Hi,
I was wondering if it's a good practice to add my web design company's name/link at the footer of all my client's pages (Site by XXXXX) and if that is considered search engine spamming?

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

I'm not sure how it relates to search engine spamming (I don't think it should but I could be wrong).

On the other hand it's up to you to decide if you are going to put that on your client's site. Some customers don't like it and others don't mind.

Skinny

Thanks a lot for your opinion. I read today in this nice seo article by Web Designers Wall that says "Don’t use the EXACT same anchor text everywhere on your website. This can sometimes be seen as search engine spam too.".... So I was wondering if I was doing something that isn't good.

Let me know what you think. Thanks again!

I think that first of all it looks amateurish and tacky.. Second you should discuss with your client whether or not they want to place an advertisement for you on their website (that's what a link is). And if they think it's ok, does that affect how much they pay you?? I wouldn't give someone I pay a link on my website without being paid myself..

Finally, if they agree to a link, place just one on the more info or contact page..

You might try something like this on the contact page -

This site designed by webcompanyalpha. If you have a problem with the website please contact (the company that paid you) or webcompanyalpha to alert us of the problem. Thank you.

This gets your name out there, and makes you more proactive at fixing problems that may occur.. And it's not those gawdawful footer links..

Personally never included a link. Websites I build advertise the company they were built for, and not myself

I can see the benefit if your clients site draws large traffic mind.

Originally Posted by sil114

Hi,
is considered search engine spamming?

Simple & straight answer IT IS NOT SPAMMY. If you cud do it then you shud do it.
It's over................

It's not "spammy" in particular, but it can look tacky, especially when the "links are optimising" mentality is involved.

A small, inobtrusive "Design by [insert name]" with only the name linked is fine, given the client is ok with it.
When it gets to "Search Engine Optimisation and Website Design [insert location] by Search Engine Specialists [insert name]" it is then getting seriously over the top.

For client sites I prefer to go with a "Site Design Profile" page and link to that page from the footer. All with the clients permission of course.

This has distinct advantages, because the profile page copy can be tailored to the audience the site is targetted to and other services can be incuded, the Graphic Designer for example.

It cannot be considered as spam. But it will not very beneficial for you. By this method you can advertise your company and get some traffic.

But it will not very beneficial for you. By this method you can advertise your company and get some traffic.

In that case, is it beneficial? or not?

I agree, a small discreet Designed by So&So.com link on one page is acceptable. And posting a link to these sites would also give them a backlink, wouldn't it?