SEO Rep - SEO Service Onboarding Process
Purpose: This comprehensive guide outlines essential tools, strategies, and tasks for SEO representatives, focusing on driving impactful campaigns through keyword research, list building, and structured optimization plans. Key elements include utilizing tools like Google Trends and AccuRanker, building detailed seed keyword lists, and implementing strategies like the Separate Silo method for internal link structures. The guide also highlights the importance of a 7-month SEO campaign plan to align efforts with client goals, seasonal trends, and market dynamics, ensuring transparency and measurable results. From foundational audits to advanced keyword grouping, these steps provide a clear roadmap for enhancing SEO performance and delivering value to clients.
Roles: All SEO Reps
Last Updated: Dec 30, 2024
- 1 Tools and External Resources
- 2 Finding New Sales
- 3 Task: Build Initial Keyword List (First Month)
- 3.1 Why It’s Important
- 3.2 Impact
- 3.3 Building Your Seed Lists
- 3.3.1 Seed Lists
- 3.3.2 Pro Tips
- 3.4 Multiplying Your Keyword Lists
- 3.4.1 Multiplication Rules
- 3.4.2 Example Multiplications
- 3.5 Refining Your Keyword List
- 3.5.1 Using Keyword Planner
- 3.6 Importing to AccuRanker and Grouping Keywords
- 3.6.1 Import Keywords
- 3.6.2 How to Group Keywords
- 3.6.3 Tagging Guide
- 3.6.4 Grouping Examples
- 3.6.4.1 Structure for Product Types
- 3.6.4.2 Structure for Brands
- 3.6.4.3 Example Breakdown
- 3.6.5 Final Steps
- 4 Task: Build Campaign Plan (First Month)
- 5 Task: Initial Site Audit (First Month)
- 6 Task: Build Link Structure (Second Month)
- 6.1 Why Internal Link Structure Matters
- 6.2 What Are Internal Links?
- 6.3 The Separate Silo Method
- 6.3.1 Overview
- 6.3.2 Advantages
- 6.4 How to Implement the Separate Silo Method
- 6.4.1 Link Structure Setup
- 6.4.2 Optimizing Each Page
- 6.5 Why Choose the Separate Silo Method?
- 6.6 When to Propose a Link Audit
- 6.7 Key Takeaways
Tools and External Resources
Google Trends
Keyword Planner (Google Ads)
AccuRanker
Salesforce - Rep Dashboard
Spark Platform Admin
Finding New Sales
As a rep you will be able to find new client’s in the rep dashboard that you cloned after getting setup in Salesforce.
SEO Rep Dashboard
If you do not have you own version of the SEO Rep Dashboard, you can clone from here:
Tasks From New Sales
Under My Fulfillment, locate “My First and Second Month Tasks”
It will be in the bottom left and you will see both first and second month tasks listed if you have any new client’s assigned to you.
Learn more about how sales make it to you in Salesforce
Task: Build Initial Keyword List (First Month)
Why It’s Important
Keyword research and list building are fundamental to driving impactful SEO campaigns. Here’s why it matters:
Customer Focus: Identify the exact keywords your audience uses to find your products or services.
Performance Optimization: Pinpoint keywords that need just a little push to rank higher.
Strategic Targeting: Find competitive keyword opportunities to gain an edge.
Data-Driven Campaigns: Align work selection with the best opportunities for your client.
Enhanced Reporting: Boost performance metrics and make ROI conversations more effective.
Campaign Clarity: Organize the campaign into a clear, actionable plan.
Seamless Client Transitions: Ensure everyone understands what has been done and what’s next.
Impact
Reduces time spent selecting work, allowing for more impactful campaigns.
Streamlines reporting, giving Juniper and other team members more bandwidth for critical tasks.
Minimizes updates to campaign plans by setting clear directions early.
Delivers stronger results for clients.
Building Your Seed Lists
Use the dealer’s website to gather information, focusing primarily on the All Inventory page and filters to identify inventory types. These steps will help you build a robust keyword list:
Seed Lists
List 1 - Main Offerings (Non-Product):
Identify offerings on the homepage (e.g., RV Financing, Motorcycle Service, RV Parts).
Check the footer for links to important pages (e.g., Used Inventory).
