In this issue
For Security Help
Onehunga Security Update
e
Mon–Fri 10am - 5.30pm, Sat 10am - 3pm
e
Well known shoplifter seen in the area for the first time
e e
Police have advised Onehunga Business Association that a man seen drinking alcohol in Arthur Street this week is a well known shop lifter. Jonathan Hape, pictured at left, is a paraplegic and uses a wheelchair. Despite this handicap he is well known to Police and has a record for shoplifting in various Auckland shopping centres. Many businesses have issued trespass notices to prevent Mr Hape from entering their premises.
e e
enews
e e e e e
20 July, 2012
Please be alert if Mr Hape enters your store. Feel free to call our Security Guard, Satia Sami (see details at right) if you need any assistance.
NZ Companies Office reintroduces annual return fee
call Onehunga Town Centre’s ICON Security Guard
$45 annual return fee for all registered companies
Satia Sami
The Companies office is introducing fee changes on 1 August 2012 aimed at addressing its funding deficit and to better reflect the true cost of delivering services to the users of the Companies Office registers.
021 426 603 Or contact the OBA office ph
636 8535
The new fee structure includes levies to fund the Financial Markets Authority (FMA*) and the External Reporting Board (XRB*) on most registration fees, annual return fees and with the filing of a prospectus.
Outside business hours, on Sundays & Public Holidays please call Police
The reintroduction of a company annual return fee will affect all registered companies. The new annual return fee will be $45 (incl. GST), which includes a $25 registration fee, a $10 FMA levy and a $10 XRB levy. Registration fees for NZ and overseas companies remain virtually the same, with a slight reduction to $150, once the two new levies are included.
Dial 111
*The FMA is New Zealand’s financial services and market conduct regulator. FMA’s operational activities contribute to improving confidence in capital markets and financial service providers through education, licensing and supervision. The XRB is responsible for all aspects of financial reporting and auditing and assurance standards setting.
Saturday 1st September
Father’s Day Celebration
Saturday 29th September Sunday 30th September Monday 22nd October Saturday 24th November
Heritage Festival Daylight Savings Starts Labour Day Public Holiday Santa Parade & Party
(With Onehunga Community Centre. Father’s Day is Sunday 2 September.)
Rubbish collections
Red bins are emptied every Tuesday morning; Blue bins every 2nd Tuesday: NEXT on July 24 and August 7. Please put your bins out ready for Tuesday collection on Monday nights after close of business and remove bins off the footpath and back onto your business property first thing
Tuesday morning!
Cheers
Amanda, Debbie & Briar OBA Committee Peter Gibson, President (Parkinson & Bouskill) - 636 3300 Debbie Leaver (The Library Café & Function Venue) - 636 7292 Denise Jukes (Jukes Espresso) - 636 6614 Chantelle East (Urban Streetwear Clothing) - 636 0226 Teresa Jacques (Westpac) - 634 8555 Ross Mudafar (Onehunga Family Pharmacy) - 622 2865 Bridget Graham (Deputy Chairperson, Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board) - 301 0101 This e-news is sent to you by Onehunga Business Association, because you are either a member, or you have an interest in the organisation or the area. If you do not wish to receive these communications, please let us know by phoning 636 8535. Please note: If your business lies within the Onehunga business precinct you are automatically a member of Onehunga Business Association - paying a part of your rates to fund the OBA.
www.onehunga.net.nz www.facebook.com/onehunga
SCAM ALERTS Fake Community Directory Suspected Scam - it’s NOT The Onehunga Guide Here’s a scam that keeps happening - a company sends a proof of an ad for a community directory publication. It looks like it's something someone else at the business has already discussed and all it needs is your sign-off that the artwork is OK. It all looks pretty legit. EXCEPT this will be the first time you’ve actually been approached, the ad is often scanned from somewhere else your business has advertised and, by signing and returning the form, you’re committing yourself to an unexpected advertising fee for a publication with very little or no value to your target market. Coming at this time, we’re concerned that Onehunga businesses may confuse communications from Outlooknz for The (official!!) Onehunga Guide, as detailed on page 2 of this newsletter! Please be alert to this potential scam. Outlooknz sends an email titled "Community Directory Proof". This is NOT the Onehunga Guide! If you sign the proof you’ll be committing to $490. This has all the hallmarks of a scam and we advise caution!
