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How To Make SEO Proposal For Client

In the competitive world of digital marketing, knowing how to create a compelling SEO proposal for clients can be the difference between landing a lucrative contract and losing out to the competition. A well-crafted SEO proposal is more than just a document; it’s your opportunity to present your expertise and demonstrate how your SEO strategy can transform a client’s business.

But what exactly makes a high-quality SEO proposal? Let’s break it down:

  • Executive summary: A concise overview of your proposed SEO plan
  • SEO audit: An analysis of the client’s current SEO performance
  • Keyword research: Identifying opportunities for search engine optimization
  • Content marketing strategy: Outlining your approach to SEO content creation
  • Detailed timeline and deliverables

Using an SEO proposal template can streamline the writing process and ensure you don’t miss any crucial elements. However, remember that each proposal should be tailored to the specific needs of your potential client’s business.

Creating a winning SEO proposal isn’t just about making promises; it’s about presenting a clear, actionable plan that resonates with your client’s goals. When done right, your proposal becomes a powerful tool for business growth – both for your client and your company.

Understanding Your Client’s Needs 

Before you even start writing your SEO proposal, diving deep into understanding your client’s business is crucial. This isn’t just about making assumptions; it’s about genuinely grasping what makes your client’s company tick and how SEO can help them achieve their goals.

The Discovery Call: Your Secret Weapon

Start with a comprehensive discovery call. This is your chance to:

  • Uncover the client’s pain points
  • Identify their business objectives
  • Understand their target audience
  • Gauge their current SEO performance

Remember, you’re not just gathering data but building a relationship. Listen actively and show genuine interest in their business.

Researching the Client’s Industry

Once you’ve got the basics, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do some serious homework:

  1. Analyze the client’s competitors
  2. Identify industry trends
  3. Spot potential opportunities for SEO content

This research will help you create a more targeted and effective SEO strategy.

The Power of Preliminary SEO Audit

Before presenting your whole proposal, conduct a light SEO audit. This will give you valuable insights into:

  • Current keyword rankings
  • Technical SEO issues
  • Content gaps
  • Backlink profile

Use these findings to prepare a compelling case for why your SEO plan is precisely what the client needs.

Putting It All Together

With this information, you’re ready to start creating your SEO proposal. Remember, the goal is to clarify that you understand the client’s business inside and out. This understanding and your SEO expertise will set the stage for a high-quality SEO proposal that’s hard to resist.

By truly understanding your client’s needs, you’re not just writing a proposal; you’re creating a roadmap for their search engine success. And that’s something every client will appreciate.

Structuring Your SEO Proposal 

Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to put all that knowledge into a well-structured SEO proposal. Let’s break down the key components to make your proposal stand out and truly resonate with your potential client.

The Executive Summary: Your First Impression

Start strong with a compelling executive summary. This is your chance to grab the client’s attention and set the tone for the proposal. Here’s what to include:

  • A brief overview of the client’s business challenges
  • Your proposed SEO strategy in a nutshell
  • Key benefits and expected outcomes

Remember, keep it concise but impactful. Think of it as the trailer for your SEO plan blockbuster!

Client-Specific Insights: Show What You Know

Next, dive into the meat of your proposal by presenting your client-specific insights:

  1. Current keyword rankings: Highlight where the client stands in search engine results pages (SERPs)
  2. Website audit findings: Summarize key issues discovered during your preliminary SEO audit
  3. Competitive gap analysis: Show how the client measures up against their competitors

This section demonstrates your thoroughness and proves you’ve done your research.

Your Proposed SEO Solutions: The Main Event

Now, it’s time to outline your SEO strategy. Break it down into clear, actionable items:

  • On-page optimization: Discuss how you’ll improve meta tags, headers, and internal linking
  • Content strategy: Outline your plan for creating high-quality SEO content
  • Technical SEO improvements: Address site speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data
  • Link-building tactics: Explain your approach to earning quality backlinks

Be specific about what you’ll deliver. Instead of vague promises, offer concrete deliverables like “We’ll create four long-form blog posts per month targeting your key keywords.”

Timeline and Milestones: Setting Expectations

Include a clear timeline outlining when the client can expect results. Break your SEO plan into phases or milestones, such as:

  1. Month 1: Initial optimization and setup
  2. Months 2-3: Content creation and link building
  3. Months 4-6: Ongoing optimization and performance tracking

This helps manage expectations and shows you have a structured approach.

Pricing and Investment Options: The Bottom Line

Finally, present your pricing structure. Consider offering multiple tiers or packages to give the client options. Be transparent about what’s included in each tier and why it’s valuable.

