Alright, so you’re thinking about offering SEO services.
Maybe you’re already a web designer, and you’re looking to add more value to your clients, or you’re just trying to figure out a way to build recurring income.
Either way, SEO is an absolute no-brainer. It’s the kind of service businesses need to survive online today, and guess what? They’re willing to pay good money for it, especially if you can deliver results that keep them ranking on Google month after month.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through the process, step by step, of how to get started offering SEO services.
Even if you’re a beginner. I’ll share some hard-earned lessons that helped me sell over a million dollars’ worth of SEO.
By the end of this, you’ll have a clear idea of how to position yourself, what services to offer, and most importantly, how to land those high-paying clients.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Why Offer SEO Services?
SEO is not a trend, it’s essential. Businesses rely on organic traffic to grow because SEO brings them consistent leads.
And for you, it’s the perfect service to offer if you’re looking for long-term relationships and recurring income.
The beauty of SEO is that it’s not a one-and-done service.
You don’t just set it and forget it. Businesses need it on an ongoing basis, which means, for you, that sweet recurring revenue.
But let’s be real: SEO isn’t magic. It’s a strategy.
A lot of businesses out there are still confused about what SEO actually does, and that’s where the opportunity lies for you.
Most companies are either underperforming or clueless about SEO, and they’re missing out on thousands of potential leads.
If you can step in and show them how SEO can fill that gap, you’re golden.
The Growing Demand for SEO
Look, the market for SEO services is growing like crazy.
We’re talking about a projected growth of $234 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%.
This isn’t just a nice-to-have service; it’s mission-critical for businesses that want to thrive online.
Why? Because organic search traffic is still the most valuable type of traffic you can get.
When people search for something on Google and land on your client’s site, they’re not just browsing, they’re looking to buy, sign up, or take action. And businesses are willing to pay top dollar to ensure they’re found when people are searching for what they offer.
SEO Retainers: A Consistent Stream of Revenue
Here’s the thing about SEO retainers, they’re the real moneymaker.
While a lot of services have a one-time fee, SEO is something clients need regularly. When they see results, they want to keep paying to stay competitive, and that’s where you win.
Retainers can range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 a month.
And I’ve personally had clients who stuck with me for years, creating reliable, recurring revenue.
Think about this: If you’ve got five clients paying $5,000 a month, that’s $25,000 in steady income.
And because SEO is an ongoing process, once you get it set up and running smoothly, the workload drops significantly while the income stays the same.
You’re not constantly chasing new clients, which is key if you want financial stability.
Three Lessons from Selling Over $1 Million in SEO Services
You can’t sell over a million dollars in SEO without learning a few things.
I made a ton of mistakes, and I’m going to share some of those hard-learned lessons with you.
Avoiding these pitfalls could be the difference between growing a solid business or spinning your wheels with zero results.
SEO Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle
This is probably the biggest lesson: SEO is not a silver bullet.
It’s not going to magically transform a bad business into a great one.
If a client has a terrible product, zero customer service, or an ugly website, no amount of SEO is going to save them.
You can drive all the traffic in the world to their site, but if their business sucks, it’s not going to matter.
You need to manage expectations upfront. Let your clients know SEO is about amplifying what’s already working.
If they’ve got a strong foundation, a good product, a decent website, and happy customers,
SEO will take them to the next level. But it won’t fix fundamental business problems. So don’t overpromise.
Be Real with them.
Niche Down for Simplicity and Profit
Here’s the truth: the narrower your focus, the easier it is to sell.
When I first started, I wanted to offer SEO to anyone and everyone. Big mistake.
SEO isn’t a one-size-fits-all game, and the more focused you are, the better you’ll perform.
Instead of offering SEO to every type of business, find a niche and own it.
Think about it, if you specialize in SEO for self-storage businesses or dental clinics, you’ll know exactly what they need.
Keyword research, content creation, backlink strategies, it’s all going to be similar across that niche.
That means less time learning and more time delivering results.
And when you deliver, clients pay more and stick around longer.
Retainers Make Life Easier in the Long Run
When you start working with a client, there’s a ton of upfront work fixing technical issues, optimizing content, and setting up tracking, but once the engine is running, it’s mostly maintenance.
The workload drops, but the paycheck stays the same.
That’s the beauty of SEO retainers. And when you’re delivering consistent results, your clients are happy to keep paying because they don’t want to lose their rankings.
It might feel like a grind in the beginning, but trust me, it gets easier.
You’ll eventually hit a point where the hard work is behind you, but the checks keep coming. That’s the sweet spot.
The Top SEO Services to Offer
When you’re thinking about which SEO services to offer, keep it simple.
Businesses want results, and these three services deliver those results.
You don’t need to overcomplicate it, just focus on these core offerings.
