Without a doubt, SEO — or search engine optimization — has been a game changer in the world of online marketing these past few years. Why? To begin with, consumers have been using search engines more and more. For everything from very general inquiries (where can I go for pizza?) to specific questions about menu options at a local restaurant (do they have long necked clams — and how much are they?), online users are pulling up tabs and pulling out their phones in order to find the answers.

Do you want to be an SEO consultant? It’s a promising field to venture into, and you’re likely going to want to be an SEO reseller. Here’s a few things you’re going to want to keep in mind before you start up your job in SEO.

1. SEO Reselling: Why it Works

An SEO reseller works with a larger SEO company. They then have clients, to whom they sell the white label services. So why wouldn’t these clients just go to the larger company? There’s a number of reasons. For one, specialization: these reselling companies are interested in being at the forefront of SEO; they’re not necessarily interested in chasing down local leads. That’s your job. For two, most SEO companies almost exclusively work with resellers since it makes more sense for them as a business model. For three, you may be able to give your clients additional services the SEO company simply doesn’t offer (social, email, etc). Rather than compete, they work with you.

2. What is Private Label SEO?

Also known as white label SEO, this just means that, although you are working as a reseller with this larger company — meaning it’s outsourcing SEO — everything is still going to reflect your private label. Your clients will never have to get confused over who the “other company” is because their name will not show up on the software you use at any point.

3. Finding a Good SEO Reseller Strategy

SEO doesn’t sell itself these days: you’re going to have a lot of competition out there. What you want to do is make sure you set measurable goals for your clients — and that you work with companies capable of delivering on these goals. Don’t promise something you can’t reasonably deliver. In some cases, this is going to require having some very honest talks with your clients about what they want vs. what they can actually afford.

Do you have what it takes to be an SEO consultant? It’s not always glamorous, but it can be a great way to get into the industry, get clients, and make honest money. Don’t try to be an SEO consultant if this doesn’t sound like a good plan for you!