Remember, you’re not just selling SEO services; you’re offering a partnership to improve the client’s business. Your proposal should reflect that commitment to their success.

By following this structure, you’ll create a comprehensive, persuasive SEO proposal that addresses all the key points a client needs to see. It’s not just about writing a document but crafting a vision for the client’s SEO success.

Demonstrating Your Expertise and Value 

When creating an SEO proposal for clients, showcasing why you’re the best choice for their business is crucial. This section is about putting your best foot forward and demonstrating your unique value proposition.

Showcase Your Success Stories

Nothing speaks louder than results. Present relevant case studies that highlight your SEO performance for similar clients. For example:

  • Case Study 1: How you increased organic traffic by 150% for a local e-commerce business
  • Case Study 2: Your content marketing strategy that led to a 200% increase in lead generation

Remember, making these case studies relatable to your potential client’s business is key.

Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition

What sets your company apart from other SEO providers? Maybe it’s your:

  • Proprietary SEO strategy methodology
  • Cutting-edge SEO audit tools
  • Specialized industry knowledge
  • Award-winning content creation team

Be bold about presenting your accolades and unique approaches. This is your time to shine!

Explain the Long-Term Benefits of SEO

Help your client understand that SEO is not just about quick wins but a long-term investment in their online presence. Discuss how your SEO plan will contribute to:

  1. Sustainable organic traffic growth
  2. Improved brand visibility and authority
  3. Higher quality leads and conversions
  4. Reduced dependency on paid advertising

Set Realistic Expectations

While it’s essential to be confident, honesty’s equally crucial. Prepare your client for the SEO journey by:

  • Explaining that SEO results take time
  • Outlining potential challenges and how you’ll address them
  • Discussing the importance of ongoing optimization

Being transparent builds trust and establishes a robust and long-lasting partnership.

Remember, your goal is to create a proposal that outlines your SEO strategy and convinces the client that you’re the right partner to help their business succeed in the competitive online landscape.

Closing the Deal: From Proposal to Project

You’ve compiled a stellar SEO proposal showcasing your expertise and value. It’s time to seal the deal and transform your prospect into a client. Here’s how to create a smooth transition from proposal to project kickoff.

Craft a Compelling call to action

Your proposal should end with a clear, persuasive call to action (CTA). This is where you guide your potential client towards the next steps. Consider:

  • Offering a free consultation to discuss the proposal in detail
  • Proposing a timeline for starting the SEO plan
  • Suggesting a trial period to demonstrate your SEO performance

Make it easy to take action by including your contact information and availability.

Address Potential Concerns Proactively

Anticipate and address common objections before they arise:

  1. Budget concerns: Emphasize the ROI of high-quality SEO
  2. Timeline worries: Reiterate the long-term benefits of SEO
  3. Past negative experiences: Highlight your unique approach and success stories

Addressing these upfront shows, you understand your client’s business challenges.

Follow Up and Negotiate

Don’t wait for the client to come to you. Follow up proactively:

  • Send a personalized email summarizing key points from the proposal
  • Offer to walk through the SEO audit findings in more detail
  • Be open to adjusting your SEO strategy based on their feedback

Remember, negotiation is a normal part of the process. Be flexible, but also stand firm on the value you provide.

Transition to Project Kickoff

Once the client agrees to move forward, it’s time to shift gears:

  1. Schedule a kickoff meeting to align on goals and expectations
  2. Prepare a detailed project plan based on your proposal
  3. Set up regular check-ins to review SEO reports and progress

Making this transition smooth sets the stage for a successful long-term partnership.

Remember, creating a winning SEO proposal is just the first step. Your ultimate goal is to write a success story for your client’s business. With a well-crafted proposal and a smooth transition to implementation, you’re well on your way to achieving just that.

Kyle Roof

About the author

Kyle is best known for revealing the “secret” hidden in plain sight: Google’s algorithm is an algorithm. In other words, it all comes down to one thing - Math. Kyle demonstrated this by ranking number one in Google with a page consisting of gibberish text and only a handful of target keywords. Google actually punished him for exposing their algorithm by de-indexing 20 of his test sites and creating a rule in an attempt to de-value his efforts. Kyle has spent the past several years running more than 400 scientific SEO tests to better understand Google's algo. The combined results of those tests became the backbone of the popular SEO tool, PageOptimizer Pro, and they are implemented within his SEO agency on client sites. Kyle also shares his techniques in podcasts, at conferences around the world, and within the platform he co-founded, IMG, a sort of Netflix for SEOs with an active community aspect.

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