How to make money with SEO:
- Learn profitable SEO skills.
- Choose an in-demand SEO niche.
- Create your brand and SOP.
- Finalize your SEO service offerings.
- Set up a pricing structure.
- Create your SEO portfolio.
- Market your SEO services.
- Acquire high-value SEO clients.
- Use the latest SEO tools.
- Grow your SEO business.
Making money from SEO involves monetizing your skills and knowledge. This means offering SEO services that most businesses and clients need. These include keyword research, website optimization, technical SEO, and competitor analysis. You also need experience with basic skills like on-page SEO and off-page SEO. These resources help you build an SEO agency or business with long-term clients.
SEO is a good way to make money because of its increased demand and revenue potential. 61% of B2B marketers favor SEO for lead generation (HubSpot). Globally, 49% of marketers find organic search the most profitable (Search Engine Journal). Businesses seek SEO experts to boost their online presence, potential customers, and sales.
Hugo Boss, a luxury fashion and lifestyle brand, increased its website traffic by 32x with SEO. The company launched a holiday campaign from November to December. It used the keyword "snow christmas wallpaper" to rank high on search engines. This led to a 13% annual revenue growth from 2022 to 2023 (Statista).
These Redditors make significant monthly income by providing their SEO services. One individual made $130,000 in 2023 with his SEO agency. He generated this amount through content marketing and white-label local SEO services. Another Reddit user revealed earning $2,000+ monthly by renting out website space. He used Google AdSense and affiliate marketing programs.
SEO is still in demand because brands globally want to:
- optimize articles and web content with high-performing keywords.
- rank on the first page of search engines like Google.
- enrich user experiences by improving web navigation.
- maximize their advertising budgets using organic marketing.
I've been using local SEO to generate leads for businesses of all sizes. So I know that this model is profitable, sustainable, and scalable. I've been generating significant monthly passive income since 2014.
This article discusses the 10 pivotal steps on how to make money with SEO, including specific SEO tools, processes, and strategies. We talk about the potential revenue you can earn from beginner to advanced SEO services. Plus, we dive into the best ways to monetize your SEO expertise.
1. Learn Profitable SEO Skills.
Research the most in-demand SEO skills that businesses pay for. Consider factors like market trends and movements, business needs, and customer engagement. Top SEO skills in 2025 are:
- Content optimization and on-page SEO. This involves keyword research, planning, and placement. You either make a new copy or optimize existing ones with a content strategy. It also includes creating headlines, descriptions, or title tags.
- Backlink building. This is when you improve a site's visibility through hyperlinks from reputable websites. The accompanying content for these links should be naturally placed.
- Data monitoring, analysis, and reporting. This entails tracking SEO data, such as metrics and KPIs, and interpreting it. It also involves data visualization and A/B testing.
- User experience optimization. This means using relevant content, media, and technical elements. It improves website crawlability while enabling easier site navigation.
FirstPageSage reveals that these SEO skills generate $38,000 to $71,000 on average yearly. These abilities will be your foundation for building your SEO business from scratch. Use well-known platforms like Semrush Academy, Backlinko, and Google Analytics Academy. They provide certificates for the successful completion of their SEO courses. Some popular online programs to learn SEO are:
- Google SEO Fundamentals by University of California, Davis (Coursera)
- SEO Training Course by Moz (Udemy)
- SEO Certification Course by Rachel Sheldon (HubSpot Academy)
2. Choose an In-Demand SEO Niche.
Keep track of market demands and identify your target market. This means understanding your potential customers' needs and wants. It also includes looking into demographics, buying behaviors, and psychographics. Do this by using tools like Google Trends, SurveyMonkey, and Qualtrics. Pinpoint patterns in content consumption, clicks, and engagement. The most in-demand SEO niches are:
- Local services. WebFX reveals that 46% of all Google searches are queries about local businesses. Some popular ones are junk removal, gardening and landscaping, and home maintenance services. This niche is in high demand because the searchers are ready-to-buy customers.
