The moon: The bittersweet promises of dubious internet agencies

Author Kurt Schauer

Nowadays, even the self-employed and small business owners should have their own website on the Internet. The vast majority of Germans find out about local service providers online. The problem: many freelancers and small business owners have no idea how a reputable Internet agency that puts them online works. They are welcome victims for countless dubious providers, some of whom display almost criminal energy to convince customers. They promise the world - but their contracts contain nothing but poison. Fortunately, the methods of dubious agencies are easy to see through if you know them.

Concealing costs & creating time pressure

One of the best-known Internet agencies that has attracted negative attention online offers so-called "Internet system contracts". Through these contracts, it promises to create a website for customers. The agency uses two extremely unfair tricks: Firstly, the real costs are concealed. The external representative promises that the website costs almost nothing because they want to present it as a reference customer. This advertising on their own behalf would eliminate some costs.

Anyone who has had this kind of experience reports that the company's representatives, in the best sales manner, presented a list of costs and would cut item after item because of the "reference customer" bonus. The fact that the final sum was still very high was not even noticeable. In addition, the provider charges monthly "usage fees" that are often in the low three-digit range. Final sums are not given. The financial framework often seems manageable - but in reality the costs at the agency quickly add up to five-digit figures. This is also because many of the "reference customer" discounts are not actually available. In addition, the rights to use the homepage do not go to the customer at the end of the contract term, but remain with the agency. This is often overlooked and is an absolute no-go for reputable providers. The courts have examined the contracts and consider them to be watertight. Ultimately, the information about the costs is accurate. You should read the document carefully.

According to reports on the Internet, the providers obviously don't want this. The agency's representatives use a trick that is very common among dubious partners. They put you under time pressure! The offer is only valid here and now and immediately. Such discounts cannot be granted later. The good news is that anyone who is so afraid of people checking their offer carefully can easily be identified as dubious.

The trick with the right of withdrawal

A strategy that is making the rounds in many places is almost criminal: the trick with the right of withdrawal. Dubious agencies suggest to potential customers that they have 14 days to withdraw from the contract. After all, the statutory right of withdrawal applies. The problem with this is that the 14-day statutory withdrawal period applies to consumers and not to traders! Anyone who has a homepage created as a self-employed person or company does not have the withdrawal period! In court, it is one person's word against another's and of course the withdrawal period does not appear in the contracts.

Cold calls and empty promises

Dubious agencies often contact business owners on their own and make the most beautiful promises. For example, they have discovered that their own company only appears on the third page of Google results for the relevant search terms. This can be changed. Experts advise treating these cold calls (often agency representatives come by in person) as unwanted advertising calls and hanging up immediately. Ideally, you should prepare an email in which you tell the agency that you no longer wish to receive such calls.

Especially since the promises you hear from such contacts would do Baron von Münchhausen proud. Often, rankings on Google, for example, are guaranteed, but this is not possible simply because the search engine is constantly changing the parameters for the results lists.

Another promise that is often made is the lure of improving search engine rankings very quickly. This kind of offer is also unfounded. Such leaps cannot be achieved overnight.

Recognizing Serious Partners

Reputable agencies do not approach their customers like foreign trade representatives and do not promise the moon. They also pursue a transparent and honest pricing policy. They do not put you under time pressure either, after all, the customer is king for internet agencies too.

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Any questions?

Eliana Gramer

Head of Web/Digital