The WP SEO Show – Demystifying SEO for WordPress Websites

In this episode, Pete and Jeff talk about the practicalities of

running SEO retainers for your clients – the good, the bad, the ugly,

and som tips from their own experiences.

Key talking points include1. The Importance of Weekly Client Management

• Monthly retainers shouldn’t mean monthly attention
• Regular monitoring helps catch issues early
• Allows for better tracking of algorithm updates across client portfolio
• Builds stronger client relationships and trust

2. Weekly Review Process Should Include:

• Rankings check
• Organic traffic analysis
• Google Search Console error monitoring
• Task progress updates
• Client KPI tracking
• Sales/conversion monitoring

3. Time Management Tips

• Dedicate specific days for client reviews (examples given: Mondays or Fridays)
• Can be done in 10-15 minutes per client
• Start with top clients if overwhelmed
• Schedule reviews at least 48 hours before client meetings

4. Communication Best Practices

• Share highlights and wins immediately
• Don’t go more than two weeks without client contact
• Proactively inform clients about algorithm updates or ranking changes
• Get regular feedback on sales/leads that might not show in analytics

5. Benefits of Regular Monitoring

• Easier to spot trends across multiple clients
• More confident client conversations
• Better prepared for monthly reporting
• Opportunity for quick fixes and improvements
• Earlier detection of potential issues

6. Project Management Considerations

• Use tools that your team will actually engage with
• Focus on implementation rather than perfect tool selection
• Consider client preferences for communication platforms
• Set up regular task reminders for consistency

This episode delves into how the drama may reshape the WordPress ecosystem and its potential business implications for agencies and developers.

Main talking points include:

• WP Drama Overview: Ongoing tensions between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg (Automattic) and WP Engine, a major hosting company, have escalated.
• WordPress Plugin Repository Conflict: Automattic blocked WP Engine from the WordPress plugin repository, which raised concerns within the WordPress ecosystem.
• Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Takeover: Automattic allegedly "hijacked" the free version of ACF from the repository, though WP Engine still manages ACF Pro for paying customers.
• WP Engine's Response: WP Engine downplayed the situation and found a workaround to update plugins despite the block, using VPNs to bypass restrictions.
• Client Concerns: The drama has led to increased client uncertainty, with some questioning the security and viability of WP Engine, despite no immediate risks.
• Impact on Developers: The conflict has made some developers consider alternatives to WordPress and question whether WordPress remains the best solution for certain projects.
• Community Reaction: The drama has sparked discussions about the contributions to the WordPress community, with concerns over profiteering by WP Engine.
• Long-Term Effects: Uncertainty about the future relationship between WP Engine and Automattic, with potential long-term impacts on the WordPress ecosystem.
• Developer Anxiety: Some developers have lost contracts due to client concerns, reflecting the ripple effect of the conflict on business decisions.
• Alternative Solutions: A growing discussion around whether WordPress is the best fit for all projects, with mentions of alternative platforms like Squarespace or Shopify.
• Philosophical Questions: Broader debates on the nature of open source, contribution expectations, and the role of the community in the growth of WordPress.

Main talking points include:

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Importance of optimizing websites to help users take desired actions (leads, sales, etc.).
• CRO and SEO Link: Driving traffic through SEO is ineffective if visitors can’t convert due to website issues.
• Common CRO Mistakes:
• Broken contact forms or inquiry forms.
• E-commerce checkout issues (not verifying if payments go through).
• Missing or unclear calls to action (CTAs).
• Long mobile pages with CTAs buried at the bottom, requiring excessive scrolling.
• Broken links, particularly in key areas like footers.
• Usability Checks:
• Regularly test websites, even on incognito browsers, to catch errors like broken images or caching problems.
• Look for broken forms, payment issues, or email issues that might hinder conversions.
• Proactivity: Regularly checking for issues even after a site goes live, especially for maintenance clients.
• Mobile Experience: Consider how the site is experienced on mobile devices, ensuring that key actions like CTAs are accessible early on the page.
• Analytics: Using tools like Google Analytics to identify high exit rates or bounce rates on key pages, which may point to usability or CRO issues.
• Value of Small Fixes: Fixing even small issues (like broken links in a footer) can result in significant improvements in traffic and conversions.
• Client Communication: Keeping clients informed about ongoing checks, testing forms, and being proactive builds trust and strengthens the relationship.
• Importance of Detail: Small details often overlooked, like unchecked form errors, can have large impacts on user experience and site success.