Various scams promising to get your website to #1 on Google
More info: http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/news-updates/news/fee-changes
Onehunga Event Calendar
Scam alerts: Fake community directory suspected scam & various scams promising to get you to #1 on Google Get your business in the 2013 Onehunga Guide Introduce your business to +200 newcomers Does your business have a Facebook Page? Network with Onehunga’s leading business people July 31 Sign up for Onehunga’s Community Patrol! Join Onehunga Business Association’s Committee Onehunga Security Update: Known shoplifter spotted NZ Companies office reintroduces annual return fee Onehunga Event Calendar Rubbish collections: next blue bin collection dates!
Onehunga Business Association Amanda Kinzett, Manager Briar Millar, Events Debbie Harkness, Communications 212A Onehunga Mall (upstairs) P: 09 636 8535 F: 09 636 8542 E: business@onehunga.net.nz W: www.onehunga.net.nz Onehunga Onehunga1
Every business strives to have their website appear at the top of a Google search, but some search engine optimization companies are making promises they just can’t deliver on. These scams were brought to our attention by Onehunga website creator, Natalie, aka The Webmistress (www.thewebmistress.co.nz). “We’ll get your website on the 1st Page of Google in 48 Hours!” Anyone who makes this claim is a liar. As Natalie writes: ―This scam preys on those in a hurry – they’ve got a website, the sales are not coming in and they’re hoping to hire an ―expert‖ to get them visible in search engines quickly.‖ She’s seen this scam, offered by people calling themselves search engine optimization (SEO) ―experts‖, costing $299 a month, but even Google says about using its own Adwords: "We do not guarantee you first place on Google‖ and "No one can guarantee you first placement on Google‖. “We’ve cracked Google’s algorithms” Google’s search algorithms change all the time. They aim to show people the most relevant websites based on search words/phrase entered. Google is very quick to stamp out SEO ―cheats‖. SEO specialists can help people find you online, but back away from anyone who promises or guarantees you 1st page ranking - there are no such guarantees and these people are likely to be scammers. “We’ll submit your website to thousands of search engines!” Paying money for this service is a waste of time, says Natalie. The top search engines used in NZ are Google (above 70%), Yahoo (20%) and Microsoft Bing (8%) the handful of remaining search engines collectively get only about 2% of search traffic. These stats show there are not thousands of search engines for you to worry about - there are only three at most, and if you’re really pressed for resources, there’s one: Google! ―The worst part about scams like this: those ―search engines‖ they’re submitting your website to are mainly SPAM centers. So not only is your money being ill-spent on this ―service,‖ but you’ll be inundated with SPAM emails until the cows come home,‖ Natalie says.
Get your business listed in the 2013 Onehunga Guide!
Network with Onehunga’s leading business people
Onehunga Business Association, together with Onehunga Community News, has started work on the Onehunga Guide 2013, to be published in January 2013. 17,000 Onehunga Guides will be printed and distributed to all local businesses and residents. In addition the Onehunga Guide is included as an online publication on www.onehunga.net.nz where it’s very well used (3,500 views in 5 months!).
Onehunga Business Association invites member businesses to our next B2B networking event, designed to bring local business owners together to share business referrals, recommendations, experiences and ideas.
Come to our B2B on Tuesday 31 July at The Landing
B2B Network events are free for OBA members (maximum three guests per member; additional guests will be charged at $10 per head). Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
The Onehunga Guide is a fantastic resource enabling residents and local businesses to easily find products and services located in Onehunga. It’s valued by the community and always gets great feedback. Next year’s Guide will be similar in content and layout to the 2012 issue - see our online version on the homepage of www.onehunga.net.nz.
Please note registration is essential. Register by phoning us on 636 8535 or emailing admin@onehunga.net.nz.
Businesses can have a listing or a Display ad (which includes a listing). If you’re a member of the Onehunga Business Association** you get a FREE LISTING in this directory. The OBA will be confirming details for Members’ listings soon.
Date: Tuesday 31st July, 2012
1. Business Listings = Business name + address + phone number. If you’re not an OBA member, a listing costs only $60 +GST.
Venue: The Landing Restaurant & Bar, 2 Onehunga Harbour Road, Onehunga, Auckland.
The Landing is Auckland’s hidden secret and looking very stylish after a complete makeover to its restaurant & bar.
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
2. Display Ads. Various sized display ads are available—see table below. Look for the form in the August issue of Onehunga Community News or contact Sheryn Werner on 021 975 002.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your business to other like-minded people in our business community. Remember to bring lots of business cards!
