Introduction
SEO is among the top marketing skills, and the demand for it is booming at exponential rates.
In this article, we will discuss how to become an SEO freelancer and the skills required to become an SEO expert and a successful freelancer.
Why SEO Freelancer?
In the last decade, there has been rapid growth in the SEO freelancing market across the globe. Here are some key statistics for it:
Market Share and Potential
The market size of SEO freelancing has grown from $14.19 billion in 2023 to $16.8 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4%. [Source: The Business Research Company]
The SEO market size is expected to grow exponentially in the future, with an estimate of $32.13 billion in 2028 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%. [Source: The Business Research Company]
Earning Potential
Along with SEO agencies, SEO freelancers can also establish competitive prices.
As per Ahrefs reports, the average hourly rate of SEO freelancers and agencies is between $75 and $100.
Also, highly experienced freelancers are charging an average of $100 to $150 per hour.
The statistics above highlight the increasing demand and earning potential of SEO freelancers.
Expert’s Opinions
“SEO freelancing in 2024 offers immense opportunity for those who specialize in E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)-driven strategies. Google’s focus on quality content and credible sources will demand a higher level of expertise.” Rand Fishkin, SparkToro
“Freelance SEOs who understand how to collaborate effectively with AI-powered tools will be highly sought after in 2024. It’s about embracing AI as a strategic partner, not a replacement.” Aleyda Solis, Orainti
“In 2024, Indian SEO freelancers with strong local SEO skills will be incredibly valuable as businesses increasingly target regional markets with precision.” Sorav Jain, Echovme
“The freelance SEO landscape in 2024 will favor those with versatile skills. Understanding the intersections of SEO with content marketing, social media, and technical optimization will be a major advantage.” Neil Patel, Neil Patel Digital
“SEO freelancers who prioritize building long-term relationships with clients, not just quick fixes, will thrive in 2024. Demonstrating your value as a strategic partner builds trust and fosters sustainable success.” Purna Virji, Microsoft
Essential Skills for the Aspiring SEO Freelancer:
Technical SEO: This is the backbone of SEO performance. It involves resolving technical issues like the mobile responsiveness of the website, the upload speed of webpages, putting up structure data markups, etc.
Such technical issues can ruin the user experience and make it difficult for search engine crawling and indexing.
Keyword Research: Expertise in keyword research helps you find out the target keywords your clients’s audiences are entering in the search engine. It further helps in driving organic traffic to the website.
Content Creation: Producing and publishing high-quality, SEO-optimised content helps you attract and engage your target audience. It also boosts your image as an expert in your domain.
Link Building: The skill of building high-quality links improves your domain authority and the probability of ranking in search engine result pages (SERPs).
Analytics and Reporting: Analytical skills are crucial to identifying trends, interpreting audience responses, formulating SEO strategies, and making informed decisions.
Reporting skills help you keep your clients updated about the progress and give them clear pictures of the opportunities and hurdles in SEO performance.
Tips to Thrive as an SEO Freelancer:
Build a Strong Online Presence: Create a professional website with detailed information about your expertise and the services you offer. Also, write blog posts and social media posts showing your perspective on industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Network and Market Yourself: Connect with other freelancers and SEO experts on social media and in social groups for potential opportunities. Get referrals from your current clients and reach out to potential customers through sales and marketing skills.
Set Competitive Rates: Don’t lower your rates for a client; find a potential customer who can pay you as per industry standards.
Deliver Excellent Client Service: Make sure we give the best SEO performance by promptly following all On Page, Off Page and Technical SEO.
Stay Up-to-Date: Check regularly for updates in search engine algorithms and changes in trends to be abreast of your market competition.
Conclusion
The SEO freelancing market is booming, and it will grow exponentially in the future.
The aspiring freelancers must master the requisite skills for SEO performance and pay attention to their project management. With all the skills, proper client prospecting, and prompt service delivery, you as SEO freelancers have limitless earning potential.
