from Steve Nguyen a first time website buyer trying to start a small business. Unfortunately like Steve, so many first time website buyers get caught with this trap from a fast talking salesman who convinces you he/she needs your credit card information to lock in a price. The thing with doing this is, they bang your card and you actually purchase a website from the company.

If that is not bad enough, you call them to get the money put back on your credit card and they tell you, your going to lose the downpayment by not having them build your website and now you feel obligated to have them do the site for you in fear of not getting what you didnt pay for in the first place.

The company that did this is out of Utah and they have a horrible record with the Better Business Bureau but they will resolve the issue only after you complain to the Better Business Bureau, the company that recommended their services, the Attorney General of Utah and your Credit Card Company... but it's worth it so these people don't get away with it.

You should not reward a company with your business because they have taken your hard earned money HOSTAGE!

If you have any questions about this article, please let me know.

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

Business Hours: (Monday - Friday) 10 AM - 6 PM Eastern Standard Time

Many people ask me how WebsiteForge can help their business in a slow economy. Actually, it's the same answer as "How can WebsiteForge help my business in a Good Economy".

ANSWER> Search Engine Optimization!

There is a HUGE shift in people using the Internet instead of the Phone Book to find a business in their area of need. Think about it, "when was the last time you used the phone book vs the Internet to find something?"

If you don't have a website and that website is not search engine optimized to be found in the top 3 pages of the search engines you might as well not have one unless you love spending money advertising on TV, Radio and Print telling people you have a Website.

And, remember that phone book shift, where people are using the Internet instead? More and More people are going to the Internet to watch TV, listen to Radio and read the Newspaper. So your advertising dollars to generate traffic to your website are dramatically being reduced.

The best thing you can do in the slow times and good times, is to use WebsiteForge's Website & Search Engine Optimization Technology and let it do the work for you to generate potential customers or clients to your business website.

The Lifeline to your business being successful is ADVERTISING, our websites do the Advertising for you at next to nothing per month and it will out perform TV, Radio and Print advertising both in the short term and long term on a CPL (Cost Per Lead) basis.

Call or e-mail me to learn more! Or better yet, purchase a website from WebsiteForge and let us prove it!

Thanks,

Douglas A. Marks
Website Marketing Consultant

E-mail - dougmarks@websiteforge.com
Business - (888) 558.2446 Ext. 208
Fax - (517) 338-5064

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT


WebsiteForge, LLC
P.O. Box 2199
Byron Road
Howell, Michigan 48844
1-888-558-2446
support@websiteforge.com
http://www.websiteforge.com


Partsguysusa.com is sold on WebsiteForge

Jerry Simon, president of partsguyusa.com, sings the praises of WebsiteForge for their excellent customer service and numerous free upgrades.

Howell, Michigan, January 6, 2009 – When Jerry Simon was looking for a web design company that could customize partsguyusa.com and drive customers to his sight, he had tried other e-commerce specialists before going to WebsiteForge for his business. He then clearly saw the need for a company that can drive traffic to a website and maximize sales and deliver on what they say they will deliver, with excellent customer service.

WebsiteForge is a leader and a visionary when it comes to website design, e-commerce, search engine optimization and customization. It prides itself not only on keeping current with the latest technology, but providing small and medium sized businesses with personalized customer service that customers rave about.

“WebsiteForge has exceeded my expectations with their numerous upgrades (at no charge) and have gone the extra mile for my organization,” says Simon. “I have dealt with Fortune 500 companies that could learn a thing or two from their excellent customer service.”

Customer service combined with technological expertise makes WebsiteForge a leading website designer and consultant for small and medium size businesses. They were the first to understand the importance of search engine optimization to increase a website's rank when their name or keyword was mentioned in a web search. The higher the ranking, the more traffic a website gets. Businesses like partsguyusa.com turn to WebsiteForge for a full range of services and they find a partner in their business who can improve visibility, customize a website that is tailored for the needs of the business and help companies make a profit from their e-commerce efforts.

More and more businesses are turning to WebsiteForge for their e-commerce and website needs. WebsiteForge stays current with the latest trends in technology and software. Websites will never become obsolete or lose their standing in search engine ranks because WebsiteForge is always at the cutting edge of the latest developments and passes this on to their clients.

Jerry Simon and partsguyusa.com switched to WebsiteForge.com because he saw the value in personalized service and technical acumen that you just can't get anywhere else. WebsiteForge helps businesses maximize their efforts on the web and allows them to easily control content without the additional cost of a webmaster. Partsguyusa.com is one of thousands of satisfied customers who sing the praises of WebsiteForge.

For additional information, visit http://www.websiteforge.com  or call 1-888-558-2446.

About WebsiteForge LLC – WebsiteForge LLC pioneered search engine optimization to help businesses increase their website traffic and profits. They offer a full range of web design and e-commerce solutions to small and medium size companies looking to get the maximum results from their web efforts.