Houston Plumber DOMINATES Google & I DID it. He thinks he did it! What to Do?

21 replies
Okay. Long story short. I met this client almost 4 yrs ago doing Rent A Site model with a Katy, Tx plumbing website. I got it to 1st page, advertsied on Craigslist and he called. Then he hired me away from my then full time job doing something else. BAD DECISION on my part in hindsite. The next almost 4 yrs later I did nothing but make websites (almost 200) create fake company names, do the whole fake review, fake Fiverr ,etc.. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. I did it all because I had to. Had no choice when it came to paying bills. The only thing I did it seemed honestly with GREAT results (although) temporary was a PR from prweb.com. That thing rocked. I was always coming up with unique ways of doing things to make his plumbing business (or whatever phone number) rang (he uses IFBYPHone.com) and tracks numbers (another idea I provided). I've got this guy ranking on 1st page of Google for anything you can think of related to plumbing and also zip code rankings which he seemed to like. Used Excel VBA to and some spinning to kick butt on that. So over the last 4 yrs I have become a expert at WordPress development, SEO black/white/gray and other Offline tools.

HOWEVER, this whole time with him I was treated like a fricken slave most of the time but paid even worse. I averaged like $8 an hour and worked like 50 hrs a week. He was a middle easterner and I was always having to deal with communication and culture issues. This guy had a short fuse and (now I've found out) tries to control just about everything/everyone he can. That's his business model it seems. The ups & downs with this guy/client just became too much for me and i know my kids and others got tired of me dealing with it. I finally just gave up and am trying to do my own thing by myself since I know I clearly have the skillset to do so even if my typing or grammar displays otherwise on this post. :-) I'm emotional!

But to prove my point and get this post along if you type "drain cleaning Houston" and your in the Houston, Texas area you get a page of results. Using Google's Incognito tool the results for "drain cleaning Houston" bring back 15 or so results. Excluding PPC my FORMER client has 5 of those spots. And that is just "drain cleaning Houston". There are other similar results and similar variations in and around the Houston area.Here are those 5 I mentioned and they are misspelled with underlines on purpose to reduce SERP power so former client doesn't see this post since this site picks up rankings fast per mojo1 advice. I have since removed urls out of future conflict since the discussion has given me advice. Trust me there are results.


#1 - Results
#2 - Results
#4 - Results
#9 - Results
#10 - Results


Having said that, 4 of the 5 are different companies have different phone numbers. All of them I did the work for regarding WordPress design and OnPage SEO. I also initiated methods of Off Page SEO like Fiverr and even kept track towards the end with SEMRush.com.

I will say my FORMER client was very hands on in certain areas and knowing that I always did my own thing and let him do his. He was always doing:

* Fiverr reviews, Google plus, Facebook likes, etc...
* Local business directroy registration
* Other items like using Google Plus Local and using fake names as I already mentioned

NOTE: In his defense sometimes it was necessary because competitors would leave bad reviews and it got nasty at times and he kinda was pushed towards a path of re-branding himself and business. Once he saw the results he and I kept at it. I never really liked it but the phone did ring.

Here is my PROBLEM I'M ASKING WARRIORS HELP WITH...
  • How are the results so good? I only did OnPage SEO and he did Fiverr. Is it Domain Age or something I'm missing? Some of the sites are okay looking but some we're thrown together quickly.
  • I hate to admit it but should I do the same for future clients?
  • How to handle new clients when they ask how long or what works or what doesn't? I would love nothing more than to tell a client everything is white hat but I know for a FACT the results are otherwise.
  • How to get new clients and use my portfolio if I even should?
  • Now I'm not Matt Cutts or anything but in my opinion I deserve far more than $8 per hour. Warriros am I correct in assuming that?


I did create my own personal and business website that look more like who I am and want to be know for and have landed a good client in the CNC Machine Shop business but I had to get this off my chest. It has been needing to get out for weeks now.

