9 Questions to Ask to Gauge Client Fit as an SEO Consultant?

Inquire About Past SEO Experiences

As an SEO consultant, one of the most important considerations for your success is probably client fit. The answer here will vary depending on your own priorities and style, but one question that can be a good starting point is: “Can you tell me more about your experience working with SEO consultants in the past?”

This question can reveal a lot about the client’s expectations, communication style, and approach to collaboration, all essential elements of a successful working relationship. Of course, there are many other factors to consider, but this question can be a key part of your toolkit for assessing client fit.

Is This a New Website?

One question to gauge client fit as an SEO consultant is “Is this a new website?” If the client has a brand new website, it’s likely they will not have significant SEO work done for a while. While this is not always the case, it is something to consider.

If the website has been around for a while, the client may have an opportunity for immediate SEO work. This can include 301 redirects, broken links, 404s, and other issues that can be addressed to improve the website’s organic performance.

Assess Client’s In-House Resources

To do effective SEO, many people need to come to the table. Notably:

– Copywriters

– Web developers

– Brand managers

– E-commerce teams

For SEO to be actioned, you’ll need to lean on all the above people at some stage in your career. So understanding what in-house resources a client has is vital.

There’s no point doing a technical audit if there’s no one to act on it.

Much the same as there’s no point in creating a content brief if there’s not a copywriter to write it. Knowing these things will help you understand if a client will be a fit for SEO.

If they don’t have resources, you’ll need to provide extra solutions in that space or educate them on why SEO isn’t ideal for them. If they have resources, that will shape your implementation and potentially your SEO focus. The sooner both parties understand this, the better.

Understand Target Audience and Keywords

“Do you clearly understand your target audience and the keywords they use to search for your business?” Asking this question will help you determine if the client has a solid understanding of their business and its audience.

If they can provide specific information about their target market and the keywords they use, it shows a level of investment and understanding that will make your job as an SEO consultant easier.

If they can’t provide this information, it may be a sign that they are not ready for SEO or that more groundwork needs to be laid before any strategy is implemented.

Determine the Client’s Business Goals

A good question to ask your client as an SEO consultant would be what their business goals are. This can help determine what exact type of niche their business offers, through which you can begin forming a list of relevant keywords related to that niche.

This question can help you understand the client’s expectations for SEO and how it fits into their overall business strategy. It can also help you determine if the client’s goals are realistic and aligned with your expertise and capabilities as an SEO consultant.

Clarify Expectations for SEO Results

One essential question to ask a potential client is: “What are your expectations for the results of our SEO services?” This inquiry can help you assess if the client’s goals align with what is realistically achievable through SEO.

If a client expects immediate and significant results, such as a massive increase in traffic or sales within the first month, then it’s essential to clarify that SEO alone may not meet those expectations and that they might need to consider advertising.

It’s crucial to educate clients that SEO is a long-term process that requires time, effort, and patience. Achieving a 5-10% increase in traffic per month is a realistic goal that can cause meaningful and sustainable growth.

In summary, managing client expectations is critical to the success of any SEO campaign. By clarifying what results can realistically be achieved and educating clients on the process, you can build a healthy and productive working relationship with your clients.

Identify Desired SEO Outcomes

My number #1 question to ask as someone that transitioned from SEO consultant to agency owner is:

What are the outcomes you are looking for from SEO?

This sounds simple; however, it helps lead to setting realistic expectations about timelines and deliverables and the potential business value SEO can generate. I have spoken to hundreds of small businesses who “want SEO.” Because of the situation their business is in, SEO is not suitable for them at their current size and cash flow.

Too many businesses think of SEO as “free traffic” however, in today’s competitive environment; SEO is often more expensive than Paid Search advertising to execute successfully.

Discuss the Use of Past SEO Results

Asking about how clients use the results of a previous SEO campaign is a great way to gauge their fit and also leads to valuable insights.

First, it helps you understand the client’s goals and expectations for their SEO campaigns. It helps you assess a client’s ability to learn from past mistakes and apply those lessons to future campaigns.

It shows whether they have the knowledge and experience to analyze the results of their campaigns effectively and use that information to improve their SEO strategy. An already developed plan or idea can be a positive sign they are committed to investing in SEO and willing to work with you to achieve their objectives. No clear plan for using SEO results may mean the client doesn’t understand SEO’s value.

Asking this question shows your expertise as an SEO consultant and shows the client that you are more than just focused on the technical aspects of SEO.

Evaluate the Client’s SEO Budget

To assess if a client is a good fit for you, be sure to ask about their budget and discuss the level of investment planned for SEO.

SEO services vary in price depending on the scope and complexity of the project. Discussing financial issues upfront with a potential client is crucial. It will help determine if you have enough resources to achieve the desired results. As an SEO consultant, you must stick to the numbers and plan your SEO efforts accordingly.

Despite hiring an SEO consultant, some clients don’t treat search engine optimization seriously and aren’t willing to spend much money on it. Others may have an unrealistic vision of what you can offer them within the budget. You never know. Thanks to asking about financial options, you can avoid taking on clients who are not a good fit for your services.