- E-commerce. According to Statista, 43% of the e-commerce market's traffic comes from organic searches. Many brands use SEO to optimize their product titles and descriptions. The popular sub-niches in e-commerce are health & wellness, pet essentials, and beauty & cosmetics.
- Blogging. Many businesses start blogs to expand their online presence. 34% of bloggers say that content optimization leads to better results (OptinMonster). It improves site traffic, online engagement, and search engine rankings.
These Redditors suggest niches like e-commerce and local businesses. One individual's online poll resulted in e-commerce as the best niche for SEO. B2B SaaS and professional services came in next. Another Reddit user suggests sub-niches like fishing, hunting, and sports equipment.
3. Create Your Brand and SOP.
Come up with a witty but high-value brand identity. This involves creating:
- Business name. It is the official name of your SEO startup. Existing and potential customers will identify you through this name. As per Tailor Brands, 77% of customers purchase items based on a brand's name. Stand out from other SEO agencies by creating a unique business name.
- Logo. This is the visual representation of your SEO business. Logos create an image of who you are as a business entity and what you do. They promote brand loyalty and influence consumer buying behavior.
- Brand voice and personality. These are the humanized identity of your brand. These factors determine how you communicate with your customers. They allow you to interact on an emotional level to enhance marketing campaigns.
- VMG (vision, mission, and goals). This involves your SEO business' purpose, direction, and measurable steps. Your VMG is your guide when deciding about business operations, marketing, and growth. In fact, 90% of brands with a set VMG achieve better revenue and growth (THM Agency).
All these elements should work together to establish your SEO business' identity. This step also involves sales and financial management, client onboarding, and customer service. These processes act as your business' foundation. So, it's crucial to research and choose business elements that fit your market's needs.
Arnie Kuenn, an expert digital marketer, comments on the endless opportunities of marketing. He says that a single click can reveal brand stories. SEO helps with this process by optimizing content for relevance. It maximizes digital storytelling to create a lasting brand impression.
4. Finalize Your SEO Service Offerings.
Choose SEO services that match your skill set, experience, and knowledge. This way, you give the best outputs to your clients. You ensure quality of service, client retention, and business scalability. The best SEO services to offer are:
- Local SEO. You optimize local businesses' websites and content for local keywords. It also involves setting up a Google Business Profile page. The end goal is to rank these companies on the first page of search engine results. As per Ahrefs, 15% of local SEO leads turn into paying customers.
- Technical SEO. This entails understanding website accessibility, crawlability, and indexing. These are technical factors that affect your client website's end-user experience. Technical SEO focuses on back-end site elements like CTAs, URL structure, and website speed. Sixth City Marketing states that this SEO service improves click-through rates.
- On-page SEO. You provide content optimization for on-site elements. These include meta descriptions, title and header tags, and internal links. This SEO service helps website visitors find the information they need. It also enhances a site's industry relevance and topical authority.
- Off-page SEO. This SEO service entails optimizing external website elements. Some popular ones are backlinks, unlinked brand mentions, and guest posts. Off-site SEO seeks help from third-party resources to enhance search engine rankings.
- White-label SEO. It is when companies rebrand other agencies' SEO services as their own. You can sell this service to high-end, long-standing businesses offering search engine optimization. Some profitable outputs you can sell are SEO reports, audits, and content.
5. Set Up a Pricing Structure.
Think of a pricing and payment system that suits your business and revenue goals. This also includes creating contracts based on your SEO services and fees. Some well-known pricing structures are:
- Hourly. This gives SEO agencies and freelancers more flexibility. You can organize and handle client campaigns based on urgency and priority. Clients prefer this model because they can test your capabilities before hiring full-time. Hourly rates entail providing task breakdowns and time sheets for better transparency.
- Monthly. It is a more predictable pricing model for SEO startups. You receive a fixed monthly fee for your SEO services. This is suitable for business growth, as it involves long-term client relationships. Monthly pricing allows for easier rate changes and predictable recurring revenue.
- Project-Based. This is also called "value-based pricing." More experienced SEO professionals and agencies prefer this model. It entails negotiating with the client to set a specific fee for your SEO services. This model has a fixed rate. You can only modify the pricing if the client agrees and is included in the contract.
