How to Upsell Clients to Your SEO Services | SiteGuru

How to Upsell Clients to Your SEO Services

SEO is a high-value service that keeps clients coming back. Still, many small agencies hesitate to expand their SEO offerings. 

Think about your case: Maybe you’re already offering keyword research for blog posts, but technical audits feel out of reach. 

Or perhaps you’ve considered link building but don’t have the bandwidth to manage it.

The good news is, you don’t need to build a massive new SEO team to do those things. With the right strategy, automation, and partnerships, you can strategically upsell SEO services, increase revenue, and strengthen client retention – without hiring an entire team.

In this guide, we’ll show you how.

What Do We Mean by Upselling Your SEO Services?

A succinct illustration of how upselling worksA succinct illustration of how upselling works, Source

Upselling, at its core, relies on identifying clients who need more SEO and giving them the right nudge to invest in it. 

For example, if you’re already offering SEO content, your clients most likely need more SEO support. For example, technical fixes, better link-building, or landing page audits.

Plus, expanding your service offerings reduces the risk of putting all your eggs in a single service basket. If a client moves away from one service, like content or PPC, SEO can serve as a natural extension to keep them on board. 

Without those additional services, they may eventually outgrow your agency, limiting their lifetime value and increasing churn.

So, Which Clients Should You Be Upselling SEO Services to? 

The answer is: more clients than you might think. Look for these signs:

They Invest in Content but Aren’t Tracking Rankings or Traffic Trends

Some get that SEO is a slow-moving game, so they don’t check performance frequently. Others are simply too busy running their business to dig into analytics. If they’re publishing regularly but not measuring performance, SEO reporting could be an easy first upsell. 

They Have Great Content but No Backlinks

These clients are prime candidates for link-building services. If a client has strong content but isn’t seeing results, building authority through strategic link acquisition could be the missing piece.

They’ve Never Had a Technical SEO Audit

Issues like slow site speed, broken links, and poor Core Web Vitals are holding them back – and they won’t know until someone tells them. 

Often, it’s because technical SEO audits feel too complex or don't have the tangible appeal of content creation or social media engagement. Clients may only pay attention once they realize these issues affect not just SEO, but conversions, too. 

Their Rankings Have Plateaued

They’ve been consistently publishing content, but it’s not breaking into the top search results. This often signals a need for a more holistic SEO strategy – one that goes beyond content to include internal linking, structured data, site architecture, and deeper keyword analysis

Once you identify these gaps, positioning SEO as the next logical step in their digital strategy becomes much easier. 

which clients should you be selling upsell services to

Still Unsure? Start with the Easiest Upsells

1. SEO Reporting & Analytics

👉 How to position the upsell: "You're already investing in content; let's track and refine it for better performance."

Google Search Console performance report overviewSource

SEO reporting is by far the best place to start. Clients investing in an SEO strategy of any kind want to see results – they need to know their efforts are driving traffic, engagement, and conversions. Many will even ask for this directly, and SEO reporting is how you deliver the answer.

Why It Works as a First Step

Most clients don’t regularly check their analytics – not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know how to interpret the data or what to do with it. Over time, it becomes just another chore. Without clear insights, they can’t prove ROI and end up thinking, “This isn’t working, let’s try something else.”

When you show them exactly how SEO impacts their traffic, leads, and conversions, you remove any lingering doubts.

How to Implement SEO Reporting 

Adding SEO reporting doesn’t call for a major shift in your workflow. You can start with the tools you already use. 

Many agencies rely on Google Search Console, Google Analytics (GA4), SiteGuru, Ahrefs, and Semrush to track performance. 

The main idea, however, is to streamline the data collection process so reporting becomes easy and automated for your team while offering added value for your clients. 

For example: for many agencies, switching between analytics platforms can be time-consuming. You can make analyzing and reporting much easier by pulling GSC and GA4 data into one single dashboard in SiteGuru. 

