Starting a SEO Company - Thoughts & Advice?

Heiko · May 23, 2018

Hi!

I am playing with the thoughts of starting up my own SEO Company. I already got a good domain and hosting but i am still a little unsure about the whole situation. Basically i wanna use it for Internet clients and local clients in my city/area. I know that a bunch of people own a successful SEO Company here. Now i do not want to spoonfed, i don't want to know how to start the things off, but i do would like to know what kind of challenges you are facing as a SEO Company in the beginning and maybe some people can share some failures/tips that they had in the beginning so other people like me can learn from it and potentially prevent it.

your time is appreciated
best regards

Sansha Kuvakei · May 23, 2018

Heiko said:
Hi!

I am playing with the thoughts of starting up my own SEO Company. I already got a good domain and hosting but i am still a little unsure about the whole situation. Basically i wanna use it for Internet clients and local clients in my city/area. I know that a bunch of people own a successful SEO Company here. Now i do not want to spoonfed, i don't want to know how to start the things off, but i do would like to know what kind of challenges you are facing as a SEO Company in the beginning and maybe some people can share some failures/tips that they had in the beginning so other people like me can learn from it and potentially prevent it.

your time is appreciated
best regards

@Heiko

As I am in a similar boat, having just started an "agency" running lead generation advertisements for Realtors and Brokers on FB, I will say that the biggest hurdle I have had initially is legitimacy. The first client is always the hardest. I will never suggest you discount your services, especially in a B2B scenario. However, if you know of a friend or family member who has a charity, or a cause you believe in, maybe try doing some pro bono work for them, in exchange for using them as a case study. That will allow you to pitch from a position of authority.

Next, at least for me, I have difficulty with sales. So, out of the 26 leads I have generated for myself using Facebook ads, I have yet to close one of them.

Additionally, you will fuck up. You will make mistakes. Just realize this is part of the process, and learn from it. Develop an SOP as you go along, it will help save you time.

Finally, the biggest difficulty will be with your mindset. It's very easy to be hard on yourself for not meeting your target income goals in a timely manner. I know I have been stuck in that state a few days in a row, and it is difficult to escape from that morass. Just keep your head up, and find a good friend to keep you accountable in your inner circle. Never lose sight of your goal, or why you started in the first place.

At the risk of sounding cliche, "Rome was not built in a day."

Hope this helps, from one beginner to another.

Lastly, good luck my man. You are going to do great!

RA1NMAN · May 23, 2018

sounds cool, I dont think the average every day person will buy this though, they dont understand so youd have to educate them

MarvinMartian · May 23, 2018

Find processes which work the best and eventually once the time works outsource specific things that you can. Outsourcing in the beginning seems scary, but it does make the most sense when time is really the most valuable commodity there is. Work on sales more by reading or watching sales courses as sales is the most important part of any business, without it you will wither away. I recommend Jordan Belforts straight line method.

Find a few clients by using the methods that Sansha stated and after a year or two I think the best option is to create a niche centered SEO business. If you work primarily with a blacktop company and you did really good with them and you understand the keywords and the competition and you get them to rank then duplicate that and go to other areas where your the blacktop seo guy. Now don't do it in the same area of your main client, but go to a city at the edge of your state that they aren't competing with or another bigger city in the state bordering yours. That way you're the expert in their particular field and they will feel like they are making the right decision with the results you have.

Xalion · May 23, 2018

Heiko said:
Hi!

I am playing with the thoughts of starting up my own SEO Company. I already got a good domain and hosting but i am still a little unsure about the whole situation. Basically i wanna use it for Internet clients and local clients in my city/area. I know that a bunch of people own a successful SEO Company here. Now i do not want to spoonfed, i don't want to know how to start the things off, but i do would like to know what kind of challenges you are facing as a SEO Company in the beginning and maybe some people can share some failures/tips that they had in the beginning so other people like me can learn from it and potentially prevent it.

your time is appreciated
best regards

I'm a bit in the same boat as you.

I'm in the progress now to target local businesses with webdesign, SEO etc. I live in a city with 5000 businesses. I've designed a flyer and placed an order yesterday for 10000 prints. I'll deliver them personally on every business in my city.

Getting the first client is the hardest part I guess. Don't have fear to meet business owners. They want something from you and they think you're the expert. Act (be) like one and everything's gonna be just fine.