I just want some overall feedback or guidance or dialouge from people who do what I do...

Regards,

Derek
#dominates #google #houston #plumber #thinks
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    I am not in a position to give you technical advice, as this is not my area of expertise. However, I do have something very powerful to contribute, and that is this:

    Don't beat yourself up over the past. It seems pretty clear that you know who you want to be. Tomorrow is a new day, and you should start it fresh, with a new plan that details how you are going to hit your new goals.

    If you dwell on what you have done, and try to find ways to continue to blackhat under the radar, you will always be struggling to define who you are vs. who you strive to be.

    Better to figure it out up front, and start working on that now.

    I wish you the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author pepes4329
    You did it and he is making cray cray money you accepted $8.00 an hour

    Owell start looking for a new client and charge a little more
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    • Profile picture of the author mojo1
      If you want honest advice, for starters please do not post any of his real website properties or keyword phrases on this forum.

      This forum ranks extremely well for most anything and will end up in the search results for your current/former employer to see. Remove his links asap and protect yourself IF you want to get a game plan together first. If you don't mind his links and all of the details surrounding your professional business experience with him then post away.
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  • Profile picture of the author mydream247
    Hi Derek, Screw him, use your skills you learned from him to build a business like none other. You now have a Valuable skill in high demand, as for question from new customers, there is no guarantee of results, tell them you will work as hard as you have in the past get the results needs to make there phone ring, offer them a free 10 day trial you, setup phone number so you can track results and do your thing, then go back and charge them with your services are worth once they see the results. You already have the hard part down and that's providing the service and getting results, marketing is easy, what business does not need more customers. Here is a tip that will make you money every day of the week. Go to any business during slow non peak hours, take a photo of the parking lot, and Mail it to the business with a message offering your services for free 10 day trial. Trust me no business wants to get a post card with a picture of There Business and a empty parking lot, hits home real hard, and they will listen...Man gotta slow down on the coffee....Good Luck ..Hope this helps...
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  • Profile picture of the author pepes4329
    I got a LOCKSMITH business that can use your services
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  • Profile picture of the author reboot38
    Go to any business during slow non peak hours, take a photo of the parking lot, and Mail it to the business with a message offering your services for free 10 day trial. Trust me no business wants to get a post card with a picture of There Business and a empty parking lot, hits home real hard, and they will listen...
    That's awesome
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      The main issue I see that you have would be understanding what you are and how you do it. are you an employee, or are you a contractor? which do you think pays more?

      You have been doing this long enough by now to know how much site development cost. How long it takes, what needs to be done etc. Moving forward get out of the employee frame set and move towards the contractor mind set.

      basically 4 years a day, day in day out SEO on 1 site is short of priceless. My goodness look what a quick go over and monthly monitoring cost...$800 $1000+ a month. You are providing 10 times the effort at equal and less cost.

      You want to work hourly? try $20 an hour on for size. And realize you are worth more.

      hope that helps
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      Success is an ACT not an idea
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      • Profile picture of the author derekcaldwell
        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        The main issue I see that you have would be understanding what you are and how you do it. are you an employee, or are you a contractor? which do you think pays more?

        You have been doing this long enough by now to know how much site development cost. How long it takes, what needs to be done etc. Moving forward get out of the employee frame set and move towards the contractor mind set.

        basically 4 years a day, day in day out SEO on 1 site is short of priceless. My goodness look what a quick go over and monthly monitoring cost...$800 $1000+ a month. You are providing 10 times the effort at equal and less cost.

        You want to work hourly? try $20 an hour on for size. And realize you are worth more.

        hope that helps
        To you in West Virginia thank you for validating my value. TRULY means alot!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author derekcaldwell
    Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post

    If you want honest advice, for starters please do not post any of his real website properties or keyword phrases on this forum.