SiteGuru’s analytics at a glance

Now, on to the next question:

Which pages should you be reporting to your clients? 

The best pages to start with are the ones that take the least effort while delivering the most tangible wins. They’re what we call the “almost there” pages. 

The “Almost There” Pages

One of the easiest SEO wins is pages that rank on page 2 of Google but could jump to page 1 with quick improvements. This also works for those ranking lower in the top 10 results.

A tool like SiteGuru will help you see high-priority keywords (AKA “low-hanging fruit”) relevant to your client’s business. It then gives you a practical list of optimizations for each keyword in your content to improve those pages’ rankings as fast as possible. 

SiteGuru’s low-hanging fruit keyword report

Provide Insights, Not Just Data

A major mistake many agencies make is dumping a raw SEO report in their client’s inbox and calling it a day.

To which we say: differentiate yourself. 

  • Walk them through the numbers in a clear, digestible way. If they weren’t tracking SEO before, they likely don’t understand the nuances of rankings, traffic, and conversions. It’s your job to explain it in laypeople’s terms.
  • Instead of saying, “Your rankings for X keyword dropped by 5 spots,” say, “Competitors overtook your spot here. We can regain lost ground by improving the page’s relevance and internal linking.”
  • Set up a live or Zoom meeting to present the report. If they can’t attend, record a Loom video summarizing the key takeaways and next steps. This makes you look professional, proactive, and genuinely invested in their results.

Once clients see their SEO data laid out, many will naturally ask, "What do we do with this information?" 

That’s when you can guide them toward next-level improvements.

For example:

“We’re seeing strong traffic on these blog posts, but conversion rates are low. A few strategic updates could significantly improve performance. Would you like us to put together an optimization plan?"

By keeping the conversation open-ended, you let them decide while positioning yourself as the trusted expert.

2. Expanding into Technical SEO (Without Becoming a Developer)

👉 Positioning the upsell: “Your content is great, but technical SEO issues might be holding you back from ranking higher."

Unlike content optimization or link-building, technical SEO works into the backend of a website with things like site architecture, page speed, crawlability, and mobile performance. And while developers play a crucial role in implementing fixes, they’re not necessarily SEO experts. 

So, where’s the middle ground?

It’s your team’s job to identify solutions to common client pain points, such as:

  • Checking indexation, which means Google isn’t even placing the client’s pages in its index (a prerequisite to ranking them) 
  • Slow site speed and mobile usability issues, which frustrates visitors, increases bounce rates, and signals to search engines that your site isn’t user-friendly.
  • Broken links and redirect loops, which confuse search engines, waste crawl budget, and weaken site structure, making it harder to rank.

If you’re a SiteGuru user, you can run a quick technical SEO audit to uncover those problems and more. This is a great starting point: offering technical SEO audits, and then upselling to the fixes.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to become a developer overnight.

The Painless Route: Partner with Freelance Developers

Some technical SEO fixes – like JavaScript rendering issues, structured data implementation, or complex site architecture improvements – need specialized skills. 

Instead of turning clients away, build relationships with freelance developers or white-label SEO specialists who can handle these tasks on a per-project basis.

There are a few ways to go about it:

  • Network in SEO communities (LinkedIn, Upwork, or SEO Slack groups) to find developers with SEO experience.
  • Test developers with small projects first. Start with fixing a few redirects or implementing schema markup. This helps you gauge their skills, reliability, and attention to detail before committing to larger tasks.
  • Offer “SEO + Development” packages by bundling your audit with their implementation services.

3. Introducing Link Building & Digital PR to Build Authority

👉 Positioning the upsell: "You're creating great content—now let’s make sure it's seen and trusted by Google.”

Some clients may not even realize that authority matters as much as content, while others assume that “good content will naturally attract links” (which is rarely the case). 

Most businesses don’t need a full-scale link-building operation to see results. Even a few well-placed, relevant backlinks can make a noticeable difference.

