SEO by….

[Carlos Chacón]

I know there’s a SEO Code of ethics around, but what about this?

What if the client accepts to use of the phrase “SEO By” on his website but later on he decides to change it under another name…his own name for example (SEO By HIS NAME)?

I know maybe this sounds unusual, but this is happening to me.

Any comments will be appreciated.

[Marcia]

What if the client accepts to use of the phrase “SEO By” on his website but later on he decides to change it under another name…his own name for example (SEO By HIS NAME)?Was it part of the agreement to give you credit for doing the SEO?

[Carlos Chacón]

Hi Marcia,

To be honest with you, I never do it as part of the SEO agreement.
Do you suggest use it as another part of the agreement?
If yes, what should I do?

Thanks

[grasshopper]

hi carlos,

if that specific attribution language wasn't a part of your written contract (it sounds like he may have included it at your request?) then you don't have you don't have anything actionable (legally enforceable) to fall back on.

if your relationship with the client is good, then you should politely ask him to either change the attribution back to your company name, per your verbal agreement, or remove it altogether.

in essence, he's trying to take credit for your work, which is unethical to begin with, and could also mean he's interested in becoming your competitor. either way, it's well worth getting your client on the phone to discuss the matter.

[Carlos Chacón]

Hi grasshopper,

The situation is exactly as you describe above. I’m not sure if he wants to be my competitor or if he’s taking credit on my work.
I’ve sent an email yesterday and he has not doing anything yet. For sure I’ll try to call him to talk about it.
But the worse case scenario, what if he still doesn’t do anything?

[grasshopper]

hi carlos,

that's a tough one. i'd definitely go for the added "personal touch" of speaking to them on the phone, and ask politely for change or removal. email is pretty impersonal, and awfully easy to ignore.

unfortunately, since the site is their property and no part of your contract stipulates that the attribution for SEO will be to you, there's not a whole lot you can do, legally, if they refuse to change the language.

i'd go out of my way to play on whatever positive personal relationship you have when you're on the phone - you catch more flies with honey, as they say.

[Carlos Chacón]

Thanks for your suggestion grasshopper.
I’ll be to try to be in touch with this client on a personal way.
Besides, I’ll add this point on any SEO deal for sure on the future.

It’s hard to believe how people sometimes depreciate our SEO work.
:o