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Last Updated on July 22, 2021 by Work In My Pajamas
Did you know search engine optimization is forecast to be an $80 billion industry by 2020?
This means more and more businesses are investing in SEO, and it’s not hard to see why. At a time when the vast majority of consumers in the United States are shopping online, only companies with the strongest online presence are making a killing.
If you’re looking to start a SEO agency business, this industry is there for the taking. And the best part? You can run the business right from your couch or home office.
Keen to learn what it takes?
Here’s a guide to starting an SEO business from home.
In This Post:
Gain SEO Expertise
There are businesses you can start without necessarily having any specialized knowledge. For instance, you don’t need to be an experienced restaurateur to start your own restaurant.
When it comes to starting an SEO business, however, there’s no shortcut. You must have specialized SEO knowledge and skills. If you’ve never done any kind of search optimization or even built a website, you won’t cut it.
As such, the first step to building an SEO company is to become an SEO expert. Take online SEO classes and ensure that by the end of it, you have an in-depth understanding of SEO techniques, include link building, keyword research, and content creation.
That being said, SEO is ever-changing. You’ve to keep learning to ensure you’re abreast of the latest SEO trends and methods.
Draw a Business Plan
A common mistake made by entrepreneurs starting their own businesses from home is setting up without a business plan.
We get it. A home business might not be a complicated entity, but that doesn’t mean you should start without a plan. Doing so is a sure way to fail.
Therefore, take your time to write a business plan for your upcoming SEO company. This is also where you have to craft its name and flesh out the kind of SEO services you’ll be offering.
Other details to include in your plan include:
- Startup capital requirements
- Income and expenditure projections
- Market analysis
- Sales and marketing strategy.
Secure the Required Capital
When drawing your business plan, you identified the amount of money you’ll need to start up the business.
Do you have the entire amount ready?
If you do, thumbs up! But if you don’t, it’s time to raise it.
Don’t make the mistake of starting up without adequate capital. You could assume that the business will become profitable soon after startup, but this is rarely the case. In fact, many small businesses can take several months or even years before they start turning a profit.
So, where will you get the capital?
Your first option is to approach your family and friends. They could pool resources and help you raise the capital you need.
Another option is to approach your bank or other lenders for a business loan. Be careful with loans, though. If your business fails or takes longer than expected to become profitable, you might be unable to repay the debts.
Whichever funding strategy you choose, just ensure you’re able to raise the entire required capital before opening up.
Register the Business
Because SEO is primarily an online service and the industry is unregulated, it’s easy to assume you don’t need to meet any business registration requirements. Just set up a website and off you go, right?
Wrong!
Although no client will ask to see your business license or permit, formal registration gives your business a professional look. Plus, you’ll have an easier time securing business funding when you have a registered company.
As such, head over to your local business registration department and get your company registered. Most people will choose to register it as a sole proprietorship, but you can go a step further and register a limited liability company.
With an LLC, your personal assets will be protected just in case the company spirals into debt or a client slaps it with a lawsuit.
Start Building Your Business’ Online Presence
The primary goal of search optimization is to achieve and maintain high search engine rankings.
As an SEO company, you must have good rankings and a strong online presence; otherwise, how will potential clients trust in your services if your own website is languishing in Google’s second or third page?
This is why building your business’ online presence before you even start hunting for clients is crucial.
Start by building a professional website that meets SEO standards. It should have a responsive design and be user-friendly. Check out Snap SEO website for inspiration.
Be sure to list all the services you offer, as well as your contact information. Add a live chat feature, too.
Next, set up a blog. This is where you will publish regular posts on SEO and other related subjects. Plus, your blog can help you rank highly for certain keywords.
If you’re working out of Memphis, Tennessee, for instance, you should rank for keywords such as “best SEO company in Memphis, TN.” Craft blog content around this keyword.
You also want to set up social media pages for your SEO company. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram should be your core platforms.
Build a Remote Team
As your company starts to pick up clients, you’ll realize that you need more experts to help you.
But how do you build a team when your business is home-based?
First, if you live with people who have SEO skills, consider asking them to join your team. Second, the most effective way to scale your business while keeping operating costs low is to build a remote team. This includes content creators, videographers, and other specialists with skills that your company needs.
Use tools such as Slack to manage your remote team.
Starting an SEO Business from Home Made Easy
As more people and organizations embrace the power of SEO, the demand for SEO services is only going to keep rising. Starting an SEO business is a smart decision that will certainly pay off.
And now that you know how to start up the business, what remains is for you to set the ball rolling.
Good luck and keep tabs on our blog for more helpful tips and insights.
Great tips. Thanks for writing the article.