RA1NMAN · May 23, 2018

Jayder said:
I'm a bit in the same boat as you.

I'm in the progress now to target local businesses with webdesign, SEO etc. I live in a city with 5000 businesses. I've designed a flyer and placed an order yesterday for 10000 prints. I'll deliver them personally on every business in my city.

Getting the first client is the hardest part I guess. Don't have fear to meet business owners. They want something from you and they think you're the expert. Act (be) like one and everything's gonna be just fine.

flyers seriously? your wasting your time man wtf

Xalion · May 23, 2018

RA1NMAN said:
flyers seriously? your wasting your time man wtf

I'm not talking about handing them out on the street.

GringoMonkey · May 23, 2018

Jayder said:
I live in a city with 5000 businesses. I've designed a flyer and placed an order yesterday for 10000 prints. I'll deliver them personally on every business in my city.

Why dont you get 5000 flyers or are you going to give each business 2?

Xalion · May 23, 2018

GringoMonkey said:
Why dont you get 5000 flyers or are you going to give each business 2?

There are some small cities in the neighborhood which I could target later on.

GringoMonkey · May 23, 2018

Jayder said:
There are some small cities in the neighborhood which I could target later on.

Do your flyers explain you offer web design, seo etc?

Heiko · May 23, 2018

Sansha Kuvakei said:
@Heiko

As I am in a similar boat, having just started an "agency" running lead generation advertisements for Realtors and Brokers on FB, I will say that the biggest hurdle I have had initially is legitimacy. The first client is always the hardest. I will never suggest you discount your services, especially in a B2B scenario. However, if you know of a friend or family member who has a charity, or a cause you believe in, maybe try doing some pro bono work for them, in exchange for using them as a case study. That will allow you to pitch from a position of authority.

Next, at least for me, I have difficulty with sales. So, out of the 26 leads I have generated for myself using Facebook ads, I have yet to close one of them.

Additionally, you will fuck up. You will make mistakes. Just realize this is part of the process, and learn from it. Develop an SOP as you go along, it will help save you time.

Finally, the biggest difficulty will be with your mindset. It's very easy to be hard on yourself for not meeting your target income goals in a timely manner. I know I have been stuck in that state a few days in a row, and it is difficult to escape from that morass. Just keep your head up, and find a good friend to keep you accountable in your inner circle. Never lose sight of your goal, or why you started in the first place.

At the risk of sounding cliche, "Rome was not built in a day."

Hope this helps, from one beginner to another.

Lastly, good luck my man. You are going to do great!

Fantastic advice. I will take that to the heart especially the idea with the charity.
Good luck to your Business, pal!

MarvinMartian said:
Find processes which work the best and eventually once the time works outsource specific things that you can. Outsourcing in the beginning seems scary, but it does make the most sense when time is really the most valuable commodity there is. Work on sales more by reading or watching sales courses as sales is the most important part of any business, without it you will wither away. I recommend Jordan Belforts straight line method.

Find a few clients by using the methods that Sansha stated and after a year or two I think the best option is to create a niche centered SEO business. If you work primarily with a blacktop company and you did really good with them and you understand the keywords and the competition and you get them to rank then duplicate that and go to other areas where your the blacktop seo guy. Now don't do it in the same area of your main client, but go to a city at the edge of your state that they aren't competing with or another bigger city in the state bordering yours. That way you're the expert in their particular field and they will feel like they are making the right decision with the results you have.

Outsourcing seems scary to me, especially because i don't know the Person that is handling the Job.
Funny that you mention the sales courses because at the Moment i am into life Coaching as well and communication is one of the big parts there, so that will definetely help me. Just gotta practice to sell my stuff in a good way. I guess that takes some reputition and some learning but i'll figure it out, Thanks!

Jayder said:
I'm a bit in the same boat as you.

I'm in the progress now to target local businesses with webdesign, SEO etc. I live in a city with 5000 businesses. I've designed a flyer and placed an order yesterday for 10000 prints. I'll deliver them personally on every business in my city.

Getting the first client is the hardest part I guess. Don't have fear to meet business owners. They want something from you and they think you're the expert. Act (be) like one and everything's gonna be just fine.

