How to answer to client: What are your SEO experiences?

19 replies
Hey warriors, so i recently started my offline business. A few days ago, I met with a client regarding web design and SEO. and while we were talking, he asked me "what website did you do SEO on in the past"?
Okay, now the questions is how should i answer this question when i never did any SEO to any local businesses before. What are some answers around this question without lying to him.

This is how i answered him(which is the truth), it goes something like this: "I played around with SEO in the past with my private sites"

I'm planning to outsource the SEO part.

so the questions is, how can i answer this professionally so it doesnt turn off the client?
thanks in advance
#answer #client #experiences #seo
  • Profile picture of the author 300SMG
    When I was an independant freelancer before I had a company behind me, I had to answer a lot of the Why's and What Have's.

    Back when I first started, the biggest or most common question was "How will people find our site?" Now, I didn't guarantee them 1st page of Google because I truly didn't know how well I could produce (being new) so my answer was - "Each site is optimized for search engines, using keywords, meta tags, proper use of keyword text and proper description tags. The site is also hand submitted to the main S/E's." That always seemed to ease their mind.

    Now, what you're being asked is a bit different because you're selling SEO. I would say that you should ask your outsourcing company the very same thing...and use that answer.
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    • Profile picture of the author reviewersinsight
      I diddled around with seo and sem and the one thing that has always been constant is the change of algorithms of each search engine. The total optimization for all search engines will be different.

      You could say, "since each search engine is differnet, I would have to refer to my resources so that I can produce the best algorithm optimized content to cross-reference all the search engines'. If he ask what does that mean, you just say "in lamense terms, the content and marketing I will put on the site will be satisfactory for the search engines".

      This should buy you some time to cram as much information as you can about seo. Don't be afraid to make mistakes....you're human. Refer to various resources on seo and keep going.

      You'll do great!
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    hi CottonSwabs

    When you are pitching/ promoting to them, do you leave them with the impression that it's YOU who will be delivering the work yourself, or that SEO is part of the jigsaw , you deliver the whole solution but various highly skilled 'others' put some of the pieces together for you.

    If you position yourself in the latter place straight away, then you can use your outsourcers results in your answer and all parties should be fine with that, if it's at that point that you suddenly have to admit that it's not YOU that does the work, then you would have a problem.

    Think ahead more and position accordingly from the start. ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Nail Yener
    Originally Posted by cottonswabs View Post

    Hey warriors, so i recently started my offline business. A few days ago, I met with a client regarding web design and SEO. and while we were talking, he asked me "what website did you do SEO on in the past"?
    Okay, now the questions is how should i answer this question when i never did any SEO to any local businesses before. What are some answers around this question without lying to him.

    This is how i answered him(which is the truth), it goes something like this: "I played around with SEO in the past with my private sites"

    I'm planning to outsource the SEO part.

    so the questions is, how can i answer this professionally so it doesnt turn off the client?
    thanks in advance
    The best way to answer this question would be to have at least one real website example to show your potential clients. If you don't have such an example site that you actually ranked for the target keyword, I don't think you will be much persuasive.

    If I were you, I would create a personal local site such as a site about "beauty salons in your city" and bring it to the first page of Google for related local search terms. And when you meet with a client, just enter your main keyword to Google and show them how you rank on the first page.

    By doing so, you will not only have a sample ranking site that you can show to your clients but also you will own a site that ranks for a certain niche in your city.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daisa24
    I agree with Nail Yener. It might also be good to use Google Analytics so you can show actual information about how well your site is doing.
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  • Profile picture of the author cisshadab
    You just need to show your previous works, testimonials, and the website you have worked on before and that you have ranked many certain keywords on search engines. You would also have to convince him for new skills and technique you are using currently.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    The OP is clear that he doesn't have any paid experience. So "show him your testimonials" etc. isn't very helpful.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post6298956

    Read this. It'll get you started.

    Basically you first want to avoid getting into this situation. The quality of questions you ask will give you your credibility.

    Second, since you have no choice, I would say something like, "I've bet the most valuable assets on my own performance--my own sites. I've gotten results and made money, and now I'd like to start doing that for you." And then move right into a question about their world...something like, "So if I had this humming along for you, what would it look like?"
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  • Profile picture of the author cisshadab
    You just need to provide your previous work & testimonials and certain keywords that you have ranked on search engines. Also you need to convince your client for the new techniques you are using currently.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Schwarz
    SEO is search engine optimization right? Doesn't just mean one type of optimizing for google rank does it? I tell all clients that I don't and won't, but I work with people that I can connect them with.
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  • Profile picture of the author seorembo
    The best way to show the client that you are really have experience is to show portfolio or some metrics like google analytics.
    If client see that your sites are in the top of search engines, he will order SEO!
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  • Profile picture of the author Morningwalker
    Just impress client with your pitch....
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      You most likely won't get that question if you keep asking them questions about what they want to accomplish.

      But if you do, you can tell them about the experience of the person doing the work, and explain that they are part of your team. Unless you are just outsourcing to Fiverr, then you should quit.
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      • Show them your previous works, portfolio, report samples as well as present your most effective SEO techniques that can be applied to new clients

        Also, I agree that you should have your own website with your selling services since it's more persuasive!
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Cotton what the client was actually saying was "I'm not sure about your skills and the value you will provide".

    That kind of question tells you that he is sold on SEO. He just isn't sold on you. He doesn't see you as an expert.

    IMO there are two ways to position yourself that work well
    1. As the expert (or team of experts) who is worth every dollar and more.
    2. As the low priced highly skilled amature who will get you results for less money because they don't have the skills and experence yet.

    Either one you have to show you are worth the money. The low priced option means a bit more risk but if you show you are just starting out businesses will be willing to pay less and gamble on you.

    The point here is it sounds like you decided to market yourself as the expert but could not back this up with your actions. So in their mind they are paying expert prices (since that is how they were sold) but you do not provide expert skill level.

    There are ways around this. The low price and starting out is one I personally believe in if you are honestly doing the work yourself. If you are outsourcing it you should talk about the team of experts that your company has.

    When I am talking to the sales person I do not expect them to be the one providing the service as well. If they are that means they are just starting out which in my mind discounts their service.

    So you have to decide how to present yourself and remember that how you present yourself will influence the value they see in you.
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    • Profile picture of the author JRampage
      We've all had that client(s) who asks so many questions, even more troublesome for us when we are just starting out. I remember telling them a white lie. I have x year(s) of experience in this field and have successfully ranked a few websites. However i do not share my clients' information with others. I hope you understand the confidentiality.



      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      So you have to decide how to present yourself and remember that how you present yourself will influence the value they see in you.
      and I agree with Aaron. Its how you sell yourself which is also very important.
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  • Profile picture of the author logstore12
    Tell him about your previous work that you have done on different project and also tell him your way to work and quality of work.
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  • Profile picture of the author kazim
    Please check the link of jason. I think it is perfect for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    My suggestion would be to piggyback off your outsourced team's results. Get a list of your outsourced SEO's client results. Then, you can say something like this:

    "Yes, Mr. Business Owner, I have plenty of results I can show you. My partnered SEO Team has collectively over 10 years experience in SEO and has a ton of results. Here's a few..."

    You're not saying you have the experience per se, you're saying that your outsourced team has the experience.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayBay
      Now who can I outsource to hmm...
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      What can I do to be more helpful to you?

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