Here’s how to introduce link-building to clients in a way that’s simple, strategic, and focused on impact.

Start with Internal Linking (Low-Effort, High-Impact)

Internal linking is one of the easiest SEO wins because it doesn’t require outreach, budget, or waiting for someone else to take action – it’s fully within your control. 

Plus, it has an immediate impact on SEO by improving crawlability, distributing page authority, and helping Google understand your content hierarchy.

Using a tool like SiteGuru scans your entire site and suggests contextually relevant links based on your existing content. That way, you can easily identify orphan pages (pages with no internal links) and strengthen topic clusters, which is ideal for ranking in competitive industries.

link building

Step Up to External Backlinks

While internal links help distribute authority within your site, external backlinks build authority from the outside. Yet, this is where many businesses struggle – because earning high-quality backlinks demands strategic outreach and relationship-building.

Your agency can step in by offering SEO-focused content writing services and digital PR to secure authoritative mentions on trusted, industry-relevant sites. 

Get started by partnering with specialized services like digital PR firms, using tools like Featured, or working with outreach freelancers.

Note: There is a lot of backlink spam outreach in inboxes and on LinkedIn. Make sure the freelancers have a track record, trustworthy processes, and focus on the right sites (the higher the Domain Authority and the closer the connection to your client’s industry, the better). 

How to Scale SEO Services Without Doing Everything In-House

Leverage SEO and Automation Tools

The “trick” to scaling a small agency or a new team without investing in full-time hiring when you haven’t properly ramped up is automating everything you can. Strategy work isn’t something you can automate, but mostly everything else is.

Lean on tools such as:

  • SiteGuru → Automates SEO audits and rank tracking, provides clear recommendations, and generates easy-to-understand reports for clients.
  • Google Search Console & Analytics → Free tools for tracking website performance, indexing issues, and organic search growth. (Note: Google Search Console will get confusing, but it’s a good source for clean data.)
  • SurferSEO → Helps optimize content for SEO using AI-driven recommendations.
  • Ahrefs / Semrush / Moz → Advanced keyword research, competitor analysis, and backlink tracking tools.
  • Featured.com → Earn backlinks by providing your client’s niche expertise. 

Depending on the tool, you can export the reports and share them directly with the client. Otherwise, brush up on your knowledge of Zapier to automate everything and keep the process moving.

And remember: The true strength of your report isn’t in data points. It’s in the wins you brought to the client!

Outsource Strategically

Strategy should be in your hands, especially if you’re handling the rest of your client’s marketing. However, you don’t have to do the operational and tactical heavy lifting.

Work with freelancers or partner agencies for technical SEO, content writing, and link building.

Now, where do you find the right people who aren’t going to do shoddy work and call it a day?

  • Networking - By far the most reliable way to do it. Reach out to your professional network to see who they’ve had good experiences with. 
  • LinkedIn - You could try groups, search for freelancers open to work (with a track record), or try your hand at sharing a regular (or a job) post to see who applies. This is quite time-consuming, but you can find real gems.
  • Groups and communities on Slack and Facebook
  • Other agencies offering specialist white-label services


Slack SEO groups, for example, are one of our favorite options. The best ones also have channels like #opentowork, #hiring, or #gigs, allowing you to post and connect with the right people. Of course, prioritize their portfolios and track records

outsource strategically

How to Package Your Services into High-Value Growth Packages

Instead of offering one-off SEO tasks, combine complementary services into growth-focused bundles. 

For example, you could offer a package like The “Visibility Booster” Package (For Content-Heavy Clients), which includes:

SEO Reporting & Keyword Tracking – Monitor content performance, keyword rankings, and traffic trends to track growth and uncover opportunities.

On-Page SEO Optimization – Improve title tags, meta descriptions, internal linking, and structured data for better search visibility.

Content Refresh Strategy – Update and optimize underperforming content to improve rankings and engagement.

