Watshit

We were SHOCKED to have recieved several detailed emails regarding Kim Hughes (an online real estate virtual assistant, owner of kimhughes.com). Kim Hughes has been accused of fraud, scamming users and we will explain exactly what these emails detailed and why we are in disbelief. (We will also contact KimHuges.com and ask for clarification on this serious matter)

The emails consisted of email snippets and screenshots, detailing conversations between clients (4 in total emailed us this week) and KimHuges.com (we wont disclose email address, screenshots, or private info until we have heard from Kim Huges on this matter.)

After the clients consulted with kimhughes.com about Branding and Marketing packages, one also asked about Blog marketing/design/installation, these clients were presented with a quote, for the fees. As per the emails received, that will go on record if need be, The clients were all asked to pay 30% of the sum to start off with, which they all did as they felt comfortable dealing with this online real estate virtual assistant! Suprise suprise, after that, their emails were ignored, calls ignored also and when someone did answer, they were informed that ‘Kim’ would get back to them, and to leave a message?? Come on people…are you serious? They would inform the clients that it would take time for their orders to be processed (right, how that is possible we don’t know) - only to wait several days with no reply.

This is not good news for the Online Real Estate Virtual Assistant community, because up until now they have held a clean record as being honest hard working individuals/companies. Never have we heard of such complaint.

We hope Kim finds the time to email us or comment back in a reply to these 4 individuals, who’s personal information we are only willing to disclose with Kim herself for clarification reasons.

A sad day on the web, to know that Scam’s happen in all fields online, not just the well known ones. Here I was thinking of hiring an online real estate agent next month.

We have received numerous complaints in the past about services and directories forcing users to place banners or links on their sites to be considered for a particular service. Directories claim you have a ‘higher’ chance of being listed if you place a banner on your site pointing to them. some state that’s the only requirement, you get listed for free if you link back to them.

Even though Google heavily relies on links to determine the ranking of web pages, they have cranked up the tempo on link exchange schemes and are penalizing site owners for being part of such activities (the extreme). Which raises a red flag on the penalty directories were slapped with not long ago for the paid link submission issue. Could this be another snowball in motion slowly gaining momentum only to slam directories once again?

Most directories online today require users to link back to them in order to be eligible for inclusion in their listings. Could this be a loophole to link exchange schemes that Google will bust soon?

designer.am is one of the many directories we have received complaints about. They are accused of forcing designers to link back to their site in order to be considered for inclusion. Several users sent us emails sent to them by designer.am which contain the following;

…However, we encourage you to try registering in our directory again, after you upgrade your web site and/or post our link or banner on your web site. The web site suggested will have more chances to be accepted and added to the Directory, especially if our link or banner is posted on your web site\’s Home Page…. - designer.am (Design Directory)

Should this be considered as a technique that’s trying to bypass Google’s rules, is this yet another link exchange scheme technique, or should it be accepted? Is it not reciprocal linking? Can submitting to hundreds of directories potentially ruin your sites reputation and rankings if Google takes actions against these directories? We would list most of these directories, but I’m sure we all know about them anyway. I think it’s time these directories cleaned up their act and get on the honest business band wagon already!