Thought I’d share some helpful info for anyone looking to collaborate with or even become a web design and SEO agency. I’ve worked freelance and inside a few agencies over the years, and I know a lot of people here are either offering those services or thinking about hiring someone who does.
Let’s start with web design. A good agency doesn’t just make a site “look nice.” Design today is all about functionality and user experience. That means mobile responsiveness, fast loading times, clean navigation, and content that flows naturally. Tools like WordPress, Webflow, and Shopify make it easy to build nice-looking sites, but it’s the planning—like wireframes, copywriting, and layout strategy—that sets a solid agency apart. If you're a designer, focus on learning how users think, not just how things look.
SEO goes hand-in-hand with web design. What’s the point of a beautiful website if no one sees it? A good SEO agency starts with an audit to see what’s already working (or not), then focuses on both on-page and off-page work. On-page means keyword research, proper headers, meta descriptions, and making sure your content actually answers what people are searching for. Off-page is mostly about backlinks and building domain authority through content marketing, partnerships, and sometimes PR.
One thing to know if you’re working with an SEO agency is that results take time. I’ve had clients get nervous after 3 weeks because they don’t see movement, but SEO is more like farming than flipping a switch. Agencies that promise overnight rankings usually cut corners, and that’ll hurt in the long run.
If you're planning to offer these services as a freelancer or agency, transparency is key. Always explain to your clients what you’re doing and why. Avoid jargon unless they ask for it, and help them understand the value. Monthly reports go a long way—even if it’s just a quick snapshot of rankings, traffic, and what actions you took.
One great thing about combining web design with SEO is that you control both the foundation (the site) and the visibility (the SEO). That means you can build better-performing websites and show real results in search, which clients love. It also means you can charge more because you're offering a complete growth package, not just a one-time service.
Last tip—whether you're hiring or building your own agency, always put content first. Design and SEO both rely heavily on clear, strategic content. If you can write well or work with someone who does, it makes everything else easier.
Hope this helps anyone thinking about diving deeper into this space. There’s a lot of competition out there, but if you focus on quality, strategy, and communication, you’ll stand out.
