How to Get SEO Clients in 2025 (Fast & Smart)

SEO friends.

You must have seen it on LinkedIn. Every. Single. Day.

Posts and articles with screaming headlines: “SEO is dead.”

Clickbait? Yes.

But the anxiety behind it is real.

SEO is undergoing its biggest shift in 15 years. We’re entering a new phase where focusing solely on organic search won’t suffice.

A few years ago, the playbook was simple. Publish good content. Build high-quality backlinks. Fine-tune your on-page SEO. And that was enough to move the needle.

Then AI showed up.

Now, thanks to AI, anyone can churn out content at scale. Competition has intensified, and clients are more aware of what SEO entails.

These days, potential SEO clients no longer want “just blogs.”

They want traffic that converts and generates a positive ROI.

They also want to pop up on AI search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity.

Which begs the question: how can you land SEO clients amid all this noise?

Worry not! 

We’ll tell you how to get clients for SEO in this comprehensive guide. 

By the end, you’ll learn

• How to get SEO clients without cold calling
• Who to target
• Where to find SEO clients
• How to win prospects

…and a lot more. 

Let’s dive in.

Who exactly should you target?

As cliché as it sounds, the first step to getting SEO clients is determining who to target.  

You see.

Not every business is worth your time. More importantly, not every business is ready to invest in SEO.

When you separate chaff from grain right from the start, you’ll not only save energy but also make your outreach more effective.

So, who do you target as your ideal SEO client?

Well, for starters, you can zero in on:

• Small businesses
• E-commerce brands
• Startups
• Local businesses like dental clinics, law firms, and home services
• SEO agencies (this is a good place if you’re a freelancer looking to get your feet wet in the SEO world)

You’ll also want to think about industries that still underinvest in SEO.

Industries such as healthcare, construction, or professional services depend heavily on referrals or ads but haven’t fully tapped organic or AI search. These are ripe opportunities if you can show them the upside.

Also, decide whether you want high-ticket clients or volume clients.

High-ticket clients bring bigger contracts. On the flip side, they expect more reporting, strategy, and hand-holding. Volume clients pay less per deal. However, they can be easier to close and renew if you systemize your process.

Both strategies work. It all depends on how you want to run your business.

How should you position yourself?

Once you know who to target, the next step is making yourself stand out.

The thing is, many SEO providers look and sound the same.

We’re talking about:

• Generic websites.
• Vague promises, and
• Convoluted mumbo jumbo that doesn’t mean much to clients.

That said, here’s how to position yourself so you don’t pass for “just another SEO service”

Establish a unique brand

First, build a brand that people can remember.

Whether you’re a freelancer or running an agency, your brand should reflect trust and results. Think about your website, LinkedIn profile, and the way you communicate in DMs or emails. All of it adds up to how prospects see you.

Niche down

Second, niche positioning almost always works better than being a “general SEO.”

You sound more credible if you specialize in dental practices, Shopify stores, or SaaS startups, for instance. 

Clients in those industries feel you understand their world and their challenges.

Build authority

Third, authority signals are an essential part of how to get clients for SEO business.

So, have case studies, testimonials, and certifications as proof that you can deliver. Even one or two solid examples can shift a conversation from “Why should I trust you?” to “How do we start?”

Leverage SEO-focused messaging

Finally, focus your messaging on results, not jargon. 

You don’t want to say you “optimize on-page SEO with technical audits.” Instead, go with something like “I increased leads by 42% for a local law firm in three months.” 

Your clients want ROI, and aren’t interested in buzzwords. Harsh but true.

Where do you actually find clients?

You’ve nailed down your ideal target client for SEO services. You’ve done everything you need to do to position yourself as the go-to provider for your target market.

 But the puzzle isn’t complete until you know where to find your target client.

The good news is that there are plenty of options, both online and offline, including:

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is arguably the best place for B2B outreach and content marketing.

Stats show that 80% of B2B leads from social media come from LinkedIn. Even more intriguing is that four in five LinkedIn members are decision-makers.

To thrive here, it’d be best to offer value first before “d-ming” prospects. You can do this by:

• Sharing results-driven posts
• Commenting on industry conversations
• Connect with decision makers

When you get the basics right on LinkedIn, your outreach messages feel more natural. 

Freelance marketplaces

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr Pro, and Contra are still good places to find SEO clients.

But you need to be strategic to win high-value prospects.

