How to Start an SEO Business or Agency (10 Simple Steps Explained)

Did you know the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants sector has grown a whopping 16.4% annually in the past five years?

Also, guess what? Per the same study, no player owns more than a 5% market slice, meaning there’s plenty of room for savvy entrepreneurs to dive in and own the scene.

If you’ve always dreamed about using your expertise to launch an SEO startup, now’s your chance to carve out a niche!

In this article, we’ll spill the beans on what SEO companies do and starting an SEO agency that is recognized and respected in the industry.

TL;DR – Starting an SEO Agency in 10 Steps

In a hurry to start an SEO business? Follow these ten steps:

Identify Your SEO Niche
Develop a Business Plan
Legal Formation and Registration
Acquire SEO Tools and Resources
Build a Skilled Team
Create a Portfolio and Case Studies
Design a Marketing and Sales Strategy
Offer Comprehensive SEO Services
Implement Project Management Processes
Focus on Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Read the full article below for more comprehensive game plans and SEO startup success tips.

However, if you’re unsure about your next steps, it’s best to get a free assessment from our experts at Prospecting On Demand and launch your SEO business with some smart moves!

Is SEO Profitable?

Absolutely! Given today’s tricky SEO algorithms, companies lean on experts.

In fact, per a 2022 study, 53% of businesses planned to spend more on SEO, creating an excellent opportunity for those who know their stuff.

SEO pricing varies widely. Here’s a breakdown with figures from various studies:

Monthly plans: Usually start at $500 and go up to $10,000, depending on keyword competitiveness, services, and agency type.
Hourly rates: From $75 to $250
Project-based fees: Typically between $2,501 and $5,000
Agencies v/s freelancers: Agencies generally charge more.

Summing up, there’s a growing market for SEO services. If you’re skilled, it’s a profitable venture to be in!

What Skills and Qualifications Are Needed to Run an SEO Agency?

The cool part is SEO welcomes diverse backgrounds. While optional, communication, marketing, or IT degrees are beneficial, providing hands-on experience and broader opportunities.

In essence, to start SEO as a business, having a mix of skills is key, which includes:

Technical know-how: HTML, CSS, analytics, link building, technical SEO, and JavaScript.
SEO basics: Keyword research, search algorithms, on/off-page optimization, backlinks, and user experience.
Marketing skills: Dive into roles like content marketing and brand awareness.
Continuous learning: Stay updated through authoritative blogs and forums.

Finally, administrative and soft skills matter in any business besides technical skills. Strengthen your agency operations with strategic thinking, communication, organization, and attention to detail.

What Does an SEO Company Do?

When starting an SEO agency, questions such as these pop up naturally.

Simply put, an SEO business helps its clients boost visibility on the internet by enhancing a company’s website to boost rankings, elevate traffic, and sweeten revenue from organic searches.

SEO companies use strategies like finding the right keywords, creating content, and building links to improve a website’s chances of appearing near the top of search engine results. We’ll cover these functions in detail in a bit. Stick around.

Is It Hard to Scale an SEO Agency?

Scaling an SEO agency might seem challenging, but it’s totally doable! First things first, ensure the following, and you’ll be on the road to easy scaling:

Assess your agency metrics and ascertain that your SEO business is making a profit; otherwise, scaling will be tricky.
Build a solid team before even considering scaling up.
Don’t forget systems and processes; they’ll keep things running smoothly with your SEO startup, even when things get busier.

In short, think about flexibility, efficiency, and innovation to scale your SEO agency.

If you still prefer support on how to start an SEO business, consider Prospecting On Demand’s customized programs to grow your agency into a 6 or 7-figure MRR asset. With clients that pay more and stay long-term, we’ll help you get set for success!

How to Start an SEO Business

Starting an SEO business can get you on the path to digital success! Ready for tips on how to start an SEO business? Let’s begin!

1. Identify Your SEO Niche

First, stand out by specializing in a niche, for example, mobile app SEO or eCommerce SEO. A niche sets you apart and can attract the right clients for your expertise.

When starting an SEO business, ‘niche down’ by considering the following factors:

Experience matters. To illustrate, if you’re from a retail background, go for retail sector SEO.
Less competition is better; check your field’s popularity.
Some industries need SEO more; emerging tech may be keener than old-school manufacturers.
Target by size. Large corporations have big budgets, while small businesses value personal touch.
Go local first. New agencies start nearby and then expand.
Cater to demand. Specialize in areas like helping new entrepreneurs or assisting other SEO agencies.

2. Develop a Business Plan

Set your SEO startup on the path to long-term success by giving it a goal-oriented makeover!

Craft a concise business plan with these tips:

Summarize your mission, agency values, legal structure, and unique strengths.
Describe your ideal agency team, target market, and ideal clients.
Specify your SEO services and pricing, detailing your marketing and sales strategies.
Present realistic financial projections and outline day-to-day operations.
Set practical and measurable goals and milestones to track your progress.

3. Legal Formation and Registration

Ensure legal compliance from the get-go, so there’s no legal drama later, just good vibes.

We recommend the following checks:

Research and adhere to business registration requirements in your area.
Choose a suitable legal structure (like sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation) considering factors like liability and taxation.
Work with a lawyer to create a detailed agreement covering services and payments.

4. Acquire SEO Tools and Resources

Smart investments are a must when figuring out how to start an SEO consulting business. Advanced SEO tools facilitate superior analytics, efficiencies, and informed decisions.

Our top tips here are to invest wisely in the following:

Essential tools like SEO software and project management tools tailored to your niche and agency processes.
Additional physical resources, such as office space and equipment, to support expansion.

