Hi this is Daren from Netbiz and I’m actually calling on behalf of Google

November 7th, 2008 by Chris

There is this company called “Netbiz” that has been sending me phone spam more or less every day, despite me being verbally abusive to them on the phone when they call.

They say they’re calling “from Google” or “on behalf of Google” and that they have started a new feature for whatever topic your site covers. Then they go into a sales pitch about getting you to the top page of Google with this program.

This, is obviously, misleading. Netbiz works with Google the same way hundreds of thousands of businesses work with Google, through their Google Adwords program. To get to the top of Google all you need to do is signup at Google Adwords and place an advertisement. It is easy, you do not need some company to do it for you. This type of predatory sales pitch is fairly common and Google severely frowns on the companies doing it. It may even be fraud the way they say they’re calling on behalf of Google, that is merely my opinion though.

Also, please note, these results are NOT actually organic search results, these are ads. The way to get to the top of the organic search results is through organic SEO, which you can read more about in my seo guide.

After getting yet another call from these people I Googled them and didn’t find any other warnings so I thought I’d make one, to let the less-than-Google-savvy small business owners out there know that they do not need a company to place Adwords ads for them, they can do it themselves.

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Posted in: Search Engine Optimization »  by: Chris

13 Responses to “Hi this is Daren from Netbiz and I’m actually calling on behalf of Google”

  1. Sonja  Says:
    November 9th, 2008 at 5:39 am

    They’ve been phone-spamming and e-mail spamming some of my clients, as well, and I blogged about it a few days ago.

    Their approach does seem awfully misleading, and even if you understand that they’re simply reselling AdWords PPC ads, their approach to PPC advertising seems something less than ideal.

  2. John  Says:
    December 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am

    Clarification: Is NETBIZ a scam or that good?

    Why have a website if your customers can’t find it? If you have a business website, and want it to be a lead generator, you know you need to be on the first page of Google and/or YAHOO! for the keywords people type in when searching for your product or service. Otherwise, your competitors will get this business uncontested.

    If your website already shows up organically/naturally on a search engine’s first page, now is the time to maximize your online exposure. Having two front page SERP (Search Engine Results Page) positions, (i.e. one organic and one Sponsored Links/Pay-Per-Click) ad can drive your company’s credibility through the roof.

    Sure, you can sign up for a Google Adwords account and experiment with a Pay-Per-Click campaign on your own. However, do you really want to, or can even afford to: spend hours on research and then take chances with wrong conclusions; risk uncertain, volatile costs; be swindled by “Click Fraud,” spend many stressful hours throughout the day bidding and monitoring your ad positions. You’ll have to if you want to always stay on the first SERP in order to brand your company’s name, and be available for leads.

    NetBiz.com, a Google Adwords Qualified Company, is “Making the Internet Easy.” The NetBiz Search Engine Placement (SEP) Program guarantees your website this first page position with Google and/or YAHOO!. NetBiz SEP is limited to one company per search phrase on a first come – first served basis. Your website will be placed in the Sponsored Links section (located at the top and/or right side of the SERP) on a month-to-month basis with no contract required. If necessary, NetBiz will bump one of your competitors off the first page in order to place your guaranteed ad there. You will pay a low, fixed, monthly fee (as low as $50.00/month depending on traffic and competition) and not have to worry about PPC (Pay-Per-Click) charges.

    Why not let the knowledgeable advisory staff at NetBiz research “where the fish are really biting” and custom tailor a package that will fit your company’s marketing and budgetary needs. Based on our years of exceptional internet marketing success we will design ads for you that will have high Google SERP relevance and also grab your prospect’s attention. Then, the NetBiz Customer Service Team will efficiently monitor and bid your account to always keep you on Google’s and/or YAHOO’s first page. Guaranteed!

    Utilizing Netbiz Search Engine Placement is a cost effective internet marketing strategy because it frees up your time so that you can capitalize on your core business competency. Our SEO competitors are jealous of the huge success, over 10,000 clients worldwide, and great BBB record that NetBiz has achieved over the last six years.

