Liberty Bell in Denver, CO takes a stab at online services for small biz.
Liberty Bell, a Denver Telecommunications provide is one of those businesses who I don’t think would be doing well if they hadn’t landed a sweet investment deal with popular T.V and Radio, Denver Consumer Advocate – Tom Martino.
Founded in 1995 by Nigel Alexander and Shawn Stickle, Liberty Bell was setup to be a one-stop shop for ‘ALL’ small business telecom and computing needs including Broadband Internet Access, Phone Lines, Computing Services, and Internet Growth Consulting.
Because this blog is dedicated to Online Marketing, I am going to skip talking about Broadband Internet and Phone Lines which I know very little about and focus more so on their internet growth consulting and see how their services actually stack up.
Before I get started… I emailed Christina Neher, Liberty Bell’s Chief Operations Office (COO) several times and received no response, not even a, ‘hey thanks for writing I’m busy and ill get back to you later,’ response. Oh well, this blog will only appear to anyone and everyone who is looking for information on the Liberty Bell Denver…
Let’s get started.Web Design & Development:
Liberty Bell’s first service offering on their website for Business Growth Services is Web Design & Development. The first thing that comes to mind is… yuck. The website has a cluttered design and resembles one of those free flash templates you can grab and quickly edit off of TemplateMonster.com.
Because Liberty Bell never responded back, I have to go dig around and see if I can identify a true Liberty Bell Client’s website to determine if the product / service they are producing is quality, in my eyes… Based on their business website I am going to guess they are not producing very quality websites…
Video Production:
This is a particular service that doesn’t interest me. From what I’ve seen off of their business website they do some decent videos… If you’re looking for affordable Video Production I would check out Jobing.com a local job board who from what I understand does or at one point did video production. I have seen their work and it’s quite impressive.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Everyone wants to be an SEO, and rightfully so – it’s a hot industry. Unfortunately there are more and more companies who are coming out of the woodwork claiming to be SEO Experts yet fail to perform. Similar to the web design review, I am going to have to do some digging and update this blog to reflect my findings so in the meantime let’s have a look at Liberty Bells company website…
The first thing I noticed is that LibertyBellTelecom.com and 303Bundles.com are duplicate websites. This is the first indication that their true ‘seo knowledge’ might be less than par. The second indication that that they might not have the best ‘seo skillz‘ is the fact that their website is done in Flash. Though Google claims to now crawl flash, I wouldn’t suggest taking them up on it and creating an entire website in flash while hoping to have rich index-able content.
Liberty Bell’s, 303Bundles.com ranks better then their duplicate website – LibertyBellTelecom.com. This is based on the fact it has more authority links pointing in, probably yet another benefit of having Tom Martino on the investment board.
The only way I can see this website ranking at all is based on it’s authority links and simple Meta Element changes to reflect keywords like Denver Phone, Internet and T.V.
Would I trust them with my personal SEO – doubtfully.
Google AdWords Management:
Google is great, but advertising in solely Google alone might not be in your small businesses best interest. Before you consider jumping into PPC Management I would recommend reading my tips on setting yourself up for realistic PPC Expectations to see if PPC is right for you. If you think it is, I would suggest talking to ReachLocal or Yodle first… These are two companies who have mastered Search Engine Marketing and are some of the better PPC Management Firms for Small businesses out there.
Yodle & ReachLocal offer advanced tracking systems that will allow you to easily monetize your investment – this is technology I doubt Liberty Bell has, if so I wouldn’t know because I can’t seem to get a hold of someone who will respond.
Social Media Marketing:
Hiring an outside company to handle your Social Media Marketing is simply said; a waste of money. It’s a free service that you can setup and run. In fact, if you’re considering on hiring a Social Media Expert, or Social Media Marketing Company – STOP. Go to www.ping.fm, sign up for a free account. Once you do you will see massive list of popular social networks which all can be managed by one website, Ping.fm. It will also give you a list of Social Networking websites worth checking into.
Before you hire someone… Google ‘top 100 social networking websites,’ or something along those lines and sign up for yourself. If you don’t have time, ask your nephew or niece to do it. You don’t need to spend big bucks on Social Media Marketing… there are too many resources and tools to do it yourself, quickly.
