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Offering free SEO analysis to potential clients - HELP!

by WillST
26 replies
Hi guys,

My offline activities have started with a bang. I started offering Google Places Listings optimisation and have got roughly 25 clients on board within 3 weeks.

My activities have now expanded to doing full SEO consultation and implementation for clients - which has all come about through a series of random and chance events...

Anyway, my question is... I have been advised (by a potential JV partner) to offer a free website SEO audit to clients, in order to get a foot in the door and pitch them my full SEO services.

... Has anyone got any advice or pointers on what to include in an SEO audit? Or does anyone know of a free online service which automatically generates a report? I apologise if this is a ridiculously stupid question, Im pretty new to all this so learning as I go along!

Thanks in advance guys, really appreciate it!

Jay
#analysis #clients #free #offering #potential #seo
  • Profile picture of the author shawnseward
    Originally Posted by jasonsqui View Post

    Hi guys,

    My offline activities have started with a bang. I started offering Google Places Listings optimisation and have got roughly 25 clients on board within 3 weeks.

    My activities have now expanded to doing full SEO consultation and implementation for clients - which has all come about through a series of random and chance events...

    Anyway, my question is... I have been advised (by a potential JV partner) to offer a free website SEO audit to clients, in order to get a foot in the door and pitch them my full SEO services.

    ... Has anyone got any advice or pointers on what to include in an SEO audit? Or does anyone know of a free online service which automatically generates a report? I apologise if this is a ridiculously stupid question, Im pretty new to all this so learning as I go along!

    Thanks in advance guys, really appreciate it!

    Jay
    Hi Jasonqui,

    I recommend using Traffic Travis and you can find this at traffictravis.com. It is a free piece of software that you can install on your PC that will allow you to do SEO analysis of any website and it will allow you to print it out to a nice report. By the way how did you get 25 clients in 3 weeks if you don't mind me asking. I am working on building my client base and every tip I can get helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillST
    Great stuff! Thank you, will have a look into that then!

    I was just consistent at contacting businesses every day. I sent 200 emails out every morning and got a handful of replies each day... The email I sent basically offered 'getting on google for free' and then when the first page listing is achieved, we charge a monthly fee.

    So we have 25 clients signed up and were currently going through the motions of doing the work to get them on the first page... I imagine we'll have some drop outs when we come to bill them but Im relatively happy with the position were in... I would like to fast forward a few months though!
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    • Profile picture of the author RRG
      Originally Posted by jasonsqui View Post

      Great stuff! Thank you, will have a look into that then!

      I was just consistent at contacting businesses every day. I sent 200 emails out every morning and got a handful of replies each day... The email I sent basically offered 'getting on google for free' and then when the first page listing is achieved, we charge a monthly fee.

      So we have 25 clients signed up and were currently going through the motions of doing the work to get them on the first page... I imagine we'll have some drop outs when we come to bill them but Im relatively happy with the position were in... I would like to fast forward a few months though!
      No offense, but people who aren't paying you anything are NOT clients.

      How do you know these people are going to ever become paying clients? Do you have an agreement in place that they will pay you once you achieve the Page 1 rank?
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      • Profile picture of the author MercadeoEspañol
        Originally Posted by RRG View Post

        No offense, but people who aren't paying you anything are NOT clients.

        How do you know these people are going to ever become paying clients? Do you have an agreement in place that they will pay you once you achieve the Page 1 rank?
        Actually I think the OP is applying a sound strategy. I use it myself and I work with US businesses even when I live overseas.

        During the process, they know I have control of their listing (I educate them about the harm a wrongly managed GP Listing can do). I think deep down they know that as far as I have control of their listing... they better pay. When I prove myself they see results immediately. I target just businesses in 2nd page that know that want to be first. No agreement, no contract.

        A savvy business owner has no reason to skip payment, and this has never happened to me... NEVER. It sure boils down to the relationship you build with your client.
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        • Profile picture of the author RRG
          Originally Posted by MercadeoEspañol View Post

          Actually I think the OP is applying a sound strategy. I use it myself and I work with US businesses even when I live overseas.

          During the process, they know I have control of their listing (I educate them about the harm a wrongly managed GP Listing can do). I think deep down they know that as far as I have control of their listing... they better pay. When I prove myself they see results immediately. I target just businesses in 2nd page that know that want to be first. No agreement, no contract.

