Would This Seem Spammy/Underhanded to You?

[DataMedics]

I'm considering a less-than-traditional way to grab the attention of computer repair / IT companies who I'd love to get to visit our site and possibly switch who they are using for data recovery services. But, before I seriously look into it, I'd love to know what y'all as computer guys would think of it.

It's a technique used by some SEO companies to 'dupe' webmasters into visiting their site. Basically, you create a page on your site with a million links on it to all your prospective clients homepages. When they do any backlink analysis as part of their SEO work, they may notice the unsolicited link and happen to follow it back to the page. Then at the top of the page, or in a popup box, have a message explaining the intent of the page and requesting they consider switching over to your services.

So my question, how would you take that? Would you feel slighted like you'd been tricked into visiting the page? Or would you take it as, "cool, got a free backlink" and possibly be swayed by the message?

While I'd love to get new clients and resellers, I'd rather not offend people in the process. That's why I'm spitballing this one.

 

[mraikes]

I don't like it. If you know enough about a prospective client to create a backlink, you know enough to approach them forthrightly.

Any technique that can be described with the word "dupe" isn't one I'd be flattered to be on the receiving end of.

 

[DataMedics]

I don't like it. If you know enough about a prospective client to create a backlink, you know enough to approach them forthrightly.

Any technique that can be described with the word "dupe" isn't one I'd be flattered to be on the receiving end of.

Obviously it'd have to be a list of urls that's autogenerated. Would take tens of thousands to have any tangible effect. We do make a lot of effort to directly reach these sort of people in our local market. But, nationally speaking it's much harder to get noticed.

Thanks for the feedback though. Would like to hear from some others.

 

[trevm999]

If I realized what was going on, I would probably have a chuckle, but then I would be less likely to use you since it doesn't really seem like the thing a reputable company would do.

 

[GTP]

I don't like it. If you know enough about a prospective client to create a backlink, you know enough to approach them forthrightly.

Any technique that can be described with the word "dupe" isn't one I'd be flattered to be on the receiving end of.

This^^^
I certainly would feel as though I had been "duped." I would be less inclined to enlist your services because of that as it appears
non reputable.

 

[Markverhyden]

I think google is onto stuff like that. So you might get whacked in the rankings.

 

[DataMedics]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I think I'll trash bin that idea. What you're saying is pretty much what I expected, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask the community how they'd take it.

 

[Pixelated Tech]

I think google is onto stuff like that. So you might get whacked in the rankings.

Agreed here. They do not like this kind of thing. (Nor do I for that matter) I use your services and your work is fantastic. (for those wondering) Let your work and clean advertising as well as word of mouth sell your services. You've earned me as a partner for as long as my business breathes. I'm sure I will not be the last.

 

[sapphirescales]

If you have to ask, then it's not a good idea. It's that simple.

 

[Pixelated Tech]

If you have to ask, then it's not a good idea. It's that simple.

I disagree. That's what this forum is for. I've had unsure direction and have asked here. Good and bad directions confirmed by many here. My .02. Though your mileage may vary.

 

[allstarit]

To me this feels like going to a random office and cutting their phone lines for their internet and leaving a note on the door saying if your internet goes down please call this number. Most businesses would have their own web designer that does their SEO or web stuff so i think this notice would be missed by the intended audience.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Well hmm i mean if you really wanted to do it what you could do is make a separate site and mask it as a computer repair directory brought to you by data recovery specialist DataMedics. I wouldn't waste my time though as the odds of them doing their own backlink research are slim to none.