Authority & Backlink Building – Secure high-quality backlinks through guest posting, digital PR, and outreach to strengthen domain authority.

Further on, you can branch out into tiered packages, which look something like this:

Package Services included Price (example)
Starter SEO Audit Website audit, basic recommendations, report $500 one-time
SEO Growth Plan Keyword research, content strategy, on-page optimizations, link building, monthly reporting $1,500/month
Full-Service SEO Advanced SEO strategy, technical fixes, content creation, ongoing reporting $3,000/month

Ultimately, this gives both you and the clients a clear path to growth. Note that the prices here are an example, as you know your clients best, and you also have to cover the costs of tools and outsourcing.

However, as soon as you establish yourself and create case studies, it’ll be easier to increase pricing. 

Selling the Upsell: How to Pitch Expanded SEO Services

If you bring up SEO randomly, you risk coming across as just another agency trying to upsell services they didn’t ask for. 

But when you use data to guide the conversation, you eliminate that uncertainty. You’re simply showing them what’s already happening, and why fixing it makes sense:

  • Use data: Show SEO reports that highlight areas for improvement.
  • Offer a trial or audit: Give a free technical SEO check or backlink analysis.
  • Frame it as a business investment: Position SEO expansion as a way to increase traffic, conversions, and revenue.

Or wrap it all into…

The Brilliance of a Mini Site Audit

Instead of pitching blindly, provide specific insights about how their site could improve.

1. Check for Content Gaps & Low-Hanging Keyword Opportunities

Objective: Find existing content that could rank higher with simple optimizations.

  1. Use  Google Search Console or SiteGuru to identify pages that rank on page 2 or 3 for high-intent keywords.
  2. Look for missing content opportunities:
    1. Are competitors ranking for topics the client hasn’t covered?
    2. Are blog posts missing internal links or schema markup?
  3. Identify thin content (pages with <500 words) that may need expansion.


Example Insight for a Client:

"Your blog post on ‘Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet’ is currently ranking at position #13. Adding structured data, optimizing for featured snippets, and expanding content by 500 words could push it into the top 10."

2. Identify Technical SEO Issues That Hurt Rankings

Objective: Spot performance and indexing issues that impact rankings.

  • Use Google PageSpeed Insights or SiteGuru  to:
    • Check site speed
    • Find broken links & redirects
    • Identify missing or duplicate meta tags
    • Uncover indexing problems (blocked pages, crawl errors)


Example Insight for a Client:

"Your homepage takes 4.3 seconds to load on mobile, which is slower than 80% of competitors. Compressing images and reducing unused JavaScript could improve speed by 2+ seconds and reduce bounce rates."

3. Analyze Backlink Gaps & Authority Signals

Objective: Show how their backlink profile compares to competitors.

  • Use Ahrefs/Moz/SEMrush to compare their backlink profile against competitors.
  • Look for missing high-quality backlinks:
    • Do competitors have links from industry sites the client is missing?
    • Are they missing opportunities for PR, guest posts, or citations?
  • Identify toxic backlinks that might hurt rankings.


Example Insight for a Client:

"Your competitor has 32 high-authority backlinks from industry blogs, while your site has only 7. A backlink outreach campaign could help you gain credibility and boost rankings."

How to Deliver the Mini-Audit Findings for Maximum Impact

Instead of overwhelming the client with a long report, summarize key findings on a single page:

3-5 key SEO issues
Impact-based recommendations (e.g., “Fixing this could boost load time by 2s and increase conversions”).
Screenshots & visuals from SEO tools

Example Layout:

  • Issue: "Your product pages lack structured data, making it harder for Google to display rich results."
  • Solution: "Adding schema markup could increase organic CTR by 20%."
  • Impact: "Could generate +1,000 more clicks per month."


However, Instead of just highlighting problems, frame SEO as a way to drive more revenue:

“If we optimize these content gaps, we could drive 30% more traffic to high-converting pages,” or “Fixing site speed could improve rankings and reduce bounce rate, leading to higher conversions.”