          A savvy business owner has no reason to skip payment, and this has never happened to me... NEVER. It sure boils down to the relationship you build with your client.
          Curious: How do you "control" the listing?
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          • Profile picture of the author MercadeoEspañol
            Originally Posted by RRG View Post

            Curious: How do you "control" the listing?
            I target unclaimed listings... there's lots of them (actually around 60%-70% in the niche I specialize on). I claim the listing for the owner and he gives me the verification code.
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            • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
              Originally Posted by MercadeoEspañol View Post

              I target unclaimed listings... there's lots of them (actually around 60%-70% in the niche I specialize on). I claim the listing for the owner and he gives me the verification code.
              Interesting, how are you pitching the GP since I've read elsewhere that you don't cold call? Are you telling them that you taking control will get them to google page 1??
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        • Profile picture of the author Dentist
          Originally Posted by MercadeoEspañol View Post

          Actually I think the OP is applying a sound strategy. I use it myself and I work with US businesses even when I live overseas.

          During the process, they know I have control of their listing (I educate them about the harm a wrongly managed GP Listing can do). I think deep down they know that as far as I have control of their listing... they better pay. When I prove myself they see results immediately. I target just businesses in 2nd page that know that want to be first. No agreement, no contract.

          A savvy business owner has no reason to skip payment, and this has never happened to me... NEVER. It sure boils down to the relationship you build with your client.
          I think he has a phenomenal strategy and start too. The most important thing for SEO and similar is to build some relations and get paid on a subscription based model. Meanwhile you should always have the next service ready. For example if you are optimizing their website for some keywords, you can always offer optimizing for some other extra keywords as well when they start to pay after they have seen some results. Then they will be less motivated to skip the payments.
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    • Profile picture of the author RKCastillo
      Originally Posted by jasonsqui View Post

      I sent 200 emails out every morning and got a handful of replies each day... The email I sent basically offered 'getting on google for free' and then when the first page listing is achieved, we charge a monthly fee.
      I like this strategy.

      2 Questions about it:

      1. Where did you get 200 emails a day?

      2. How much did you say you would charge them once you got the 1st page listing?
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  • Profile picture of the author kmalikis
    Jasonqui,

    first off...Your crushing it dude!!!! that means your off to a phenomenal start. Yes i would like to know the answer to the questions RKCastillo asks.
    (if you don't mind sharing )

    1. How are you getting the email addresses? out of 200 emails how many are responding?
    2. How much do you plan to charge after they are on the first page?

    3. Any chance you would be willing to share the template of the email you send? I'm sure a lot of people are interested in ellaborating on your approach.

    Thanks and continued success to you!

    Kamran
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    • Profile picture of the author Derek_Thomas
      Shifting back to the OP's original question...

      Try this out: SEO Software. Simplified. | SEOmoz

      It may be a wise move to wait until after you have some positive cash flow from your clients though.

      Keep it up.
      Derek
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      • Profile picture of the author jrod014
        Originally Posted by Derek Thomas View Post

        Shifting back to the OP's original question...

        Try this out: SEO Software. Simplified. | SEOmoz

        It may be a wise move to wait until after you have some positive cash flow from your clients though.

        Keep it up.
        Derek

        I agree with Derek, I use SEOMOZ + my WP SEO plugin to grade my clients websites. i then compare the two.

        Jerry
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        • Profile picture of the author WillST
          Thanks Jrod014,

          I've heard a lot of people use IBP? Anyone had any success with this? Apparantly the reporting tool is good to produce a report for clients, but its pretty expensive...
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  • Profile picture of the author WillST
    Well... this post has developed over the last 12 hours!

    This is my first venture into offline marketing, and so far so good...

    Thanks guys for all the props, really appreciate it, I think everyone has those moments of doubt where you think what you doing isn't/won't ever work...

    But anyway, 3 weeks in... and things are looking good. RRG - you are correct that they arent paying clients (yet) so 'technically' they aren't clients, but its a solid foot in the door with 25 businesses.

    Yes, we do have a contract in place with all 25 businesses. This is my process -

    1. Send them an email, where I explain the 'free' first page listing on google, and a monthly fee will follow once results are achieved - I also offer to do some 'research' (KW research) to see if it will be worth there time (I word it - because ultimately, if you won't be receiving any business from this, it wont be worth either of our time...) I just try to make it sound like I'm on their side and ONLY want to do this for them if its going to be Win/Win

    2. They then either call me or reply via email (I get roughly a 5% response rate, which slightly varies depending on the industry)... Some are skeptical, but when I explain what the deal is, the majority are very open to it - as long as there is a good volume of monthly searches for there service - why would they not want to do this?

    3. I send them an 'agreement' I wrote up and put my logo on, which basically outlines that we charge a monthly fee when we get results.

