![Freelance Web Developer: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-seo-checklist-2_1137c6f4-258b-4a11-bb0e-0e82b41bd748.png?v=1715867472&width=1100)
SEO isn't just for big corporations and e-commerce sites—it's a crucial tool that top freelance web developers use strategically to attract clients.
We understand that you're busy coding, designing, and managing projects, and the idea of optimizing your website might feel like an extra hassle.
But here's the thing: you don't need to be an SEO guru or invest a lot of money to make it effective. Just a few straightforward steps can significantly boost your online presence and bring more clients to your portfolio.
To assist you, we've created a free SEO checklist - and for a comprehensive action plan, please check out our guide to marketing tactics and strategies for freelance web developers.
Get the SEO checklist made for web developers
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What is SEO for web developers exactly?
Simply put, SEO is all about making your freelance web development website more attractive to search engines like Google.
When someone searches for "freelance web developer in [Your City]" or "custom website design services," SEO helps your website show up in the results. The goal is to get your website higher up on the search results page so more potential clients can find and hire you.
Why is SEO Important for Freelance Web Developers?
SEO is incredibly important for freelance web developers, and here’s why:
- Increased Online Visibility:
The higher your website ranks on search engines, the more people will see it. This means more potential clients discovering your services online, especially when they're looking for web development solutions.
- Higher Rankings on Search Engines:
Most people don’t look past the first page of search results. By optimizing your site, you can climb those rankings and beat out the competition. Imagine someone searching for "top freelance web developer" and finding your profile right at the top!
- Attracting More Local Clients:
SEO isn't just about getting anyone to your site—it's about getting the right people. Local SEO helps ensure that when someone nearby searches for web development services, your website pops up. This means more local projects and opportunities to grow your client base.
Key Components of SEO
Now, let’s break down the main parts of SEO specifically for your freelance web development business:
On-Page SEO
This involves making sure the content on your website is optimized. It includes things like:
- Keywords:
Using the words and phrases people are searching for in your titles, descriptions, and content. For example, if you specialize in e-commerce websites, make sure you use phrases like "e-commerce web developer" or "custom online store design" on your site.
- Content Quality:
Providing useful, engaging, and fresh content about your services. Share your portfolio, client testimonials, case studies, and blog posts about web development trends and tips.
- Meta Tags:
Using meta titles and descriptions that are relevant and appealing to searchers. For instance, a meta description for your homepage could be "Professional freelance web developer in [Your City], offering custom website design and development services."
Off-Page SEO
This focuses on actions taken outside your website to impact your rankings:
- Backlinks:
Getting other reputable websites to link to your site, which signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant. This could be from tech blogs, industry forums, or client websites.
- Social Media:
Being active on social media with your professional page can drive traffic to your site and improve your online presence. Share your latest projects, client feedback, and industry insights to engage with your audience.
Technical SEO
This ensures your website meets the technical requirements of search engines:
- Site Speed:
Making sure your website loads quickly. No one likes to wait, especially potential clients looking for your services!
- Mobile-Friendliness:
Ensuring your site looks and works well on mobile devices. Many people search for services on their phones while on the go.
- Secure Website (HTTPS):
Having a secure website that users (and search engines) can trust. This is especially important if you have a contact form or any client data collection on your site.
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Which keywords should you target for your freelance web development service?
Business owners, like you, must target specific keywords in SEO because it helps your website appear in search results when potential clients look for the web development services you offer. This increases the chances that people will find and hire you for their projects.
For example, if you specialize in e-commerce websites, targeting keywords like "best e-commerce web developer" or "e-commerce website development near me" helps attract clients searching for those terms. This makes it easier for businesses needing e-commerce solutions to find your services online.
Here are some keyword ideas for you. If you want a more developed strategy with actionable steps, go check out our strategy pack for freelance web developers.
