6 Ways to Get Local SEO Clients You Really Want
Local businesses are often the most interesting SEO clients to work with because it takes creativity and strategy to appeal to the local market.
While the basics – optimizing your Google Business Profile, localized content, etc. – still apply, local businesses often need to think outside the box when it comes to ranking locally.
Acquiring these types of clients also requires skill. Attracting positive, ambitious and proactive local SEO clients is ideal for SEO professionals.
Here are some tips for getting local SEO clients you really want to work with.
1. Start Conversations With Local Business Owners
A few years ago I needed a haircut and started looking for a local hairdresser. I saw a hairdresser on Google with great reviews so I visited their website to find out more about their prices.
Unfortunately, I was greeted with “Warning! Your connection is not private” on their website.
As an SEO strategist, I knew it was because the company did not have an SSL certificate enabled on the website.
So I called them to make an appointment and let the owner know in person that they were having website security issues.
The owner was unaware of the problem and managed the website themselves, so I offered to set up their SSL for free.
He later paid my team to diagnose additional technical SEO issues and continued to work with me longer.
The lesson here is that often the best way to attract local SEO clients is to simply start real conversations.
It doesn’t have to be as glaring as a site security issue, but if you can identify the need, the company will likely be happy to let them know that there are issues affecting their business.
Plus, they’ll appreciate you paying attention to them and helping them avoid missing out on new business.
For example, a local business may not know that its Google Business Profile address is out of date. Or that their website has 404 errors.
Or their contact form doesn’t work.
Often, your advice can be seen as a huge earner and can turn into an ongoing engagement. Or at least open the door to a referral business if you are seen as a local SEO expert.
Whether you’re looking for a haircut, buying a latte, or looking for a gift for a friend, keep your eyes open.
If you spot an SEO problem and take the time to provide value for free, you might be surprised how it can turn into a new customer or referral connection.
2. Identify Businesses Investing In Marketing
It is well known in marketing circles that customers on tight budgets are often the most demanding customers.
This is not to say that a small budget makes one a bad customer, but the attitude of getting more for less is often left behind in marketing.
In short, your ideal local SEO clients are those who understand the value of marketing and are willing to invest in it to achieve a greater goal.
They want to put their marketing dollars to work for long-term growth.
As in the previous example: a simple oversight caused site security issues, but otherwise the company was on top of its GBP (Google Business Profile) optimization and social media marketing.
The owner was receptive to feedback and saw the value in improving their online presence.
When looking for local SEO clients, look for companies that meet the following criteria:
A company that seems invested in their marketing is likely to be a great customer.
You want a client who understands the necessity of marketing and actively participates in the growth of his company.
If you’ve identified local businesses that seem to tick some of these boxes, get in touch.
A free offer – such as an audit or a friendly consultation – can be your foot in the door for a longer engagement.
3. Attend Speaking Events, Webinars, And Networking Meetups
I’m a fan of letting your local SEO knowledge speak for itself.
Instead of cold messaging business owners with a sales pitch, it’s better to first offer free, no-holds-barred value.
This could be a friendly email, or in this case, sharing your knowledge at in-person or online events.
One of the main sources of local SEO leads for my business is speaking events – specifically speaking events and webinars tailored to law firms (my target market).
You can often attract clients by sharing your expertise through a professional chat, online interview, networking event or conference.
And remember, business owners who proactively attend events like this often make good customers.
Here are some tips on how to make events work to generate leads.
Demonstrating real expertise with business owners in your niche is one of the best ways to attract engaged customers.
4. Connect With Business Owners On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the best business-to-business (B2B) platform that helps professionals build new relationships and find clients.
However, it is a platform that is often abused, with marketers spamming and spamming users.
Instead, use LinkedIn to make real connections with business owners so they’ll be excited to work with you.
Here’s how to use LinkedIn to get local SEO clients.
Again, inbound marketing is about providing value first.
If you foster real engagement, users will begin to see you as a local SEO expert and may contact you on their own.
If you get far enough in the conversation, offer to help the business owner with some of the issues.
If they are interested, it could be in the form of a free audit, consultation or resource.
Remember, the best clients are those who actively want to work with you, versus those who are heavily involved in the project.
5. Keep Your Business Card On Hand
Don’t underestimate the value of traditional marketing.
Many local businesses are small “mom and pop” shops that like a personal touch.
They want to interact with a real person rather than a faceless agency.
When you’re out and about, keep your business card handy. Keep your eyes and ears open for conversations where business owners are looking for marketing solutions.
While someone may not be ready to work with you right away, at least they have the connection to offer referrals.
Referral business is one of the main sources of leads for my law firm’s SEO business.
You’ll find that people are much more receptive to working with you if you have a friendly conversation first.