As a rule of thumb, skip the race-to-the-bottom gigs. Instead, create premium profiles and proposals that highlight results, so you don’t pass for another freelance offering “SEO services.” 

Online communities

Places like Reddit, Slack groups, and Facebook groups are goldmines for SEO clients.

However, you need to approach them the right way.

For starters, business owners frequently ask questions about rankings, traffic drops, or content strategy. That’s your chance to step in with helpful, well-thought-out answers.

You have to be patient, though. Show up consistently, share expertise without spamming, and build a solid reputation. Over time, people will reach out privately because they’ve already seen your value in action.

Moreover, just like LinkedIn, you’re more likely to close a client if you’ve already built trust by being visible and helpful in the community.

Offline methods

Face-to-face networking still works.

Local events, business meetups, and chambers of commerce bring together prospects who may need SEO services but don’t know where to start. 

The beauty of offline strategies compared to online cold outreach is that a five-minute conversation in person can quickly build trust.

And if you target local SEO clients such as law firms, dentists, and home services, these offline interactions can open doors that digital ads and emails never could.

Partnerships

Sometimes, the easiest way to acquire SEO clients is through partnerships.

Web designers, ad agencies, and PR firms often get asked about SEO and may not want to handle it themselves. 

You can, therefore, position yourself as their SEO partner, so they can send you referrals whenever the need arises.

What outreach methods still work in 2025?

Cold outreach is an effective strategy to acquire new SEO customers.

However, the old “spray and pray” methods no longer work as they once did. Your prospects likely receive several emails and messages daily from your competitors pitching their services.  

To catch their attention, therefore, you must use personalization, show what you bring to the table, and be creative.

That said, here’s how to get clients for SEO using cold outreach.

Cold email strategies that don’t feel spammy

Cold email will win your SEO clients, but you need to ditch the templates and generic pitches. While cold emailing is a numbers game, one thoughtful email beats a hundred cookie-cutter ones.

The best cold emails should be:

• Short
• Reference something specific about your prospect’s business
• Written for one person. 

Personalized video pitches

Video outreach is gaining ground fast.

According to HubSpot, 89% of businesses use video marketing, and so should you.

Here’s a quick 3-step process to use video for outreach:

• Step 1: Create a 60-second personalized video introducing yourself
• Step 2: Point out one SEO opportunity that your prospect can act on right away for quick wins.
• Step 3: Show your face to build trust.

Why is video outreach effective? 

First, it’s harder to ignore than text. On top of that, it shows you’ve invested some effort, so potential clients are more likely to move the conversation forward. 

Value-first outreach

One tip we always advocate for on how to get SEO clients without cold calling is to “give” before asking.

You can, for instance, offer a quick site audit, identify technical issues, or share keyword gaps to pique your target’s interest.

Think of it as a strategy to show prospects what you offer without necessarily selling to them. 

Leverage AI tools for prospecting and outreach efficiency

AI has made outreach smarter, faster, and more effective.

These days, you don’t have to manually scrape lists or guess your prospect’s information, such as contact details.

You can use a tool like Reply.io (more on the platform below) to enrich your lead data, personalize emails, and determine the best time to send to improve deliverability.

Think of AI as your assistant. It speeds up research, cuts down on mundane tasks, and frees you to focus on the aspects AI can’t replace, such as building relationships.

How do you turn conversations into paying clients?

Getting replies is one thing. Turning those conversations into paying work is an entirely different ball game.

A significant number of SEO providers lose deals here because they focus too much on topics such as algorithms and backlinks, rather than business results.

Here’s how to flip that.

Run smooth discovery calls

Your first call sets the tone of what’s to follow.

It should, therefore, be concise, client-focused, and structured. In other words, let your prospect do most of the talking while you listen for clues about goals, challenges, and priorities.

Ask the right questions

Instead of “Do you want more traffic?” dig deeper. Try questions like:

• “How do you currently get new customers?”
• “What happens if your traffic drops by 20% tomorrow?”

The idea is to ask open-ended questions to help identify pain points and areas of urgency.

Speak business, not technical

Remember what we said about SEO jargon? Avoid it by all means. Your prospect isn’t interested in learning about schema markup or canonical tags.

Instead, frame SEO as a way to generate leads, increase sales, or cut ad costs. Always remember that your potential client is after outcomes, not tactics.

