SEO is important for businesses of all sizes to drive traffic, increase visibility, and boost revenue. A recent survey shows that 93% of online experiences start with a search engine, and 75% of users do not go beyond the first page of results. And so, businesses need to depend on SEO to expand their online presence. This great reliance on SEO forms a large opening for professionals capable of delivering successful SEO strategies.
Looking for clients in SEO services can be hard; the difficulty escalates if you are an entry-level player in the industry. So to make it simple, we will discuss concrete tips and techniques to help you attract SEO clients in this blog post.
What Is SEO?
Short for Search Engine Optimization, SEO is the optimization of a website to secure a high ranking on Google when users search for a specific keyword. The greater the optimization of your SEO, the better the chances your site will turn up in a search conducted online by visitors. SEO includes,
- Keyword Research
- On-Page Optimization
- Content Creation
- Backlinks
- Technical SEO etc.,
How To Get SEO Clients?
Here are 9 ways you can find SEO clients.
1. Niche Specialization: Target Specific Industries
You can attract more clients smoothly if you concentrate on a particular industry or niche. To make your services attractive to future clients, you need to be aware of the particular challenges and needs of your niche.
How To Choose A Niche?
- Research Well: Research for SEO niches that are in demand and are also high-paying.
- Choose a Niche You Understand: Look into areas in which you have former experience or take a sincere interest, such as healthcare, retail, or technology.
- Create Niche-Specific SEO Packages: Craft SEO packages that are tailored to your chosen sector (for example, local search engine optimization for medical offices or content optimization for online shops).
2. Offer Free SEO Services
While offering free SEO services does not guarantee quick money, the idea is to demonstrate your value and competence, which can lead to paid projects, referrals, and long-term clients. This method allows you to display real-world outcomes and develop confidence with potential clients who may be hesitant to invest in SEO initially.
How To Offer Free SEO Services?
- Target Small Local Businesses: Contact small businesses in your neighborhood that do not have a significant web presence.
- Set Clear Boundaries And Expectations: Provide some services for free, such as an audit, keyword research, or basic on-page SEO to enhance client relationships.
- Use Free Services to Generate Referrals: When providing free SEO, request referrals in exchange if they are satisfied with the outcomes.
3. Build a Strong Online Presence
Your website, in addition to your social media engagement and personal branding, contributes to building your credibility and reputation. When clients realize that you are visible, active, and informed online, they are more likely to entrust you with their SEO needs.
How To Build Online Presence?
- Optimize Your Website for SEO: Your website should be an excellent example of successful SEO. Make sure it's thoroughly optimized, with fast loading times, relevant keywords, and a positive user experience.
- Utilize Social Media Marketing: Share useful SEO ideas, success stories, and updates on sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube.
- Showcase Testimonials and Case Studies: Social proof is powerful. Display reviews, testimonials, and case studies from previous clients on your website and social media pages.
4. Leverage Freelance Platforms
Some of the most popular freelance marketplaces via which businesses connect with freelancers are Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. You can find clients looking for help in fulfilling their SEO needs by first developing a strong profile and then providing them with the most targeted SEO services.
How To Use Freelance Platforms?
- Create a Standout Profile: Use simple language to highlight your SEO skills, expertise, and certifications. Use proposal software for freelancers to send out proposals.
- Provide Specific SEO Services: Instead of giving generic SEO services, focus on niche offerings such as local SEO, backlink development, or technical SEO audits.
- Focus on Developing Reviews and Ratings: At the start, provide inexpensive prices or even discounts to attract your first few customers and generate positive feedback.
Pro Tip: Finding quality clients starts with sending out quality proposals. Learn more on how to write an impressive freelance proposal that wins clients in 2024 in this article.
5. Creating Engaging Proposals
A good SEO proposal is what really goes a long way in the pitching of your services. It does not only talk of your expertise but also portrays to the potential client that you understand their needs and will deliver results. The more engaging the proposal, the more likely that you are going to win new business.
How To Create an Effective Proposal?
- Personalize Proposal: Each proposal has to talk directly to your client's business challenges and goals. Prove to them that you've done your research by personalization.
- Show Testimonials: Bring along case studies of previous work. For example, if you have done SEO for accountants, show results like increased website traffic or better search rankings. This gives clients confidence in your ability to deliver.
- Keep It Clear and Simple: Avoid jargon as much as possible. Make your proposal with clarity and simplicity.
6. Use Cold Outreach And Email Marketing
You can find clients via cold outreach and email marketing if you are proactive and strategic about those tactics. That way, you are directly contacting your ideal clients and using targeted email campaigns to introduce yourself, show value, and build a relationship with businesses that will need SEO services.
How To Do Cold Outreach and E-mail Marketing?
- Customize Email: Make your email content as customized as possible to show them what particular challenges they might be facing and what your SEO service can do for them.
- Do Follow Up: Develop a winning email follow-up sequence to warm up non-responding leads from your initial outreach.