    Why wait? Prospects are looking for your products and services on the internet today! Call us toll-free at 1-800-847-2226. NetBiz will help you to get the highest return on your advertising investment and put your site ahead of your customers and your competition.

  3. Chris  Says:
    December 23rd, 2008 at 11:22 am

    If you want to be seen as legitimate you have to stop representing yourself when you cold call people.

    1. You are not calling on behalf on Google, from Google, or through a partnership or a special program with Google.

    2.You’re offering to arrange advertising, not organic search engine placement.

    3. You’re not providing a service to get to the top of the search results, you’re providing a service to advertise on search result pages.

    I’ve found that companies with a quality service do not need to misrepresent it to gain customers, and a company that feels the need to use misrepresentation probably doesn’t offer a quality service.

    I urge you to reform your telemarketing practices.

  4. Russ  Says:
    December 30th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    I received one of these unsolicited spam emails from Netbiz (www.netbiz.com) today… but it was from Stephanie (I guess Daren got fired due to his honesty).
    Of course, as a looooong time web designer and SEO guy, I went straight to Google and found this page. (Now I don’t have to create one, thx Chris!)

    Here’s whats funny about Netbiz … they must have found my site sitting at the #2 thru #6 position in Google (my ranking depends on the weather). Has been on the first page for years. So what does the Netbiz spam email say to possibly combat that scenario?
    And I quote…
    “For instance, anytime someone anywhere in over a hundred mile radius of Dallas does a search for “web page design”, your website would be on the first page of Google.com.”

    A hundred mile radius? Hmmmmmmm… never heard that claim before.

    All they are doing is reselling Google adwords as Chris stated above. Do your adwords yourself, Google makes it so simple its stupid… and you will have more money for more adwords!

    If Netbiz was a truly reputable company… they wouldn’t be sending you a 4-page unsolicited spam to your email now would they.

    While not illegal, per se, in my humble opinion they are taking advantage of those people who don’t know any better.

  5. Shh! Its a Secret!  Says:
    December 31st, 2008 at 10:41 am

    First of all, we do not just send out emails to people, there is no auto generator for phone numbers or emails. We ONLY send emails to people who we speak to that ask for them. If the employee is new, of course they are going to make some mistakes, and that “blind” email (if it really WAS blind) very well could have been a mistake.

    As for the “hundred mile radus” <– (which is incorrect) they were speaking about a regional search. Meaning, it’s targeted to your local area with boundaries set by Google.

    To the last post,

    Just because your website is between #2-6 on the first page of ONE or SEVERAL searches, doesn’t mean you’re there on EVERY SINGLE SEARCH.

    ** We HAVE changed our representation to say something BESIDES “on behalf of Google”

    ** Obviously, we do not offer organic placement. We never have, and never will say it.

    ** We’re providing a service which allows you to not have to spend time managing your own adwords account. We make sure your ad STAYS on the first page of Google. NO MATTER WHAT. EVEN if your “budget” is reached, you’ll still be there, and we take that loss. We get your ad to the first page, we do not guarantee any specific position.

    *BTW* We are qualified by Google to do this. They obviously do not frown upon us, as we bring millions of dollars of consistent business to them every year. You can go to the website netbiz.com and you’ll see the logo Google created for us to show that we are a Qualified professional. (Keep in mind, if we screw that up, they can EASILY revoke that title.)

    We are not trying to scam people, we are also a faith based company. And to absolutely NO offense to some people (most people) there really are just some people who JUST DON’T GET IT.

    Oh, and we’re not “phone spamming.” We literally go through websites individually that ARE NOT on the first page of the search we performed, and dial the phone number into our phone.

  6. Russ  Says:
    December 31st, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    Ok, let me denounce some of your comments as they are untrue or you have been misinformed of what your personnel are doing.

    You contacted me FIRST, unsolicited through my email. You never called me. I can prove that with my phone records! I have NEVER heard of your company until I received the spam mail.

