14/11/2024
🚨 Beware of Fake Awards and Certifications! 🚨
Has your business received a message claiming you've "won" a prestigious award based on customer satisfaction or Google review scores?
Some websites send these “award” notifications, hoping to flatter you into paying for a listing on their website or to display their badge – all without questioning their legitimacy, website traffic, or value to your business!
These fake award schemes typically:
- Praise your Google reviews or customer satisfaction
- Claim to boost your reputation with a “renowned” certification
- Ask for a fee to confirm your listing or display a badge
It’s a clever tactic that works far better than just asking for money to be listed on a random, low-traffic website!
Remember: REAL awards don’t come with a price tag! Trustworthy certifications are earned, not bought.
Before you hand over money to be listed on ANY website, ask how many UNIQUE VISITORS (not hits, which is a totally irrelevant metric) the website receives, where those visitors are located (country and region), and whether those visitors are actually relevant to your business. Verify the site’s traffic statistics, check reviews for the company/website making contact, and review the website’s terms, conditions, and contact details – lack of contact information, privacy policy and listing terms on any such website is a legal red flag!
Don’t be flattered into parting with your money without research. Instead, question if that money could be better spent on targeted advertising Being selective about where you list your business helps protect your reputation and ensures your marketing budget is well-spent!
