Google does some sort of update and your client's rankings fall. The client is furious and angry and ready to leave you. What do you do?
That is the topic of a thread at WebmasterWorld.
I have a seo client. All the client's keywords are in top 20. Their website is targeting a very competitive niche where they have to compete with many embassy and consulate websites as well as branded services and networked websites. In some keywords they tries to rank in top 10, there are 8 listings from embassy and consulate websites. In the previous updates, embassy and consulates websites took more top 10 listings. As a result, some of the keywords falls out of top 10, but still in top 20. Now the client threats to dump my service. Do you think their expectation is too high? What do you think I should do?
Well, if it is a "very competitive niche" then maybe the client should leave. :) But seriously, if this was due to one single update and the client use to rank well, why should they leave if they had positive experience with the SEO in the past? This is most likely the case with you and I am sure you had such cases. So how do you encourage them to stay?
I always felt honesty and a sense of caring about your clients rankings would be enough. If the client feels that you are a partner and friend and you truly care about their success, they most likely will stay. Oh, but of course, you go those who have no soul. Do you really want them as clients? If you do, SEOcritique at WebmasterWorld says you should try sending them this style of email.
As you know, search engine optimization cannot guarantee top ten rankings. Our services give you the strength and authority to compete for high rankings. It is also unfortunate that a change in the mathematical algorithms that the search engines use can result in sudden and dramatic changes. No company is immune to these ups and downs. Since I became committed to your efforts 3 years ago you have experienced steady growth in traffic and increased revenues. There is no reason to believe this will not continue and, as always, I am deeply committed to you and your business.I understand that a temporary setback like this can be distressing. That is why I am here to explain the situation, answer all of your questions and work hard to reverse this temporary course.
Is there anything else influencing your concern that I should know about?
Any other ideas?
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.