Understanding the Role of Technical SEO Freelancers in Long-Term Client Relationships
Hello everyone,
I’m curious to learn more about the routines and responsibilities of technical SEO freelancers who engage in ongoing work with their clients, as opposed to those who handle only short-term projects like site migrations and audits. Specifically, I’m interested in freelancers who focus solely on technical SEO and do not take on the broader responsibilities typically expected of an seo manager, such as backlink building or content creation.
In my case, I identify as a “fractional Technical SEO.” My role involves supporting in-house teams that require occasional technical assistance but do not need a full-time seo resource. This allows me to integrate seamlessly into their operations, equipped with access rights similar to an employee—whether through platforms like Jira, Slack, GitHub, or AWS.
Here are some of the tasks I typically engage in on a monthly basis:
- Monitoring Google Search Console and Server Logs: Keeping an eye on key performance indicators to ensure everything is functioning optimally.
- Developing and QA-ing Development Tickets: Writing specifications and ensuring they are correctly implemented.
- Collaboration: Engaging in regular meetings with development, marketing, and content teams, and participating in discussions to understand their needs.
- Stakeholder Communication: Conducting calls to get buy-in for various initiatives and projects.
- Collaborating with External seo Agencies: Working alongside other experts to enhance overall strategy.
- Site Auditing: Conducting audits and crawls of the site each sprint, comparing staging and live environments to identify issues.
- Managing Scope Creep: Often, I find myself expanding my role beyond Technical SEO to assist with areas such as merchant center feeds, new category page recommendations for eCommerce clients, conversion rate optimization (CRO), user experience (UX) enhancements, internal linking strategies, content audits, creating mockups for new Product Listing Pages (PLPs), and product detail pages (PDPs), as well as suggesting product bundles and upsell opportunities.
On another note, I’m also interested in understanding your pricing structures. Do you charge by the hour, or do you typically work on a retainer basis?
I’m eager to hear about your experiences and approaches in this niche. The way I’ve carved out my role feels natural and allows me to provide significant value. I aim to go beyond just consulting; my focus is on doing the work and taking responsibility within the teams I collaborate with.
Looking forward to your insights!
2 responses to “Tech SEO freelancers with long-term clients, what work do you do?”
Well we’re using AI to make posts for our clients and using it heavy! We can easily make thousands of lines of text per day per category compared to a year ago when we would struggle to make hundreds manually.
Thank you for sharing your insights on the increasingly essential role of Technical SEO freelancers in fostering long-term client relationships! Your approach as a fractional Technical SEO professional truly highlights the flexibility and value that independent specialists can provide, particularly to in-house teams without the bandwidth or resources for a full-time SEO staff.
One aspect that stands out in your post is the emphasis on collaboration across various teams, which is paramount in today’s interconnected work environment. I believe that establishing strong communication lines can significantly enhance the effectiveness of technical initiatives—it’s not just about identifying issues but understanding how each department contributes to seo success. Regular strategy sessions could also lead to innovative solutions, like integrating seo efforts with broader business goals or even product roadmaps.
Moreover, I find it fascinating how you’ve navigated managing scope creep. It’s often a delicate balance, as your involvement can naturally extend into other areas of Digital Marketing and UX. Perhaps setting clear boundaries at the outset and defining metrics for success can help to keep the focus on Technical SEO while still allowing you to lend your expertise in adjacent areas when necessary.
Regarding pricing structures, I’ve found that a combination of retainer agreements for ongoing support, paired with project-based billing for specific tasks, can offer a win-win for both freelancers and clients. This approach not only secures a steady income but also allows you to adapt your services to the evolving needs of each client.
Thank you again for prompting this discussion! It’s always enlightening to hear how others in our field are carving out their niches and adding