    1st) You said: “We ONLY send emails to people who we speak to that ask for them. If the employee is new, of course they are going to make some mistakes, and that “blind” email (if it really WAS blind) very well could have been a mistake.”
    — How could that be if you never called FIRST… as you imply… Which you didn’t… and I can prove that through phone records. So, your statement IS incorrect.

    2nd) You wrote: As for the “hundred mile radus” <– (which is incorrect) they were speaking about a regional search. Meaning, it’s targeted to your local area with boundaries set by Google.” — — – Heres the original paragraph from your email… and don’t imply that I changed it because that would be an outright lie.
    “I have done some research on what searches are being made that are likely to turn into qualified leads for conversion. For instance, any time
    someone anywhere in over a hundred mile radius of Dallas does a search for “web page design”, your website would be on the first page of Google.com.
    This is a $150 a month investment.”
    — SO, that puts your comment either an outright lie or you are, again, misinformed of your company’s/employee’s actions.

    3rd) The email I received stated: “Because we have made Google a lot of money, we are the preferred partner and are given priority placements for flat rate positioning (instead of Pay-Per-Click).”
    — You are “THE” preferred partner? You must mean “A” preferred partner. Though I will admit I haven’t researched to see which of Googles adwords resellers is “THE” preferred partner. I doubt they have “A” preferred partner but I don’t know. So, I will give you that one even though I disagree with that.

    4th) You Wrote:
    “** We HAVE changed our representation to say something BESIDES “on behalf of Google”
    ** Obviously, we do not offer organic placement. We never have, and never will say it.”
    — I didn’t comment on that portion so I won’t respond to it. But I will agree with you that the email I received did NOT say either of those things.

    5th)You Wrote:
    “** We’re providing a service which allows you to not have to spend time managing your own adwords account. We make sure your ad STAYS on the first page of Google. NO MATTER WHAT. EVEN if your “budget” is reached, you’ll still be there, and we take that loss. We get your ad to the first page, we do not guarantee any specific position.

    *BTW* We are qualified by Google to do this. They obviously do not frown upon us, as we bring millions of dollars of consistent business to them every year. You can go to the website netbiz.com and you’ll see the logo Google created for us to show that we are a Qualified professional. (Keep in mind, if we screw that up, they can EASILY revoke that title.)”
    – I have NO conflict with what your company does… many other companies do the same thing… I can go take the Google exam and spend $1000 every 90 days and be a adwords reseller too. I just have a problem with the way your company’s advertising techniques since you sent me an unsolicited email. (And NO, you never called first meaning you used my email address off the website and did not call my phone number first.)

    6th) You wrote: “We are not trying to scam people, we are also a faith based company. And to absolutely NO offense to some people (most people) there really are just some people who JUST DON’T GET IT.”
    – I never said you were trying to “scam” people so don’t imply I did. As for Netbiz.com being a “Faith-Based company”… Give me a break, sigh.

    And as for your comment “there really are just some people who JUST DON’T GET IT.”
    I WISH I didn’t get it… didn’t get your Unsolicited SPAM that is!

    To wrap this up… Im on the National Do Not Call List and my States Do Not Call list. Apparently, for some reason, maybe because you pull phone numbers and email manually from websites, you do not abide by these rules. I’m sure theres a loophole somewhere.

    Lastly, Maybe, since you think “Some People Just Don’t Get It” you should read this: http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/spam_and_law.htm

    Again, I have no problem with your business dealings, just your advertising techniques that cost MY business time and money!

    If need be, I can post the entire, unedited, email I received here… though I doubt you would want me to do that.

    Have a great day!

  7. Jennifer  Says:
    January 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    Russ,
    I too have been on the receiving end of an onslaught of phone calls from these people. And yes, I have heard the “we are a christian based company” line, too. I have asked them repeatedly to stop calling me and yet I have lost count of the times I have picked up my phone only to hear one of several scripts which include the lines “we are an affiliate of google” and “we are their largest search engine placement (?) affiliate”. My web guy filled me in on this band of no goodniks. He says that if you call anyone at google you can be sure they will not have heard of netbiz. Also, what they claim to do anyone can do and do it more effectively and for alot less money.
    Beware of their dubious claims for this is a call at all costs and get their credit card number outfit. It’s creepy to use religion as a selling point in my opinion anyway, and all too often this means you are dealing with an unscrupulous and unethical group. I doubt anything claimed by netbiz.com. Spread the word and keep fighting the good fight Russ!!!!