List 2 - Condition Modifiers:
Add product conditions like “New,” “Used,” or “Pre-Owned.”
List 3 - Inventory Product Types:
List all product types exceeding 10% of the dealer’s inventory (e.g., ATVs, RVs, Boats).
List 4 - Product Type Subcategories:
Break down product types into subcategories (e.g., “Youth UTV,” “Super Sport Street Bike”).
List 5 - Brands with Products:
Associate brands with their product types (e.g., “Polaris ATV,” “Yamaha UTV”).
List 6 - Brands without Products:
List all brands that meet the 10% rule, even if no specific product is mentioned.
List 7 - Location Modifiers:
Include target locations (e.g., “Mesa,” “Mesa AZ,” “Arizona,” “AZ”).
List 8 - Intent Modifiers:
Add intent-based terms (e.g., “For Sale,” “Buy,” “Near Me,” “Dealer”).
Pro Tips
Use Variations: Include common variations (e.g., “Harley Motorcycles” and “Harley Bikes”).
Stick to Offerings: Don’t include terms for products or services the dealer doesn’t offer.
Multiplying Your Keyword Lists
Expand your seed lists using multiplication rules and store results in a spreadsheet for later refinement in Keyword Planner.
Use the Kogneta Keyword Multiplier Tool. Using the seed lists from above, you will follow the rules laid out below to build out a massive keyword list that can later be trimmed down using search data.
Multiplication Rules
Offerings List + Location Modifiers + Blank
Condition Modifiers + Product Types (Singular) + Intent Modifiers
Product Types (Plural) + “For Sale” + Location Modifiers + Blank
“Buy” + Product Types (Plural) + Location Modifiers + Blank
Product Brands + “Sales,” “Dealer,” “Dealership”
Product Brands with Product Types + “For Sale” + Location Modifiers + Blank
Example Multiplications
“Polaris ATV” + “For Sale” + “Mesa AZ”
“RV Dealer” + “Arizona”
“Used RVs” + “For Sale” + “Mesa”
Refining Your Keyword List
Using Keyword Planner
Navigate to Keyword Planner and select “Get search volume and forecasts.”
Paste your multiplied keyword list.
Select a location to target:
Start with the most narrow location (e.g., city).
Expand to a larger area (e.g., state) if search volume is too low.
Export results to Google Sheets and sort by search volume.
Eliminate low-volume keywords.
Target: Aim for a minimum of 1,500 average monthly searches across the entire list.
Importing to AccuRanker and Grouping Keywords
Import Keywords
Log in to AccuRanker and locate the domain.
Click “+ Add Keywords” and paste your list.
Set the following:
Search Engine: Mobile Google.
Locale: US or Canada.
Location: Match the client’s target location.
Click “Add Keywords.”
How to Group Keywords
One Group, One Page Rule: Each keyword group should correspond to one page on the site.
Use tags for organization:
Tags: Create one for each product type and brand.
Roll-Up Reports: Tags allow you to see stats for entire groups (e.g., all Polaris products).
Tagging Guide
Navigate to the “Keywords” tab.
Filter and select keywords for a group.
Click “✏️ Edit” > “Add Tags.”
Use consistent naming conventions for tags.
Grouping Examples
Structure for Product Types
General Terms: “ATVs For Sale,” “ATVs AZ.”
Subtypes: “Sport ATV Dealer,” “Utility ATV For Sale.”
Structure for Brands
General Brand Terms: “Polaris Dealer,” “Polaris Sales.”
Brand with Product Types: “Polaris ATV Mesa,” “Polaris UTV For Sale.”
Example Breakdown
Polaris
General: “Polaris Dealer,” “Polaris Sales.”
ATVs: “Polaris ATV Mesa,” “Polaris ATV For Sale.”
Can-Am
General: “Can-Am Dealer,” “Can-Am Sales.”
UTVs: “Can-Am UTV Mesa,” “Can-Am UTV For Sale.”
Final Steps
Save all lists as they map directly to folders in AccuRanker.
Tag and group keywords for easier collaboration and reporting.
Task: Build Campaign Plan (First Month)
Having a 7-month plan is invaluable for both the client and the SEO rep. It sets clear expectations, fosters transparency, and aligns efforts with marketing goals and consumer behavior.
