10 Effective Strategies for Managing SEO Client Relationships

If you’re an SEO consultant, then you know that managing SEO client relationships can be a challenge. Finding the right balance between providing value and being too pushy is essential.

This blog post will discuss 10 strategies for managing SEO client relationships more effectively.

These tips will help you build trust with your clients and ensure that both parties are satisfied with the work being done.

1. Define the Scope of Work Together

Before starting any project, you must sit down with your client and agree on the scope of work.

This will help to ensure that both parties are on the same page from the start and will avoid any misunderstandings further down the line.

Something that helps a lot is going over the actual numbers involved.

This means everything from the time it will take to rank for specific keywords to the true ROI(return on investment) they can expect regarding website traffic on qualified leads.

Here is how to calculate ROI for organic keyword ranking:

Let’s say that you currently rank tenth for a chosen keyword with a monthly search volume of 10,000, and your goal is to move up to the first position.

You can expect an increase in traffic of approximately 30% if you achieve this.

Now, if we assume that your website converts 2% of all visitors into leads, an increase in traffic of 30% would result in an additional 300 charges per month.

If your average deal size is $5,000, that would equal an extra $1,500 in monthly revenue or $18,000 per year.

Of course, this is just a rough estimate, and your results may vary depending on the industry, competition, and other factors.

However, reviewing these numbers with your client is still a good idea so they better understand what they can expect from the project.

2. Set Expectations Early On

Managing client expectations is one of the essential parts of being an SEO consultant.

Setting realistic expectations early on is vital to avoid disappointment later.

To accomplish the above, you can have some sample reports ready to show your client based on previous experience and competitor analysis.

Some sample reports can include the following:

– Rankings report

– Traffic Report

– Leads/sales report

3. Keep Your Promises

If you say you will do something, make sure you do it. This may seem common sense, but it’s essential to keep your promises to build trust with your clients.

4. Be proactive

When it comes to SEO, things can change quickly. Therefore, it is essential to be proactive and keep your clients up-to-date with the latest changes.

This will show that you’re on top of your game and invested in their success.

5. Communicate regularly

Good communication is essential for any relationship, but it is necessary when working with clients.

Make sure to communicate regularly, both in person and online, to keep them updated on your progress and answer any questions they may have.

Here is an email template you can use when giving your client a monthly update:

“Hi ____,

I wanted to give you a quick update on our progress.

So far, we have ____.

I’ve also attached a report with more detailed information.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you, ____.”

6. Deliver results

What matters to clients is results. Therefore, it is essential to deliver on your promises and show them that their investment is paying off.

You can accomplish the above by sending them a monthly report showing how each keyword increases in ranking position or if they are now ranking for new keywords due to your SEO efforts.

A key step that must be done with every client:

Take a “keyword Snapchat” the first day you start working with a client.

This snap chat will show what keywords they ranked for when you started.

Then, after your efforts start giving back, you can show the client the difference between the first day and now regarding progress and ROI.

For example, the above, go into metrics tools like Semrush.com, run a regular keyword report for your prospective client, then print it.

This will be your beginning report that you will reference the client every time they ask for what results have been achieved.

7. Get feedback and take criticism constructively

Feedback is essential for any relationship, but it can be beneficial when working with clients.

Make sure to get regular feedback from your clients and use it to improve your work.

Also, don’t be afraid to take criticism constructively – it can improve your job.

A good email template you can use to ask your client for feedback:

“Hi ____,

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to get your feedback on how the project is going and if there’s anything we can improve upon.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Thank you, ____.”

8. Be honest

It is essential, to be honest with your clients about your work and their expectations.

This will help build trust and ensure that both parties are satisfied with the work being done.

9. Respect their time

Your clients are busy people, so it is essential to respect their time.

This means being punctual for meetings, staying on schedule, and not sending too many emails.

Here is a great email template that focuses on providing a summary view of your SEO efforts:

“Hi ____,

I wanted to give you a brief update on our progress.

We have achieved the following so far:

• Number of keywords ranking as of the date
• Positions each of the keywords has improved in
• Total website traffic increase percentage from when you started working with the client

I’m confident that we can continue making great strides with our efforts in the future.

If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know.

Thank you, ____.”

10. Have a contract

A contract is essential for any business relationship, but it is necessary when working with clients.

A contract will help to protect both parties and ensure that everyone is clear on the terms of the agreement.

Remember that contracts are legally binding documents; I recommend hiring a lawyer to put your standard contract together.

Hiring a lawyer to put together your SEO contract is beneficial to you down the line because it will protect you if something goes wrong.

A contract will also help to set expectations for both parties and ensure that everyone is clear on the terms of the agreement.

If you’re working with a client who doesn’t have a contract, I recommend getting one as soon as possible.

Additional resources

You can always check out this post to learn more about SEO marketing services.

10 Frequently asked questions about SEO services

1. What is SEO?

SEO is an acronym for “search engine optimization.” It optimizes a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

2. What are the benefits of SEO?

The benefits of SEO include increased traffic, higher conversion rates, and brand awareness.

3. What does an SEO company do?

An SEO company provides services to help a business improve its online visibility by increasing its organic search engine rankings.

4. How much should I budget for SEO services?

How much you should budget for SEO services depends on your specific needs and goals. However, a general rule is to budget 2-5% of your marketing budget.

5. What is the difference between SEO and SEM?

SEO is a subset of SEM (search engine marketing). SEM includes SEO and paid search traffic, while SEO refers to organic search traffic.

6. What are some standard SEO services?

Common SEO services include keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content marketing.

7. What is an SEO audit?

An SEO audit is a comprehensive analysis of a website’s SEO performance.

It includes an assessment of the website’s technical elements (e.g., sitemap, metatags), on-page factors (e.g., keyword usage, internal linking), and off-page factors (e.g., backlinks, social media signals).

8. What is a backlink?

A backlink is an inbound link to a website. In other words, it is a link from another website to yours.

Backlinks are an important ranking factor for SEO because they signify that others trust your site.

9. How long does it take for SEO to work?

The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as the age of your website, the competitiveness of your industry, and the quality of your SEO efforts.

However, most businesses see results within 3-6 months of starting their SEO campaigns.

10. What is white hat SEO?

White hat SEO refers to ethical SEO practices that adhere to the guidelines set by search engines.

Black hat SEO, on the other hand, refers to unethical practices that aim to game the system.

Some standard black hat techniques include keyword stuffing, cloaking, and doorways pages.

As always, thank you for reading, and see you next time!