Finally, make the next step easy with a clear CTA:

  • Option A: Free 30-minute SEO consultation to walk through the report.
  • Option B: A low-cost SEO trial package (e.g., “We’ll fix 3 quick-win issues for $X”).
  • Option C: A done-for-you SEO service that implements all recommended fixes.

Crafting Your Upsell Process

Armed with your mini-audit data, it’s time to pitch.

Now, a lot of agencies default to the weakest kind of pitch: “If you’re interested, we offer other SEO services like X, Y and Z .”

This kind of pitch often fails because it doesn’t create urgency or highlight any pain points. If you don’t frame SEO as an immediate business need, clients will treat it as an optional add-on instead of an opportunity.

Now, we usually see two options: either the client reaches out about a related issue (and you use that as a segue into the upsell conversation) or you reach out to them first. 

We’ll start with the proactive one first. 

Scenario #1. The SEO Upsell Email Sequence

Email 1: Awareness & Teaser (Soft introduction)

📩 Subject: Quick SEO check for [Client’s Website]

Hi [Client’s Name],

I was reviewing your site and noticed a few quick SEO wins that could improve your rankings.

For example, [mention a specific issue, e.g., “your top blog post is ranking on page 2, and with some tweaks, it could hit page 1”].

Would you like a quick breakdown of what I found? I’d be happy to send over a few insights.

Let me know!

Best,
[Your Name]

Why this works: Low-pressure, offering free value before asking for anything.

Email 2: SEO Insights & Soft Pitch

📩 Subject: [Client’s Name], here’s what I found on your site

Hi [Client’s Name],

As promised, here are a few quick insights on your site’s SEO:

  1. [Issue] → [How it’s affecting their traffic]
  2. [Issue] → [How fixing it could improve rankings]
  3. [Issue] → [Estimated impact]

I’d love to hop on a quick call to go over this and discuss some simple ways to boost your site’s performance. Let me know if you’d like to schedule a quick 15-minute chat.

Best,
[Your Name]

Why this works: Gives value first, positions the call as helpful, not salesy.

Email 3: The Offer (Direct Upsell)

📩 Subject: Let’s get your SEO working harder for you 🚀

Hi [Client’s Name],

After reviewing your site, I see a big opportunity to improve [mention their key pain point, e.g., “site speed” or “backlink profile”].

I’d love to help you take things to the next level with our [SEO Package Name], which includes:

  1. [Service 1] (e.g., monthly SEO reporting)
  2. [Service 2] (e.g., fixing technical SEO issues)
  3. [Service 3] (e.g., a link-building campaign)

This could lead to [mention specific benefits, e.g., “higher rankings for your top pages and more organic traffic”].

Would you be open to a quick chat to explore how we can make this work for you?

Best,
[Your Name]

Why this works: Makes the offer concrete, lists benefits, and invites them to a discussion.

Scenario #2. The Client Reaches out

Say you’re running ads for a mid-sized eCommerce brand. However, their conversion rates are lower than expected. 

Their main question: How can we improve our ad performance?” but if what’s really troubling them is a lack of visibility and credibility, slow loading times, and impossible navigation, it might just be time for an SEO service.

Before offering solutions, you dig into their website performance. Using the combination of GSC and GA4 analytics inside SiteGuru, you find that…

  • Several high-intent product pages rank #12-15 on Google, just shy of page one.
  • Their site speed is slow on mobile (~45/100 in PageSpeed Insights), which hurts rankings and conversions.
  • Their competitors have 3x the number of referring domains, helping them outrank this brand for core keywords.


Instead of saying “SEO might help”, you create a one-page summary of their biggest roadblocks. You can submit it as a freebie along with their upcoming deliverables, mentioning how you found certain issues when working on research:

Quick SEO Win #1: Optimizing low-hanging keywords
“Your product pages are ranking just outside page one for high-intent keywords. If we optimize these pages, we can push them into the top 10 – meaning more organic traffic and lower ad costs.”

