So, you’ve decided to enter the digital nomad world of freelance SEO consulting—congratulations! Leaving the cosy nest egg of agency life and kicking off the freelance journey can be both exciting and challenging. But fear not, because we’re here to guide you through the essential equipment you’ll need to kickstart your successful freelancing career.
1. Powerful Laptop: Your Digital HQ
Your laptop is the heart of your freelance SEO business. Whilst it can be a terrifying idea to have to invest in a powerful machine from a cash perspective it is a non-negotiable. Luckily, there are plenty of finance options out there to help make sure you kick off with the right kit. Here’s what you should consider:
- Performance is Key: Opt for a laptop with a fast processor and ample RAM to run SEO tools seamlessly. We take for granted the freebie Macs that come with agency and in-house life so do your research and make sure you save yourself the impending headache of slow performance.
- High-Quality Display: A crisp and clear display is crucial for analyzing data and creating compelling reports for your clients. A decent screen is also key for the world of remote working and video calling so this is also on the non-negotiable list.
- Portability: As a freelance SEO consultant, you may find yourself working from various locations, so choose a laptop that strikes a balance between power and portability. We’ve just gone down the Lenovo Yoga i7 route at Interim HQ and I have to say, it’s AWESOME!
2. SEO Tools Subscription: Your Analytics Arsenal
This is a battle we’ve recently entered here at Interim HQ too as the cost of the “classics” seems to be consistently soaring begging the question of whether the less expensive versions can do the trick. We’re currently looking into SERanking and Sitebulb but in terms of the specific functionality we 100% need here at HQ, we’ve summarised these as the must-haves:
- Keyword Research Tools: Uncover valuable keywords to boost your clients’ online visibility.
- Analytics Platforms: Track website performance and user behavior with tools like Google Analytics.
- Rank Tracking Software: Monitor keyword rankings to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.
- Backlink Analysis Tools: Understand the link profile of your clients’ websites and that of their competitors.
Subscribing to these tools will enable you to make data-driven decisions and deliver exceptional results as a freelance SEO consultant.
3. Comfortable Workspace: Boost Productivity and Creativity
Environment is one of the most underrated yet hugely essential considerations for freelance SEO success. Whether you choose to work from home or a shared workspace, consider the following:
- Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in a comfortable chair and desk to support long hours of focused work. Trust us – we’ve tried the cheap route and are now paying for it via the chiro so this again, is an investment as opposed to just an extravagant purchase.
- Dual Monitors: This isn’t necessarily a must have but it is definitely a huge plus. Powerpoint and Excel are no ones friend when you have to battle with them via small laptop screens.
- Good Lighting: Office lighting is categorically awful – we all know that. Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, invest in quality artificial lighting to reduce eye strain.
- One thing that we also say is absolutely essential and free (which is the best part) is to get out in sunlight EVERY. DAY. ☀️ It’s very easy for us as digital beings to get chained to our desk and not see the light of day for ours. Trust us, this is a key thing for mental health and productivity – even if it’s for 10mins whilst you’re grabbing your morning flat white.
4. Communication Tools: Stay Connected with Clients and Colleagues
As a freelance SEO consultant, effective communication is key. Make sure you have the right tools to stay connected and collaborate seamlessly:
- Professional Email Service: Set up a custom email address to convey a polished and trustworthy image. We’re fans of GSuite – easy to set up, pretty inexpensive and great up times.
- Video Conferencing Platforms: Don’t be fooled into having to fork out for Teams or huge licenses. We use GMeets; always have and likely always will. It’s free and it works. Don’t over complicate things just because other people do!
- Project Management Tools: Keep projects organised with tools like Trello or Asana to ensure timely delivery and client satisfaction. Get organised EARLY with your CRM too. We use Monday.com for housing all our projects, files etc etc There are loads of options out there but now we’ve got our heads round Monday.com it makes sense for us but tools aside, it’s the process that’s critical.
5. Continuous Learning Resources: Be an SEO sponge
The world of SEO is does change however it’s not just your channel you need to stay on top of. Equip yourself with resources that give you cross channel knowledge as well as SEO as that’ll belp you prospect conversations flow a lot easier. But, as an absolutely bare minimum within the SEO world make sure you:
- Subscribe to SEO Blogs and Newsletters: Subscribe to industry-leading blogs and newsletters to stay informed about the latest trends and updates. We personally like the classics re: Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journa etc. Be a bit wary of any smaller ones who guarantee certain things will happen if you do “x, y and z” and PLEASE whatever you do, give the YouTube gurus an enormously wide birth. As you well know SEO is not a side hustle, nor can you learn it over night so give them a miss or fear losing your sanity from consuming rubbish advice.
- Online Courses and Certifications: Enhance your skills with courses from platforms like Moz, SEMrush, or HubSpot. All the Google academy courses are good too.
- Networking Opportunities: Join SEO communities and attend webinars or conferences to connect with fellow freelancers and industry experts. Post COVID, networking has become so much more accessbile with the explosion of online events. So, if meeting new people in person scares the daylights out of you start small with online meet ups and progress from there.
Conclusion: Ready, Set, SEO!
When done right a career as a freelance SEO consultant is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and success. By arming yourself with the right equipment—a powerful laptop, essential SEO tools, a comfortable workspace, communication tools, and continuous learning resources—you’re setting the stage for a thriving freelance SEO business.
Remember, thought that the journey will have its challenges, but with the right gear and a commitment to ongoing learning, you’re well on your way to making a mark as a freelance SEO consultant. Here’s to your success in the dynamic world of freelance SEO!