    4. I wait for them to agree (over email) that they are happy to proceed and then I get to work.

    ___

    I do assume that I will have some clients completely ignore all my calls when I achieve the results and start chasing for payment - but with everything, its a numbers game.

    I NEVER agree to get started on a project without a lengthy conversation to see how 'hot' there desire for this is... If it is lukewarm in the slightest, I dont bother doing anything for them.

    I also keep in touch with them once a week via email/telephone just to catch up and ensure Im still on the radar. The first few GPlaces listings should start appearing in the next week or so, so I can report back on how it went when payment time comes.

    From this basic service though, a whole plethora of opportunity has presented itself to me completely out of nowehere... Just by putting myself out there and positioning myself as an 'expert' to business owners who honestly dont have a clue, things are starting to happen... Heres a taster:

    a) 25 'clients' on board for the Google Places Listings service
    b) three conversations regarding NATIONAL campaigns (50+ locations each!!)
    c) one franchise owner has given me the reigns to his ENTIRE online marketing and as put me on a monthly retainer, and a 10% profit share for TWO of his other businesses.
    d) met a web designer who wants to pass me all of his SEO work.
    e) the web designer is also the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR of a regional networking group where he advised me that a handful of local businesses are actively looking for a SEO expert for imminent national campaigns for there new businesses...

    So yeh... things are getting crazy! I'm honestly not bragging, as Im still yet to earn a living from this, but in 3 very short weeks SO MUCH has happened and SO MUCH opportunity is popping up from nowhere!

    Sorry for the long email. In reply to a few of the questions above -

    >> For the 200 emails I sent each day, I literally just went onto Google, searched for my target trade in the target location on Google Maps, then contacted each website one by one (either through there contact form, or their email address if it was there). This is very tedious, time consuming and boring but if you stay consistent, the response you get back, and ultimately the clients you get, will take care of itself.

    >> I charge £95 per month to 'maintain' the Google Places Listings. So this would be roughly $160? x 25 = $4000 per month I'll soon be 'owed'.

    I am COMPLETELY new to all of this and still don't really know what the hell I'm doing - Im just getting myself out there and seeing what happens. I've given myself 12 weeks to fully apply myself to this to see what income can be generated... After the 12 week point, I will either continue to do what Im doing, or start another business (I have 3 other ideas of things I know I can scale up, grow, etc).

    Any advice, is more than welcome, everythings a bit of a whirlwind at the minute so Im just trying to keep up with it!

    Thanks guys,

    Jay
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    • Profile picture of the author rampage
      Hi Jay,

      I was just lurking around and found your extremely refreshing thread. I say refreshing because you are proof that action speaks louder than words.

      I am also embarking on a similar journey in another country and your success has given me a much needed push to really take some solid action.

      To ACT, I must be ON!

      Thanks and all the best.
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      Newborn Newbie No More

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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    keep up the momentum. Sound like you will have more that you can handle pretty fast.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillST
    Cheers rampage I really appreciate that... I also took the advice of 'taking massive action' and thought to myself 'no ones going to do it for me', so lets get cracking! So I bought a few WSOs, learned a little about what I should be offering and then literally jumped in at the deep end with no experience, qualifications or previous results to show clients...

    Good luck with it all mate, and keep us posted on how you get on.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillST
    Hey Eddie, yeh its looking that way at the moment... I still get ridiculously nervous when I speak with a new client, or have a client who wants to meet for a coffee, etc, but when I realise they literally know nothing (far less than even me), then I start to think 'hold on, maybe I am actually onto something here'!

    Thanks for all your support chaps, means a lot. Lets see what the next 3 weeks entails, because I honestly dont have a clue, but know it'll be interesting!
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    • Profile picture of the author rlhurst
      Originally Posted by jasonsqui View Post

      I still get ridiculously nervous when I speak with a new client, or have a client who wants to meet for a coffee, etc, but when I realise they literally know nothing (far less than even me), then I start to think 'hold on, maybe I am actually onto something here'!
      I just experienced this today. I called the company I use for pest control. One of the managers started out as the one who serviced my property over a year ago. He's since moved up into management. I created a mobile site for him about a month ago to check out. He liked the idea but said they were having their website re-designed, and he'd get back to me. So, when I called today he said the website was almost finished. I asked if he'd be willing to let me know how much they're spending......... 5-10 thousand was his answer! I started explaining to him how his company isn't even in the top 25 pages of Google for Pest control "city"!! He was impressed with my knowledge (his perception of my knowledge). I was just discussing basic stuff. Then I told him about claiming his Places page and how the competition isn't that stiff for the industry.

