A recent thread on the Warrior Forum discussed the ethics of using a geotargeting script to increase conversions. For the uninitiated, a geotargeted script allows someone to pretend they're from the same city as whoever visits their website. I'm not entirely sure about the legalities of using such a script in this way, but it's definitely dishonest. It also increases your conversion rate. Unsurprisingly, there are enough idiots on the internet for people to profit from these cheap tricks.
To be perfectly honest, the ethics of the matter don't bother me. Or I don't think they do. I appreciate that many people make money using this sort of tactic, along with using fake testimonials, pretending they only have three products left in stock, and other such disingenuous conversion-increasers. I'm neither for or against people using these sorts of tactics; people will do what they will do. Ultimately, it's the job of the police and the government to enforce the law, not me, and if these tactics are legal and the prospects are foolish enough to buy, then that's that. Foolish people will do foolish things; that's one of the few universal constants.
So why wouldn't I use these tactics? There are several reasons.
I Don't Want To Break The Law
Even when covered by a disclaimer, these sorts of tactics are definitely close to being illegal. Perhaps it would be easier and more profitable to use these tricks, to skate the fine line between dishonesty and actual law breaking, but for me personally the increased ease and profits doesn't justify the risk of breaking the law. As far as I'm concerned, breaking the law is a road that eventually leads to prison, and I don't want to be raped.
I Want To Provide Value And Build Relationships With My Customers
I'm not interested in scamming people out of their money: I want to create a relationship with my customers and to blow them away with value. Then I can flog the exorbitant upsell. I want there to be absolutely no question that I am a consummate professional, not a scam artist. For me, the name of the game is building a lasting business where my customers are an asset.
I Want To Be Professional
When I sat at my computer and started internet marketing, one of the things that struck me was the lack of professionalism. It's understandable that my friends think all information products are scams. Most of them are. Your average sales page is aimed at duping fools into buying a substandard product which was knocked out by some freelance writer masquerading as an expert.
While there will probably always be a market for these sorts of products, they are not the products that I wish to sell. I want to give my customers supreme value by presenting the very product that I myself would buy and would be happy to have bought. I want all sides to come out winners.
One thing that interests me about criminals is that they get into such illegal activities when they could make money doing other, legal things. I think many crimes are commited with more sophistication and creativity than your average business. Aside from the fact that they may not be aware of the legal opportunities, I think one of the major driving forces is the belief that criminality is a worthwhile shortcut.
I don't think promoting a shoddy product with ethically-questionable tactics is much easier than promoting a quality product with great marketing. Also, I think the former strategy is a short-term strategy that may eventually be cracked down upon. I'm not saying that using such tactics is categorically wrong, but they aren't for me.