Quick SEO Win #2: Fixing site speed issues
“Your mobile speed score is 45/100. Improving load times could reduce bounce rates and boost conversions, especially for mobile shoppers.”

Quick SEO Win #3: Strengthening backlink authority
“Your competitors have significantly more backlinks, which is helping them rank higher. A structured link-building strategy can help close that gap.”

Instead of overwhelming them with a full SEO proposal, you start with a low-commitment service. For example:

“We can start with a quick SEO boost by optimizing key pages and improving site speed. It’s a one-time project, and we’ll measure the impact. How does that sound?”

If you have a service package that addresses their needs, that’s even better. You could send them straight to a persuasive landing page!

That approach frames it into a potential business investment instead of another item to check off. And even if they say “no” for now,  your proactivity is likely to keep your agency top-of-mind whenever they’re ready.

Of Course, They Have Objections (but That’s Normal in SEO)

Every client in the history of the world has had objections, and they usually surface during the upsell conversation. Fortunately, they all boil down to the same things. The ones we’ve heard the most were:

SEO Objection #1. “We don’t have the budget right now.”

👉 Reframe SEO as a cost-effective growth strategy:

“I totally understand! The great thing about SEO is that it’s one of the highest-ROI marketing channels because it brings in organic traffic that keeps converting over time. We can start small—perhaps with just SEO reporting—so you can see what’s working before committing to a full campaign.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Offer a low-cost starter package (e.g., “For just $X, we’ll do an audit and optimize 3 key pages”).
  • Show potential ROI (e.g., “A single page ranking on page 1 could bring in X new leads per month”).
  • Compare SEO to paid ads: “Unlike PPC, SEO continues driving traffic even after you stop investing.”

SEO Objection #2. “We already do SEO in-house.”

👉 Position your agency as a strategic partner, not a competitor.

“That’s great! A lot of our clients have internal teams, and we don’t aim to replace them—we act as an extra set of hands to handle things your team doesn’t have time for, like technical SEO, link-building, or detailed competitor research.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Offer specialized support: “Even strong in-house teams often outsource technical SEO or link-building because they’re time-intensive.”
  • Position it as an efficiency booster: “Your team can focus on high-level strategy while we handle execution.”
  • Suggest a free audit: “Let’s do a quick site analysis—if we don’t find areas to improve, no worries!”

SEO Objection #3. “We’re focused on ads right now.”

👉 Show how SEO complements paid media for better results.

“That makes perfect sense! In fact, SEO and paid ads work best together—SEO helps lower your cost per acquisition over time. We can start by optimizing your highest-converting PPC landing pages for organic traffic, so you rely less on paid ads in the long run.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Compare long-term ROI: “SEO is like an investment—ads stop working the moment you turn them off, but organic traffic keeps coming.”
  • Offer a hybrid strategy: “What if we optimized your existing paid ad pages for SEO? That way, you get both organic and paid conversions.”
  • Show a case study: “One of our clients reduced PPC spend by 30% after we optimized their top pages for search.”

they have objections

SEO Objection #4. “SEO takes too long to see results.”

👉 Focus on quick wins and long-term gains.

“You’re right—SEO isn’t overnight, but the results compound over time and remain. That said, there are quick wins we can implement right away, like fixing technical issues and optimizing existing content, which can boost rankings in just a few weeks.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Offer quick-win SEO tactics: “We can focus on low-hanging fruit first—like optimizing underperforming pages that are already ranking on page 2.”
  • Set realistic expectations: “Think of SEO like investing in a gym membership—it takes consistency, but the results are lasting.”
  • Show early momentum: Most of our clients see improvements in traffic and leads within the first 60-90 days.”

SEO Objection #5. “We’re not sure SEO is worth it for our business.”