**If your business lies within the Onehunga business precinct, you are automatically a member of Onehunga Business Association - paying a part of your rates to fund the OBA. You can see a map showing Onehunga business precinct’s boundaries at www.onehunga.net.nz/Onehunga-BusinessAssociation.html.
Sign up for Onehunga’s Community Patrol!
*All prices exclude GST
Come and hear about it Wednesday July 25th , Onehunga Community Centre Member Prices
AD SIZES
Members Prepay/Prompt payment discount
Nonmember Prices
Non-member Prepay/ Prompt payment discount
Single :
89 x 46mm
$440
$400
$495
$450
Double:
89 x 97.5mm
$825
$750
$935
$850
$1,650
$1,500
$1,815
$1,650
No charge
-
$60
$60
Full Page: 89 x 200mm
More than 100 Community Patrols have been formed in NZ, with more than 4000 volunteer members. Now it’s Onehunga’s turn! Our Community Constable, Don Allan, is working with Onehunga Business Association to start up an Onehunga Community Patrol group. A meeting will be held 6.30pm next Wednesday, July 25 at Onehunga Community Centre to discuss what the Community Patrol (CP) could do for Onehunga and what volunteers would do.
Introduce your business to +200 newcomers
A community patrol is made up of a group of a volunteers who give some of their time to help Police make their community safer. Anyone from 18 years old and on can join the patrol. Applicants are vetted by the Police before becoming patrol members and must complete a period of training (usually three months) where they work with senior patrollers.
A few weeks ago Sitel New Zealand brought more than 200 new employees to its new call centre at the corner of Gloucester Park Road and Neilson Street. Two hundred new office workers so close to Onehunga’s town centre represents a significant opportunity for local businesses. These people will be wandering into the town centre in their lunch breaks and before or after their shifts, which run from 7am to 12 midnight.
Community patrollers act as 'eyes and ears' for police. Patrolling their community in pairs, patrollers note anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention. Some patrols have a very high profile in their community with a signwritten car, while others prefer to stay covert or drive their own car. Patrollers usually patrol once a month. Police notify the patrol of suspicious activities and trouble spots they would like the patrol to keep an eye on, as well as informing the patrol of events occurring in the area.
Listing only
Give us flyers/offers for new Sitel employee Welcome Pack!
Onehunga Business Association is putting together Welcome Packs for Sitel’s employees. Please contact us if you’d like to add in a brochure or flyer or special offers to encourage these new folk to come and visit your business! Phone 09 636 8535 or email admin@onehunga.net.nz.
Does your business have a Facebook Page? We’ll LIKE you if you do!
Onehunga Business Association has a great Facebook page going with 1,399 friends and looking forward to getting past 1400! We’re building it into the ―go to‖ place for anyone who wants to know what’s happening in Onehunga. We want to help boost awareness of all the businesses in Onehunga and what’s happening in our community, so please let us know if you’ve done something extraordinary - like had the PM visit your plant (as Compac Sorting Equipment did last week) or been the first place in NZ to make a newfangled something or done something innovative for your staff. Let us know if your Onehunga business has a Facebook page and we’ll be sure to LIKE it too! And let us know about any events being run in Onehunga and we’ll help you get the word out! Email details to admin@onehunga.net.nz OR post on our wall! www.facebook.com/onehunga
Deadline to get your flyer /offer in the Welcome Pack is Friday 27 July
Onehunga Business Association has undertaken to coordinate the Onehunga CP, with the hope that it could evolve to become an independent group, working closely with Police.
See what Community Patrol Volunteers do in this movie on YouTube: http://is.gd/ CommunityPatrol
www.communitypatrolsorg.nz
Join Onehunga Business Association’s Committee Nominations close Monday 10 September
If you’re passionate about improving Onehunga’s town centre and creating conditions that enable businesses in the area to prosper, we’d like you to think about joining Onehunga Business Association’s committee. We need between five and nine full members on the committee. The OBA’s Committee approves strategies and budgets and ensures that management meets agreed performance objectives as they work towards improving the area for local businesses. In terms of the time you’d need to set aside for this role, there are 11 meetings each year, held monthly. Meetings run approximately two hours and are generally held after work hours. Additional time may be required as various situations arise requiring action from the business association. Beyond this, energetic, well-considered extra input from committee members is always welcome to help Onehunga advance its strategic goals.
Find out more about Onehunga Business Association and its activities on our website here: www.onehunga.net.nz/ Members
Get your business listed in the 2013 Onehunga Guide!
