How to get SEO clients

For small and mid-sized agencies, as well as solo SEO freelancers, one of the biggest ongoing challenges is attracting a steady stream of high-quality clients. Delivering great SEO work is only half the job. The other half is making sure people can actually find you, trust you, and choose you.

The good news is that learning how to get SEO clients does not require a massive budget or a big sales team. With the right positioning, outreach strategy, and client-management system, you can build a predictable pipeline that works month after month.

Know Exactly Who You Want to Work With

Before you think about outreach or marketing, get clear on the kind of clients you want. When you try to appeal to everyone, your message becomes generic, and generic messaging does not convert.

Think about the industries you enjoy working with, the size of business that fits your workflow, and the level of SEO maturity your ideal client already has. A local roofing company has very different needs than a growing SaaS start-up. When you define your ideal client, your marketing naturally becomes more targeted and prospects feel like you truly understand their world.

Create Case Studies That Tell a Story

If there is one thing that consistently attracts SEO clients, it is strong proof of your results. Case studies are one of the most powerful tools you have, but they are most effective when they read like a clear narrative.

Describe where a client started, what was not working, and the strategy you implemented. Show the “before and after,” including traffic, rankings, leads, and conversions, along with how long the results took. Even early in your career, you can build case studies from discounted pilot projects or your own test sites. What matters most is demonstrating your thinking and your impact. Testimonials from your clients help to add an element of authenticity.

Use Content to Bring Warm Leads to You

Publishing useful content is one of the best long-term ways to get SEO clients. When you answer the questions your ideal clients are already asking, you position yourself as a trusted expert long before the sales conversation begins.

Write about common mistakes in a specific industry, share technical SEO insights, or publish simplified guides for business owners. Make your content practical rather than academic. And remember to include clear calls to action, whether that is booking a free audit or downloading an SEO starter guide.

Do Not Underestimate Your Existing Network

Many agencies and freelancers get their first wave of clients through people they already know. Your network is almost certainly bigger than you think. Friends, former colleagues, local businesses, community groups, online connections, and partner providers such as web designers or marketing consultants can all open the door to new opportunities.

Simply letting people know what you are doing, and sharing occasional updates about wins or new services, can lead to conversations that turn into projects. Partnerships can be especially valuable because your services complement theirs.

Offer Mini Audits or Short Consultations

A small taste of your expertise can go a long way. Offering a brief SEO audit or 15 minute consultation gives potential clients a quick look at what you can bring to the table. The key is to keep it structured and repeatable so it does not consume too much of your time.

You do not need to do the whole job for free. Highlight a few opportunities, point out major issues, and explain what you would prioritise if you worked together. This builds trust quickly and helps prospects see the value of investing in ongoing SEO work.

Let Your Own Website Demonstrate Your Skills

If you offer SEO services, your website should be a working example of what you can do. Aim to rank for intent driven keywords such as local SEO terms or service specific searches tied to your niche.

Business owners love hiring SEO providers who visibly practice what they preach. Even a handful of well optimised pages can make a big difference in generating leads organically.

Go Where Your Ideal Clients Spend Their Time

Getting SEO clients becomes much easier when you are active in the same places your prospects naturally spend their time. Depending on your niche, this might include LinkedIn, industry specific Facebook groups, start-up forums, local business meetups, or niche Slack or Discord communities.

The goal is not to spam links. It is to be genuinely helpful. When you consistently offer thoughtful advice and practical solutions, people begin to see you as a go to resource.

Make Cold Outreach Personal and Helpful

Cold outreach still works, but only when it is done well. Overly long emails filled with jargon rarely convert. Short, personalised messages that demonstrate real insight tend to perform far better.

Reference something specific about their business, include one or two quick SEO observations, and invite them to a brief call or full audit. Track your outreach and follow ups using a CRM or client management platform so nothing slips through the cracks. Many deals close simply because someone followed up more consistently than the competition.

Improve Your Lead Management to Avoid Lost Opportunities

A surprising number of agencies and freelancers do not struggle with getting leads. They struggle with managing them. Missed emails, forgotten follow ups, unclear proposals, and scattered communications all weaken the client experience.

This is where a client management system becomes invaluable. By centralising communication, tracking prospects, automating follow ups, and organising proposals, you create a smoother and more professional experience that builds trust and improves your close rate.

Keep the Clients You Already Have

The most underrated part of learning how to get SEO clients is understanding how to keep them. Happy clients stay longer, spend more, and refer new business.

Strong communication is the key. Share progress regularly, even during slower months. Celebrate wins, explain the work you are doing behind the scenes, and set realistic expectations around the pace of SEO growth. A transparent, well managed relationship creates loyalty, and loyal clients often become your best advocates.

Client communication platforms like co.agency make it easier for you to communicate with your clients, share results through reports and upload larger documents.

Getting SEO Clients

Getting SEO clients is not about chasing everyone everywhere. It is about building a system that attracts the right people, nurtures them through a clear and professional process, and turns great service into long term relationships.

With refined positioning, compelling case studies, consistent content, thoughtful outreach, and a well organised client management workflow, you put yourself in the best position to build a steady and reliable pipeline of SEO clients.