One Redditor says that SEO rates depend on your niche, specialization, and experience. Another individual suggests including your SEO tech stack costs. These are SEO tools, subscriptions, and other resources.
Most online businesses accept payments through:
- bank transfers
- digital wallets (Ex: PayPal, Payoneer, and Wise)
- credit cards
- debit cards
6. Create Your SEO Portfolio.
Feature your best SEO outputs by building a portfolio. This resource showcases client reviews, case studies, and successful campaigns. You should also include your business and personal information and professional background. It's also best to present your certificates and the tools and platforms you use. Hover Blog's survey reveals that 38% of people consider a portfolio site as pivotal. Plus, 71% of employers and clients evaluate portfolio quality before hiring.
Some top platforms for building an SEO portfolio are:
- Adobe Portfolio
- Behance
- WordPress
- Format
- Journo Portfolio
- Dribbble
- Squarespace
- Wix
One Redditor says that an SEO portfolio should include your high-ranking content. These are articles or website copy that are ranked for high-performing keywords. Your portfolio should also include your SEO strategies and problem resolutions.
7. Market Your SEO Services.
Sell your SEO services by utilizing online marketing techniques. Milkwhale states that 66% of marketers attribute their success to digital marketing strategies. This means launching engaging and relevant content across different channels. These include:
- Social media marketing. This maximizes social media platforms to enhance SEO brand awareness. It involves creating written and visual content to attract potential clients. Some examples include online polls, influencer promotion, and digital contests. Use in-demand social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Paid ads. It's when you pay for digital space to advertise your SEO products or services. WebFX reveals that "paid ads boost brand awareness by up to 80%." This marketing model suits SEO companies with big budgets. Well-known paid ad platforms are Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and YouTube Ads.
- Organic marketing. This entails marketing through search engines. It's basically an implementation of your SEO skills and knowledge. Organic marketing uses high-performing, naturally placed keywords to optimize content.
- Email marketing. It uses email communication to advertise to existing and potential clients. A common example is newsletters. Many SEO companies use this to drive clicks, article engagement, and site traffic. 80% of professionals say that email marketing is the most effective in customer retention (Word Stream).
8. Acquire High-Value SEO Clients.
Close SEO client deals that have long-term and high-paying potential. Qualify leads based on needs, interests, and budget. Build trust by explaining your capabilities and understanding their needs. Give them an idea of how your SEO services will help their business. The best methods to acquire high-value SEO clients are:
- Free SEO trials and services. Offer free SEO audits, consultations, and content strategy plans. This showcases your SEO skills to your potential clients. Many SEO professionals use this strategy to acquire clients without buying ads. It also promotes trust and a good first impression. In fact, free trials lead to a conversion rate of 9.2% (Klipfolio).
- Referrals. This is also called word-of-mouth marketing. These are written or spoken recommendations from people who have tried your services. Many clients will tell other business owners or friends how good you are. That's why giving your best SEO outputs is also rewarding.
- Social media outreach. Many SEO agencies reach out to potential clients using social media platforms. Digital marketing has pushed brands to create an online presence. In fact, "77% of small businesses in the U.S. use social media" (BusinessDasher). This method generates tons of high-value SEO leads.
9. Use the Latest SEO Tools.
Maximize search engine optimization tools and integrations that improve your outputs. This includes keyword research, KPI monitoring, and topic-generation platforms. Some of the top SEO tools experts use are:
- Google Search Console. This is a free SEO tool for monitoring site performance. Many SEO professionals use it to improve website visibility and ranking.
- Semrush. It is an all-in-one SaaS tool for various SEO tasks. This includes site analysis, content management, link tracking, and keyword research.
- Screaming Frog. It's also called Screaming Frog SEO Spider. This tool identifies site issues and potential SEO optimizations. Some of its popular uses are duplicate content, metadata, and broken link analysis.
- Google Trends. This is a free SEO platform for determining search interest. Users can customize it according to location, time period, categories, and related topics.