5. Build a Skilled Team

Your team is your ultimate resource. Here are some ways to build a dream team:

Hire SEO experts who align with your company culture on board.
Invest in training programs covering essential SEO practices.
Maintain consistent service quality, delegating tasks while you focus on your business.
Most importantly, acknowledge and celebrate valuable contributions by the team.

6. Create a Portfolio and Case Studies

Frankly, where you’re as good as your last project, building a robust portfolio and case studies is non-negotiable. Here’s how:

Offer free or discounted services to build an initial portfolio.
Demonstrate your skills on your own site or create niche sites for quicker results.
Showcase proof of your impact, like before-and-after traffic comparisons, or create a case study with client testimonials.
Gather case studies and testimonials showcasing your expertise.

7. Design a Marketing and Sales Strategy

For a thriving business, market wisely. If you’re familiar with SEO, get noticed, resonate, and convert with these tips:

Use inbound marketing to make your site attractive and let customers find you naturally through strategies like SEO, content, and social media marketing.
Implement outbound marketing to actively reach new clients, leveraging tactics like PPC, cold emails, calls, and email marketing.

Remember, SEO and inbound methods often give better returns over time. Track your efforts with analytics for insights into what works. Additionally, you could also join Prospecting On Demand’s Facebook group for lively discussions and shared insights to boost your business.

8. Offer Comprehensive SEO Services

Clients prefer comprehensive services for expertise, streamlined optimization, and time savings while achieving tangible results. Moreover, they get to concentrate on their primary work.

Consider offering full-service SEO. Bundle services for a complete package typically include:

Keyword research to identify relevant keywords for your niche and audiences.
On-page optimization for search engine friendliness.
Crafting engaging content for online audiences.
Link building to enhance credibility with quality backlinks.
Technical SEO for boosting speed, mobile-friendliness, and site structure.
SEO consulting to offer strategic guidance for best practices and optimization.
SEO analytics, showing clients how their website performs against specific KPIs.

9. Implement Project Management Processes

SEO project management helps you blend SEO into various business workflows, making things smoother and more effective.

Check these management processes recommended by agency masterminds:

Use keyword research for content ideas, aligning content with keywords and search intent.
Analyze seasonality for ideal content publishing times.
Estimate organic traffic potential.
Optimize URLs, tags, and links for search visibility.
Demonstrate SEO impact through improved visibility, CTRs, and conversions.
Enhance existing content for increased SERP visibility.

10. Focus on Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Last but not least, SEO is constantly changing with Google updates and new tools. To succeed:

Adapt and improve your services constantly for happy customers and business growth.
Don’t settle for ‘good’; aim for ‘great’ by taking risks, experimenting, and staying curious.

If you need help, we’ve got you. Start your SEO journey with an assessment from Prospecting On Demand, and learn how we can guide you to your first $100k in the next 90 days.

How to Get Clients for an SEO Business

If you’re wondering how to start an SEO business in a competitive space but are confident and willing to put in the effort, then there’s no stopping you.

Follow these tips for some client wins:

Attract potential clients by offering free SEO audits
Showcase expertise by specializing in powerful link-building or specific industries
Build credibility through social media. For instance, connect with clients on LinkedIn with personalized messages
Forge strategic partnerships with related businesses for mutual benefits
Speak at conferences, where you’re more likely to meet potential SEO clients
Publish educational content like guides and blogs on your website
Strengthen your reputation with case studies, testimonials, awards, and expert reviews
Offer transparent, attractive monthly SEO packages

How to Determine SEO Services and Pricing

As mentioned earlier in this article, SEO pricing is fast changing. Prices can differ drastically, running between $500 and $10,000 monthly.

In general, you could follow the following approach to set your pricing:

Understand your client’s goals and set SEO KPIs.
Define your SEO services clearly, such as project management, audits, and strategy.
New agencies could offer different prices based on job size and diverse client base to facilitate steady growth.
Calculate your overheads, including software and time, and consider customer acquisition and efficiency.
Decide between hourly, daily, monthly, project-based, deliverables only, or performance-based pricing.

Key Challenges in Starting an SEO Agency

Starting an SEO agency of your own can be a challenging but rewarding adventure. Knowing your obstacles helps tackle them better!

Look out for these issues as you begin your journey.

Building trust, finding clients, and attracting skilled professionals can be challenging if you’re new and have yet to establish a reputation in the highly competitive SEO space.
Limited budget impacts expenses such as software tools and marketing.
Scaling can be challenging with more clients and complex tasks.
Client retention is challenging due to changing priorities or dissatisfaction.
Establishing a compelling brand with a unique identity can take longer than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have doubts about starting SEO on your own, you’re not alone! Here are some FAQs to guide your SEO startup journey!

What Legal Aspects Should I Consider When Starting an SEO Agency?

Addressing key legal aspects is crucial for your SEO agency’s lawful operation and building client trust.

Begin by registering your business appropriately, adhering to tax regulations, and drafting concise contracts outlining your services, payment policies, and other legal obligations.

Most of all, we strongly advise you to seek guidance from a legal professional to ensure comprehensive coverage and compliance when starting your business.

How Can I Stay Updated with SEO Trends and Algorithms?

You can keep your SEO game strong with these strategic tactics:

Follow industry blogs like Semrush, Search Engine Land, and Search Engine Journal.
Attend conferences like MozCon and PubCon and participate in webinars for expert insights.
Stay active on social media, especially platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, to follow SEO experts.
Track Google’s blog for algorithm updates.
Monitor your website’s analytics for changes in traffic or search rankings.
Join online forums like WebmasterWorld and SEO Forum for discussions.

Conclusion

SEO entrepreneurship can be a thrilling journey! Remember, there’s room for everyone in this expanding industry.