| Keyword | Competitiveness Level | Tips and Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Best web developer in [Your City] | High | Optimize your website with a portfolio of your best projects, gather client testimonials, list on local directories, and use local SEO strategies. |
| Freelance web developer for [Industry] | Medium | Create case studies or blog posts highlighting your work in specific industries, use keywords naturally in content, and engage with industry-specific forums. |
| Web development services near me | Medium | Use high-quality imagery of your work, gather positive client reviews, and ensure your Google My Business profile is complete. |
| Best e-commerce web developer in [Your City] | Medium | Feature e-commerce projects prominently on your website, use local SEO tactics, and promote your services on social media. |
| Custom website development in [Your City] | High | Highlight unique aspects of your custom development services, create SEO-friendly content about your projects, and engage with the local business community online. |
| Top-rated web developer near me | High | Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews, optimize your website for mobile, and ensure accurate information on local listings. |
| Affordable web development services in [Your City] | Low | Highlight affordable packages and specials on your website, use keywords related to value, and promote deals on social media. |
| Where to find web development services near me | Medium | Use local SEO strategies, create content around popular services, and ensure your website is optimized for mobile users searching nearby. |
| Popular web developer in [Your City] | Medium | Use social media to share your latest projects, engage with local influencers, and gather client testimonials to build credibility. |
| Best web developer for startups in [Your City] | Low | Create startup-friendly content, highlight services tailored for startups on your website, and host webinars or events to generate buzz. |
What really matters when you do SEO for a freelance web developer
Actually, we think that SEO often follows the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For freelance web developers, like you, this means it's crucial to focus on the right strategies to maximize impact without feeling overwhelmed.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Matters / How It Helps Attract Clients |
|---|---|
| Optimize LinkedIn profile | Ensures you appear in professional search results, provides essential information (skills, experience, portfolio), and collects endorsements to build trust. |
| Gather and respond to client testimonials | Positive testimonials build credibility and trust. Responding to feedback shows you value client input, encouraging more people to hire you. |
| Create high-quality content with targeted keywords | Helps your website rank higher in search results for relevant queries, attracting clients looking for specific web development services. |
| Optimize for local SEO | Ensures you show up in local searches (e.g., "web developers near me"), driving inquiries from nearby potential clients. |
| Ensure website is mobile-friendly | Most users search for services on their phones. A mobile-friendly site provides a better user experience, leading to higher engagement and conversions. |
| Use high-quality images of your work | Attractive visuals showcase your skills and projects, significantly influencing potential clients' decision to hire you. |
| Include a portfolio with keywords | Allows search engines to index your work, helping you appear in searches for specific skills or project types, and makes it easy for clients to see what you offer. |
| List your services on freelance platforms | Increases your online presence and backlinks, improving your search engine ranking and making it easier for clients to find you. |
| Engage with industry bloggers and influencers | Generates buzz and word-of-mouth, reaching a wider audience and attracting clients who trust these industry voices. |
| Promote special offers and discounts | Creates a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging potential clients to hire you for unique deals. |
| Utilize social media to share updates and engage with clients | Builds a community around your services, keeps clients informed about new offerings, and drives traffic to your website. |
| Ensure accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms | Prevents confusion, helps search engines trust your business information, and improves your local SEO ranking. |
| Offer online consultations and project management | Makes it convenient for clients to plan their projects or get advice, leading to increased bookings and sales. |
| Create blog posts about your projects and industry trends | Attracts visitors to your site through informative and engaging content, improving SEO and showcasing what makes your services unique. |
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What is always useless when you do SEO for a freelance web developer
We have studied a lot of freelance web developers when we built our strategy pack and we saw a lot of SEO-related initiatives that don't help attract new clients. We explain here why they might be a waste of time or even counterproductive.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Doesn't Matter / How It Doesn't Help Bring New Clients |
|---|---|
| Using meta keyword tags | Search engines no longer use meta keyword tags to rank pages, so focusing on them doesn't improve SEO for your freelance web development services. |
| Keyword stuffing in portfolio descriptions | Overusing keywords in portfolio descriptions makes them hard to read and can be penalized by search engines, turning away potential clients. |
| Paying for backlinks from unrelated websites | Backlinks from non-tech related or low-quality websites don't improve your SEO and can even hurt your ranking if considered spammy by search engines. |
| Using exact match domains like bestwebdeveloper.com | Having an exact match domain has minimal impact on SEO and can appear spammy, especially if it doesn't reflect your brand well. |
| Creating multiple pages for the same project | Duplicate content confuses search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Focus on one high-quality page for each unique project or service. |
| Using Flash for portfolio or contact pages | Flash is outdated, not supported by many devices, and negatively impacts SEO. Modern alternatives like HTML5 should be used instead. |
| Focusing only on desktop optimization | Many clients search for web developers on mobile devices. Ignoring mobile optimization leads to poor user experience and lower search rankings. |
| Using automated link-building tools | These tools often create low-quality or spammy links that can be penalized by search engines, hurting your freelance web development SEO efforts. |
| Ignoring structured data for projects | Structured data helps search engines understand your projects better. Ignoring it means missing out on potential SEO benefits like rich snippets. |
| Not updating your portfolio regularly | Outdated portfolio information can frustrate clients and harm your SEO. Regular updates keep content relevant and maintain search rankings. |
| Using irrelevant stock photos on your site | Low-quality or irrelevant images can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use high-quality photos of your actual projects and work environment. |
| Over-optimizing anchor text in links | Using exact match keywords for every link appears unnatural and can be penalized by search engines. Use varied, natural anchor text instead. |
| Ignoring page load speed for your website | Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can lead to higher bounce rates, negatively impacting your freelance web development SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly. |
| Using too many ads above the fold on your homepage | Too many ads at the top of the page can be off-putting for users and may be penalized by search engines, impacting your SEO negatively. |
Should you pay someone for the SEO of your freelance web development service?