Why a 7-Month Plan?
For Clients: Transparency is key. A well-documented plan lets clients know what to expect each month and ensures their goals align with the SEO strategy. This fosters trust and collaboration.
For SEO Reps: Predefined monthly focuses free up time for detailed research and execution, leading to more impactful campaigns.
Procedure for Building a 7-Month Plan
The first two months of a campaign focus on foundational elements like intake call notes, inventory assessment, and establishing a strong keyword list. For months 3–7, monthly focuses are built using:
Intake Call Notes: Insights from account managers about client goals and priorities.
Package Deliverables: Ensure we have all required package deliverables.
Dealer Inventory: Prioritize high-stock items or categories.
Search Trends: Use tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, and Accuranker to identify timely and valuable keywords.
Factors to Consider
Seasonality: Plan for what customers will be searching 3–6 months in advance to give Google time to rank the pages.
Industry Competition: Gauge the competitiveness of the client’s region and industry. More competition may require more in-depth content.
Demographics: Who is their target audience? Tailor content to their motivations.
Local Vernacular: Consider how people search in the client’s region (e.g., “ATV” vs. “Four-Wheeler”).
Potential Roadblocks: Be prepared to adjust if the client’s inventory or priorities change unexpectedly.
Website Structure: For new websites, build a structure that supports the dealer’s inventory and user navigation.
Tools and Strategies
Intake Notes & Dealer Inventory
Look at the intake notes to identify key manufacturers, vehicle types, and categories.
On the dealer’s inventory page, prioritize optimization for categories with the most inventory.
Google Trends
Analyze 5-year trends for manufacturers, vehicle types, and categories specific to the client’s area.
Anticipate future needs: What will customers search for in 6 months? Optimize for those terms now.
Keyword Planner Tool
Find average search volume and competition for keywords relevant to the client’s area.
Select keywords that are aligned with seasonal trends and the client’s goals.
Accuranker
Find keywords ranking near the top three positions, or on the cusp of page one.
Find keywords with highest CTR to use in headings and meta data to improve overall click-through-rate.
Look for seasonality, we want to plan content 3-6 months in advance of the seasonal peak in search volume.
Focus Justification
Why It Matters
Justifying your choices ensures clients understand the reasoning behind your strategy. It also minimizes unnecessary communication and empowers account managers to speak confidently on reporting calls.
What to Include
Include data-backed insights for each focus:
Search Volume: High-volume keywords are ideal for driving traffic.
Inventory Count: Prioritize pages with significant inventory.
Current Ranking: Target keywords already ranking on the first or second page for quick wins.
CTR (Click-Through Rate): Optimize for keywords with low CTR to improve relevance and link attractiveness.
Competition Summary: Evaluate whether you can outrank current competitors.
Seasonality Summary: Explain the timing in relation to seasonal trends.
Focus Justification Factors
Factors | What Is It | Where to Get It | How to Use |
---|---|---|---|
Search Volume | The average monthly search volume for the keyword group. | AccuRanker - You can look at the tag group for page you’re working on and it will give you a localized and aggregated average monthly search volume for keywords in that group. | There isn’t much use in targeting keywords that no one is searching for and so, we want to make sure that our chosen focus has decent search volume. Ideally you want to start with pages that represent the most search volume first but you will also need to consider their inventory as well. |
Inventory Count | Total inventory units for the inventory page you’re working on. | Directly on the webpage you’re looking to optimize using inventory filters or the inventory feed from a website. | We want to make sure we are focused on optimizing pages where the dealer has inventory to sell. Ideally the page would included more than 10% of the total inventory count. This can be difficult with low inventory dealer so you may have to optimize showroom pages instead. |
Current Ranking | Current localized ranking for the main keyword(s). | AccuRanker - You can look at the tag group for page you’re working on and it will give you a localized and aggregated average ranking for keywords in that group. | The third factor to consider is the current rankings of tracked keywords. Some of the best keywords to target for new content are those that are already ranking on the first and second page since they already perform well and a little content can results is significant gains. |
**Bonus: CTR | Total number of times a keyword had a result clicked over the total number of times it was shown | AccuRanker - I would focus on the main keyword’s CTR as it should be included in the meta title for maximum effect. | The last main stat to consider for justification is the CTR for your tracked keywords. If you’re keywords have a lower relative CTR than the rest of the site you’re content could add value in two main areas the attractiveness of the link on the SERP and the relevancy of the content on the page to a larger percentage of searches. |
**Bonus: Competition Summary for the Main Keyword | Brief about the other competitors on the SERP for the main keyword | AccuRanker - You can see the organic competitors for each keyword by clicking the top competitor for the keyword in the table. | This summary can give an idea of our chance of beating the current top performers for a given keyword. If it’s all big box stores, directories, and large brands our chances may not be very good or we should consider alternative strategies to win there. However, if it’s all local results we might be able to close the gap much faster. |
**Bonus: Seasonality Summary | Brief about timing of work and relation to seasonal search trends. | AccuRanker - Search Trends graph on the dashboard once you’ve selected the keyword group | This should give the explanation of why you chose to work on something that will have it’s peak search season in the next 3-6 months and how content needs the time to cook. |
Building Out the Fulfillment Work Done Record (FWD)
Formatting the FWD Record
Status: Mark as “Blank” (previous months), “Planned” (future work), or “Completed” (published work).
