Standard operating procedure
SOP: Onboarding a New SEO Client
Everything to collect and set up in the first week with a new SEO client.
Objective
Get the access, information and baseline data you need in week one, so SEO work can start without delays or surprises.
When to use
- A new client has signed and work starts this month.
- You take over an existing client from another VA or agency.
Prerequisites
- Signed agreement with the agreed scope.
- A shared folder or project board for the client.
- The client’s main contact person and preferred channel.
Steps
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Send the welcome email
Confirm the scope, your working hours, the reporting schedule and the access you will need.
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Request access
Ask for Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Business Profile (if local) and website editor access. Use user invitations, never shared passwords.
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Collect business details
Services, locations, target customers, competitors the client watches and any past SEO work.
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Record the baseline
Save this month’s organic traffic, leads, top pages and priority rankings so progress can be measured later.
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Run a quick health check
Crawl the site and note anything urgent, such as pages blocked from indexing or broken key pages.
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Agree on priorities
Share three priorities for the first month and get the client’s approval in writing.
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Set up reporting
Create the report template and calendar reminders for the agreed schedule.
Quality checklist
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Tips and context
- Request access to analytics and Search Console.
- Collect brand guidelines and target locations.
- Record a baseline of rankings and traffic.
- Agree on a reporting schedule.
Download
A plain-text Markdown copy (.md) that opens in any editor and pastes cleanly into Google Docs, Notion or ClickUp.
Download SOP (Markdown)Templates for this SOP
- Template SEO Report Template A monthly report structure that leads with what matters to the client: results, work completed, issues…
Practice it
- Assignment Write a client update email after an SEO audit Turn audit findings into a short, friendly email that a busy client will read and act…
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