I think Flyers are still a great way to promote a Business, especially because it is something that not everybody does.
Well yeah, they think i am the expert but i am not an expert, lol. I know some advanced stuff about SEO but i am certainly not an expert. Can you recommend me any books, guides? (Outside of the BHW Threads cause im sure i read all of them by now lol)

GL to your Business as well!

Marcel Freiberg · May 23, 2018

I see only one problem: the competition. There is no business where you can so easily find the best SEO Agency for your company. Search google...
You will compete with experienced players online. I would definitely go with the local businesses, small businesses that need the basics. Sounds kind of weird selling online offers at the door but would be the best chance to avoid struggle with the large online agencies.

alishakapoor · May 23, 2018

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning to launch a SEO company for which I already purchased domain & will built website on word press. I will be targeting US market but since I am not located in US do my leads will actually convert considering clients will only interact with me online.

I'd some keyword research where I found there is considerable demand for outsourcing of SEO. This is my core driver to start SEO company & targeting US market.

What are your thoughts. Please share.

Thanks for you time & opinions

Array Experts · May 23, 2018

Same Thread Already Opened Other Member It's Better to Join Ongoing Discussion
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/starting-a-seo-company-thoughts-advice.1031711/

birdy23 · May 23, 2018

Sansha Kuvakei said:
@Heiko

As I am in a similar boat, having just started an "agency" running lead generation advertisements for Realtors and Brokers on FB, I will say that the biggest hurdle I have had initially is legitimacy. The first client is always the hardest. I will never suggest you discount your services, especially in a B2B scenario. However, if you know of a friend or family member who has a charity, or a cause you believe in, maybe try doing some pro bono work for them, in exchange for using them as a case study. That will allow you to pitch from a position of authority.

Next, at least for me, I have difficulty with sales. So, out of the 26 leads I have generated for myself using Facebook ads, I have yet to close one of them.

Additionally, you will fuck up. You will make mistakes. Just realize this is part of the process, and learn from it. Develop an SOP as you go along, it will help save you time.

Finally, the biggest difficulty will be with your mindset. It's very easy to be hard on yourself for not meeting your target income goals in a timely manner. I know I have been stuck in that state a few days in a row, and it is difficult to escape from that morass. Just keep your head up, and find a good friend to keep you accountable in your inner circle. Never lose sight of your goal, or why you started in the first place.

At the risk of sounding cliche, "Rome was not built in a day."

Hope this helps, from one beginner to another.

Lastly, good luck my man. You are going to do great!

Such an insightful reply. How is no one hitting the thumbs up for this guy yet?

Melos · May 23, 2018

@birdy23 just what I thought. I am new to the community, and so far the best answer I've seen.

@Heiko I would also suggest to play a little bit around with AdWords. Now Organic Traffic doesn't work as it used to. P.s make sure that you know how to rank sites well, that's the most important thing. If you screw with their sites, no one else gonna purchase from you.

Heiko · May 23, 2018

Melos said:
@birdy23 just what I thought. I am new to the community, and so far the best answer I've seen.

@Heiko I would also suggest to play a little bit around with AdWords. Now Organic Traffic doesn't work as it used to. P.s make sure that you know how to rank sites well, that's the most important thing. If you screw with their sites, no one else gonna purchase from you.

Good idea with AdWords and maybe even BingAds. Yeah, that's why i was asking for more experienced guides on seo. I don't have the Intention to blast their site with gsa, lol

supermex · May 23, 2018

I hope you don't live in my city, already enough competitors here

Ben Thomas · May 23, 2018

Heiko said:
Hi!

I am playing with the thoughts of starting up my own SEO Company. I already got a good domain and hosting but i am still a little unsure about the whole situation. Basically i wanna use it for Internet clients and local clients in my city/area. I know that a bunch of people own a successful SEO Company here. Now i do not want to spoonfed, i don't want to know how to start the things off, but i do would like to know what kind of challenges you are facing as a SEO Company in the beginning and maybe some people can share some failures/tips that they had in the beginning so other people like me can learn from it and potentially prevent it.

your time is appreciated
best regards

I m here planning the same too...

Deleted member 1143697 · May 23, 2018

Apart from these points, you can also do local listing. It works great.

Starting a SEO Company - Thoughts & Advice?

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