Local SEO: Easy Wins for Service Businesses
Local SEO is where you can shine, especially if your clients are local service providers like plumbers, electricians, or dentists.
Local businesses need to rank in their specific areas, and that’s what you help them do.
Google My Business optimization, localized content, and building local backlinks are the key players here.
Let’s say you’re working with a roofing company in Miami. They don’t care about ranking nationwide, they want to be at the top when someone types in “roofers near me” or “Miami roofing company.”
Help them dominate their local market, and they’ll keep paying you month after month.
Technical SEO: Fixing What’s Broken
Most businesses have websites full of technical problems they don’t even know about.
Slow load times, broken links, and poor mobile experience all these things hurt their rankings, but they’re not aware of it.
That’s where you come in. By offering technical SEO, you’re not only improving their rankings but also their user experience.
This can be a game-changer for a business. You optimize their site speed, clean up the backend, and make sure it’s mobile-friendly. Suddenly, their site performs better, ranks higher, and converts more visitors.
And once it’s set up, maintenance is minimal.
SEO Content Creation: Fuel for the Ranking Fire
Content is still king. Businesses need content that not only engages their audience but also ranks on Google.
That means keyword-optimized blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions that drive organic traffic.
Take an online fitness coach, for example. You’d create blog posts around questions people are searching, like “best home workout routines” or “how to lose weight without a gym.”
These posts answer the questions their target audience is asking, which brings them more traffic and, ultimately, more clients. And you keep that content fresh and updated, so it keeps working for them.
How to Get SEO Leads
You can be the best SEO expert in the world, but if you don’t know how to get leads, you’re going to struggle.
Luckily, there are a few proven methods that will have you landing clients and building your portfolio in no time.
Upwork and Freelance Platforms: Build Your Portfolio
When you’re just starting, freelance platforms like Upwork are goldmines for SEO gigs. Sure, some jobs are low-budget, but they’re great for building case studies and getting experience.
Plus, once you nail a few jobs, you’ll start landing better clients.
Here’s a tip: Don’t just send a generic proposal. Send a personalized video introducing yourself, explaining how you’ll solve their problem, and highlighting your past results.
Trust me, this makes you stand out from the sea of text-only proposals and increases your chances of getting hired.
SEO Your Own Site: Prove You Know What You’re Doing
If you’re selling SEO services, your own site better be optimized like a champ.
There’s no better proof that you can rank sites than showing up in Google yourself.
For example, if you specialize in SEO for dentists, your site should be ranking for “SEO for dentists” or similar keywords.
When clients find you organically, the close rate on those leads is insanely high because they’re already convinced you know what you’re doing. They found you using the exact service you’re selling! that’s powerful.
YouTube: The Underrated Lead Magnet
YouTube is an absolute beast when it comes to generating leads.
You don’t need to be a YouTube star to make money off this platform.
You just need to create videos that answer your target audience’s questions.
For instance,
let’s say you specialize in local SEO for self-storage businesses.
You create a video titled “How to Rank Your Self-Storage Business on Google.”
Even if it gets a few hundred views, those views are coming from people who are interested in exactly what you’re offering.
And that one video could make you thousands of dollars.
How to Make Money from YouTube Without Ads, Sponsors, or a Huge Audience
Conclusion
SEO is one of the best services you can offer if you’re looking for long-term, recurring income.
Whether you’re just starting or trying to scale, focusing on core services like local SEO, technical SEO, and content creation will give you a solid foundation.
Combine that with SEO retainers, and you’ve got a recipe for a sustainable, profitable business.
The opportunity is huge. SEO isn’t going anywhere, and as long as businesses need to be found online, they’ll need people like you to make that happen. So, start small, niche down, and go after those long-term retainers.
Trust me, it’s worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SEO retainer, and how does it work?
An SEO retainer is a monthly agreement where clients pay you to continually optimize their site. They don’t just want to rank for a month—they need ongoing maintenance to stay competitive, and that’s where you come in.
How long does it take to see results from SEO?
Typically, it takes 3-6 months to start seeing noticeable changes. SEO is a long-term strategy, not a quick fix. But when done right, it delivers sustainable results that keep improving over time.
Can I offer SEO services without technical skills?
Absolutely. Start with what you know, like keyword research or content creation. Over time, you can learn more technical aspects or outsource that part of the work. Just don’t wait until you know everything to get started.
How should I price my SEO services?
Pricing depends on the scope of work. For local SEO, you might charge $500 to $2,000 a month. More complex services or retainers can go for $3,000 to $10,000 a month, depending on the client’s needs.
What tools should I use for SEO?
Start with the basics like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. As you grow, tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Screaming Frog will help you dig deeper into technical SEO and competitor analysis.
