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Starting a Local SEO and web design business

by rhopkins90
4 replies
I'm new to IM and I'm thinking of ideas for my second little online business (first one is trying to sell social media advertising like youtube views etc).

Kind of cliche, I know, but I'm thinking of making a local SEO and web design company.

There isn't a lot of competition in my city and surrounding cities, so I think with a little SEO work I can get to the top of a google search for anyone typing "my-city SEO" or "my-city web design" etc etc

I'm thinking the home page will be a blog page that I update weekly with a vblog aswell which is connected to youtube and also be connected to facebook and twitter. Each blog and video will link to my "squeeze page" where I offer something of value for free and get their e-mail and beging making a list

an opt in form for what ever my free thing of value is will be on the side of each page amongst the site as well.

Besides the blog page there will be the classic about me page
our services page with sub pages for the different individual services - each page will have good copy that explains the service and explains "SEO for dummies" in a way so people are learning and getting value - most people dont have a clue about SEO.

On each page I'm going to do a subsequent video as well for the people who dont want to read - each video will be uploaded on youtube and embed on the site - and the youtube video titles will be optimized nicely - and all have links to the squeeze page.

After they opt in on the squeeze page they will come to a thank you page where I try to upsell them on SEO work, web design work, and maybe a click bank "how to become and internet marketer" product

I'm going to outsource all the work to wholesalers and professionals - I have found a bunch of willing and able outsourcers through sites like elance and odesk.

I'll seo the blog and squeeze page
and I'll buy PPC ads for the squeeze page with local keywords that aren't too expensive "my-city seo" etc
and because its local I can use my cold-calling sales skills as well to bring in customers

Is this idea any good guys? good business model? critic it for me please if you will - make fun of it, tell me what to do instead, tell me it can work, etc. I'd really appreciate that.

Do I have the right idea in making it just local and then worrying about expanding it later or do I want to try to make it north american wide right from the get-go?

Thanks for your time in reading this guys- I look forward to your replies, harsh or not!
#business #design #local #seo #starting #web
  • Profile picture of the author rhopkins90
    And if I totally have my RAS focused in the wrong place - let me know where to direct my attention so I can get my RAS onto something that is more useful and profitable. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    My only question is how are you going to prove to your clients that your SEO works. SEO is expensive and in most cases requires a long term commitment from the business. Have you tried the strategies you plan to sell?

    Benjamin
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  • Profile picture of the author fated82
    What you are sharing with us are tactics. What you want to focus on is the strategies. Some questions you need to ponder:

    - is there a need for the services I plan to sell?
    - will my target audience be willing to pay the price I sell for
    - will my method works regardless of industry?
    - how will I capture and retain customers?
    - what service do I have to render for to get them through the door?

    Since you are serving the offline clients, the best way to find out their needs are to talk to them. One of the ways that work best for me is via networking sessions.

    Hope that helps.
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