Top 10 (or more) Questions to ask prospective SEO client

[LD]

I am trying to put together a list of the best logical questions to ask a prospect client during first meetings for SEO which will help define their needs, budget, expectations and such. I've read soft-sell, reverse selling and a few other methods, but wonder if anyone might have a good generalized list that they like to open initial meetings with that has had success? (I tried searching the forum but I guess my search parameters may not have been effective.)

[gareth_esutera]

I always asks the following questions to my potential clients as I find them essential for in-page SEO.

1. What's the purpose of your website? Increase sales? Get more franchisers or investors? etc

2. Who are your target audience?

[LD]

I am also curious if budget is something to bring up early in the interview. Knowing a prospect wants a Cadillac but only wants to pay for a Cavalier indicates a problem right away and can save hours of time spent with a prospect when knowing they don't have a budget for the service. A prospect may also have no idea of cost when interviewing SEO companies because it's their first exposure to SEO - or they might just not have enough money and are trying to low ball a budget with hopes that the SEO person/company might be desperate.

Those that are seasoned in SEO sales would know what works best. Any suggestions?

[kronikmedia]

Marketing budget when it comes to search engine optimisation is an important consideration. I work as a web designer and design websites for a diverse clientely ranging form small businesses to established companies. I am surprised bythe lack of knowledge about search marketing and google ranking when it comes to smaller businesses. Sometimes I have had clients ask me after I have designed and launched their website that they have typed theor keywords in Google and their website does not even rank on first page.

It is improtant to first ask the client how much they are willing to spend. We all know how much work can be involved in search engine marketing. It is easy to spend a few hours every day and still not do all hat can be done. Infact it is possible to spend one hour a week or even 10 hours a day. I all depends on how much they are willing to spend. There are no secrets to search engine marketing but only hard work and lots of it. Its all about time spent in the right direction and time is money.

[LD]

Originally Posted by kronikmedia

Marketing budget when it comes to search engine optimisation is an important consideration. I work as a web designer and design websites for a diverse clientely ranging form small businesses to established companies. I am surprised bythe lack of knowledge about search marketing and google ranking when it comes to smaller businesses. Sometimes I have had clients ask me after I have designed and launched their website that they have typed theor keywords in Google and their website does not even rank on first page.

It is improtant to first ask the client how much they are willing to spend. We all know how much work can be involved in search engine marketing. It is easy to spend a few hours every day and still not do all hat can be done. Infact it is possible to spend one hour a week or even 10 hours a day. I all depends on how much they are willing to spend. There are no secrets to search engine marketing but only hard work and lots of it. Its all about time spent in the right direction and time is money.

Great points and so true! Sometimes when we develop a website project, the final icing on the cake is the SEO which is why 99% of us are on the web. I'm sure there are a few businesses out there that only use their websites to better manage their client base, however, for the rest of us who want traffic and new sales, sometimes the small biz client doesn't always understand the need and just sees the service as another expence. I am working on a better pitch to help them understand the benefits without coming across as just selling another service. I'm hoping this thread might help us in that area.