The SEO industry is growing day by day, and with it, the number of agencies providing SEO services is also increasing. If you plan to start an SEO agency or add SEO to your existing portfolio, now is the right time.
But starting an SEO agency is not as easy as it may seem. There are a lot of things you need to take care of, from finding the right clients to delivering results that meet their expectations.
Here are a few useful tips that will help you get started on the right foot and build a successful SEO agency:
1. Enhance Your Existing Skills And Knowledge
If you’re an existing agency planning to add SEO to your portfolio, chances are that you specialize in one of these fields: writing, marketing, or web development. But once you enter the world of SEO, you need to build a working knowledge of the other two fields.
The SEO landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and a working knowledge of these fields will help you stay ahead of the curve. It will also make it easier for you to understand and explain the work that you’re doing to your clients. You don’t need to master all three fields, but a basic understanding will go a long way.
Since the other two fields are not your core strengths, you would probably need to build teams or outsource work to agencies specializing in those areas. That’s why it’s important to have a good understanding of what they’re doing and how it affects your SEO strategy.
There are plenty of resources available online that can help you build your knowledge in these areas. You can use Google’s SEO Starter Guide to get started. You can also leverage social groups, forums, and even YouTube videos to get a basic understanding of SEO and related skills. You need to be a little aware while using these resources as there is a lot of misconception about SEO on the internet. If in doubt, you can refer to our SEO magazine to get reliable information.
In addition to these skills, you’ll also need to build on other important skills that are required to succeed in the SEO industry. These include critical thinking, analytics knowledge, and your ability to adapt to quickly changing situations.
If you’re starting from scratch, developing these skills might take some time. It is advised that you evaluate your core strengths and work on adding SEO to your skill set. Once you have a good understanding of the basics, you can start offering services to clients.
2. Get A Basic Understanding Of Website Building
Website building is a necessary skill for every SEO agency. You need to understand how websites are built and how different elements on a website can affect SEO. This will help you identify and fix common website issues that can impact SEO.
You don’t need to be an expert in website building, but a basic understanding will help you a lot. You can use resources like WordPress and Wix to build websites quickly. You can also hire someone with website building experience to help you with the technical aspects.
It is important to note that SEO best practices like links, content quality, and user experience are mostly the same across websites. However, you might find optimizing a Shopify site different from a Wix or Weebly site. So, it is advised that you get a grasp of the different types of websites and how they work before starting your agency. It will come in really handy when you’re pitching to potential clients.
3. Tune Up Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key to the success of any business, and SEO agencies are no different. As an agency owner, you’ll work with clients from all walks of life. You need to explain the work you’re doing in a way that is easy to understand. Otherwise, you’ll risk losing clients or not getting the results you’re looking for.
In today’s competitive market, you need to be an expert in communicating, setting goals, being flexible, building proofs of concept, and testing and scaling. You should be able to clearly articulate your thoughts and explain complex concepts in simple terms. This will help you build strong relationships with clients and get the best results for their businesses.
Moreover, you also need to be personable and easy to work with. Many clients will be relying on you for advice and guidance. So, it is important that you build trust and credibility with them. This will help you retain clients and grow your business in the long run.
It is important to point out that SEO is a technical field, and sometimes it requires breaking down complex concepts into more straightforward ideas. This is where your soft skills will come in handy. You need to explain these concepts to clients in a way that is easy to understand.
Remember, when it comes to running a successful SEO agency, your communication is the key. It is the difference between landing that big client or not.
4. Learn The Art Of Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful tool to help you connect with clients and sell your services. It is a way of communicating that is easy to understand and makes complex concepts relatable. It’s a skill that enables you to look at a chunk of data and find the human story within it.
As an agency owner, you will work with a lot of data, especially in performance reports and audits. Learning the art of storytelling will help you make sense of this data and present it in a way that is easy to understand.
Some common mistakes that SEO pros often make while trying to tell their story are failing to use visual cues, not providing enough context, and lacking confidence. You need to make sure you avoid these mistakes to be a successful SEO agency owner. Always back your claims with data, use visual aids to support your argument, and be confident while presenting your ideas.
That’s why it is crucial to establish yourself as a credible source and master the art of storytelling. This will help you connect with clients, present your ideas more relatable way, and ultimately sell your services.
5. Build A Professional Network
Networking is an important part of running a successful business. It is a great way to meet new people, learn about new opportunities, and grow your network. As an agency owner, you need to build a network of professionals that you can rely on.
This network will not only help you explore new business opportunities but will also provide you with a support system. These professionals can offer advice and guidance when you need it the most. They can also help you to overcome challenges and reach your goals.
Building an effective network for new agencies can be challenging, but it is not impossible. There are various ways you can go about it. You can start by attending industry events, joining trade associations, or connecting with people online. You can also connect with other agency owners and learn from their experiences.
Starting and running a successful SEO agency is not an easy task. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. However, if you are willing to put in the effort, it can be a very rewarding experience. As a new agency owner, you will face challenges that, at times, may question your decision to start your own business. But always keep in mind that it takes time to build a successful business. So, be patient and stay focused on your goals. And most importantly, never give up!