[ADVICE NEEDED] Do I need a 'company website' for SEO services?

Yes you need a website coz it makes you to look a bit professional...

Hey Nooborp,

First off, a big high five for taking action! I don't think a website is mandatory and I think a Facebook page would be just fine. It's a perfect way to get started and if you want to build a site later you can.

Clients read them if you are engaging, get them involved. I would try to use video as much as you can and be different the normal old SEO companies.

How much information you put on your site is up to you. Some companies make you contact them for a quote and others list their prices. There are advantages to both. Getting a quote can start the point of contact and build a relationship with the client and you are initially qualifying the prospects need for your services too. Listing your prices can land the prospects that want to make the decision now and your prices might be what they are looking for.

Hope this helps or gives you some ideas.

If you have a website for your SEO services that is ranked at the top of Google it acts as proof of your abilities. It can be #1 for "Your town SEO consultants", but you can show clients that you were able to outrank other competitors. A strong motivation for them.

hi noobcorp,

since i know how hard it is to get the credibility you are talking about, which is building a website, what content, what prices, and then having credibility of SEO results, we offer a service , where you can use our branding, credibility, and case studies to sell SEO.

you can check out our website in my links below, and if you interested, i can tell you more. just thought i would put it out there , as i was in the same shoes as you, and was looking for that credibility so long ago.

Let's do a role-play. I'm a business owner looking for SEO services.

If they're smart they'll ask one of two questions, and if asked, you're screwed.

1. What does your business website rank like in Google?

2. What's your website?


If you aren't prepared to make a website, why are you prepared to start an SEO business? Do you even have any SEO experience?

If you have a strong lead generation business model, the decision to work with you should be based on the business owner recognizing a number of things including what it will cost them if they don't move ahead with you and secondly, what they lose by deciding not to work with you in particular.

From that perspective, it could be argued that having a website isn't important, but that wouldn't be correct because for your lead generation and prospect/client conversion system to really pack a punch, you want local business prospects to have already read or heard something about you.

What better place to have that information showcased than YOUR website?

Also, considering you're talking to them about SEO, wouldn't it be relevant for you to rank well for your niche/target market/offerings etc? I think it would.

So, do you need a website?

I guess you already knew the answer..."Yes you do" and it needs to work for you as opposed to against you.

Hope this helps and good luck.

BAYO

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. Appreciated!
I think I should get started on my website then

About ranking high in my niche (keywords: seo company, seo consultant; for example). It will probably take sometimes, at least 5-6 months. Does that mean I probably wouldnt be able to show my client anything until i reach somewhere in top 5? (just ranking page 1 sounds a little cheesy)

For Local SEO, a website is like a must, because business owners would like to see that you have an existence online. Displaying some reviews and testimonials or information about your previous SEO projects on your website will also help.

SEO niche is very competitive and you may not rank on the 1st page ever for your target keywords. However, you can approach a business and bring their site to the first page, which will be much easier than ranking for SEO terms, and then show this to your next clients.

You should look at having a website as a wise investment and not an expense or time wasted...in time this neophyte website will grow into a potential lead generating monster with proper care and nourishment (through consistent link building and adding content pages).

Having a website in this modern day and time is one of the most important investments one can make and that will always set you apart from the average Joe who wont bother with a website.

Hope this help my friend.

Thanks again for the advice.

But how should I approach this?

While showing my 'portfolio' publicly online will get me more 'walk-in' clients, but at the same time,
this will allow experienced competitors to traceback what I do - reverse engineering

On the other hand, a website without any portfolio or accomplishments will not make my service attractive,
and will probably get a much lower % of people contacting me. They will have to meet me in person to discuss
what I've done up to date etc. In addition, as I work full-time 9-5, i will be hard to reach. This double the challenges.

Okay so yes, having a website and ranking it well will make you look good in front of the client... But is it necessary? Nope. I can say this because I landed my first (and current client) without one! I was asked for references and I casually replied I had a couple of clients who preferred to remain anonymous. I showed him my LinkedIn profile and that was that.

Now I am gearing up to find my second client. Just go for it. Best of luck.

Some of what you're talking about here falls in the category of USP (unique selling proposition) - what makes you different than all your competitors - and the like. You can actually do just fine without a website - and if you're just getting started I recommend you not get bogged down creating one. Presenting the prospect with good/unique reasons to choose you over competitors works with or without a website.

Yes, you'll eventually benefit from having one - it's one more way to get found/noticed and get your USP/message out there - but a common mistake beginners make is worrying about too many of such details and never getting to first base. Getting out there and selling your services is where you'll learn quick - what to say, what questions will be asked, how to answer them, how to handle their concerns, etc. (including how to answer questions about your website - or lack thereof).

Of all the offline services one can offer, SEO is one of the least understood by clients. IMHO, it benefits the least from having a website (compared to other offline services). That's not to say it can't help, but if not done well (back to the USP, etc.) it can also hinder - especially for SEO.

As mentioned by others, the more you can present a picture of the results you've created for other clients and other such selling points, the less significant a website. Of course, when you're just getting started you have little such data. If that's the case you may want to tap your sphere of influence and/or volunteer your services to some non-profits until you have measurable results - the experience gained can be a big confidence booster as well.

I like the idea of using Facebook as your web presence. Also, why not create a Youtube channel and promote yourself as an expert through the use of video. No one has ever asked me to see my website or the rank of my website even though those are good questions you would think.

Best of Luck