Different Types of SEO Client’s – Which Ones to Avoid! [Graphic]

Since I have been in the SEO search and Internet Marketing industry I’ve come across and dealt with many different types of SEO client. Some you seriously want to steer clear of as they can give you a serious fuckin migraine!

Here’s is an SEO graphic of the most common one’s and underneath some of the conversations they are likely to have with there SEO Consultant/Agency…

Feel free to share this graphic:

<a href="http://www.seogeezer.com/different-types-of-seo-clients-which-ones-to-avoid"><img title="SEO Graphic - Types of SEO Clients" src="http://www.seogeezer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/SEO-Graphic-Types-of-SEO-Clients.jpg" alt="SEO Graphic - Types of SEO Clients" /></a>
by <a href="http://www.seogeezer.com/">SEO Geezer - No Nonsense SEO and Internet Marketing Blog</a>

KVD Client – Keyword Vanity Disorder
Usually a Schizophrenic and extremely vein

Now this is the one you certainly don’t want. Especially post penguin! Last year (during the SEO golden years when chucking a load of links used to work) this type of client would be fine… Hey I even got some to number 1 without even having the keyword on the page Good times.

Some of the conversations you may have with these types of clients:

Client: ‘Hey whens my vanity keyword going to be number 1?’
SEO: ‘We shouldn’t really focus on one keyword, better to ensure your visible across lots’
Client: ‘No I just need to be number 1 for this one’
SEO: ‘Why?’
Client: ‘Because it will bring me loads of business and sales’
SEO: ‘Really? For a keyword as broad as dogs?’
Client: ‘Yes’
SEO: ‘Based on what evidence will this make loads of sales’
Client: ‘Because I know everyone searches that because I would’
SEO: ‘Ok then, 2 weeks and you will be number 1′ lolzzzzz

The Know It All That Knows Nothing
Awkward Client… Drives you to Drink

Seriously, I’ve had many of these types of clients myself… They are extremely annoying. These ones generally read SEO white papers independent SEO blogs with distorted truths and believe all the fluff in the SEO industry. I’m actually not sure why they even bother hiring SEO’s.

The most annoying types of conversations you will have:

Client: ‘Hey I read somewhere that in order to rank well I need social links’
SEO: ‘You’re partly correct, we’ve been advising we need to get you socially active’
Client: ‘Yes well I read that social links are the best links so can you stop your link building methods and focus on this type?’
SEO: ‘Sir we wouldn’t advise this, we do know what we are doing, you hired us’
Client: ’No, definitely need just social links to rank well’
SEO: ‘Sigh’

The SEO Dependent One
Blames SEO for business failure!

These types of clients think relying solely on organic search will make there business a success and get them tons of sales and enquiries… They wont lift a finger and do offline marketing nor will they engage in any other online marketing activity. These types of clients usually get angry!

Some weird and wonderful conversations may be:

Client: ‘Hi, I haven’t been having any sales yet’
SEO: ‘You probably won’t see an impact yet we only started yesturday’
Client: ‘Oh right I will give it a few more days then’
SEO: ‘We would also recommend offline marketing, social and even paid search in order for you to start generating sales and business now’
Client: ‘No social doesn’t work and print/radio/tv advertising doesn’t either.’
SEO: ‘Ok if your sure’
Client: ‘It’s been 2 weeks and haven’t had many sales. SEO is failing’
SEO: ‘Sorry were to blame’ Massive sigh!

The Perfect SEO Client
This guy gets you motivated to do better!

These are the clients you should definitely aim to attract. An absolutely idilic world for any SEO… Motivates you to do better and achieve better results. They listen, understand and even action your points! What more could you ask for in a perfect SEO client!

These are the conversations many SEO’s dream of:

Client: ‘I understand SEO is a long term marketing strategy and I trust you will really make a difference to my business and brand in the long run’
SEO: ‘Thank you, You will succeed in SEO’ At this point the SEO is thinking (At Last)
Client: ‘Our web developers have just updated our site with the title tags and meta descriptions you suggested’
SEO: ‘Brilliant’
Client: ‘We are thinking of making some content changes to our website can you check over these plans first to see how it will effect your efforts?’
SEO: ‘Yes of course, I am glad you have informed us’
Client: ‘Rankings and Traffic increases are great so far, business is increasing’
SEO: ‘Excellent’
Client: ‘I am also engaging in social media marketing and other offline activities to strengthen my brand’
SEO: ‘Perfect, you are just the perfect client, thank you!’