Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an SEO Side Hustle

As new businesses and established brands continue to expand their digital presence, the value of search visibility is clear: whether it’s a webpage or a blog post, optimized content that drives organic traffic results in more clicks, more conversions, and more clients. This increased demand for SEO expertise translates into significant earning potential. SEO freelancers can earn anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on their skill level and experience. With consistent work and a strong client base, top freelancers can even earn six-figure incomes annually.

Given the importance of search visibility and search engine optimization (SEO), it’s no wonder that in 2022, “SEO Specialist” rose to the top of LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs report. Today, search engines like Google and Bing are more adept at analyzing metadata, and audiences are prioritizing authentic content, making SEO specialists and freelancers that much more valuable in the digital marketing world.

Sound like something you want to be part of? Read on—we’ll walk you through the steps of how to become an SEO freelancer and share the necessary skills you need to launch your freelance SEO side hustle today.

Understanding SEO: fundamental skills for SEO freelancers

To become an SEO freelancer, it’s important to first understand SEO’s core principles. In simple terms, SEO is the process of improving website visibility and search engine rank when individuals seek out a service, a product, or information. At its core, SEO focuses on two main aspects: how crawlable your site is by Google and how Google indexes it. Everything else flows from these two principles.

A few fundamentals make SEO happen:

On-page SEO 

On-page SEO involves optimizing the content and structure of a webpage to improve its search engine rankings. Key components include:

• Keyword research: By identifying relevant search terms people use to find a certain product or service, you can incorporate them into a webpage. Applying in-demand keywords to web pages after identifying them during your keyword research makes content competitive and can improve that site’s search engine rank.
• Content optimization: This includes creating high-quality, relevant content that answers user queries and incorporates targeted keywords naturally.
• Meta tags and descriptions: Optimizing meta titles, descriptions, and headers helps search engines understand the content of your pages and improves click-through rates.

Off-page SEO 

Off-page SEO focuses on building the authority and reputation of your website through external efforts. Key components include:

• Link building: This process involves acquiring links from reputable websites and incorporating them into other relevant sites. The more diverse the links, the better, as this strategy helps to improve site traffic and search engine rankings.

Technical SEO 

Technical SEO refers to the optimizations that help search engine spiders crawl and index your website more effectively. This aspect of SEO includes:

• Site architecture: Enhancing the structure of your website to make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
• Security: Ensuring your site is secure by using HTTPS.
• Page speed: Improving the loading speed of your pages.
• Mobile-friendliness: Making sure your site is optimized for mobile devices.
• XML sitemaps and robot.txt: Creating an XML sitemap, optimizing robot.txt files, and fixing duplicate content issues are critical tasks.

Ultimately, SEO is a multilayered process, so an SEO specialist is a must-have for any brand or business looking to stand out against competitors. To that end, building on a foundation of basic knowledge is vital for a freelance SEO expert just breaking into the industry. 

Gaining the necessary skills and experience

To become a successful SEO freelancer, you need to continually adapt to changes in search engine algorithms and refine your strategies to deliver the best results for users. SEO is deeply connected to how search engines function, and staying updated with algorithm changes is crucial. 

In fact, over half of all website traffic is generated through organic research (that is, Google search). If on-page optimization is on point, it’s more likely that organic traffic will turn into repeat visitors and conversions because the page is easily crawlable and indexable by search engines.

So, by refining your skills and staying on top of SEO updates and trends, you can position yourself as an expert resource for your potential clients. 

Here are a few ways to become an SEO expert: 

SEO Courses

The most valuable SEO insights often come at a cost, but they are readily accessible through structured educational programs. Numerous reputable platforms and organizations offer comprehensive courses tailored for different skill levels. For instance, Moz Academy provides a wide range of tutorials from SEO fundamentals to advanced techniques. Another option is the Google Digital Garage, which offers free courses on a variety of digital marketing topics, including SEO. These courses are particularly beneficial for beginners, offering a structured path from basic principles to practical, actionable strategies.

Certifications

For those with a basic understanding of SEO, pursuing certifications can be a significant advantage. Certifications serve as a formal recognition of your expertise, enhancing your resume and proving your knowledge to prospective employers or clients. The Google Analytics Individual Qualification is a popular choice that focuses on mastering Google’s tools, which are crucial for SEO. Similarly, the HubSpot Content Marketing Certification is excellent for those looking to demonstrate their ability to develop and execute SEO-friendly content strategies. These credentials not only validate your skills but also position you as an authority in the field.

Hands-on practice

Getting hands-on practice is helpful whether you’re the new kid on the SEO block or you just need a quick refresher. So, consider running your favorite retailer’s website through free SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to determine key SEO insights. The more you practice, the more prepared you’ll be to tackle issues in real-time.  

Beyond concepts and courses, setting up your freelance SEO service business is perhaps the most exciting step to making your side hustle ambition a reality. 

Setting up your SEO freelance business

Whether you’re determined to dabble or planning to turn your side hustle into a booming SEO business, taking the necessary legal steps can protect you from risk, help you manage money flow, and prepare you for growth. 

Before your side hustle can grow wings and become a soaring success, you’ll need to choose a name for it. Your business name should be unique, professional, and reflect the breadth of services you plan to provide. 

Building a strong online presence

In the digital age, building a strong online presence is crucial to thriving in any industry. While freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr can be useful for getting started, developing a professional website that showcases your services will set you apart in the bustling SEO marketplace. A personal website not only allows you to highlight your unique skills and success stories but also gives you complete control over your brand and how you present yourself to potential clients. 

