21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I've had to stop taking offline customers...

by bridgells
18 replies
I have looked all over the web for some spreadsheet/method/software to help organise me in my SEO work.

What do you all use to organise your actual SEO tasks so a)you can see what you've done b) you can see what needs doing.

I've stopped taking on new clients because I don't want to f*** up through the lack of processes/systems/oranisation.

:confused:

Thanks, Bridget
#customers #offline #stop #taking
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
    I recommend Backpackit if you don't talk with customers.

    If you want something that will allow customers to see progress, updates, and interact with you, then I recommend basecamp.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3565354].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Leanne King
    Deskaway also has a client area or if you are on a budget you could just share using google documents
    Signature
    COUPON CRUSHER WSO - TRAFFIC GRAB CHEAT SHEETWP Mini Money Makers - XFACTOR WP THEME -
    Optimize Press WordPress Theme Review |
    HTML Sites to WordPress | WordPress Security |WP Twin Review | Nanacast Fast Start
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3565358].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I don't think it was a good idea to stop taking the clients. I did that once and took a big hit. You could also check out freedcamp. The problem with a lot of project management software is that you spend a bit of time entering everything in there. It would be best if you're outsourcing quite a bit.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3565369].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SgtBadass
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      I don't think it was a good idea to stop taking the clients.
      I also second this - don't turn customers away just because you can't keep track of stuff, they won't know!

      If they complain send them a graph of something.
      Signature

      Free mini-guide to offline marketing : http://www.sembusinesstactics.com/

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3567096].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author bridgells
        HUGE thanks for your contributions.

        I'm currently trialling BackPackit. Seems great so far...

        I am not actually turning people away, I'm just not going out to get them.

        It's funny, I used to be a teacher and one thing I used to do was to show children how people behave in their different industries to give them an insight into another world. For example, how writers behave/think before they sit down to write a book etc.

        I LONG to know how other SEO managers organise their work or their day if you'd be happy to share? E.g., do you do the same type of tasks daily/do you give each project an hour a day/a week/ do you note down exactly what you've done/cross off a task list/wing it and not bother with recording/are you regimented etc etc.

        Thanks!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3567178].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Alex Tran
          You will need 2 things to manage a customer's SEO campaign.

          1) A list of the places where you built links.

          2) A way to communicate ranking checks to the client.

          You don't need to show the client where you are building links. This is for you own file. I have my team use Google Docs to keep track of the links.

          The columns I use are:

          Target Page | Main Keywords | Articles | Email and Username | Password | Submission Date | Date Active | Bookmark Date | Person Responsible | Notes

          You can communicate rankings with your client using email. Or if you have many clients and are willing to pay for an online project management tool, use something like BasecampHQ.

          Good luck.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3570597].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    We use:

    BaseCampHQ.com (Project Management)
    HighRiseHQ.com (Lead Management)
    Docs.Google.com - Keep everyone on the same page, reports, etc...
    Signature
    Want $6,000/mo. SEO Clients? Watch My Free Video!
    We do WSO Designs TOO!!! Best on WF! - Click Here
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3565512].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SgtBadass
      I had this exact same problem so I got my own written. The thing is with a lot of the on-line systems is that they're overkill for SEO in one way (client management) and not good enough to keep track of the work we do for each client.

      One that does come close with a neat project tracking feature is Project Bubble, but still, I prefer desktop tools for this. Although I spend all my time on the web, I still find the best task management tool I have is one I wrote myself that sits in the corner of my desktop.

      I'm getting it incorporated into my CRM at the moment so I can manage clients and tasks all in one place.
      Signature

      Free mini-guide to offline marketing : http://www.sembusinesstactics.com/

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3566742].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author NicheSavvy
        Originally Posted by SgtBadass View Post

        I had this exact same problem so I got my own written. The thing is with a lot of the on-line systems is that they're overkill for SEO in one way (client management) and not good enough to keep track of the work we do for each client...


        I'm getting it incorporated into my CRM at the moment so I can manage clients and tasks all in one place.
        You ought to sell it! I bet people here would be intersted

        I'm just getting started with offline & it's a bit overwhelming to keep it all straight.
        Signature

        Huzzah!
        Karen

        Get Tips & Cool Tools for your IM Business success @ www.eBizHelp.info

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3573443].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
          When I 1st started my Google Places Optimization business I got so swamped so fast I couldn't keep track of everything.

          So just designed a simple chart that tracks client name, close date, paid date, start date, datasheet complete and emailed to client, datasheet received back, pre-opt benchmark rankings done, Place optimization date, submissions complete, review strategy training complete, duplicate Place pages merged and nuked, site SEO and local hooks analysis and recommendations sent, etc.

          I just use it on paper and pencil in each step I complete. Find it's easier to check at a glance and enter things on paper than it is to open yet one other doc on my busy screen. But that's just me.

          I have a lot of other systems and templates and tricks and tools I provide when I do my advanced Google Places coaching and I've been thinking about bundling it all up to sell, but no time and don't know how to package and sell an info product, so doubt I'll ever get around to it.
          Signature

          Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
          ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
          Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3574890].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Myheavens
    Hi,

    I am using Google docs to track the Work done... You can also share it with your client, so that he knows what is exactly going on.....
    Signature
    I have launched New WordPress theme's Themelocation
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3566839].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mogema
    Hey Voasi

    Thanks for the heads up on highrisehq.com for lead management, i will definitely check them out

    Richard
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3572911].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wicketywick
    thanks for the tips.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3573422].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hugh
    I am so old I still use a yellow legal pad. Price is right. Not too techie!

    Hugh
    Signature

    "Never make someone a priority in your life who makes you an option in theirs." Anon.
    "Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon." -- Winston Churchill

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3576798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author westgateok
    Some great ideas on this thread! I personally have used basecamp, I wasnt the biggest fan, however, we probably were not utilizing it to its potential.. I am going to check out backpackit now.
    Signature
    http://theebayexperiment.blogspot.com/
    www.theebayexperiment.com
    603hobby
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3576818].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    I have used project management programs in the past for projects like web design where there are multiple milestones and a lot of back and forth communication with the client.

    But for SEO clients, for invoicing, I use my regular billing program. I track time using Klok. For an activity schedule, I have an Excel file listing everything that needs to be done and journal any changes to the site itself in a Word Doc.
    Signature
    "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."
    ~ Plato
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3577087].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Just Jarius
    Some good ideas in here, I assumed everyone just used Excel. I clearly assumed wrong lol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3578043].message }}

Trending Topics