👉 Show industry-specific value with real examples.

That’s a valid concern! The truth is, every industry benefits from SEO because your customers are already searching for your services online. For example, [competitor] is ranking for [high-value keyword], bringing them free traffic every month. If we can get you in that position, that’s revenue you don’t have to pay for with ads.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Show competitor insights: “Did you know [competitor] gets X organic visitors per month? That’s potential business you could capture.”
  • Give relevant keyword data: “There are X people searching for [product/service] every month—if even 1% converted, that’s Y new leads.”
  • Provide a risk-free audit: “Let’s do a free analysis—if SEO isn’t a good fit, we won’t push it.”

SEO Objection #6. “Can’t we just use AI to handle SEO?”

👉 Explain how AI enhances SEO but can’t replace strategy.

“AI is a great tool, but it doesn’t replace a strategic SEO approach. Google prioritizes expertise and high-quality content, and AI alone can’t always deliver that. We use AI tools to enhance efficiency, but real results come from a smart strategy tailored to your business.”

Alternative approaches:

  • Show AI’s limitations: “AI-generated content can be helpful, but without optimization, it won’t rank or convert.”
  • Position your agency as AI-powered: “We use AI to make SEO faster and more effective, but we still need human oversight to ensure quality.”
  • Give a side-by-side comparison: “An AI tool can write a blog post, but without proper optimization and backlinks, it won’t rank.”

Closing the Sale: Making It Easy to Say Yes to Your SEO Upsell

Once you’ve handled objections, transition into a clear next step.

  1. Offer a risk-free trial or audit: “I get that committing to a full SEO plan is a big decision. How about we start with a free site audit? If you don’t see the value, no pressure!”
  2. Use urgency to create momentum: “Search rankings are competitive—every month you wait, competitors gain an edge. If we start optimizing now, you’ll be in a much stronger position in 3-6 months.”
  3. Give options based on their comfort level: “Would you prefer to start with just reporting and strategy, or are you open to a more hands-on optimization approach?”

The reason we’re sharing these with you isn’t so you become the pushy, Wolf-of-Wall-Street type of salesperson for your agency. The credibility you’ve built up can now only expand by framing the value properly and tweaking our templates to your clients’ “vibes.” 

Final Step: Deliver & Retain the Client with an SEO Roadmap

Once they sign on, make it easy to see results & stay engaged:

Kickoff Call → Align on goals, timeline, and priorities.
Monthly SEO Reports → Show clear progress & ROI.
Quarterly Strategy Check-Ins → Tailor or upsell more services as their business grows.

In short: keep showing them how you’re delivering value and keep an open line of communications so you can be as flexible as the partner you’ve proven yourself to be!

Start with Small, High-Impact Upsells – and Grow from There

TL;DR? We sure hope not! But just in case, here are the essential steps we’ve discussed:

  • The easiest way to start: Audit your existing clients to find issues they need help with or opportunities they haven’t identified. Look for content-heavy clients without tracking, sites lacking backlinks, or businesses with plateaued rankings.
  • Pick your first SEO upsell: If you’re unsure, start with SEO reporting. It’s low-risk, measurable, and an easy gateway to further optimizations.
  • Outsource & automate: The golden rule to scaling a new service or a small agency. Fortunately, the tools we’ve mentioned will get you halfway there. The rest will be your marketing savvy (but you’ve got this!). When choosing outsourcing partners, leverage networks and communities, and prioritize contractors with a track record. 


As a small agency or an agency new to this service offering, you have a huge advantage: you know your clients, their business, and their digital presence. 

You also have the fresh pair of eyes many of us in SEO are missing, too bogged down by how things work to consider how they should work.

You can do it.

🚀 And now, it’s time to take action! Pick one existing client and run a quick mini-audit. Start the conversation, highlight the opportunities, and take the first step toward growing your agency’s SEO services!

(P.S. Don’t forget to share it with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.)