- My free content writing tool. It's a free AI-based writing tool for generating content. You can use it to research topics, create outlines, and write relevant copy.
This Redditor suggests using SEO tools with local search features. These include local keyword research, review management, and local citations. Also, use tools that assist you with optimizing Google My Business profiles.
10. Grow Your SEO Business.
Scale your SEO operations and revenue by specializing in more services. This broadens the niches and client segments you can serve. Some unique SEO services to venture into include barnacle SEO, technical JavaScript SEO, and news SEO. Apart from these, many SEO business owners diversify their monthly income by:
- Outsourcing their SEO team. This involves hiring freelancers with SEO knowledge and skills. The more experienced they are, the better. Use platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and Fiverr that have vetted specialists. A Deloitte survey reveals that outsourcing SEO tasks save 40%-60% on operating costs.
- Using automation tools. This strategy streamlines complex and lengthy SEO tasks. These include competitor analysis, content audits, and keyword research. Spending a few bucks on these tools boosts productivity. Some examples are SE Ranking, Looker Studio, and Zapier. Salesforce states that 73% of IT leaders believe automation slashes task time by 50%.
- Expanding their network. You need to join exclusive communities and groups to find more SEO opportunities. This can be SEO resources, professional relationships, or potential clients. You can learn industry insights, practical tips, and market trends from these groups. Some popular SEO communities are Warrior Forum, SEO Signals Lab, and Big SEO (Reddit).
How Much Can You Make With SEO?
You can make $45,000 to $65,000 yearly with SEO. This translates to $3,750 to $5,400 in SEO income monthly. According to Ahrefs, hourly rates range from $75 to $100. SEO experts can even earn up to $250 hourly (Digitalis). Some project-based tasks average around $2,500 to $5,000. However, this depends on your client's budget, needed SEO service, and end goals.
SEO is still profitable because businesses worldwide need customers. This marketing strategy is a sure-fire way to generate leads that turn into sales. SEO helps brands expand their digital presence by ranking high on search engines.
What are the Best Ways To Make Money With SEO?
- Generating leads for local businesses. You optimize business websites and content through SEO. Once these sites rank on the first page of search engines, you bring in significant local traffic. Businesses pay for these leads on a monthly basis.
- Creating an online SEO course. This involves sharing your SEO expertise through an educational program. You can do this through live sessions or pre-recorded lessons. Some course creators even have upsells like one-on-one coaching and exclusive community access.
- Registering for multiple affiliate marketing programs. You can make money with SEO by promoting affiliate products and services. This method offers set commissions for every successful sale or referral you generate. The most common way for SEO writers is through blogging.
- Providing SEO audits. SEO professionals earn significant income by offering SEO analysis and reports. You extract and understand website and content data to implement optimization strategies.
Can You Get Rich From SEO?
Yes, you can get rich from SEO because it offers around 15% to 30% in profit margins. If you get long-term clients, you secure a recurring monthly income. Plus, doing local lead generation further boosts your profit margins to up to 95%. Some individuals making money with SEO include Kyle Roof (High Voltage SEO) and Chris Uzzo (Zero Gravity Marketing). However, you need to have good SEO skills, knowledge of in-demand niches, and tons of experience.
Make Money With SEO in 2025 Through Local Lead Generation
Earn significant monthly passive income with SEO in 2025 by generating local leads. This method doesn't involve long hours of optimization work to please clients. It's a business model that offers full control over your entire operations. You decide on your niche market, ongoing clients, and income potential. You don't have to worry about global competition since you're targeting local niches.
Local lead generation entails creating SEO articles or web content to rank sites on search engines. This means using optimization strategies to rank for high-performing local keywords. Once these sites are on top of the SERPS, you start attracting customers that are ready to buy. These are free leads at zero cost. To make money with SEO, forward these leads to local businesses. Rent them out on a monthly basis or sell them on a "per-lead" basis.
This business model has helped me make over $50,000 in recurring passive income since 2014. I used SEO to my advantage by building multiple local lead gen sites. Each one brings in $500 to $2,000 monthly.
