We’ve made a post earlier in the year about what clients should be asking a prospective SEO agency before choosing them for their business. If you’d like to know more, check out our blog post HERE.
This got everyone down at The Ad Firm thinking, what is it that we should be asking prospects before taking them on as clients?
We’ve grown up under the notion to take every lead because the more business we get, the more money we make, right? Well, this way of thinking can still work for some industries, but with how ever-changing the business world has become, should it still be the way we think now?
Every client is not the same and every client may not be the best fit for your business. Sometimes, not engaging in further business can be beneficial for both parties. The question is: How do we know which client may not be suitable to continue working with?
First and foremost, ask questions. Ask now, relief later. Whether you’re getting as much information through contact forms or through an early conversational phone call, keep the gathering of information quick and simple. Here’s a list of quick tips to engage with a prospective client to see if you’re a good fit for each other:
Right off the bat, prospects may be reluctant to share such information with you. But if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Try to explain that using this information can help you construct a strategy that is best suited for their goals. Trying to create a strategy without data is like trying to build a sandcastle, blindfolded.
Plain and simple, what are their goals and what are their specific goals with your agency. It’s best to know immediately if their goals are even realistic.
Who Is Your Ideal Customer And Where Are You Targeting?
Getting to know their demographics makes your job 10x easier. This gives you a start-off path to begin your research.
Did You Have A Previous SEO Firm
Getting these insights gives you a better understanding of where their coming from and what they were dealing with. It gives you a better idea of what to expect from their expectations.
Any Google Penalties?
This is vital to know the state in which your potential client is in
Who Are Your Main Competitors?
Knowing the competition is focal point in research for SEO agencies. By knowing the competition, we assure our client we know what they standard minimum may be to outrank them.
What Content Management System Was The Website Built On?
We can’t stress how important but overlooked this question is. There’s nothing worse than finding out that you’re working with a horribly constructed CMS. SEO firms need to be familiar with the platform and the status of it.
Do You Have Any Other Office Locations
This should go without saying if you plan to implement local seo.
We have a blog post completely dedicated to this questions and how to understand your clients. SEO Firms must know how much exactly they know about SEO. As SEO firms go, begin by asking yourself, “Does this prospect have the budget to even make an impact in their industry?
9 times out of 10, walk away from a business that does not want or can supply the necessary budget for a successful SEO campaign.
Final Thought On Questions SEO Firms Should Be Asking Their Clients
In the beginning, it can get awkward pretty quickly, but it’s important to know the details before getting involved with a new potential client. Be thorough but also do the necessary research yourself if you can gain the information. These are necessary questions to answer but we also don’t want to overwhelm our prospects.