Network with Onehunga’s leading business people
Onehunga Business Association, together with Onehunga Community News, has started work on the Onehunga Guide 2013, to be published in January 2013. 17,000 Onehunga Guides will be printed and distributed to all local businesses and residents. In addition the Onehunga Guide is included as an online publication on www.onehunga.net.nz where it’s very well used (3,500 views in 5 months!).
Onehunga Business Association invites member businesses to our next B2B networking event, designed to bring local business owners together to share business referrals, recommendations, experiences and ideas.
Come to our B2B on Tuesday 31 July at The Landing
B2B Network events are free for OBA members (maximum three guests per member; additional guests will be charged at $10 per head). Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
The Onehunga Guide is a fantastic resource enabling residents and local businesses to easily find products and services located in Onehunga. It’s valued by the community and always gets great feedback. Next year’s Guide will be similar in content and layout to the 2012 issue - see our online version on the homepage of www.onehunga.net.nz.
Please note registration is essential. Register by phoning us on 636 8535 or emailing admin@onehunga.net.nz.
Businesses can have a listing or a Display ad (which includes a listing). If you’re a member of the Onehunga Business Association** you get a FREE LISTING in this directory. The OBA will be confirming details for Members’ listings soon.
Date: Tuesday 31st July, 2012
1. Business Listings = Business name + address + phone number. If you’re not an OBA member, a listing costs only $60 +GST.
Venue: The Landing Restaurant & Bar, 2 Onehunga Harbour Road, Onehunga, Auckland.
The Landing is Auckland’s hidden secret and looking very stylish after a complete makeover to its restaurant & bar.
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
2. Display Ads. Various sized display ads are available—see table below. Look for the form in the August issue of Onehunga Community News or contact Sheryn Werner on 021 975 002.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your business to other like-minded people in our business community. Remember to bring lots of business cards!
**If your business lies within the Onehunga business precinct, you are automatically a member of Onehunga Business Association - paying a part of your rates to fund the OBA. You can see a map showing Onehunga business precinct’s boundaries at www.onehunga.net.nz/Onehunga-BusinessAssociation.html.
Sign up for Onehunga’s Community Patrol!
*All prices exclude GST
Come and hear about it Wednesday July 25th , Onehunga Community Centre Member Prices
AD SIZES
Members Prepay/Prompt payment discount
Nonmember Prices
Non-member Prepay/ Prompt payment discount
Single :
89 x 46mm
$440
$400
$495
$450
Double:
89 x 97.5mm
$825
$750
$935
$850
$1,650
$1,500
$1,815
$1,650
No charge
-
$60
$60
Full Page: 89 x 200mm
More than 100 Community Patrols have been formed in NZ, with more than 4000 volunteer members. Now it’s Onehunga’s turn! Our Community Constable, Don Allan, is working with Onehunga Business Association to start up an Onehunga Community Patrol group. A meeting will be held 6.30pm next Wednesday, July 25 at Onehunga Community Centre to discuss what the Community Patrol (CP) could do for Onehunga and what volunteers would do.
Introduce your business to +200 newcomers
A community patrol is made up of a group of a volunteers who give some of their time to help Police make their community safer. Anyone from 18 years old and on can join the patrol. Applicants are vetted by the Police before becoming patrol members and must complete a period of training (usually three months) where they work with senior patrollers.
A few weeks ago Sitel New Zealand brought more than 200 new employees to its new call centre at the corner of Gloucester Park Road and Neilson Street. Two hundred new office workers so close to Onehunga’s town centre represents a significant opportunity for local businesses. These people will be wandering into the town centre in their lunch breaks and before or after their shifts, which run from 7am to 12 midnight.
Community patrollers act as 'eyes and ears' for police. Patrolling their community in pairs, patrollers note anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention. Some patrols have a very high profile in their community with a signwritten car, while others prefer to stay covert or drive their own car. Patrollers usually patrol once a month. Police notify the patrol of suspicious activities and trouble spots they would like the patrol to keep an eye on, as well as informing the patrol of events occurring in the area.
Listing only
Give us flyers/offers for new Sitel employee Welcome Pack!
Onehunga Business Association is putting together Welcome Packs for Sitel’s employees. Please contact us if you’d like to add in a brochure or flyer or special offers to encourage these new folk to come and visit your business! Phone 09 636 8535 or email admin@onehunga.net.nz.
