How to Start an SEO Side Hustle in 2025

Introduction

The barrier to entry for offering SEO services has never been lower; but so has the patience of clients. This guide shows you how to start an SEO side hustle in your evenings or weekends, focusing on practical steps, minimal tools, and steady client growth. It's aimed at marketers, students, or career-switchers who want to build income without quitting their job.

TL;DR

You can start a profitable SEO side hustle in 2025 by packaging simple services, finding your first clients through outreach, and delivering real results with affordable tools. Focus on clarity, consistency, and building trust—success will follow.

Why This Topic Matters

Freelance SEO is saturated at the top and hollow in the middle. Plenty of agencies serve enterprise. Few people help small businesses rank for "window cleaner in Derby." That's your opportunity. Starting lean and focused helps you build reputation without burning out.

Step 1: Define Your Offer

Avoid "full-service SEO." Instead, package 1–2 specific services:

Keyword research for blog content
Local SEO audit
SEO-friendly site setup (for Webflow, Shopify, or WordPress)

Pricing: Start with fixed-price packages like £150 for a 5-page SEO audit.

Step 2: Build a Credible Landing Page

Use Carrd, Notion, or a simple WordPress site. Include:

Your offer and pricing
Testimonials or work samples
A short "About Me" section
Contact form or Calendly link

Keep it clear, honest, and benefit-led.

Step 3: Get Your First 1–3 Clients

Use free channels first:

r/forhire and r/freelance
LinkedIn cold DMs
Facebook local business groups
Cold emails to niche businesses with poor SEO

Offer an audit or "£50 for feedback" deal to build trust quickly.

Step 4: Deliver Results Without Overbuilding

Use low-cost tools and a simple process. Prioritise clarity:

Keyword + competitor research: Ubersuggest, AlsoAsked, or manual SERP checks
Fixes: Page titles, internal linking, heading structure, speed
Reporting: One-page PDF with summary and next steps

Your goal isn't to impress; it's to make their ranking better.

Step 5: Improve, Niche Down, or Raise Rates

After 3–5 jobs:

Improve your templates
Drop underpaying tasks
Choose a niche: local trades, therapists, ecommerce, etc.

Niche examples rank faster and show future clients you understand their needs.

Other Common Issues

Scope creep: Always define what's included in your pricing.
Imposter syndrome: You're providing more SEO help than the client had last week; that's value.
Undercharging: Low fees are fine at the start, but set a timeline to raise them.

Recommended Tools

Carrd – Simple one-page site builder for your freelance page.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools – Free site audits and link insights.
Screaming Frog – Local desktop SEO crawler.
Google Search Console – Every client should have it. Use it.
Ubersuggest – Affordable keyword and backlink data.

When to Hire Help

Hire subcontractors (writers, VAs) when your delivery speed becomes a bottleneck or you want to take on larger clients. Hire a bookkeeper once you hit steady revenue; not before.

Final Takeaway

You don't need a brand or team to start helping small businesses rank better. A focused offer, honest execution, and repeatable results are enough to build a steady SEO side income in 2025.

How to Start an SEO Side Hustle in 2025