Report Date: Use ascending dates for deliverables within the same month.
Content Type: Select the content type from the dropdown.
Content Focus: Specify the topic.
Content Link: Add the URL once content is live.
Justification Statement
Write a concise statement explaining the focus using factors like search volume, inventory count, CTR, and competition. Example:
Dealer Request: “Adventure Motorcycles” have a monthly search volume of 10K, account for 10% of the dealer’s inventory, and rank on the third page. The SERP features medium competition, making it an opportunity for growth.
Task: Initial Site Audit (First Month)
The first month of SEO is crucial for laying the foundation of a client’s campaign. This guide outlines the tasks for SEO representatives, ensuring all work is properly completed and submitted to the QA team.
Brand-Specific Tasks:
Dealer Spike (DS Only): Tasks exclusive to Dealer Spike are labeled.
ARI-Specific (ARI Only): Tasks exclusive to ARI are labeled.
General Tasks: Apply to both brands unless otherwise noted.
Fulfillment Work Done URLs
Homepage Reporting:
Add the Homepage URL as the Work Done URL for the first month to cover the work included in this guide.
Even though multiple pages will be worked on, only the homepage is reported to keep the report clean and organized.
First Inventory Header:
In addition to the homepage URL, all new package’s inventory headers start in month one, meaning you should have at least one header included in the Work Done.
Dealer Spike-Specific Tasks
Showroom Links (DS Only)
By default, showroom pages include “New Inventory” (--xNewInventory) and “Used Inventory” (--xPreOwnedInventory) buttons.
Update these links to avoid duplicate URLs on the website. Follow the guide to ensure proper configuration.
Homepage Optimization Tasks
Homepage Paragraphs
Review and optimize the homepage content as follows:
Proofreading:
Correct spelling, grammar, and typos.
Verify dealer names and locations are accurate.
Trademarks:
Add or remove trademarks as necessary.
Inventory Lists:
Shorten long lists of brands or inventory types to four items or fewer.
Use phrasing like “and more” to indicate additional options.
Hyperlinks:
Limit hyperlinks to 3–4 total.
De-link any hyperlink if a button on the homepage serves the same purpose, unless justified by research.
Focus on relevant, conversion-oriented links like:
About Us
Contact
Maps & Hours
Finance
Top-Level Inventory Pages
Pages critical to the dealer’s SEO campaign (use research and judgment).
Pages to Optimize in the First Month
Focus on optimizing these pages (H1, Meta Title, Meta Description, unless otherwise noted):
Homepage:
Paragraphs, title, and description (see instructions above).
Top-Level Inventory Pages:
All, New, and Used inventory pages.
If these pages are linked on the homepage or dropdown menu, they must be optimized or hidden/removed.
ARI Note: To remove the “All” page from a dropdown without altering menu structure, rename the “New Inventory” option to “Inventory” but keep the New Inventory URL.
Showroom Pages:
Dealer Spike: Optimize New/Used inventory buttons on showroom pages.
ARI: Optimize the title and description of the All New Models showroom page.
