Comments on: Does Pay Per Performance SEO work?

By: Scott Hendison

Scott Hendison — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:00:35 +0000

I think stuff like this is (sadly) the future for the SEO consumer – ‘pay when it ranks’ – but the problem for the consultant doing PPP comes when after months of work, it begins to pay off well, and the client cuts you loose, enjoying the benefits of your linkbuilding forever, paying you zip.

We have done some PPP in the past, and only been happy with about 1/3 of the arrangements. If we ever do any more, we’ll insist on the client signing an agreement stating payment will continue 90 days past the cancellation to protect ourselves.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:27:28 +0000

@Paul totally agree with on you SEO’s being able to abuse their position when a few title tags might just be what’s required in a uncompetitive market.

@David, tell me about it seems that there’s always something unexpected when it’s not your own site and you don’t have total control over it.

By: Ireland travel

Ireland travel — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:51:17 +0000

I can see the issues with having the PPP “performance” based on issues unrelated to SEO like sales serviceetc. But If you could agree the deliverables upfront and as an SEO you could quote for the work based on the work you believe is required, would that not be a win-win? eg, page one google result for keyword xxxxxx. You get paid if you achieve you don’t if you don’t? At least you are being paid for SEO specifics?

By: paul savage

paul savage — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:23:06 +0000

I haven’t done a pure PPP contract, but I have done ones where there is an extra bonus for performance. i.e. 20% more website traffic/leads/etc, X bonus , 50% more website traffic/leads/etc, 2*X bonus, 100% more website traffic/leads/etc 3-4*X bonus.

Often you can see very quickly how a few changes could really help a customer. So doing 5 hours work could potentially bring you a nice increase in traffic. So in this case if wouldn’t be fair to tell a customer that if you get 100% more traffic, there should be a big bonus. Where you already were pretty sure that you wouldn’t have to do that much work for it. And it is in this case you can really abuse your position of power as a SEO.

I like to be more open with customers, give them a rate, and say what I will do. And if they want to negotiate on price, part PPP is an option.

Paul

By: David Quaid

David Quaid — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:17:28 +0000

There’s a fine line between ppp and affiliate marketing – and I’m not sure if its always there. There are too many factors that could go wrong or conspire against the SEO. But a good SEO shouldn’t find themselves in this situation – the client’s expectations should have been addressed before and during an SEO campaign and the SEO should deliver on their agreed benchmarks and milestones.