I signed up six weeks ago for what I was told was search engine optimisation and web design that would put me on the first page of Google for my area (Manchester) for ten search key phrases. This I was told would happen four weeks later. And now six weeks later I am only appearing for two out of the ten search key words.

I have made several complaints but each time get fobbed of with well rehearsed excuses. They prey on small businesses and sole traders promising to bring them lots of work via high visability on search engines. They do not tell you that there is no cooling off period, nor that you are `legally signed up' by mere virtue of their phone call to you.

I estimate that as a result of the £500-00 I paid them and lost business due to lack of visability on search engines I am out of pocket to the tune of £2000, 00 in only six weeks. Their web design is so basic that you could use a free build facility and design one like it yourself. They also unilaterally changed the design of my website recently without consulting me making it look even less attractive

I feel that this company by offering a service that they know in advance they are unable, or incapable of providing are committing fraud and need investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.