    This forum ranks extremely well for most anything and will end up in the search results for your current/former employer to see. Remove his links asap and protect yourself IF you want to get a game plan together first. If you don't mind his links and all of the details surrounding your professional business experience with him then post away.
    Gosh Warriors nothing short of honest and sincere advice. I love this place. As far as me removing the links I thought of that so I renamed them slightly with some symbols. Because it probably will catch in the SERPS but I was in a emotional state while composing this post.
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  • Profile picture of the author tigerbait
    Derek,

    If you own the phone numbers & websites - direct them to a competitor
    If you own any of the websites but none of the numbers - get your hands on new numbers, put them on the site, and direct them to a competitor.
    If you can take down any links or citations without much hassle - do it, if the websites are not yours.

    If you don't own any of the sites or phone numbers... then, you need to control everything going forward, so that you will have the peace of mind that comes with canning a client without losing the incoming calls

    It sounds as if you must own at least one of the sites, since you ranked the site before the client contacted you.

    FK this guy. Redirect the calls to a competitor on the properties you can & either charge a monthly fee or per call.

    Then duplicate across the nation.
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    • Profile picture of the author ronr
      You've learned a valuable skill.

      Now start getting new clients but charge much, much more.

      Take what you think is a fair price and double it. The only thing
      stopping you is your nerve.

      Stay away from the black hat stuff so you can sleep at night.

      Don't under value yourself.

      If you get bad vibs from a prospect or client, move on and find better ones. You will be much happier.

      Ron
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    build up your own sites and sell the leads to his competitors

    control your own lead generation and sell the leads, or rent out the lead gen site.
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    In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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  • Profile picture of the author Lopaca
    Great story and I sure hope you have learned from your experience. Lots of good advice here but I think the consensus is this, get away from the black hat stuff and good things will come from it. It's obvious that your now a knowledgeable marketer that can get the job done for any client you want to work for. I want to emphasis "you want to work for." You have a track record that you can now market to get more work, you just have to value yourself and the services your providing. Take a look at your competitors and what they are charging for similar services. Get competitive but get paid what your worth.

    As for this account I would move on and look to his competitors, I'm sure they would love to talk to the guy that put him on the map. I can bet they would be more than happy to pay you your fee to get the same results he got.

    Last but not least. Don't let nasty clients screw up your head. Your the talent and they need you so don't let them push you around.

    Just a comment from an old marketer
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottyM2
    Wow, you sound almost apologetic for using blackhat techniques. Who here has NOT used a lil of the old black magic, lol? It's like steroids -- if you're gonna compete with the big boys, ya gotta take what they take. Competition is too fierce to use 100% white hat.
    If your heart isn't in it, don't put it all on the plumber. If he can't get results with you, he, like anyone else, will find someone who can. It's like that with pretty much any industry - not just SEO. Tips, tricks, tweaks, practice, practice, & more practice, a bit of luck, and all that other stuff will work to a degree and you may find yourself complacent to a point -- but eventually, when you've pushed all you can and want just a bit more, it's the magic dust that just puts you where you want to be, but potentially, at a price. What price would that be for you?
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    • Profile picture of the author derekcaldwell
      Originally Posted by ScottyM2 View Post

      Wow, you sound almost apologetic for using blackhat techniques. Who here has NOT used a lil of the old black magic, lol? It's like steroids -- if you're gonna compete with the big boys, ya gotta take what they take. Competition is too fierce to use 100% white hat.
      If your heart isn't in it, don't put it all on the plumber. If he can't get results with you, he, like anyone else, will find someone who can. It's like that with pretty much any industry - not just SEO. Tips, tricks, tweaks, practice, practice, & more practice, a bit of luck, and all that other stuff will work to a degree and you may find yourself complacent to a point -- but eventually, when you've pushed all you can and want just a bit more, it's the magic dust that just puts you where you want to be, but potentially, at a price. What price would that be for you?
      Thanks for the advice but if you knew me and the whole story you'd respond differently. Never easy to put it all down on paper to screen. People make up what they don't know. Human nature and as I stated I was emotional when posting and in a rush so I posted and moved on. I'm happy with the advice on here. Warriors came through but you don't know the whole story. I agree about black hat with you but I'd rather not do it at all. Sorry if that sounds like a wimp on here but I can assure I'm no wimp. Like I said if you knew me and the whole story you'd respond differently. Thanks for your truth though. Regards, Derek
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  • Profile picture of the author ferriswannabe
    Originally Posted by derekcaldwell View Post

