How to Get SEO Clients

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on how to get seo clients.

Getting SEO clients is about demonstrating expertise, building relationships, and showing measurable results. Businesses want to invest in people who can deliver tangible improvements in rankings, traffic, and leads. Your goal should be to position yourself or your agency as a credible authority capable of solving real business problems.

There’s no single path to finding clients, but combining different marketing and outreach methods will help you build a steady flow of enquiries.

1. Define Your Ideal Client

Before reaching out to potential clients, it’s important to define who you want to work with. Are you targeting local businesses, eCommerce stores, or specific industries such as real estate, healthcare, or hospitality?

Defining your niche helps you tailor your messaging and showcase relevant case studies. For example, a business owner is more likely to choose an SEO specialist who understands their industry and can speak directly to their challenges.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence

Your own website should be your best example of effective SEO. Prospective clients will often Google your name or agency before making contact, so it’s crucial that your site ranks well for keywords related to SEO services in your area.

Include:

• A clear list of your SEO services.

• Case studies with measurable results.

• Client testimonials.

• A blog demonstrating your knowledge of SEO trends and strategies.

Optimise your Google Business Profile, ensure consistent branding across social media, and post regularly to build credibility.

3. Use Case Studies to Showcase Results

Businesses hire SEO experts to deliver results, not theory. Case studies are one of the most powerful ways to prove your success.

Create detailed examples that outline:

• The client’s problem or challenge.

• The strategy you used.

• The measurable outcome, such as higher rankings, traffic, or conversions.

If you’re just starting out and don’t have client results yet, create your own test projects. Build a website, optimise it for specific keywords, and track improvements. This can serve as proof of your ability to achieve real results.

4. Leverage Local Networking

Local businesses often prefer to work with SEO providers in their area, especially when offering local SEO services. Attend business networking events, chamber of commerce meetings, and trade expos to meet potential clients in person.

Bring business cards, prepare a short pitch about your services, and focus on building relationships rather than selling immediately. Often, business owners who meet you face-to-face are more likely to trust you with their marketing.

5. Offer Free Audits or Consultations

A free SEO audit can be a powerful lead generation tool. Many businesses are curious about how well their website performs but don’t understand technical SEO.

By offering a free, no-obligation audit, you demonstrate your expertise and provide immediate value. Highlight quick wins—such as fixing missing metadata, slow page speeds, or broken backlinks—and show how your services can solve these issues long term.

6. Get Referrals from Existing Clients

Referrals remain one of the most reliable ways to get SEO clients. When you deliver strong results, satisfied clients are likely to recommend your services to others.

Encourage referrals by staying in touch, providing ongoing support, and perhaps offering incentives such as discounts or free strategy sessions for referred clients. Word-of-mouth marketing carries more weight than any paid campaign because it comes from trusted sources.

7. Build Partnerships with Agencies and Web Developers

Many web design or marketing agencies don’t have in-house SEO specialists. Partnering with these firms allows you to offer your services as part of their package.

Similarly, web developers who create new websites often need an SEO partner to help optimise sites for launch. Reach out to these professionals and establish mutually beneficial relationships.

8. Use Content Marketing to Attract Clients

SEO clients are often researching topics like “how to improve website rankings” or “why my site isn’t showing on Google.” Publishing high-quality content on your own site can attract these potential clients organically.

Create blog posts, guides, and videos that:

• Answer common SEO questions.

• Explain best practices in simple terms.

• Show how effective SEO drives real business growth.

This type of content not only builds your authority but also brings in warm leads who already understand the value of SEO.

9. Cold Outreach (When Done Properly)

Cold outreach can still be effective if it’s done thoughtfully. Avoid generic messages that sound like spam. Instead, research each business and tailor your communication.

When reaching out by email or LinkedIn, include:

• A personalised introduction.

• A quick insight into their current website performance.

• A brief explanation of how you can help.

Keep it short, professional, and focused on value. Following up once or twice after your initial message often helps increase your success rate.

10. Utilise Freelance Platforms

If you’re new to SEO, freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour can help you gain experience and build testimonials. While competition can be high and rates may start low, the experience helps establish credibility and provide case studies for future clients.

As you gain confidence and results, transition toward private contracts and recurring clients outside these platforms.

11. Focus on Long-Term Relationships

The best SEO clients are those who stay with you for the long term. SEO is an ongoing process, so emphasise the importance of continuous optimisation, tracking, and reporting.

Deliver consistent communication, transparent reporting, and measurable progress. The more value you provide, the more likely your clients are to renew contracts and recommend your services.

12. Invest in Your Own SEO and Branding

To attract SEO clients, your brand must demonstrate the exact results you claim to deliver. Invest time in ranking your website for relevant keywords like “SEO agency in [your city]” or “local SEO expert.”

Use analytics tools to track your progress and display these results on your site. When prospects see that you rank highly for your own services, it reinforces your credibility.

13. Social Proof and Testimonials

Potential clients want reassurance before hiring you. Displaying testimonials, reviews, and video feedback helps build confidence. Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews on Google and LinkedIn, and share these across your website and marketing materials.

Social proof reduces hesitation and helps convert leads into paying clients.

Final Thoughts

Getting SEO clients takes persistence, skill, and a clear strategy. It’s not just about offering optimisation—it’s about building trust, communicating value, and demonstrating measurable success.

By combining online visibility with networking, partnerships, and consistent content marketing, you can build a reliable client base that values your expertise and results. Over time, as your reputation grows, you’ll find that attracting SEO clients becomes a natural part of your business growth.

We have also written in depth articles on do google reviews help seo and How citations and directory listings affect Local SEO as well as our Local SEO Help & Guidance Hub to give you further guidance.