Packages vs. custom proposals

Some clients prefer clarity, while others want tailored solutions.

Therefore, a good approach is to have a few standard packages (such as Starter, Growth, and Enterprise). At the same time, allow for custom proposals if the deal is big enough. That way, you can strike a balance between simplicity and adaptability.

Handle objections gracefully

You’re not going to close every lead right away. Expect questions like “Why are you more expensive?” or “How long before I see results?”

The last thing you want to do is be defensive. Instead, acknowledge your target’s concern and pivot to proof. You can, for instance, share case studies, testimonials, or past results to engage your prospect.

How do you show quick wins?

One of the fastest ways to build trust with a new client is to deliver results early.

Here’s the thing.

Your SEO strategies may take six months to generate tangible results. However, you need to show gradual progress and motivating wins to project a picture that your efforts are paying off.

Here’s how to go about it.

Set expectations the right way

You must be upfront that SEO is a long-term gig.

At the same time, explain that there are quick improvements you can make in the first few weeks. That way, you can keep your clients excited while buying you time to execute the bigger strategy.

Fix technical SEO basics

Addressing technical SEO issues typically shows quick improvements in performance and reassures the client you’re already adding value. 

Some of the problems you can fix include crawl errors, slow site speed, and broken links, which could be dragging the site’s performance.

Improve local rankings

If you’re working with businesses like dentists, law firms, and contractors, you can help them show up higher in Google Maps or local packs to generate leads quickly.

Thus, optimize their Google Business Profile by fixing NAP citations and obtaining local reviews for quick wins that can improve your client’s bottom line.

Optimize high-ROI pages

Optimizing every page on your client’s website should be your overall goal. However, for quick wins, start with the ones that drive conversions.

These can include product pages, service pages, or top blog posts. Minor improvements in high ROI pages can translate into noticeable gains in leads or sales.

Show progress with simple dashboards

A 20-page technical report is good. However, that’s not what your client wants to see. They’re in for growth in traffic, rankings, and conversions.

Therefore, avoid complicated interfaces and use simple dashboards or one-page reports that are easy to understand to show progress.

How can you keep clients long-term?

Landing clients is hard, but keeping them is even harder.

And, retention is where your real profits come from.

Think of it this way: a one-off project is nice. Long-term retainers, however, assure you a predictable income and stability.

Here’s how to make clients stick with you.

Build trust with transparency and education

You’ve worked hard to get clients for your SEO business, so don’t leave them in the dark once they’ve signed up.

Be sure to share what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how it ties back to their goals. When you educate your clients on the “why” behind SEO decisions, you’ll build confidence that you know what you’re doing.

Check in regularly and update them on your strategies

Sure, you can send in reports, but also talk to your clients.

Thus, schedule monthly or quarterly calls to review results and discuss next steps. Regular check-ins are a great way to demonstrate to your customers that you’re invested in their success and thinking ahead.

Offer complementary services

SEO rarely works in isolation.

So, consider bundling your offering with other services, such as content marketing, conversion rate optimization (CRO), or paid advertising, to maximize results.

The more SEO-related services you can offer, the more you become your clients’ go-to provider instead of a replaceable vendor.

Turn one-off clients into referrals and retainers

Did you know that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know over traditional ads?

That’s right. Satisfied clients are your best sales team. And, you can encourage referrals by consistently delivering value and asking for introductions at the right time.

While you’re at it, shift short-term wins into long-term retainers by showing how ongoing SEO work compounds over time.

What tools can make this faster?

Indeed, learning how to get SEO clients without cold calling takes work and strategy. At the same time, using the right tools can save you hours, fast-track results, and make you a tool professional.

That said, here are some of the best tools that you can use to enhance your workflow.  

Below is a table summarizing the best use case for each tool.

Tool	Best for	Key features	Starting price
Reply.io	Automated outreach	Multichannel sequences; AI SDR (Jason); Findy extension; LinkedIn automation; Deliverability toolkit	$49/user/mo
Ahrefs	Keyword and competitor analysis	Site audit; Keyword explorer; Content explorer; Rank tracker; Backlink analysis	$129/mo
Airops	SEO audits and reporting	AI audits; Keyword clustering; Content briefs; Automated reporting	Custom
Attio	Lightweight CRM for small teams	Custom pipelines; Collaboration; Integrations; Data enrichment	$29/user/mo
Clay	Lead enrichment and prospecting	Lead sourcing; Data enrichment; Bulk automation; Integrations	$134/mo
Databox	Client-friendly dashboards and ROI tracking	Custom dashboards; Templates; Goal tracking; Integrations	$159/mo

Reply.io

Reply.io enables SEO providers to run high-volume, automated, and personalized outreach.

