Client doesn't understand SEO

[websensejim]

It's amazing but I still hear this all the time - web designers and developers are expected to do SEO as well ? It does come down to the general lack of understanding of how SEO works but it happens because most agencies include SEO as part of their service. That leads to some smaller or freelance designers and developers trying to include it as part of their service, even when its not their specialism. You used the phrase "search engine friendly" and phrases like that pop up all over proposals for web projects "built-in, baked-in SEO" etc, these are typical sales-speak added to beef up proposals and offerings. Your client probably interpreted search engine friendly as search engine optimised, and therefore able to rank on Google,etc. Of course, its not the same thing at all.

You're doing the right thing trying to explain it to your client and trying to educate them but a some point you have to make it clear you can't do the SEO for them. Sounds like you've done that already, gone above and beyond.

Out of curiosity, what kind of phrases do they expect to rank for ?

 

[Xtm_Mike]

I agree, but Luke's site suggests he does everything including generating new business as part of the package.

But if the client hasn't written the content or isn't clear about what keywords they are targeting then you can't write page titles and description and submitting a sitemap becomes pointless. And as an aside w3c compliance is irrelevant, it's far more important to pass the Google speed tests. This you can do for the client - until they start adding plugins and messing with all your careful work.

Yeah thats true.. Generally I wouldn't start on a project until the client submits content to me, this gets around the issue of not knowing content or keywords. I don't see how you can build a website without knowing what is going on it. I've been burned a couple of times when i've started a site before content and then waited months which just delays the end goal: getting paid the full amount.

It also weeds out the clients that want you to know their business inside out and run it for them, i've seen a few disappearing acts when I request content before starting..

If there is a deadline to work to then i'll make sure the contract contains content submission deadlines.

but this is another story...

 

[Steve Alphabet]

I am exasperated and can't keep going round in circles like this.
.

There's your answer. Move on. You've done way more than expected. Don't waste time on this client when you could be helping others (and yourself!)

 

[theemailguy]

As per your discussion, I think your client is looking for instant result which is not possible.SEO takes times and resources, but it will offer great return on investment. If your client is looking for instant traffic & inquiry, let them suggest a paid campaign through Google adwords.

This type of issue always arises when a client is just starting up or new to the marketing industry. Let them aware about how it works rather sending them links and resource about SEO, arrange ontime meeting or an SEO session.

 

[justinaldridge]

There's your answer. Move on. You've done way more than expected. Don't waste time on this client when you could be helping others (and yourself!)

Amen!

 

[SEO Lady]

Not quite what point you are trying to make @Scott Davies I have a great portfolio of clients many of whom are members on UKBF. What I don't do is waste time on those who don't listen and want me to do everything for free. You will soon find who they are, the ones who constantly badger you for changes but aren't willing to pay for the service.

Yes I have experienced this and don't tolerate this behaviour. I've even had to block 3 mobile numbers over the years from clients who won't stop calling texting, it's not unusual.

It's not down to you to explain "new website = does not mean automatic Google rankings" and it sounds like you've tried that.

Did you have a contract? Was there any mention of SEO until the website went live? Or just afterwards?

Here's some links I've collected:
http://backlinko.com/google-ranking-factors
https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35769/
https://www.distilled.net/resources/your-wordpress-yoast-seo-cheat-sheet/ (Wordpess)

My cheeky slant would be to blind them with science, then refer them to Google search for "SEO Training" [+local geographic area] as you are not an SEO trainer, or point them to People Per Hour where they can post a job detailing exactly what they want to achieve.

SEO cannot be taught in an email exchange.

 

[makeusvisible]

Over the years I have seen several instances of this happening;

One particular client refused to sign-off on the project until they were ranking for half a dozen local search phrases.

One client advised that she would pay the remainder of her website balance when she saw business from her new website.

Obviously you cannot allow your clients to behave like this, especially if SEO was not within the remit of the project.

Any fair and reasonable client will understand that the website is effectively the shop-window. Bringing people into the shop is outside the scope of building the site. After wall, you wouldn't blame your landlord if you opened a high street store and didn't have many sales.

That being said, obviously you should always aim to give the client's site the best possible chance of ranking by structuring the site well, and ensuring the client understands the importance of quality content.

We always try to broach the topic of traffic on day one, so the customer has an understanding that the journey to web sales doesn't end with launching a new site.

 

[Scott Heron]

Good lord, sounds like a nightmare to be honest.

Coming to this thread late so I can only echo the advice from the others, you need to cut ties with them unless they actually start to pay you for your time/consultation otherwise they are taking advantage of you.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[SEO Lady]

Can we have updates as they happen please? I'm more than a little interested in this thread.

Here's a Friday morning smile for everyone

 

[aflat9]

I have the same problem with my investors. They keep asking if we are on 'the first page' yet. We are in a hyper competitive market competing with the likes of Barclays (not gonna happen).
Why not get them to write a piece of content for a super niche keyword (something bizarre which will get first page) and show them how it works so they can see an actionable difference?
Then say about getting backlinks etc...

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

1) Why would you be willing to invest your time in helping the client if they aren't willing to invest time or money into their own business?
2) You said the client doesn't want to pay a SEO company to do the work but does the client understand that their time is money? The client would surely spend more time learning and implementing SEO than it would cost to just pay a SEO company? The client would be much better focusing on what they do best and paying others to do what they do best.

The bottom line: you're banging your head against a brick wall if you continue to reiterate the same again and again to the client.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

I offered it as a service but there was no budget so the client went for just the website build.

Yes we have spoken on the phone a number of times and at great length.

There's the answer - in your next email tell the client that they have no budget for SEO so that is why they aren't ranking. Why continue to give them free advice? It only continues to be a problem if you let it be. There are plenty of nice customers out there who do listen.

 

[UKcentric]

Add an extra line into your standard contract? Something like, "we build websites which are ready to launch and use, but we do not provide SEO services which are required to rank in search engines. We can recommend the following companies who provide this service" ...

Doesn't solve your immediate problem, but as we all know, contracts and T&Cs are ever-evolving documents which are there to prevent the same problem happening over and over again.