{"id":15018,"date":"2022-08-01T13:50:18","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T13:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/get-local-seo-clients\/458129\/"},"modified":"2022-08-01T13:50:18","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T13:50:18","slug":"6-ways-to-get-local-seo-clients-you-really-truly-want-via-sejournal-xandervalencia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marketingnewsbox.com\/?p=15018","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways To Get Local SEO Clients You Really, Truly Want via @sejournal, @xandervalencia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Local businesses are often the most interesting SEO<\/a> clients to work with due to the creativity and strategy it takes to appeal to a local market.<\/p>\n

While the basics \u2013 Google Business Profile optimization, localized content<\/a>, etc. \u2013 still apply, local businesses must often think outside the box when trying to rank locally.<\/p>\n

Acquiring these types of clients also takes skill. To SEO professionals, attracting positive, ambitious, and proactive local SEO clients is ideal.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips for getting local SEO clients you truly want to work with.<\/p>\n

1. Start Conversations With Local Business Owners<\/h2>\n

A few years ago, I was due for a haircut and started my search for a local barber. I saw a barber with great reviews on Google, so I visited their website to learn more about their prices.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, I was met by a \u201cWarning! Your connection is not private\u201d error on their website.<\/p>\n

As an SEO strategist, I knew this was due to the business not having their SSL certificate enabled on their website.<\/p>\n

So, I called them to book an appointment and, in person, gave a heads up to the owner that they had website security issues.<\/p>\n

The owner was unaware of the issue and managed the website herself, so I offered to set up their SSL for free.<\/p>\n

Later, she paid my team to diagnose additional technical SEO issues and continued into a longer engagement.<\/p>\n

The lesson here is that often the best way to attract local SEO clients is to simply start genuine conversations.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be as glaring as a site security issue, but if you can identify a need, chances are the business will be happy you let them know there are issues impacting their business.<\/p>\n

In addition, they\u2019ll be grateful that you gave them a heads up and helped them avoid missing out on new business.<\/p>\n

For example, a local business may not know that their Google Business Profile address is not up to date. Or that they have 404 errors on their website.<\/p>\n

Or that their contact form isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n

Often, your advice may be seen as a massive favor and could turn into an ongoing engagement. Or, at the very least, open the door to referral business once you\u2019re seen as the local SEO expert.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking for a haircut, buying a latte, or picking up a gift for a friend, keep your eyes open.<\/p>\n

If you notice an SEO issue and make the time to offer some free value, you might be surprised by how this could turn into a new client or referral connection.<\/p>\n

2. Identify Businesses Investing In Marketing<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s well-known within the marketing community that tight-budget clients are often the most demanding clients.<\/p>\n

This is not to say that having a small budget necessarily makes one a bad client, but that having an attitude of getting more for less is often backward when it comes to marketing.<\/p>\n

In short, your ideal local SEO clients are those who recognize the value of marketing and are willing to invest in it toward reaching a larger goal.<\/p>\n

They want to put their marketing dollars to work to achieve long-term growth.<\/p>\n

Like in the previous example: A simple oversight was leading to site security issues, but the business was otherwise on top of its GBP (Google Business Profile)<\/a> optimization and social media marketing.<\/p>\n

The owner was receptive to feedback and saw the value in improving their web presence.<\/p>\n

When looking for local SEO clients, look for businesses that meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n