With a business card handy, you’re always ready to offer your information and turn the conversation into a business relationship.
6. Forge Partnerships With Marketing Agencies
I’ve talked about a few ways to connect with local business owners directly, but there’s another smart way to find local SEO clients: agency partnerships.
Chances are, there are many marketing agencies in your area that offer marketing services.
But not all of them offer SEO. Creating a partnership can be a great way to get referral business or to market your services.
Agencies who see this as a direct offer may not contact you, but others may see the value of a two-way partnership.
For example, you can send leads and they will send you SEO clients. Or you can set a commission on new business referred.
This can be a great way to passively acquire new customers without any active marketing.
Additionally, agency partners can have many more benefits, such as guest posting opportunities or networking.
There’s No “Secret” To Getting Great Clients
You will find that the key to finding local SEO clients comes down to real relationships.
So, whether it’s networking, speaking, partnering, or offering free value, the best way to attract great customers is to make meaningful connections.
Skip the cold pitch and think first about how you can benefit local businesses or agencies.
You will find that many people are receptive to professionals who take the opportunity to get to know them, solve a problem, and develop a friendly conversation.
Want more local SEO clients you really want to work with?
Use these methods to build connections and encourage long-term partnerships.
Featured image: fizkes/Shutterstock
In summary, the most important on-page SEO factors include well-written and original content, a good title and description tag, formatting with proper use of title and sub-headings, use of images and their descriptions, and well-crafted URLs. that contain the most important keyword and are not too long.
How do I rank higher on Google local keywords?
How do you find and use keywords to help boost your local search rankings? Here’s how to choose your keywords well…Here’s a three-step approach that can help you with your local keyword research.
- Use industry keywords. …
- Use keyword modifiers. …
- Research local keywords.
How can I get on the first page of Google in 24 hours?
How long does it take to get to the first page of Google? From the above studies, we can conclude that reaching the first page of Google takes about 3-6 months – note – deliberate and intensive SEO work. This applies to relatively new websites with a domain authority of less than 40 and competing for medium-weight keywords.
How hard is it to get on the first page of Google?
Ranking on the first page is likely to be difficult, but not impossible. If this keyword ranking is critical to your business, you should still follow it. Keep in mind that you probably won’t rank quickly for this, and you may need to build a lot more backlinks than your competitors.
How much does it cost to be on page 1 of Google?
I’ll start with a one-word answer to the question: “How much does it cost to get your website on Google?” IT’S FREE! It costs nothing. Google will add you to their website for free.
Can you pay to be on the first page of Google?
You can pay to be on the first page of Google and it doesn’t have to be a lot of money. It’s called Google Ads. You can get your website to rank organically without paying for ads.
Why is local SEO important?
Local SEO allows you to put important information about your site online, such as your business address and phone number. Additionally, you can use SEO techniques to highlight and promote the products or services you offer on your website.
Why is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses? A successful local SEO campaign will help your business because: Local SEO will increase your website’s ranking in search results and in the local package. It gets the highest conversion rates of any native advertising channel. This increases your online visibility, especially to neighboring customers.
Why is local SEO important for SEO?
Local SEO helps your business stand out—even if you don’t have a website—and it helps drive more traffic to your premises through online leads. Since these leads come from people who are specifically looking for the products or services your business offers, they are also likely to give you a high conversion rate.
What is the role of local SEO in digital marketing?
Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business be more visible in Google’s local search results. Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO.
Why local ranking is important?
Local SEO supports your website’s ability to rank in the local search territory. There are often differences between these two audiences. Local SEO often affects searchers looking for a product or service in their immediate geographic area. Non-local SEO affects searchers who research.
Who benefits from local SEO & Why?
With local SEO, your business will gain more visibility by being found by the right people who are interested in your product at the right time. Having more visibility for your business means more profits, more sales, and even more relevance.
What is local SEO and why is it so important?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is an online strategy that results in your website appearing at the top of search engine results pages. If you want to attract and engage customers in your area, you definitely need local SEO. This is where you optimize your site for local search results.
Why local SEO is important for your business?
Benefits of Local SEO Improved Online Visibility: Local SEO activities such as citations and link building will increase your online visibility. This makes your business easier to find for new customers. More in-store traffic: Better local visibility brings more foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar location.
What is local SEO in simple words?
Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business be more visible in Google’s local search results. Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO.
What are the most effective local SEO tips for beginners?
Make sure your technical SEO is top notch. Ensuring the highest quality content possible. Earning links to make your website prominent enough in the eyes of Google. Double-checking and applying NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information is accurate on many linking sites.
What is the most effective local SEO strategy? Local SEO Tips. Optimize for Google My Business. Get involved in social media and post to Google My Business. Make sure your name, address and phone number are consistent online.