  8. Matt Leech  Says:
    February 1st, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    Hey guys I am right along side of you on this one. Currently I am trying to get back the money they charged my companies credit card without my permission. I had agreed to try them for one month to see if my cpc burden would lessen. At the end of the month they were suppose to call me with a report that showed the results of the campaign. I even emailed and ask my sales rep. for it. Two days after they charged my card again (without permission this time) my sales rep Doty called me to tell me I can not have a copy of the report because it had their costs on it. Well, needless to say we went round and round until I said I’m not using them anymore if I can’t see the performance report. That’s when I found out they charged my card. The refused to refund, sent me an email with what they said the report said, but was not the report only a typed email. Then I find that two of the keywords were misspelled. What a nightmare, everyone should know this before they do netbiz with them. My rep even went as far as to offer to pray with me before I signed up. I guess to prove that God was going to make it happen. I am heading to the BBB on Monday and writing a RipOff report. If anyone would like to contact me you can reach me through my site - crawlspaceinfo.com.

  9. Dre  Says:
    March 26th, 2009 at 10:04 am

    They just called me! Thanks for the insight.

  10. Chris  Says:
    April 14th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Guess who just called me again. He didn’t say he was from Google, just “we’re actually a Google qualified company” blah blah “We’re doing a special promotion and we want to get one business from your category to feature so that you’re always at the top of the Google search results.”

    No mention of it being advertising and not a search listing that you’re buying.

  11. Duncan  Says:
    April 17th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    i just received a call from some girl called Kathy at netbiz. i told her i was not interested in her pitch so she started to lecture me about how i wasn’t running my company correctly. i’m small (1.3 million / $250k net) so i’m doing something right. i had to laugh when i read they were a “christian company”. every time i’ve heard “dont worry i’ll pay you, hey i’m a christian” that’s when i dont get paid. i called her back at her number 503-718-6321 and got the same lecture.

  12. Randy Sprague  Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    I have to agree with John from Netbiz.com. Adwords can be done by anyone but do you really want to? I mean c’mon! It’s time consuming and I don’t care how savvy you are, your going to make mistakes. You might be able to work on your own car, or do a little plumbing but…you get my point. You’ll save more money having someone do it right the first time. You understand.

    There are a lot of other companies that do this with many different business models that don’t feel like your getting mislead or scammed. Flat rate means flat profit for netbiz.com you never really get to know or even track conversions because they don’t offer it. Let me see my clicks per month and my click thru rate. Let me know what it Cost Per Click from Google and in-turn the % of margin they make off you. Ha.

    I by know means want to come off like this is a pitch as John from Netbiz.com did. If you really are looking to have a Google Adwords account and dont want to risk the time and money doing it wrong yourself. Adwords Associates will manage your campaign for a %percentage% basis. You can see what your Traffic is you can login to your Google Adwords Account and see your stats for yourself. No smoke and mirrors here. We Manage your account, you pay Google then Adwords Associates the percentage of your cost. You only pay for results plain and simple…

    One last thing.

    “I’ll let you all in on an industry dirty little secret.” They don’t want you to see your stats, they don’t want you to know how good your doing or BAD, they want to get your billing information and hope that you never look at your credit card statement again.”

    I used to work for them and now own my own company.

  13. Boston Condos  Says:
    June 17th, 2009 at 10:50 am

    I am really shocked to see how many people have been called by this company. I just got a call today from these guys and its the same story everyone else has heard. They claimed to put our website #1 in Google by paying them $50 a month. What a scam? It is ridicilous how these companies make a living. I did a search and led me to this post.

    Jim

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