Beginner’s Guide to SEO Consulting

You don’t need to be a tech expert to help businesses show up and grow

If you've ever Googled something and clicked the first result, you’ve experienced SEO in action. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about helping websites rank higher in search engines—and businesses will gladly pay for that kind of help.

What’s great about SEO consulting is that you can start learning and offering services even as a beginner. If you enjoy writing, marketing, or strategy, this might be the freelance path for you.

Here’s what you need to know to get started.

What Does an SEO Consultant Actually Do?

SEO consultants help businesses improve their visibility in search results—ideally getting them onto the first page of Google. This might include:

• Keyword research (finding out what people are searching for)

• Optimizing websites (titles, meta descriptions, site structure)

• Creating blog content strategies

• Building backlinks

• Fixing technical SEO issues (this comes later—don’t stress)

You can start with the basics and learn more advanced skills as you go.

Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals (Free)

You don’t need a course to get started, but if you’re new to SEO, you’ll want to understand:

• How search engines work

• What keywords are and how to find them

• On-page vs off-page SEO

• How to write content that ranks

Free resources I recommend:

• Google’s SEO Starter Guide

• Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO

• YouTube channels like Ahrefs or Neil Patel

Step 2: Practice on a Personal Site or Blog

One of the easiest ways to learn SEO is by doing it for yourself. Start a blog or simple website and apply what you’re learning:

• Pick a niche

• Use tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find keywords

• Write blog posts or optimize pages using what you’ve learned

This gives you real experience (and results) you can show potential clients.

Step 3: Start Offering Services

You don’t need to call yourself an “expert.” You can say something like, “I help small businesses improve their Google rankings through basic SEO and content strategy.”

What you can offer as a beginner:

• Keyword research reports

• Blog post outlines

• SEO audits (use tools like Screaming Frog or Ubersuggest)

• On-page optimization (titles, descriptions, headers)

Start with small packages and build from there.

Step 4: Find Clients

Begin with:

• Small local businesses (many don’t have any SEO help)

• Etsy or Shopify sellers

• Bloggers who want to grow traffic

• Post your services on Fiverr, Upwork, or even LinkedIn

Offer to do an initial SEO audit or a free keyword list to get your foot in the door.

Final Thoughts

SEO is one of those skills that pays off the more you practice. You don’t need to wait until you’re an expert—just start with what you know, stay curious, and help small businesses take that next step.

It’s flexible, low-cost to start, and super in demand. If you love problem-solving, content, or helping others grow online, SEO consulting might be a great fit for your work-from-home toolkit.