The recent trend of search engines and directories, including Yahoo.com, charging businesses for website submissions has sparked a debate. Is it fair to charge for a service that doesn't guarantee results? This practice is akin to a car dealership charging you $199 just to view a car, with no assurance of a sale. This article delves into the implications of this trend and the challenges it poses for businesses.
Search engines and directories like Yahoo have started charging businesses a fee of $199 for website submissions. However, paying this fee doesn't guarantee a listing. The fee merely allows your website to be considered for review. If the search engine is swamped with submissions, your website might not be reviewed for weeks or even months. This practice raises questions about the fairness and efficiency of such a system.
The customer service of these platforms is another area of concern. Finding a way to contact them can be a Herculean task, and even if you manage to send an email, a response is not guaranteed. If your website doesn't meet their standards, you lose your money with no recourse. This lack of customer service and transparency is a recipe for disaster.
The introduction of these fees has another hidden consequence. The search results will now be dominated by companies that can afford to pay for listings. Some companies even pay a premium to have their listings placed at the top. This practice skews the search results, making it less representative of the actual market.
Moreover, companies that registered with these directories before the introduction of the fee service find themselves deleted and forced to pay. This practice is seen as unfair and extortionate. Small companies that can't afford to pay these fees are left in the lurch, unable to compete with larger companies that can afford to pay.
eBay, a popular online auction site, is another platform causing problems for its users. Despite posting a multi-million dollar profit in February, eBay increased its fees by 60% just two weeks later, claiming they were losing money. This move has been met with skepticism and criticism.
eBay's strategy of acquiring small websites to add value to their service has also been questioned. For instance, their acquisition of Half.com for $US350 million has raised eyebrows. The profitability of such acquisitions is doubtful, considering the struggles of major online booksellers like Amazon.com.
eBay's back office program has been described as "Neanderthal" by an irate client. It is reportedly difficult to use and prone to breakdowns. Despite these issues, eBay remains the dominant player in the online auction market, with other auction sites struggling to compete.
The practices of search engines and auction sites like Yahoo and eBay have raised serious concerns. The lack of transparency, poor customer service, and high fees are discouraging for businesses. While these platforms currently dominate the market, their practices could lead to their downfall if not addressed.