You can use the tool to build multichannel sequences (email, LinkedIn, SMS, calls), warm up mailboxes, and book meetings from your campaigns.

Meanwhile, Reply’s AI features handle lead discovery, message creation, and follow-ups.

You also get a unified inbox to centralize conversations, and an email deliverability tool to ensure your messages land in inboxes.

Add Jason AI SDR, and what you get is a fully automated outreach assistant that works 24/7 to generate leads for your SEO business and schedule meetings.

Key features:

• Multichannel sequences → allows you to run outreach across multiple channels, including email, LinkedIn, SMS, calls, and WhatsApp.
• Mailboxes and warm-ups → enables you to add and warm multiple mailboxes to protect deliverability.
• AI SDR (Jason) → automates prospecting, personalization, replies, and meeting booking.
• Findy extension → makes it easy to discover and enrich LinkedIn contacts with verified emails.
• LinkedIn automation → send connection requests, messages, voice notes, and engage with posts.
• Unified inbox → manage all emails and LinkedIn messages in one dashboard.
• Deliverability toolkit → includes a health checker, warm-ups, Gmail API integration for sending, and anti-spam tools.

 Pros:

• Scales outreach fast
• AI-driven personalization
• Robust LinkedIn automations
• Detailed performance reports

Cons:

• Some users report a steep learning curve. While Reply is straightforward to use, help is readily available if you need it. We also provide white glove onboarding.

Reply pricing is as follows:

• Email Volume = $49 per user per month 
• Multichannel = $89 per user per month 
• Jason AI SDR = $500 per month

Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a popular SEO tool that boasts a comprehensive set of features to do the heavy lifting for you. 

You can use it for tasks such as keyword research, backlink analysis, content discovery, and competitor tracking. 

Ahrefs also allows you to run site audits, monitor ranking progress, and discover gaps in your client’s strategies. 

Based on its capabilities, the tool is an excellent resource for in-depth SEO insights. 

Key features:

• Site audit → detects technical SEO issues hampering your client’s website rankings.
• Keyword explorer → finds keyword opportunities with traffic potential.
• Content explorer → identifies top-performing content ideas in your niche.
• Rank tracker → monitors keyword positions across devices and locations.
• Backlink analysis → tracks backlinks and spots link-building opportunities.
• Traffic estimator → shows estimated traffic for competitor sites.

Pros:

• Provides reliable data
• Feature-rich
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Can be pricey for beginners

Ahrefs pricing is as follows:

• Lite = $129 per month
• Standard = $249 per month
• Advanced = $449 per month

Airops

Airops is an AI-powered SEO and workflow automation tool. 

The platform thrives on its ability to streamline audits, keyword research, and content planning by automating much of the grunt work. 

Apart from providing you with in-depth SEO insights, Airops also enables you to prepare client-ready reports quickly, thanks to the solution’s AI capabilities.

Key features:

• AI audits → runs automated audits for quick insights.
• Keyword clustering → organizes keywords for more effective targeting.
• Content briefs → fenerates structured briefs to scale content.
• Automated reporting → builds reports tailored for clients.
• Workflow automation → reduces manual SEO tasks.

Pros:

• Offers AI-driven insights
• Allows you to save reporting time

Cons:

• Limited integrations
• Smaller dataset

Airops pricing = custom.

Attio

Attio is a lightweight CRM for SEO agencies, consultants, and freelancers who don’t want the complexity of traditional CRMs.

It allows you to organize leads and track conversations. With its intuitive, minimalist interface and flexible pipelines, Attio is a good CRM tool for SEO providers managing multiple clients simultaneously.

Key features:

• Custom pipelines → organizes leads by stage.
• Collaboration → allows you to share notes and updates with team members.
• Integrations → syncs with Gmail, Slack, and other third-party applications.
• Data enrichment → pulls in details from LinkedIn and email.
• Automation → automatically moves leads based on triggers.

