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UK Google Consultant shares frightening insider knowledge...
If you're already with an agency or Google consultant in the UK, you need to know they are giving you their best. The chances are, if you are reading this, you have your doubts. Having worked with other agencies before, we know what really goes on behind closed doors and we're not afraid to reveal a few dirty secrets that may be costing you a lot of money right now.
For example, not all agencies look after your account in house. Your campaigns can be worked on by other agencies in other countries where the labour rate is cheaper. At Click-Success we personally work on your campaigns and never outsource anything.
Are You Being "Fleeced"?
I would really like to portray a positive image of UK marketing companies but I'm about to paint you a different picture. I want you to understand that not all marketing companies are dishonest, and out to rip you off. They're not. Most agencies are honest and have your best intentions in mind. Others however, have their own intentions in mind.
If you are considering changing agencies for any reason, I want you to be aware of the big fleece so you are better prepared to prevent the financial wool being pulled over your eyes.
We despise unethical fleecing - it makes our blood boil. We know of agencies who charge a management fee but who also add on a percentage to the clicks without you knowing. Right now there are companies who are paying a £900 - £1,500 a month management fee plus £9,000 a month in click fees to Google. The only problem is, only £7,000 is actually getting to Google. The other £3,000 is being sucked in by the agency.
How do they do this?
It's very simple. They set up your Adwords account that they then manage on your behalf. They sell you on the merits of paying on invoice once a month. Each month your reports are run and then modified. A 30-40% extra is added to the cost of clicks and as you'll never see the actual Google account you'll never know. So each month you'll receive an invoice for;
Total Clicks= £9,000
Management Fee= £995
TOTAL= £9,995
The agency will do "it's best" to manage your account and keep your click prices low. It's all there in the report what you're paying Google, in black and white, clear as crystal. The agency may even have the nerve to put the Google logo on the top of the report. And who are you to question?
But the reality is this:
Total Clicks= £6,000
Click Bunce= £3,000
Management Fee= £995
TOTAL= £9,995
Now you see that in fact you're paying £4,000 a month in management fees! These above figures are a REAL and TRUE account for a REAL company right now that I'm aware of.
And this particular company even called the agency recently for more information on click fraud and what steps were being taken to prevent this. Click fraud? Click fraud is a small concern these days thanks to the safety measures put in place by Google. The real fraud was the fleecing done every month by the agency. The agency that was being trusted to manage the account.
We HATE this dishonest practice by these corporate parasites that only exist by fleecing other companies and bleeding them month to month. This is such a sensitive and never-talked about subject that I was almost hesitant to write about it. But as I have run many businesses myself, and having spent my own money on advertising, I understand and appreciate what you're doing and going through. And I know exactly how I would feel if I found out that out of my £9,000 spend only £6,000 was actually being spent where I thought it was while £3,000 was paying for these parasites to take exotic holidays, drive new cars and allowing them to play computer games all day at work. As far as I'm concerned, an agency is there to help you grow your business. It's fair for an agency to make a profit from you but by giving you value in return. It's an age old practice of buying a product at one price only to sell it for a higher price. That's business. But to charge for a management fee, telling the client that the prices are transparent, to pay for clicks at one price whilst selling to the client at a higher price without indicating that you are charging in between - is outright THEFT!
So if you're currently being managed by another Google Consultant UK agency I would suggest a surprise visit and ask to see your account. Then compare the reports with the reports you have been sent. If there is an awkward shuffling, red faces and shady explanations, you can safely assume you are being fleeced. And you should be MAD AS HELL. This is serious stuff.
If you believe this is happening to you, I would suggest terminating any contacts and finding yourself another Google Consultant UK agency FAST.
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