expanding your freelance or design business isn’t just about landing more website projects it’s about finding ways to provide ongoing value to your clients.
That’s where SEO comes in – it’s a must for any design or freelance business.
Why SEO is a Must-Have for Design and Freelance Businesses
Let’s face it the world of design and development has evolved.
You can build the most stunning website but if nobody can find it it’s like having a hidden masterpiece in your attic.
SEO isn’t just about keywords and backlinks anymore; it’s about creating websites that are search engine-friendly and user-friendly.
It’s about making sure your clients’ websites load quickly are mobile-responsive and have well-structured content.
And that’s where your expertise as a designer and developer comes in.
You already have the skills to make a website perform better in search engines.
Think about it: you’re already familiar with technical aspects like site speed mobile optimization and schema markup – all crucial components of modern SEO.
Beyond the technical aspects your clients are expecting you to deliver results.
They want their websites to appear in search engines and they look to you the designer or developer to make that happen.
Clients are becoming more savvy about the importance of online visibility.
They aren’t just asking for pretty websites; they’re asking for websites that work.
The Power of Recurring Revenue with SEO Services
Now here’s the real kicker: SEO services are a fantastic way to create recurring revenue.
Website redesigns are great but they’re often infrequent events – maybe once every few years.
That feast-or-famine cycle can be tough to manage.
But SEO is an ongoing process.
You can offer services like:
- SEO audits: A thorough evaluation of a client’s website to identify areas for improvement.
- Technical SEO: Fixing technical issues that hinder a website’s performance in search engines.
- Content optimization: Tweaking existing content adding new content and optimizing it for specific keywords.
- Link building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks to improve a website’s authority and rankings.
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting: Tracking website performance and providing regular updates to clients.
By offering these services you’re not just giving your clients a one-time boost; you’re building a long-term relationship that benefits both of you.
The consistent income stream from SEO services gives you more stability and allows you to plan for the future.
Turning SEO into a Profitable Part of Your Business
you’re ready to embrace the world of SEO.
Here’s what you need to do to make it a successful part of your freelance or design business:
1. Position Yourself as a SEO Expert
- Communicate the value of SEO: Clients need to understand why SEO is important and how it can benefit their business. Don’t just pitch it as a technical service; highlight the tangible results it can deliver.
- Clear pricing and deliverables: Be transparent about your pricing and what clients can expect from your services. Having a solid contract in place is crucial for ongoing work.
- Invest in your SEO knowledge: Dedicate time to learning the latest SEO best practices. There are tons of online courses certifications and resources available.
- Practice on your own website: Use your own website as a case study to test different SEO strategies. It’s the best way to learn and showcase your expertise.
- Update your workflow: Adjust your workflow and communication processes to accommodate SEO services.
- Regular progress updates: Keep your clients informed about the progress of your SEO efforts with clear reports and communication.
2. Master the Most In-Demand SEO Services
Now let’s talk about the SEO services that are most in demand and make sense for web designers:
- SEO audits and competitor analysis: This is a great entry point for offering SEO services. Start by identifying issues and offering recommendations for improvement. This often leads to a long-term relationship where you implement those recommendations.
- Technical SEO: Focus on fixing technical issues that are hindering a website’s performance. This includes areas like:
- Site speed optimization: Ensuring that a website loads quickly is crucial for both user experience and search engine ranking.
- Mobile responsiveness: With the increasing number of mobile users making sure a website is optimized for mobile devices is essential.
- Structured data: Implementing schema markup can help search engines understand the content on a website and display rich results.
- Content optimization: This is where your design and writing skills come into play. You can use your expertise to create content that is both engaging and optimized for search engines. Consider things like:
- Keyword strategy: Identify the right keywords to target based on your client’s target audience and industry.
- Title tag optimization: Crafting compelling title tags that accurately reflect the content of a page and include relevant keywords.
- Meta description optimization: Writing concise and descriptive meta descriptions that entice users to click through from search results.
- Header optimization: Using headers (H1 H2 etc.) to structure content and make it more readable for both users and search engines.
- URL optimization: Creating clean and descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords.
- Content creation: If a client needs new content you can offer this service as well. Even if you’re not a writer yourself you can research keywords and outsource the writing to a professional.
- Link building: This can be a bit trickier but there are some effective strategies for web designers:
- Identify natural links: Look for opportunities for your client to earn links from websites that are relevant to their industry such as directories partners distributors and membership organizations.
- Outreach: Reach out to website owners and bloggers to try to secure links back to your client’s website. This requires persistence and a strong pitch to highlight the value of a link.
3. Leverage the Power of SEO Tools
Don’t try to do everything manually.
There are amazing tools that can streamline your SEO workflow:
- All-in-one SEO platforms:
- Semrush: A comprehensive SEO platform with features for keyword research competitor analysis website auditing and more.
- Ahrefs: Another powerful platform with excellent backlink analysis capabilities.
- Moz: Provides tools for keyword research site auditing ranking tracking and more.
- Keyword research tools:
- Google Keyword Planner: A free tool from Google that provides insights into keyword volume and competition.
- Ubersuggest: A free tool with a user-friendly interface for keyword research.
- WordPress SEO plugins:
- Yoast SEO: A popular plugin that makes it easy to optimize WordPress websites for search engines.
- Rank Math SEO: Another powerful SEO plugin that offers a wide range of features.
4. Continuously Improve Your SEO Skills
The world of SEO is always evolving so it’s important to stay updated:
- Online courses and certifications: There are many resources available for learning SEO including courses from platforms like Coursera Udemy and Skillshare.
- SEO blogs and forums: Keep up with the latest SEO news and trends by following industry blogs and participating in forums.
- SEO conferences and events: Attending industry events is a great way to network with other SEO professionals and learn from the best.
Expanding Your Business is a Win-Win
Adding SEO services to your freelance or design business isn’t just about increasing your income – it’s about providing a more complete and valuable service to your clients.
By helping them improve their online visibility you’re helping them achieve their business goals.
And as you continue to build your SEO expertise you’ll find yourself in a position to offer even more valuable services and build long-lasting relationships with your clients.