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Easy-to-navigate interface

Cons:

• Limited reporting

Attio pricing is as follows:

• Plus = $29 per user per month
• Pro = $69 per user per month
• Enterprise = Custom pricing

Clay

Clay is a good alternative to Attio if you’re in for more robust offers, CRM-style organization, and prospecting capabilities. 

It’ll allow you to find and enrich leads at scale. You can use it to source contacts, add missing details like job titles and emails, and manage the information from a single dashboard.

Key features:

• Lead Sourcing → finds contacts across LinkedIn and other platforms.
• Data Enrichment → adds job titles, emails, and context.
• Automation → auto-updates lead info in bulk.
• Integrations → works with Zapier and outreach tools.
• Personalization → helps build targeted outreach lists.

Pros:

• Strong enrichment
• Scales prospecting fast

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Requires API credits

Clay pricing is as follows:

• Starter = $134 per month
• Explorer = $314 per month
• Pro = $720 per month
• Enterprise = Custom pricing

Databox

Databox is a reporting and analytics tool that consolidates all your client metrics into a single dashboard. 

The platform allows you to combine reports from Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and ad platforms into a single, client-friendly view. 

Databox can be especially useful if you want to quickly prove ROI with simple, visual dashboards instead of lengthy PDF reports.

Key features:

• Custom dashboards → combines SEO, PPC, and social metrics.
• Pre-built templates → enables you to create reports quickly with ready-made dashboards.
• Goal tracking → lets you compare progress against targets.
• Mobile app → allows you to share updates with clients on the go.
• Integrations → connects with Google Analytics, Ahrefs, HubSpot, and more.

Pros:

• Client-friendly
• Great integrations

Cons:

• Limited free plan
• Some metrics lag

Databox pricing is as follows:

• Professional plan = $159 per month
• Growth plan = $399 per month
• Premium = $799 per month

How do you scale once you have traction?

Winning a few clients is great. However, the surest way to stall growth is by trying to manage everything yourself. 

So, if you want to take your business to the next level, you must create a repeatable system that enables you to stop hustling for each client. Here’s how to do it.

Hire contractors or build a team

You can start by onboarding contractors for content, link building, or technical audits. And, as your revenue grows, bring on in-house staff to ensure consistency and nurturing client relationships.

Productize your SEO services

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel for every client. You can create clear service tiers with fixed deliverables and pricing. When you productize your offer, it’s easier to sell, deliver, and delegate.

Create systems for outreach, onboarding, and reporting

You’ll want to document repeatable steps for lead generation, client onboarding, and reporting. In addition, leverage Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), templates, and automation to minimize manual tasks.

Using referrals and case studies as growth engines

Once you’ve delivered results, the fastest way to grow is by doubling down on what you’ve already done.

Here, referrals and case studies can become your most powerful sales channels because they reduce skepticism and build instant trust.

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to do.

Make happy clients into referral partners

As mentioned earlier, your satisfied clients are your best advocates.

But you don’t want to wait for them to spread the word. Instead, ask for referrals. You can even create referral incentives such as discounts on future invoices or bonus services. Remember, a warm introduction from a trusted source almost always converts better than cold outreach.

Build case studies that speak to ROI

Numbers don’t lie, as they say.

Therefore, create your case studies around the problem, solution, and results. For example: “A local dental practice gained 120% more leads in 6 months through improved local SEO.”

Short, focused case studies make it easy for prospects to see themselves in the success story.

Showcase proof everywhere

While you’re at it, post case studies on your website, share wins on LinkedIn, and weave referral stories into your sales calls.

The idea is to demonstrate to prospects that real businesses are thriving because of your work, thereby reducing objections and increasing the likelihood that the agency will take action.

The beauty of referrals and case studies is that their value compounds over time. The more results you create, the more social proof you collect, and the easier it becomes to land your next SEO client.

How to get more SEO clients: The Bottom Line

You must learn the fundamentals of how to get clients for your SEO business to thrive.

You’ll need to build repeatable systems that keep your pipeline full.

And, in 2025, that means adapting to new realities. We’re talking about AI-generated content, more informed clients who ask harder questions, and stiffer competition than ever before.

The good news is you don’t need to overcomplicate things.

Start with one system. Pick a tool like Reply.io, set up your first outreach sequence, and commit to running it this week.

Once you have conversations going, use the playbook from this guide—positioning, quick wins, trust-building, and referrals—to turn replies into long-term clients.

Sign up for Reply.io today, `cause the earlier you start, the faster you’ll see traction.