Well, we will be transparent. Here’s the thing: SEO can get pretty complex, and having some support can really make a difference. Imagine trying to juggle managing your freelance projects, meeting client deadlines, keeping up with the latest web development trends, and then on top of that, diving into the world of search engine optimization. It’s a lot, right?
Having someone handle your SEO means you can focus on what you do best—developing amazing websites. SEO experts know the ins and outs of getting your portfolio to rank higher on search engines. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithms, which means your site will be optimized correctly and consistently. This can lead to more potential clients finding your services online, and ultimately, more projects coming your way.
- But here’s the kicker: there are a lot of low-hanging fruits in SEO that you can tackle on your own, even if you don’t know much about it.
You will find a lot of low-hanging fruits that cost nothing, are quick to implement, and will make your freelance web development portfolio much more visible in strategy pack for freelance web developers.
Simple actions like optimizing your LinkedIn profile, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, and using relevant keywords can significantly improve your online presence. These tasks don't require deep technical knowledge but can make a big impact.
So, should you increase the marketing budget of your freelance business and pay someone to manage your SEO? If you can do it, it’s a worthwhile investment. But don't underestimate what you can achieve on your own. Start with the basics, see the results, and then decide if you need more specialized help.
Make your freelance web development service more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best web developers in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Useful tools web developers can use for their SEO
Here are some essential tools that I've collected and listed to help you enhance your freelance web development business's online presence and SEO.
| Tool | How It's Useful |
|---|---|
| Google My Business | Ensures your freelance web development services appear in local search results and Google Maps, provides essential information (hours, location, services), and collects client reviews. |
| SEMrush | Helps identify the best keywords for your web development services, analyze competitors, and track your search rankings. Provides insights to improve your content and visibility. |
| Yext | Manages your business listings across multiple directories, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information to boost local SEO. |
| Google Search Console | Monitors your website's performance, identifies issues, and provides data on search traffic and keywords to optimize your SEO strategy. |
| Yelp | Collects client reviews and ratings, which improve your online reputation and visibility in local search results. |
| BrightLocal | Offers tools for local SEO audits, citation building, and review management, helping your freelance business improve its local search presence. |
| Moz | Provides keyword research, link building, and site audit tools to enhance your SEO efforts and improve search engine rankings. |
| Ahrefs | Analyzes your backlink profile, identifies top-performing content, and tracks keyword rankings to boost your SEO strategy. |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Crawls your website to identify technical SEO issues, such as broken links and duplicate content, helping improve site health and rankings. |
| AnswerThePublic | Generates content ideas by showing what people are searching for related to web development, helping you create relevant and engaging blog posts and pages. |
| Canva | Helps create visually appealing social media posts and graphics for your website, which can improve user engagement and indirectly boost SEO. |
| Hotjar | Provides insights into user behavior on your website through heatmaps and session recordings, helping you optimize user experience and reduce bounce rates. |
Copy the SEO tactics of the best web developers
We understand why many business owners might shy away from SEO and digital marketing.
Running a business is already a full-time job, and the concept of SEO can seem vague and foreign. The terminology can be confusing, and it often feels like digital marketing is a luxury only big corporations can afford.
Plus, there's the constant worry about costs and whether any marketing efforts will actually pay off. We get that you prefer to focus on immediate, tangible improvements to your business rather than dive into something that seems complicated and uncertain. No need to deteriorate your business’s budget here.
That's why I've created a "SEO and Marketing Guide" specifically for business owners like you.
My guide is designed to address all these concerns head-on. It includes easy-to-follow steps that break down SEO and digital marketing into simple, actionable tasks, so you don't need to be a tech expert to understand. I offer cost-effective strategies that fit within tight budgets, and my step-by-step plans ensure that you can implement a solid marketing strategy for your business without feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, I've included real-life examples and tips that have worked for other small businesses, so you can see the tangible benefits before you even start.
My goal is to make digital marketing accessible and practical, helping your business thrive without adding extra stress to your already busy life.
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