"All in one" vs. "Specific" service

[SuperNoobInc]

Just wondering; Do most clients prefer 'all-in-one solutions' or 'niche specific' service?

Do you look more 'professional' when you offer only specific service; ie: Google Places - rather than PPC + Online Reputation + SEO + Everything.

I read some articles/books saying that nowadays, people prefer 'niche specific' services.

Its like going to a auto-service. Some are especially good at changing tires - cheap/nice/reliable, while some are good at repair general stuff. Then of course, there are many other services in an auto shop, but i never encounter an auto-shop that are 100/100 on every service they offer. You get the idea.

Please share your experience. What do you think about this?

 

[Dropdown]

I think this depends on the client and their knowledge of online marketing. If they have only heard of "The Internet can increase your sales" then a all-in-one solution might be your best bet, if they can afford it. If they have only heard of "SEO" or "PPC" then provide that specific service to them, and later on tell them there's more than just that that can help them increase their sales even more.

 

[bhspiderz]

I think this depends on the client and their knowledge of online marketing. If they have only heard of "The Internet can increase your sales" then a all-in-one solution might be your best bet, if they can afford it. If they have only heard of "SEO" or "PPC" then provide that specific service to them, and later on tell them there's more than just that that can help them increase their sales even more.

I agree with Dropdown. I am currently building my business around a niche/package solution. The client offer page will give them the option to pick what they want or bundle options.

As far as the perception of the business with bundle or niche I think it is all deals with presentation not so much what you offer.

 

[nimmivh]

Normal peoples prefers all in one, experts prefers specific

So you can choose one according to profit

 

[rockong]

It'll really vary depending on who you're targeting. I think that most SEO companies fail because they try to be an "all-in-one" and they end up struggling to find the right clients. Why? Because they're all over the place. It's hard to give work to the "mass market" because it's hard to start somewhere.

Instead, think of it this way: if you yourself chose a specific niche, your visions and direction of TARGETING that group will be SIGNIFICANTLY more clear. You'll know how to go after that group.

Truth.

 

[SuperNoobInc]

It'll really vary depending on who you're targeting. I think that most SEO companies fail because they try to be an "all-in-one" and they end up struggling to find the right clients. Why? Because they're all over the place. It's hard to give work to the "mass market" because it's hard to start somewhere.

Instead, think of it this way: if you yourself chose a specific niche, your visions and direction of TARGETING that group will be SIGNIFICANTLY more clear. You'll know how to go after that group.

Truth.

Exactly what I thought; 9/10 SEO companies I encounter online offers like 10 services at a time.

From a non-experienced client perspective, this can really be very confusing. They had no idea what the hell is PPC vs. SEO.
Then they might came along other services like 'google places, video marketing, sms marketng' holy - they might not even know where to start,
and think its too complicated?

 

[rockong]

@SuperNoobInc - Thanks buddy for confirming that

Too many SEO companies try to sell tons of services to their potentials. Prove your value to their company first, and you won't have to struggle so hard to sell thereafter. Showing results = no problem with your clients asking "So what else can you do for me?"

 

[Dollwin]

I've yet to start my business, but I was thinking of going with a model where I pitch one service (something like ORM) and from there, I can work up the rest of the services, try to get all-in-one at a slight discount.

 

[SuperNoobInc]

Looking for more inputs on this topic before starting my business. Thanks in advance once again.

 

[SethTurin]

It's interesting to me that you're thinking more about what your clients might want rather than asking potential clients. That would be step #1 -- recognizing of course that they might not know what they want, or might say they want x when they really want y.
Doing this is a good step - create two sites and split test it, see which one gets more response.
Also, what may help you decide when you create your site is not what you're offering, as much as what you want to do.
Let's say you have 100 people coming to your new site. Half of them want a niche service or services. The other half want an all in one service.