Does your business have a Facebook Page? We’ll LIKE you if you do!
Onehunga Business Association has a great Facebook page going with 1,399 friends and looking forward to getting past 1400! We’re building it into the ―go to‖ place for anyone who wants to know what’s happening in Onehunga. We want to help boost awareness of all the businesses in Onehunga and what’s happening in our community, so please let us know if you’ve done something extraordinary - like had the PM visit your plant (as Compac Sorting Equipment did last week) or been the first place in NZ to make a newfangled something or done something innovative for your staff. Let us know if your Onehunga business has a Facebook page and we’ll be sure to LIKE it too! And let us know about any events being run in Onehunga and we’ll help you get the word out! Email details to admin@onehunga.net.nz OR post on our wall! www.facebook.com/onehunga
Deadline to get your flyer /offer in the Welcome Pack is Friday 27 July
Onehunga Business Association has undertaken to coordinate the Onehunga CP, with the hope that it could evolve to become an independent group, working closely with Police.
See what Community Patrol Volunteers do in this movie on YouTube: http://is.gd/ CommunityPatrol
www.communitypatrolsorg.nz
Join Onehunga Business Association’s Committee Nominations close Monday 10 September
If you’re passionate about improving Onehunga’s town centre and creating conditions that enable businesses in the area to prosper, we’d like you to think about joining Onehunga Business Association’s committee. We need between five and nine full members on the committee. The OBA’s Committee approves strategies and budgets and ensures that management meets agreed performance objectives as they work towards improving the area for local businesses. In terms of the time you’d need to set aside for this role, there are 11 meetings each year, held monthly. Meetings run approximately two hours and are generally held after work hours. Additional time may be required as various situations arise requiring action from the business association. Beyond this, energetic, well-considered extra input from committee members is always welcome to help Onehunga advance its strategic goals.
Find out more about Onehunga Business Association and its activities on our website here: www.onehunga.net.nz/ Members
In this issue
For Security Help
Onehunga Security Update
e
Mon–Fri 10am - 5.30pm, Sat 10am - 3pm
e
Well known shoplifter seen in the area for the first time
e e
Police have advised Onehunga Business Association that a man seen drinking alcohol in Arthur Street this week is a well known shop lifter. Jonathan Hape, pictured at left, is a paraplegic and uses a wheelchair. Despite this handicap he is well known to Police and has a record for shoplifting in various Auckland shopping centres. Many businesses have issued trespass notices to prevent Mr Hape from entering their premises.
e e
enews
e e e e e
20 July, 2012
Please be alert if Mr Hape enters your store. Feel free to call our Security Guard, Satia Sami (see details at right) if you need any assistance.
NZ Companies Office reintroduces annual return fee
call Onehunga Town Centre’s ICON Security Guard
$45 annual return fee for all registered companies
Satia Sami
The Companies office is introducing fee changes on 1 August 2012 aimed at addressing its funding deficit and to better reflect the true cost of delivering services to the users of the Companies Office registers.
021 426 603 Or contact the OBA office ph
636 8535
The new fee structure includes levies to fund the Financial Markets Authority (FMA*) and the External Reporting Board (XRB*) on most registration fees, annual return fees and with the filing of a prospectus.
Outside business hours, on Sundays & Public Holidays please call Police
The reintroduction of a company annual return fee will affect all registered companies. The new annual return fee will be $45 (incl. GST), which includes a $25 registration fee, a $10 FMA levy and a $10 XRB levy. Registration fees for NZ and overseas companies remain virtually the same, with a slight reduction to $150, once the two new levies are included.
Dial 111
*The FMA is New Zealand’s financial services and market conduct regulator. FMA’s operational activities contribute to improving confidence in capital markets and financial service providers through education, licensing and supervision. The XRB is responsible for all aspects of financial reporting and auditing and assurance standards setting.
Saturday 1st September
Father’s Day Celebration
Saturday 29th September Sunday 30th September Monday 22nd October Saturday 24th November
Heritage Festival Daylight Savings Starts Labour Day Public Holiday Santa Parade & Party
(With Onehunga Community Centre. Father’s Day is Sunday 2 September.)
Rubbish collections
Red bins are emptied every Tuesday morning; Blue bins every 2nd Tuesday: NEXT on July 24 and August 7. Please put your bins out ready for Tuesday collection on Monday nights after close of business and remove bins off the footpath and back onto your business property first thing
Tuesday morning!