- Provide Free Value: In your email outreach, provide free resources such as an SEO checklist, guide, or mini-audit to speak to their needs.
7. Partner with Businesses
Partnering with organizations that supply SEO services yet aren't direct competitors will allow you to reach their client base and build reciprocal valuable connections. This permits you to get in touch with prospective clients who may require SEO services, even if they’re not actively looking for them.
How To Partner With Business?
Potential Partners: Some organizations target a similar clientele, but have different products to sell to these clients. This includes digital marketing agencies, web design agencies, and public relations firms.
Referral Program: You can drive partners to send clients your way with a referral program that supplies rewards such as a commission, a reciprocal referral, or a discount on services.
Joint Marketing Efforts: Join together with your partners to create collaborative marketing projects, including webinars and workshops that mutually benefit your audiences.
8. Get Accredited
Clients value industry-recognized accreditations. Clients frequently look for proof of skill and dependability when selecting an SEO professional, and certifications are significant recommendations for your abilities. These certificates enhance your credibility, authenticate your experience, and set you apart from the competition.
How To Get Accredited?
- Google Partner Certification: Becoming a Google Partner requires you to pass Google certification examinations that feature Google Ads Search and Display. Also, you need to meet minimum spending criteria.
- SEMrush Certification: The certifications offered from SEMrush are in many different SEO and digital marketing disciplines, such as SEO, content marketing, and competitive analysis. Complete the online courses at SEMrush and pass the certification exams.
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification: This class incorporates techniques of inbound marketing that feature SEO, content generation, and lead generation, to name just a few. You can join a HubSpot Academy course and afterward sit for the certification test.
9. Offer Competitive Pricing
While cost should not be your primary selling point in a competitive sector, offering reasonable and appealing rates will help you gain clients and develop a reputation. Balancing pricing and quality ensures that potential customers see the value in your services without feeling overcharged.
How To Offer Competitive Prices?
- Analyze Competitor Rates: Determine how much other SEO specialists and organizations charge for similar services.
- Tiered Services: Know the various price models like group pay-by-hour, monthly retainers, and project-based fees.
- Give An Introductory Discount: Offer new customers special pricing or a discount on their first deal or transaction. This will motivate customers to use your services.
Pro Tip: To draw references from across different industries, you can read this article, a guide for pricing bookkeeping services, and get an idea of how to price your SEO services similarly.
Cone - The Ultimate Proposal Software To Catch SEO Clients
Cone Proposal Software is a powerful tool that helps you create professional, customizable proposals in no time. It's designed to make your proposal process smoother and more efficient, helping you close deals faster. Cone Proposal Software simplifies your proposal process while making it professional and client-friendly.
Best Features:
Easy-to-use Editor: Easily come up with and customize proposal templates without any hassle through a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Automated Invoicing: Save time through invoice automation and ensure on-time payments.
Customizable Templates: Work from several templates offered based on industry types, so you can easily come up with the perfect proposal.
E-Sign: Streamline the approval process with e-signs for your clients.
Pricing Engine: Easily change prices, apply discounts, and provide transparency over cost breakdowns to your clients.
Multi- Payment Options: Let clients pay however they want by accepting credit cards, bank accounts, or even PayPal.
Client Portal: Share proposals, contracts, and invoices with clients in a secure, user-friendly portal.
Native Integrations : Integrates into other tools you use for accounting, project management, and CRM.
Pricing:
- Essentials: £6.5 / $8 per user per month (billed annually)
- Growth: £9 / $11 per user per month (billed annually)
Sign up today!
Elevating Your SEO Game
SEO is surely a competitive field. In that, finding clients can be as challenging as mastering the latest algorithm update. But if you apply the right strategies, you can attract and secure clients who are eager to improve their online presence. You can experiment with these nine tactics, as well as the many other ways to demonstrate your competence and attract potential clients for your SEO business.
The digital world is broad and full of chances; adopt these strategies, and you'll be well on your way to being a highly sought-after SEO specialist.
FAQs
- How do I Get My First SEO Client?
You can follow these to get your first client:
- Reach out to local businesses or friends who need SEO.
- Offer them a free audit at a discounted rate.
- Create a professional website and optimize it to attract potential clients.
- How Do I Find People Who Need SEO?
Look for businesses with outdated websites or low search engine rankings. These can be found using Google searches, local business directories, and social media networks. Join online forums, industry groups, or local business associations to explore the problems that business owners face.
- How To Get SEO Clients As A Freelancer?
First, establish a convincing online portfolio that highlights your SEO talents and previous triumphs. You can also join freelancing sites like Upwork or Fiverr and bid on suitable projects.
- How To Convince An SEO Client?
Start by understanding their specific needs and challenges. Share how your SEO strategies can address these issues and improve their online visibility. Offer a clear plan with measurable goals. This will convince them to become your SEO client.