The Call Always Starts the Same Way

"We'll build you a professional website, handle all your SEO, and get you to the top of Google. Just $299/month."

Sounds great, right? Here's what they don't tell you on that call.

How the Scam Works

Step 1: The bait. They promise a professional website, SEO, and leads. The monthly price sounds reasonable compared to what a web designer would charge.

Step 2: The contract. You sign a 12-24 month agreement. Buried in the fine print: they own the domain, they own the content, and the site is hosted on their platform.

Step 3: The template. Your "custom" website is actually a cookie-cutter template shared with hundreds of other contractors. They swap out the name, colors, and photos — and call it done.

Step 4: The lock-in. Want to cancel? You lose your website. Your domain. Your phone number (if they set up call tracking). Your Google rankings. Everything.

Step 5: The upsell. Six months in, they tell you your SEO needs a "premium" upgrade for another $200/month. The leads they promised aren't coming, and the only solution they offer costs more money.

Red Flags to Watch For

Before you sign anything with a website company, check for these:

  • They own your domain. If you can't log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare) yourself, they own it.
  • Long-term contracts. Any company that needs to lock you in for 12+ months isn't confident you'll stay voluntarily.
  • They won't give you your content. Ask: "If I cancel, can I take my website content with me?" If the answer is no, walk away.
  • Vague SEO promises. "We'll get you to the top of Google" with no specifics on what that means or how long it takes.
  • They set up your Google Business Profile. Your GBP should be YOUR account, not theirs. If they set it up under their login, they control your most valuable marketing asset.

What to Look For Instead

A legitimate contractor website company should:

  • Let you own your domain
  • Give you month-to-month pricing (no lock-in)
  • Let you export your content if you leave
  • Be transparent about what SEO actually involves
  • Never touch your Google Business Profile login

What to Do If You're Already Locked In

If you're stuck in one of these contracts right now:

  1. Read your contract carefully. Look for cancellation clauses, early termination fees, and what happens to your domain.
  2. Claim your Google Business Profile. If they set it up, request ownership transfer now — don't wait until you cancel.
  3. Register your own domain. Even if they own one, register a backup domain under your own account. You can redirect it later.
  4. Document everything. Screenshot your website content, reviews, and any data you might lose.
  5. Plan your exit. Have a new website ready to go the day your contract ends so you don't lose momentum.

The Bottom Line

Not every website company is a scam. But the ones that lock you in, own your content, and charge $300+/month for a template site are taking advantage of contractors who don't know better. You deserve better than that.