    .... The only thing I did it seemed honestly with GREAT results (although) temporary was a PR from prweb.com.
    It's not temporary, about 6 months later..its ranking in the 2nd position after the map pack.

    Good luck to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Saluki Guy
    Derek,

    A few questions...

    How much were you charging to rent each one of these web sites out?

    How long did it take you to get them onto the first page of Google?

    Do you know how many calls the client gets per week?
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    There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted — all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. - Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
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  • Profile picture of the author djhickory
    If i were you , i would go scrape any the top ten biggest cities on CL emails, then send them a little 10 day trial,
    make templates for your sites
    get phone numbers for TOs Digits for $2
    you can charge per call
    or per month,
    per call is safe on your end,
    if they want per contract/ Commision,
    call all the numers that called your Customers TD Number, and do a survey, say something like this
    "sorry to bug you, were just doing a Quality Assurance Call to make sure Everything went well with the Company that was sent out, for the service "
    say "all we need is a rating from 1-10 of the SErvice offers "

    once you get your foot in door, you can ask prices, throw in stuppid Facts like how long of a warranty did they give you? that all ways catches there attention

    as soon as one of your clients discontunies service, call the next guy in that town, and swictch all content to to them, in no time the first client will be calling / pleading / begging for a solution, now you just tell them to go find someone else

    make sure your own, #'s and sites
    and dont tell them to much info, becuase they all want to do it on there own
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    Do you have any other clients currently? If so, leave him in the dust & work for his competition You're already are very familiar with the market.
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    • Profile picture of the author derekcaldwell
      Originally Posted by Matt Lee View Post

      Do you have any other clients currently? If so, leave him in the dust & work for his competition You're already are very familiar with the market.
      Matt funny you came to my post. I read yours and have always told myself (even better my dad has always told me, whom by the way is a high level oil executive with proven success in the industry as well as NASA) Derek why don't you find clients who can afford to pay you what your worth. I brag about my dad to add credibility to my upbringing. I know what to do and just need to do it. My dad said their, being business owners of bigger companies, mindset is different because they've gotten to where they are thinking differently and treating people differently. Small time people treat others as small time and think everyone working for them is below them. The human element of respect is gone with so many of these local clients. He told me to find people who value you because you have the intangibles that can't be taught. WordPress and SEO can be taught or learned. Doing it on your own out of passion and becoming a Expert at it can't. It is time for me to realize that it is my time. Ironically enough your post is about this very topic in a round about way. Your post - talks about this very thing and as you can see from the feedback others have added value to it as well.

      I think it must be in the air. Time to get paid or at the very least treated respectively for what we do. I don't look down on plumbers who clean poop out of toilets. I look up at them amazed at the level of determination to run a business on their own. I should be treated the same. If they wanna see what it is like to run a business and deal with oDesk/eLance outsourcers they can give it a try. It isn't easy nonetheless sort through all of the software we have to deal with and WSO that come and go. I think because people look at websites in a 2 dimensional way they think in a 1 dimensional way. They have no idea the complexities and intricacies that go on behind the scenes.

      So this is a huge "pat, pat' on all of our backs but to all business owners who treat people with respect. It is the time of season and just the way it is meant to be. Thanks Matt for your inspiration.

      Regards,

      Derek
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  • So you were paid poorly and it's over. Happens to many people, sadly.

    But you paid your dues--now you have valuable experience, a proven record and can charge waaaayy more than what you were making.

    Run your own show, get your own clients and count Benjamins.
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    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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