Founder of Site Strategics and the Edge of the Web Podcast Erin Sparks (and the Robin to his Batman, Jacob Mann) join the SEO Rant to discuss the difficulties that come along with SEO clients:
SEOs can't solve poor business practices, nor should you be expected to
How to know when you should stay away from potential SEO clients
Why you as an SEO should not entertain high levels of mistrust
SEO Clients - Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Live Without 'Em: Episode Synopsis
"SEO is a long-term investment," says SEO veteran Erin Sparks. That can stand in strong juxtaposition to the expectation that many SEO clients have. Add on a heap of myths about Google that the SEO industry can't seem to shake off of its back and your client's expectations might be light years away from reality.
And that's just the start. Clients think that "digital marketing" (SEO included) is some sort of panacea to plug the enormous gaps in their overarching business goals and practices. If the business plan isn't sound, SEO isn't going to solve it for you.
Perhaps worse of all is the level of mistrust that sometimes comes with clients. Clients can come with certain expectations that are at times unreasonable even if they heavily finance their SEO efforts. Nothing is ever going to be perfect and no ride to the top of the SERP is without its bumps. If clients come at you with extreme levels of mistrust at the slightest sign of "a problem" - it might not be worth dealing with them.
Being aware of where the client is coming from, where their business currently stands, and so forth are beyond vital in ensuring you enter into a healthy client relationship.
Listen to the full podcast for more.
Resources:
For more of the SEO Rant Podcast check out our previous episode on why SEO job listings are flawed.
Learn more about SEO Rant Podcast's host, Mordy Oberstein