Main talking points include:

In this episode, Pete and Jeff were super honoured to pick the brains of Branded SERP guru, Jason Barnard.

In a conversation that covered a myriad of topics, the main talking points include:

• Importance of Managing Brand SERPs
• The Role of Google's Knowledge Graph
• Modern SEO and Entity Management
• The Concept of EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
• The KaliCube Process (Understandability, Credibility, Deliverability)
• Knowledge Panels as a KPI
• Influence of AI on Branding and SEO
• Maintaining Consistency Across Digital Footprints
• Schema Markup and Implicit Semantics
• The Value of Building Authority
• Actionable Steps for Individuals and Agencies

Connect with Jason

• Jason's Book: "The Fundamentals of Brand SERPs for Business" is available on Amazon
• Jason's Website: https://jasonbarnard.com/
• Jason's Guides: As mentioned on the show, Jason has some extensive guides for managing your own Branded SERPs. – grab your copy here!

Main talking points:

In this episode, Pete and Jeff take on the sticky subject of links and their roll within an SEO Strategy and Client Agreements... Their discussion includes:

• Shift in the Link Outreach Landscape
• Why Link Outreach, Not Link Building
• Challenges of Link Outreach
• Link Outreach is Still Relevant but Contextual
• Citation Building
• Evaluating Link Outreach Opportunities
• Associated Costs

In this episode, Pete and Jeff chat through the benefits and the process that moves an agency away from just being a "website provider" to a "trusted advisor" for your clients. They also discuss why this is sometimes out of our comfort zone and give some strategies and tips on where to start.

Main Talking Points Include:

• Understanding Client Needs
• Recurring Revenue and Growth Plans
• Client Communication and Strategy
• Low-Hanging Fruit and Long-Term Goals
• Confidence and Expertise

 

Main talking points include:

In this episode, Pete and Jeff cover the following:

• The problem with selling SEO on its own
• Why broadening the scope beyond SEO is a good thing
• Why SEO should be part of a larger growth strategy
• The importance of having an initial discovery process / triage process
• Building recurring revenue 
• Building long-term relationships with clients

Main talking points include:

• Setting Expectations and Discovery Process
• Managing Client Relationships
• Scaling Services
• Client Communication
• Handling Large Clients
• Financial Impact of Client Loss
• Client Lifecycle

 

Main talking points

In this episode, we chat through structuring SEO retainers and how to sell them effectively. The main talking points include:

• Importance of having a clear, structured framework for SEO services that outlines what the agency delivers and how they operate, with potential scalability.
• The risks of not having a structured offer and how clients can influence the services' scope without a clear framework.
• Broader application of these principles beyond SEO, including web design and other services.
• Challenges in defining monthly recurring services, especially in SEO, compared to project-based services like website development.
• How an onboarding or discovery phase helps you properly set up clients, understand their needs, and build an effective strategy.
• Emphasis on setting clear expectations from the start to prevent misunderstandings about deliverables and to maintain client satisfaction.

Links

• Book a Strategy Session

In this episode, we explore the various aspects of choosing the right keywords for SEO and the implications they have for a content strategy and, ultimately, the target business.

The main talking points include:

1. The importance of keywords in SEO
2. Choosing the Right Keywords
3. Keyword Research and Strategy
4. Understanding Traffic and Relevance
5. Balancing Keyword Difficulty and Search Volume
6. Expectations and Misconceptions

Shoutouts

Mike Michalowicz – https://mikemichalowicz.com/