Most valuable things that clients can do for us SEO-wise?

[joelmd]

Hi One and All!

We're launching a new site which provides listings for businesses, and being that it's very early in the process and we're building up our presence we're offering our services for free for now.

In return though we would like to request that our clients exchange the free service we're providing for things which will help our SEO to develop faster.

I've thought of things like following/liking social accounts, maybe even backlinking to us in a blog post if they have a blog, but does anyone have any other ideas about what other beneficial things they can do for us, and which things are most beneficial?

Thanks for Advice!

[Moreleads]

Hi jmico,

You ask what they can do for you, but maybe a better question to start would be what can you do for them.

Business directories are obviously nothing new, and besides them having a bad rep in SEO, why would they need to list with you.  What are you offering that is so unique businesses will want to sign up.  If you find something truly valuable and unique you can think of ways to get involvement from them. And they will probably be willing to reciprocate the value.

Your whole strategy for SEO could than be based on these benefits and it will be easier to find out what will make sense; followings on social accounts, blog mentions, testemonials, etc....

Just offering a business listing will not get people to do anything in my opinion.

regards

[joelmd]

Hi Ramon,

Thanks for your advice, taken on board.  If you have any specific advice regarding valuable SEO actions our clients could take that would be very helpful.

Regards,
Joel

[Moreleads]

Hi joelmd,

Yeah that changes the situation and you surely add value.  This needs a very custom solution though, besides the things you already mentioned one ideia could be a series of articles you could publish on your website where you list the top 10 businesses in category xxx in a certain geographical area. you could base this list also on the completeness of their listings and offer the ones that appear on the page a badge for being in the top 10 and ask them to insert it in their website (people and businesses like being part of a top 10) and the badge could have a link to the said article on your website.

Just one of many ideias you could think of.

regards