Cheers
Amanda, Debbie & Briar OBA Committee Peter Gibson, President (Parkinson & Bouskill) - 636 3300 Debbie Leaver (The Library Café & Function Venue) - 636 7292 Denise Jukes (Jukes Espresso) - 636 6614 Chantelle East (Urban Streetwear Clothing) - 636 0226 Teresa Jacques (Westpac) - 634 8555 Ross Mudafar (Onehunga Family Pharmacy) - 622 2865 Bridget Graham (Deputy Chairperson, Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board) - 301 0101 This e-news is sent to you by Onehunga Business Association, because you are either a member, or you have an interest in the organisation or the area. If you do not wish to receive these communications, please let us know by phoning 636 8535. Please note: If your business lies within the Onehunga business precinct you are automatically a member of Onehunga Business Association - paying a part of your rates to fund the OBA.
www.onehunga.net.nz www.facebook.com/onehunga
SCAM ALERTS Fake Community Directory Suspected Scam - it’s NOT The Onehunga Guide Here’s a scam that keeps happening - a company sends a proof of an ad for a community directory publication. It looks like it's something someone else at the business has already discussed and all it needs is your sign-off that the artwork is OK. It all looks pretty legit. EXCEPT this will be the first time you’ve actually been approached, the ad is often scanned from somewhere else your business has advertised and, by signing and returning the form, you’re committing yourself to an unexpected advertising fee for a publication with very little or no value to your target market. Coming at this time, we’re concerned that Onehunga businesses may confuse communications from Outlooknz for The (official!!) Onehunga Guide, as detailed on page 2 of this newsletter! Please be alert to this potential scam. Outlooknz sends an email titled "Community Directory Proof". This is NOT the Onehunga Guide! If you sign the proof you’ll be committing to $490. This has all the hallmarks of a scam and we advise caution!
Various scams promising to get your website to #1 on Google
More info: http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/news-updates/news/fee-changes
Onehunga Event Calendar
Scam alerts: Fake community directory suspected scam & various scams promising to get you to #1 on Google Get your business in the 2013 Onehunga Guide Introduce your business to +200 newcomers Does your business have a Facebook Page? Network with Onehunga’s leading business people July 31 Sign up for Onehunga’s Community Patrol! Join Onehunga Business Association’s Committee Onehunga Security Update: Known shoplifter spotted NZ Companies office reintroduces annual return fee Onehunga Event Calendar Rubbish collections: next blue bin collection dates!
Onehunga Business Association Amanda Kinzett, Manager Briar Millar, Events Debbie Harkness, Communications 212A Onehunga Mall (upstairs) P: 09 636 8535 F: 09 636 8542 E: business@onehunga.net.nz W: www.onehunga.net.nz Onehunga Onehunga1
Every business strives to have their website appear at the top of a Google search, but some search engine optimization companies are making promises they just can’t deliver on. These scams were brought to our attention by Onehunga website creator, Natalie, aka The Webmistress (www.thewebmistress.co.nz). “We’ll get your website on the 1st Page of Google in 48 Hours!” Anyone who makes this claim is a liar. As Natalie writes: ―This scam preys on those in a hurry – they’ve got a website, the sales are not coming in and they’re hoping to hire an ―expert‖ to get them visible in search engines quickly.‖ She’s seen this scam, offered by people calling themselves search engine optimization (SEO) ―experts‖, costing $299 a month, but even Google says about using its own Adwords: "We do not guarantee you first place on Google‖ and "No one can guarantee you first placement on Google‖. “We’ve cracked Google’s algorithms” Google’s search algorithms change all the time. They aim to show people the most relevant websites based on search words/phrase entered. Google is very quick to stamp out SEO ―cheats‖. SEO specialists can help people find you online, but back away from anyone who promises or guarantees you 1st page ranking - there are no such guarantees and these people are likely to be scammers. “We’ll submit your website to thousands of search engines!” Paying money for this service is a waste of time, says Natalie. The top search engines used in NZ are Google (above 70%), Yahoo (20%) and Microsoft Bing (8%) the handful of remaining search engines collectively get only about 2% of search traffic. These stats show there are not thousands of search engines for you to worry about - there are only three at most, and if you’re really pressed for resources, there’s one: Google! ―The worst part about scams like this: those ―search engines‖ they’re submitting your website to are mainly SPAM centers. So not only is your money being ill-spent on this ―service,‖ but you’ll be inundated with SPAM emails until the cows come home,‖ Natalie says.