      That's when I told him to find out if SEO was included in the website price. He wasn't sure (he's not the owner, but I'd think he'd know that being a manager) but agreed to get back to me before paying more. I told him I'd offer to get paid for performance and not up front. He REALLY like that idea, and said he'd get back to me in a couple of weeks.

      Like one posted above, this helps separate one from the others. The owner has no risk, and I'm confident in being able to improve their rankings
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      • Profile picture of the author danielp310
        Just want to congratulate you for taking action...I have bought many Offline WSO's and now its time for me to take action.

        Dont you think your charging too little for the google places maintenance?

        I have read some warriors are charging between $200-$500 U.S ...anyone have suggestions on what is a fair price to charge?
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        • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
          Well, Jason, how has this gone for you so far? Have you started/finished the work for those 25 clients? You have an intriguing model. Slightly different. You've taken action and that's key. Congrats!
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  • Profile picture of the author jollydutta
    i am agree with MercadeoEspañol..
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    • Profile picture of the author BradleyC
      Great job, Jason.

      What Jason so successfully did was overcame the "risk" factor. Results before payment! Risk is a huge deal to businesses, especially when you consider how many people are trying to get that business to open up their wallet and give them money.

      Plus, because there was no risk here, proof elements like testimonials didn't play a factor ... either he performs and will then get paid, or he doesn't and won't get paid. A nice "risk reversal".

      As competition becomes more fierce in this market place, those who are willing to do what others won't like reversing the risk (if you believe in your ability to perform, reversing the risk shouldn't be an issue) will prevail.

      The bigger picture to this is all of the back-end sales opportunities being created here. When you provide them with the results they are after like a first page ranking, you own them. Consider this, why would they do business with a complete stranger when they can do business with someone they already know (you) and are doing business with that are giving them results?

      This approach is a "long term" thinking approach to business, which so many people in this business won't consider because they want the money upfront. They don't understand the long term effect of this and how you now have a built in client list to market your other products and services too ... this is where the real money comes in.

      Plus, because they already know and trust you, price becomes less of an issue for those back-end products.

      This is why we offer "SEO" services as a back-end product and not a front end product. Our front end product is simply designed to just get them as a customer and nothing more. Even if we don't make a profit on the front end, we know the long term financial windfall we'll have over the next 1-2 years with these clients as they buy other products and services from us.

      This is how you build a real offline business that makes money hand over fist. Think "back-end"!

      Again, great job Jason.

      Bradley
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  • Profile picture of the author rbecklund
    For an SEO analysis of a potential client. I check where they rank in Google Yahoo and Bing for a variety of keywords related to their business. See how many backlinks they have to their site. Check the search volume for their specific keywords. I also check the competition for the first page of Google to know what I'm getting myself into. I use Market Samurai for this info.
    Then I write up a proposal with the data and with what I'll do for their SEO work and present it to them.

    I really like this way of getting clients. I just cold call, which I don't mind, but I can get my son to send out emails...

    Way to go!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    Well... get back to your original question...

    There are a lot of services for a free analysis. Here are a few that come to mind (ranked in order of which ones I prefer):

    Don't pay for SEO services! Get a Free SEO Report in minutes!
    Website SEO Tool | Website Grader
    Free SEO Tool - SEOrush
    Signature
    Want $6,000/mo. SEO Clients? Watch My Free Video!
    We do WSO Designs TOO!!! Best on WF! - Click Here
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  • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
    Originally Posted by jasonsqui View Post

    Hi guys,

    My offline activities have started with a bang. I started offering Google Places Listings optimisation and have got roughly 25 clients on board within 3 weeks.

    My activities have now expanded to doing full SEO consultation and implementation for clients - which has all come about through a series of random and chance events...

    Anyway, my question is... I have been advised (by a potential JV partner) to offer a free website SEO audit to clients, in order to get a foot in the door and pitch them my full SEO services.

    ... Has anyone got any advice or pointers on what to include in an SEO audit? Or does anyone know of a free online service which automatically generates a report? I apologise if this is a ridiculously stupid question, Im pretty new to all this so learning as I go along!

    Thanks in advance guys, really appreciate it!

    Jay
    Just from personal experience so far, it is not the audit they will pay attention to, it is the results of what you can do after it. In other words, as part of the audit have a "package" or proposal ready for them that will fix those problems as well as something that pushes it over the edge (facebook, mobile coupons, analytics installed for free, whatever).
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    I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
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