Essential Business Pages:
About Us
Parts
Service
Maps & Hours
Reviews/Testimonial pages (titles and descriptions only).
Review Us page (if present; title and description only).
Trade-In page (title and description only).
Schedule a Test Ride/Demo page (if present; title and description only).
Pages Not Required for Optimization in Month One
Unless explicitly requested by the client, the following pages can be deferred to later months:
Additional Services:
Rentals, motorcycle classes, winterization, RV storage, marine/boat docking, apparel, etc.
Manufacturer Promotions:
Temporary promotions or offers.
Secondary Inventory Pages:
Manufacturer-specific, vehicle-type-specific, or other subpages under inventory.
Other General Pages:
Financing, Contact Us, Newsletter, Staff, Events/Calendar, Photos, Careers/Employment.
Service Request and Parts Request forms.
Get a Quote.
Links/Resources.
ARI-Specific:
Old custom pages created by DigMs.
Additional Notes
Keep the campaign clean and focused on high-priority pages during the first month.
For any exceptions or unique dealer requests, consult your QA team to ensure proper implementation.
Task: Build Link Structure (Second Month)
Month two of SEO is critical for building the internal link structure, which establishes pathways for search engines and users to access a client’s content. For this guide, we focus exclusively on the Separate Silo method, which is ideal for organizing inventory into distinct categories while minimizing keyword cannibalization.
Why Internal Link Structure Matters
Improves SEO Performance:
Creates clear navigation for search engines and users.
Enhances crawling and indexing of keyword-rich content.
Establishes Content Priority:
Pages closer to the homepage are seen as more important by Google.
Shares Link Equity:
Internal links distribute page authority, boosting rankings for connected pages.
What Are Internal Links?
Internal Links: Connect pages within the same domain (e.g., from the “Fifth Wheels” page to “Jayco Fifth Wheels”).
External Links: Direct users to a different domain (e.g., linking to Facebook).
For this guide, we focus solely on internal links and their role in optimizing inventory list pages.
The Separate Silo Method
Overview
The Separate Silo method organizes inventory into two distinct silos: New Inventory and Pre-Owned Inventory, with no crossover between them. This ensures clarity for users and reduces keyword cannibalization.
Advantages
Clarity: Users can easily navigate between new and pre-owned inventory.
SEO Benefits: Minimizes duplication and keyword cannibalization.
Practicality: Aligns with most dealers’ preferences for separating new and pre-owned inventory.
How to Implement the Separate Silo Method
Link Structure Setup
New Inventory Silo:
Parent: “New Inventory” page.
Children: Subcategories such as “New Motorhomes,” “New Fifth Wheels,” etc.
Pre-Owned Inventory Silo:
Parent: “Pre-Owned Inventory” page.
Children: Subcategories such as “Used Motorhomes,” “Used Fifth Wheels,” etc.
Navigation Clean-Up:
Remove unnecessary links to “All Inventory” from the navigation bar and homepage.
Use CMS tools to adjust headers and snippets for clean navigation.
Optimizing Each Page
For every page in the silos:
Title Tag: Clear and keyword-rich (e.g., “New Fifth Wheels for Sale”).
H1 Tag: Matches the subject (e.g., “Explore New Fifth Wheels”).
Meta Description: Concise and includes relevant keywords.
Child Links: Buttons leading to deeper subcategories.
Parent Link: A single in-text link directing users to the parent category.
Why Choose the Separate Silo Method?
Simplifies SEO Management: Clear separation makes it easier to manage content and links.
Avoids User Confusion: Users navigate within specific silos without mixing new and used inventory.
Supports Dealer Preferences: Matches the common structure dealers use for inventory organization.
When to Propose a Link Audit
Second Month of SEO:
Ideal for building the internal link structure. This gives Google time to crawl, index, and rank optimized pages.
Clients with 12+ Months of SEO:
Older clients may have outdated link structures. Regular audits help identify issues and adapt to evolving SEO practices.
Key Takeaways
The Separate Silo method ensures clarity, boosts SEO performance, and aligns with dealer preferences.
Each page in the silos must be fully optimized with clear titles, descriptions, and links.
Propose link audits as part of second-month work or for older clients needing structural updates.