Using City Search|Super Media, be very careful

[Cal]

With the internet in full swing, knowing
1) Most search is done via. the Internet and
2) Most businesses today, including house painting companies always looking to increase business revenue, one must be extremely careful going into a new marketing campaign.
The 2 biggest online marketing companies, providing online advertising, I've had the unfortunate experience dealing with within the last few months. Very similar, but different, I will explain what I experienced.
SUPER MEDIA:
Starting with Super Media, they promised, and still do today, vow they will not charge more than what Google chargers per keyword, being in the Sponsored side of Search Engine Advertising. Having my own Adwords acct. with Google, I can check each keyword, what they would charge me if someone clicked on my ad. Within 2 weeks of my campaign, going back into my acct. with SM, I quickly realized they were charging me 4.25 times what Google would have personally charged me, along with charging me the agreed mgt. fee of $350.00. Ouch! This over-charging can drive expected profits out the door, causing businesses to suffer greatly, not expecting the poor ROI results too boot. Pausing this campaign only 2 weeks into the start, I fought, blogged, and threatened to file a Class Action Lawsuit against these scoundrels, and lying sobs. One of the very few in America, getting all initial investment $ back, I consider myself very lucky.
Wheuuuu, That was a close one. Knowing SM normally has a 12 mo. contract, but insisted a 6 mo. to try out, limiting my exposure. Very glad I did, they gave all money back, and canceled contract.
CITY SEARCH
City Search is one of the biggest online Mobile Phone directories. Being associated with these folks does have it's advantages. Linking up, gives your site added inbound links back to your site. Their program starts with a minimum of $400.00. They set up your online campaign, syndicating your ad out across various channels, hoping your ad gets a "Session" What the hell is a session, I figure very similar to an "Impression" Charging a $1.00 per session, they will make sure they use up your monthly budget. Had the minimum of $400.00 January and February, $800.00 and supposedly 2 calls, the ROI was the worst I've ever seen with an online marketing company. Digging into content, keywords were structured to that my ad was the top of their listing for Denver Painting Contractor. Not able to verify "Sessions" the more they said I had, the more doubt I placed with these folks. 800 "Sessions" and 2 calls? Don't think so. They need to reevaluate their "Session" charge being much less, not being as valuable as they would like it to be. City Search is on a Month to Month basis, so if you don't like it, don't renew. However, if they don't make it where I can verify their so called "Sessions" and lower the cost per session, I will never pay them another dime either.
Be Careful who your dealing with, and recommend you check references of these companies, just like our customers check references for us.

[jill52nabi]

Agree with avizensis that advertising is must in order to expand the business in no time. Here are some tips for business expansion:
http://businessconvalescence.com/tips/ti...expansion/

[andrewzones]

Many businessman take the help from media to expand their business. It proves to be very beneficial for them to increase the sales and to get more profits. It is the way to make the people aware of any particular product. People are very smart today they could not spend money without getting the proper information so media is the only way for them to sell their product.

[MarcusAlan]

Oh thank you so much for posting the information, one should have this information.