To that end, developing a professional website that showcases your services will be your differentiator in the bustling SEO marketplace, helping you attract and retain high-quality clients.

Start with Name.com, where you can use our free domain name search tool to find and register a website name that reflects your unique business and offerings, like SEO.services. Then, create your site through Wix’s user-friendly platform, where you can choose from 500+ professionally designed templates catered to your industry. 

Once you’ve established your digital identity, leverage professional networks like LinkedIn to make connections with the wider SEO community and enhance your own visibility. Additionally, using a customized email address that matches your domain (e.g., [email protected]) can further establish your professionalism and make it easier for potential clients to remember and contact you.

Attracting and retaining clients

Even before clients start knocking on your digital door, you can bring the best of your business to them with savvy marketing strategies that promote and personify your freelance business beyond the screen. Here’s how:

• Use social media to engage with your followers through comments and posts that inspire them to visit your website.

• Write and share blogs on emerging SEO tools and trends to showcase your expertise.

• Lean into SEO seminars and local networking events to build and broadcast your skills. 

• Starting a podcast to lean into your knowledge and share deeper insights through a popular format that younger people are keen to use.
• Utilize SEM (Search Engine Marketing) to increase your visibility and attract potential clients through paid search campaigns.
• Network with industry professionals both online and offline to build relationships that can lead to referrals and collaborative opportunities.

Once clients gather in your corner, keeping them there is key to sustaining a lively and profitable business. To that end, consider these tips for retaining your clients:

• Write winning business proposals that feature catchy subject lines that cut right to the point of your process. Boast a little about your skills and how your business provides solutions to common SEO hurdles. 

• Research the going rate for your services to price them fairly but competitively. Consider the scope of each project, what you bring to the table, and what you stand to profit after taxes and other expenses. 

• Manage and maintain client relationships with open lines of communication, frequent follow-ups, and solution-oriented services.

Co-creating collaborative and communicative relationships with your SEO clients is invaluable to building your business. In fact, professionalism is a sure-fire way to increase projects and keep your client book full. 

Delivering results: effective strategies for SEO success 

Few developments are more exhilarating than when projects start flooding your inbox. But what about when they pile up? 

Adopt these strategies to deliver results effectively in your SEO projects: 

• Conduct SEO audits annually or quarterly as needed. Monthly or even weekly audits may be needed for businesses and brands in more dynamic and competitive industries.

• Move quickly when you spot issues that can have an impact on web performance, like a webpage that’s not optimized for mobile.

• Measure results by comparing key performance indicators month over month, like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and SERP visibility.

When it comes to successful SEO, utilize digital tools and software that offer eagle-eye reporting and fast fixes for common SEO issues. Here are a few to add to your bookmarks tab:

• Google Analytics 
• Screaming Frog
• SEMrush

You can also manage your projects efficiently and master your workload with Name.com. We offer access to resources freelancers like you need to thrive—like Wix, Google Workspace, Titan Email, and more—all on one platform.

Growing your freelance business

With a firm foundation under your feet, it’s only a matter of time before you may want to scale your side hustle to account for upward growth. Offering additional digital services like website development and content marketing is an effective way to expand. And when the workload is booming, don’t be afraid to hire subcontractors to stay on top of deadlines and deliverables. 

You can also further build your reputation and establish thought leadership in the SEO landscape by publishing articles on reputable platforms or speaking at digital marketing events. 

Ultimately, your growth opportunities are nearly endless—but it’s important to be prepared for any pitfalls, too.  

Common challenges and how to overcome them

While freelancing offers the freedom to build a career on your own terms, it can also come with fluctuations in income, client acquisition and retention, and work-life balance.

Fortunately, you can maintain momentum and work through challenges with these helpful tips:

• Track your earnings and plan future projects accordingly to keep your finances steady

• Stay one step ahead of emerging trends and digital tools you can offer your clients

• Continuously monitor key performance indicators and make adjustments for improvement as necessary 

• Schedule time to take breaks to avoid burning out

Building a sustainable career in SEO freelancing

SEO freelancers play an integral role in the digital ecosystem as more and more businesses seek to enhance their online visibility, drive traffic to their sites, and increase conversions.

After gaining the necessary skills to stake your claim in the world of SEO freelancing, partner with Name.com to develop a successful and sustainable career. With our domain name search tool, Wix website builder, and Google Workspace offerings, you can build your own compelling online presence, manage your projects efficiently and effectively, and ultimately, grow your business.

Sources: 

Linkedin. SEO as a Career in 2024: A Promising Path for Beginners. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seo-career-2024-promising-path-beginners-mirza-baig–nuhhf/

Backlinko. SEO Trends in 2024 and How to Adapt. https://backlinko.com/seo-this-year

Search Engine Land. What Is SEO – Search Engine Optimization?. https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo

Enterprise Apps Today. SEO Statistics By Organic Search Traffic, Ranking, Industry/Company, Business, Mobile, Platform, Country, Activity and Satisfaction Rate. https://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/stats/seo-statistics.html.

doola. How to Start a Freelancing Business in 7 Steps. https://www.doola.com/blog/how-to-start-a-freelancing-business/
Linkedin. How can you learn SEO skills and training as a beginner?. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-learn-seo-skills-training