SEO Powersuite, Link Assistant Deceptive Pricing Internet

This company intentionally masks the fact that their software stops working after the "search algo updates" expire.

I know that one of their support trolls will get on here and call me an idiot for not understanding the pricing page, so I challenge you, dear reader, to put yourself in the shoes of a prospective buyer. Someone who is really excited after using the free trial software, and is ready to pull the trigger on buying a license.

When that person goes to the pricing page and sees the following features, how do you think he or she will interpret them?

"Unlimited Sites and Keywords"

"All SEO Features (unlimited data)"

"Lifetime license, free feature updates"

"Truly unlimited data"

Do you really expect that person to read every single bullet point and footnote, and make sure to look into this little mention of "search algo updates" to find out that the software itself completely stops functioning after 6 months?

I know I didn't, and there are plenty of other people who have also been burned.

When I bought, the search algo updates page merely said that it provided "additional product enhancements". There was nothing mentioning "turning my software into a brick if I don't buy this".

Sometime around 2012, some people were complaining in the comment section of one of their blog posts. Their support trolls kept saying the pricing was clear, while the people were saying "no, it isn't". One of them asked how they could make it more clear.

So, being a web designer, I mocked up a new pricing page design for them. (See attached image). It shows the original license fee as a "setup fee", with the monthly fees listed clearly at the top.

I posted this image publicly on their blog comments. My comment with the mockup was immediately removed, and they called ME deceptive! And they essentially accused me of being a cheapskate who expects everything to be free, and who doesn't respect that software development costs money.

This couldn't be further from the truth. I currently pay hundreds of dollars a month for various software tools to help me run my business. I have no problem paying for quality tools. I DO have a problem with shady companies who don't believe in their product enough, and think they have to trick people into paying recurring license fees.

2014 Update

So, one of their support people reached out to me. They extended my license for another 6 months, and asked me for feedback on why I stopped using their software.

A quick check of their site revealed that they were still hiding their pricing practices. Since they asked for feedback, I gave them the honest truth: "your software is excellent. Your business practices are shady."

I attached my old mockup, and got the closest thing to a true acknowledgement that I've ever gotten:

"Hi Chris,

Nice to meet you and thanks for getting back to me.

Actually, we’ve been recently considering fully switching to monthly subscriptions model, so I’ll have your mock up saved.

Regards,

[support person]"

Wow! Someone finally listened to my feedback and might do something about it!

2015 Update

Similar to 2014, I got the same email. "Hey Chris, your license is extended. Any reason why you're not using us anymore?"

Same as before, I checked the site. Oooh, nice, they redesigned it.

But...the pricing page is still deceptive.

So I sent the same mockup.

This time, it appears that the support person had been brainwashed to give the same stock response:

"Sorry for disturbing you but in fact we never concealed the information about search algo updates.

It's written on all of our "Buy" pages that "product enhancements covered by the SEO PowerSuite Search Algo updates are offered free for 6 months since the date of purchase. When this period expires, these search-engine-related updates are offered on a paid basis". The text includes links to detailed descriptions of what this group of updates covers as well as full pricing details."

Case closed in my book. This company is run by idiots who refuse to listen to customer feedback and make their pricing transparent. And their product is GREAT, and WORTH paying for!