Mr. Ploppy’s Monday Tool List – Volume #31 – SEO and Web Development Sales Tools
Online marketing information can change quickly This article is 15 years and 77 days old, and the facts and opinions contained in it may be out of date.
“Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.”
Sales can be a tough but essential part of business for anyone interested in freelancing or consulting. Good sales can make or break a business. There are not a lot of “online tools” for learning to sell web design and search engine marketing, but there are a lot of fantastic articles and discussions on the subject.
There are a lot of subtle considerations to a sale. Time, budget, risk, likelihood for success, and margins being only a few of the many factors to take into account. As a freelancer just getting started, it is very tough to break it to someone for the first time that you will be charging them $50/ hr. It does get a little easier, but it’s always tough to deliver the blow the first time you decide to raise your prices. I generally only raise prices for NEW clients and give a nice long grandfathered period for older clients. Telling your new rate to someone for the first time is still tough. Not only do they have to decide if you’re worth it…YOU have to decide if YOUR worth it to them.
The number one rule in SEO and web development sales is to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Even if your a greenhorn frontpage webmaster working out of your parents basement, your conduct will leave a lasting impression. Wear a suit (or at least a tie)…it’s only for a few hours. Use professional letterhead, business cards, and contracts. Little details in regards to business go a LONG way when you are getting started as an SEO consultant or web developer.
SEO and Web Development Sales Tools
- Format of an SEO proposal
- Sample SEO contract
- Web design business kit *disclaimer – I’ve never read the full guide myself, but the freebies are excellent, and I have no doubt the entire kit is the same
- Sample web design contracts
- Format of an SEO activity schedule
- The mighty neglected change order
- Ideal SEM RFP
- Barebones sample website contract agreement
- Boilerplate template contracts
- Qualifying leads
- 10 things to ask SEO clients
Resources and top reads on SEO and web development sales
- Steps to becoming a freelance developer
- SEO and web design sales
- How to ease the blow on price quotes
- Approaching your first client – sales letter considerations
- How to start and when you can charge for SEO
- How to get through the door of a big fat client
- Questions to ask a client on the first meeting
- When it comes to pricing and charging
- Marketing features vs. benefits
- Sales and business planning ammo for web marketers
- For those charging under $57/ hr.
- What SEO guarantees do you offer
- Quick! what should I charge?
Tags: Mr. Ploppy, SEO Tools, Internet Marketing, Internet Marketing Tools, Business Tools, Small Business, Sales, Web Design

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