Your 10 Biggest Questions Answered (Plain & Simple)
You analyze websites to find problems preventing them from ranking well in Google, then provide fix recommendations.
1. Do I need a certificate?
No. You need understanding of how search engines work and ability to spot technical/content issues. Can you identify why one website ranks higher than another? That’s your skill.
What to do instead:
- Complete free Google Analytics and Search Console courses
- Practice auditing free tools on your own/friends’ websites
- Stay updated with SEO basics (Google’s guidelines)
2. What’s the minimum I need to spend?
$0.
- Google Search Console (free)
- Google Analytics (free)
- Free SEO tools (Screaming Frog free version, PageSpeed Insights)
- Spreadsheets (Google Sheets) for reporting
Optional: Ahrefs/SEMrush trial ($7 for 7 days) for deeper analysis when needed.
3. How do I describe what I do?
DON’T say: “I do SEO.” (Too vague)
DO say: “I conduct website SEO audits that identify exactly what’s preventing higher Google rankings and provide actionable fixes.”
Services:
- “Technical SEO audit and recommendations”
- “On-page SEO optimization review”
- “Content gap and opportunity analysis”
- “Local SEO audit for brick-and-mortar businesses”
4. Where do I find my VERY first client?
Start with obvious problems:
- Local businesses with terrible websites
- Bloggers stuck at low traffic
- Small e-commerce stores not getting found
- Facebook groups for small business owners
Message: “Is your website getting found on Google? I identify exactly what’s holding back your rankings. Free mini-audit of 3 critical issues.”
5. How much do I charge?
First Clients: $200-$500 per audit.
Example pricing:
- Mini-audit: $200 (10-15 page report)
- Standard audit: $350-500 (25-40 page comprehensive)
- Enterprise audit: $1000+ (large sites)
- Hourly consulting: $50-75/hour for implementation help
Payment: 50% upfront, 50% upon delivery.
6. What does SEO audit work look like? Step-by-step
Project: “SEO Audit for a Local Business Website”
Process (6-10 hours):
- Initial analysis (1 hour): Check current rankings, traffic, backlinks
- Technical audit (2 hours): Site speed, mobile-friendliness, indexing issues
- On-page audit (2 hours): Title tags, meta descriptions, content quality
- Content audit (2 hours): Gap analysis, keyword opportunities
- Reporting (2 hours): Create actionable report with priorities
- Presentation (1 hour): Walk client through findings
Report includes:
- Executive summary (plain English)
- Priority rankings (critical, high, medium, low)
- Screenshots of issues
- Step-by-step fix instructions
- Tools needed for each fix
7. How do I handle payment safely?
50% deposit before starting audit, remainder before delivering full report.
Use PayPal or bank transfer. Deliver summary findings before final payment.
Offer implementation services separately (hourly or project-based).
8. What’s the #1 beginner mistake?
Overwhelming clients with 100+ issues without prioritizing what matters most.
Golden rule: Focus on 3-5 critical fixes that will make biggest impact first.
9. How do I know if I’m good enough?
You’re good enough if:
- You can explain SEO concepts in simple terms
- You know how to use basic SEO tools
- You can spot obvious ranking problems
- You stay curious and keep learning (SEO changes constantly)
Test: Audit a friend’s website for free. Implement your top 3 recommendations. Do rankings improve in 30-60 days? If yes, you’re ready.
10. What’s the next step?
Specialize in local SEO, e-commerce SEO, or technical SEO.
After audits, offer: ongoing SEO management, content strategy, link building services, SEO training for teams.
Your Action Plan:
- Today: Run Google’s PageSpeed Insights on 3 websites
- Tomorrow: Audit your own website or a friend’s using free tools
- This week: Offer free mini-audit to 3 local business owners