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Sean, you must check out http://www.onehappyface.com – Nigel Alexander claims Liberty Bell is the only phone company that helps market small businesses through Google Adwords, Social Media etc…
You’re right. Based on how unprofessional their current website is… I don’t think I would trust them as far as I could throw them. Another reason why Telecom companies need to stick to their work – so they don’t make themselves look bad and that’s just what their doing by trying to break into the SEO/SEM and Social Media world.
Chris
Shakes: Did they ever get back to you? You know what’s funny is Liberty Bell aka the people you emailed probably think they are ‘too big and cool’ to write you back… Little did they know you have one of the biggest online voices in town.
I wonder if they will step up?
Liberty Bell – if you read this, let’s hear you speak up!
Dr. Shakes:
I am a small business owner here in Denver who recently inquired about Liberty Bell’s Small Business services.
Now that I read your blog, it kinda makes sense why I shouldn’t do business with these guys. I highly recommend them for their Telecom services but think they are stepping a bit out of line when it comes to Online Marketing Service offerings.
Small Biz Owner
I liked this article quite a bit. What I enjoyed most was that the writing obviously comes from someone with a deep understanding of the field, much like being led by an experienced guide. I’ll look forward to more material like this in the near future.
I am a Small Business owner who was contacted by Nick Evans to build a Basic Website by Chris Portscheller Technician.
I was told by Nick Evans that the 1st Page is Free and Hosting is Free as a Customer and the rest of the charges were $99.00 per Hour. The result is a Bill of $675.00 for 6.25 Hours or 3 Pages that are a Free Word Press for Blogging and not a Functional Photo Web Gallery for Photographers. Very disappointing to say the least!
The entire Website is a Joke. There is no User Manual. You have to call into Liberty Bell every time you have a minor Question. The only thing that I received was massive reading Help section for Word Press with no Visuals. Nothing but complicated exhausting reading. Very Frustrating! Not only that, Word Press is FREE to anyone. What Liberty Bell did, was to Sell me something that is Free to anyone. What a Scam!
Liberty Bell is selling Websites and Development from what was done 10 – 15 Years ago like everyone else. Give me a Break. You can go to Go Daddy at starting at $4.95 Per Month and up to @ $24.50 Per Month for an ECommerce site way cheaper and Superior. Go Daddy is just one of many examples out there.
Tom Martino talks about Scams and Rip Offs – Give me a Break!. I am Mad as Hell! As far as the Phone Service goes I am very pleased with Liberty Bell. However when it comes to the Website they did it gets A FLAT TIRE!
Gary Michaels, Photographer
Denver, Colorado
Update on Liberty Bell: After discussion with all persons concerned at LibertyBell they did in Fact step up and do the Right Thing. I received a Full Refund of $675.00. The Website that they have and are trying to Market may Get a Flat Tire, However when it came to listening to my concerns and doing the right thing Liberty Bell is a Winner!
That is what makes a Great Company.
Gary Michaels, Photographer
Denver, Colorado
You talk a big game for only having a PR1 on your home page.
“Laughing” thanks for your comment. I always get a kick out of how entry level SEOs base their prospective on PR. Your claim and cute remark would be taken a bit more seriously if you a.) were smart enough to realize my home page is seanhakes.com not blog.seanhakes.com and b.) took notice that blog.seanhakes.com was created only a month or so ago.
Now if you want to break into the SEO Book of Fame you will have to educate yourself and leave comments that lead others to believe you have even the slightest bit of intellect and/or knowledge about what you’re talking about.
Oh yes and one more thing. Why hide behind a fake name? A confident person would
Last note: Be a Man or a Woman (whichever you are) and post your real name next time. We’re all friends here and it’s ok to make a point even if you don’t agree with me. Hiding behind a fake name doesn’t give you much credit. Not checking your facts doesn’t help either.
BTW this isn’t Chris Portscheller is it?
Cheers!
Dr. Hakes?
“I liked this article quite a bit. What I enjoyed most was that the writing obviously comes from someone with a deep understanding of the field, much like being led by an experienced guide. I’ll look forward to more material like this in the near future.”
Seriously?
Is this junior high?
Please check out “Rip-Off Report” for Dr. Hakes web prowess.
Keep it coming! I love the attention!