Not enough time for SEO

client is angry that i cant optimize it all on the time.

[Animated]

i need opinions here please because a client is stressing me about it.
Basically i did all the SEO tactics thats needed for his site but he really lacks on the link popularity issue to rank well, and i told him that good linking takes time,because me or him need to contact and search for other sites for this.But he just doesn't get it and says its my job to rank him well soon,despite me explaining to him why good linking is important and its something that takes time to do.I can just stop the contract but i already worked a long time to optimize anything else on his web site, and he said he pays me fully after all its done.I am new to this job so can the pro's give me some opinion and if yall ever had this problem too? Thanks

[cws3di]

Unfortunately, most clients want to be #1 NOW.

It doesn't work that way, as we all know, it takes time.

My best suggestion is to search for articles on professional SEO that support your statements about website rank growing over time.

Print out those articles and send them to the client. Also print out articles that warn about how he should be wary of SEO companies that make claims of getting his website ranked quickly.

Best wishes, and I sympathize with you.
.

[oneguy]

and i told him that good linking takes time,because me or him need to contact and search for other sites for this.But he just doesn't get it and says its my job to rank him well soon,despite me explaining to him why good linking is important and its something that takes time to do.

Did you tell them that from the beginning?

Managing expectations is very important. It sounds like you're trying now.

...because me or him need to contact and search for other sites for this...

It sounds like you guys didn't work out who had what responsibilities from the outset. Many people who ask someone else to do their SEO don't know how to find good links, get them, etc.

I only do SEO as a friend sometimes, but I also explain that my time is extremely valuable. I explain that it may take a year to even be listed in Google, and they may not see results for a long time.

Really, I'd rather teach them how to fish than give them a fish. It's just not possible in many cases, or would take far more of my time than just giving them a fish.

[mack]

With future clients, you need to have a clearly defined contract from the very start. Your current contract seams to be open to what the client wants it to read. You need to make sure everything is crystal clear before engaging in any work.

In your current situation I think you need to re-address the contract, have a face to face meeting with the client and explain to then just why things cant happen over night. Try and explain these thngs in as un-techy a way as possible. Sometimes all it takes is clear hard facts to make someone realise.

The importaint thing to make him realise, is most of the ranking time span is outwith your control.

Mack.
Mack.

[Animated]

Thanx all for the reply:)
yes i am new to SEO for others, so i guess i learned from this.I never analyzed his entire web site before i accepted the job offer and i told him i can try to bring him to the top 10 or 20 which is not bad for his web site which ranked way below that but he just thought its as easy as just use a program and turn on a switch and he will be #1. Next time i will explain to them more about SEO before they have unrealistic expectations again.

[stuntdubl]

I never analyzed his entire web site before i accepted the job

This is definitely a big part of any project. Not properly analyzing the site is the equivalent of building your house on sand.

It really helps to charge something for this process if you can manage to sell it. There is value in the strategy, and it is time consuming as well. You can be compensated for that if you approach it correctly. Try selling a "feasibility report" to get started, even if you only charge $100 - $500. Then you can properly analyze and build your clients' trust in your expertise at the same time.

An introduction to your process and to SEO in general is a valuable service. They need to understand what you are doing for it to work effectively. Charge accordingly.

Did you tell them that from the beginning?

Managing expectations is very important. It sounds like you're trying now.

Yep. This is a lesson you don't want to learn to many times. SEO is a moving target and you have to prepare your clients for that. You need to be trustworthy or your clients will be shopping around, and probably not the kind of clients you will be excited about working with.

Helpful threads:Is your song and dance a freebie? [webmasterworld.com]
Questions to ask a client on the first meeting [webmasterworld.com]

[rocknbil]

Even if you do go through pains to explain the scope of a project to customers, they see their fees as "one price fits all." I've had customers call up the ISP and rant and rave that they thought their $20 hosting fee was to "pay for a web site" - meaning develop it, update it, get it to the top of the search engines, and make sure their phone is ringing off the hook.

I usually get it across to them this way: Search engine optimization is a time intensive process that most customers don't to want pay for (and I don't add, including yourself.) If you're interested I can help you, but here's a list of resources (links to PDF or articles) as to why it's so expensive.

Usually one of two things happen here: they read the first paragraph or two of the resources and decide it's not worth it or they agree to pay you for your valuable time and accept your advice.