Which of those customers would be worth more to you (not just monetarily, but for your own sake)? Which would you prefer to work with? Would doing all-in-one work for 5 clients be more fulfilling or more potentially valuable than doing a specific service to 20 different clients? Keeping in mind that every time you switch from client to client, or job to job, you're losing time and effort while your focus shifts.

There's a lot to think about in this, and I realize you're just starting out, but you should definitely consider what YOU want as well as what your clients want.

 

[azguru]

I think that clients who have no knowledge of SEO would prefer an all in one package because they don't have to think of their own strategies.

More experienced SEO specialists will probably prefer specialization as they may have an SEO plan of their own.

 

[SuperNoobInc]

It's interesting to me that you're thinking more about what your clients might want rather than asking potential clients. That would be step #1 -- recognizing of course that they might not know what they want, or might say they want x when they really want y.
Doing this is a good step - create two sites and split test it, see which one gets more response.
Also, what may help you decide when you create your site is not what you're offering, as much as what you want to do.
Let's say you have 100 people coming to your new site. Half of them want a niche service or services. The other half want an all in one service.

Which of those customers would be worth more to you (not just monetarily, but for your own sake)? Which would you prefer to work with? Would doing all-in-one work for 5 clients be more fulfilling or more potentially valuable than doing a specific service to 20 different clients? Keeping in mind that every time you switch from client to client, or job to job, you're losing time and effort while your focus shifts.

There's a lot to think about in this, and I realize you're just starting out, but you should definitely consider what YOU want as well as what your clients want.

Thnaks for your input. Appreciated.
The reason why I think this way is because to be frank, the reptuation of "SEO" isnt that great to many small businesses (thanks to those who spam their mail like crazy or provided low quality experienced to them). From my experience, more than 50% of small businesses have ZERO IDEA what seo is, or do not believe in SEO services (they think its scam).

That is why my approach is really to focus something else, then slowly re-introduce them to SEO once again.

For example, I might focus on "online reputation management" to begin with. Once they see the positive effective, they will probably be more please to spend a little more on 'internet marketing' and might be asking questions like "how can I get more traffic" etc.

 

[sup3rnova]

Proven from my business experience, I would say that specifics make it worth while. You can't be top 5 in 10 different areas, but you can specialize in a single one, and generate big bucks by selling you expertise. It takes more time to achieve it and since you offer only one service, it takes more time to find clients, but those clients you do find, will be ready to pay you a premium for your services. So I'd go for a specific service.

 

[verial]

Specific. I struggled in my copywriting career (that is, struggled finding clients) until I niched myself. Before that, people really had no reason to choose my service over the service of a more experienced copywriter. The same should apply to many businesses and services.

 

[jhonson5]

I am personally in favor of all in one service. Your clients can be expertise or total amateur in IM. So in that case an All in one service would serve both their purposes. But I'm not against of Specific service. It helps you to keep your focus on what you are doing.

 

[SethTurin]

I am sure you have...but in case not, somehow, be sure to check out this series of awesome posts:

http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/offline-marketing/354896-22-letters-17-000-profit-3-weeks.html

Thnaks for your input. Appreciated.
The reason why I think this way is because to be frank, the reptuation of "SEO" isnt that great to many small businesses (thanks to those who spam their mail like crazy or provided low quality experienced to them). From my experience, more than 50% of small businesses have ZERO IDEA what seo is, or do not believe in SEO services (they think its scam).

That is why my approach is really to focus something else, then slowly re-introduce them to SEO once again.

For example, I might focus on "online reputation management" to begin with. Once they see the positive effective, they will probably be more please to spend a little more on 'internet marketing' and might be asking questions like "how can I get more traffic" etc.

 

[hateandbreak]

For me personally, it's not chasing the "all in one" deal type of thing. I prefer
to do one specific types of services in different areas whether 'offline' or 'online'.

That way it won't have a potential client thinking your gonna charge them for
all of the services, and you can better focus on finding clients that meet your highest
ticket services/products instead of being confused on what to do first.

 

[maddy_i5]

I do not prefer all in one service, it depends on your clients.