I’ve been working with a client for 3 months on Local SEO for her service business. From experience, I usually let clients know that it takes 3 to 6 months to see significant changes in traffic, rankings, or leads.
Here’s the thing… I’ve already helped her get to #2 on Google Maps for her main keyword and improved rankings for other high-volume keywords. She also runs an online coaching business and referred 3 clients to me, earning a 20% cut on her rate for each referral.
But now, she says calls are dropping steadily and is threatening to cancel my services if it continues. She’s also saying she’ll convince the 3 referrals to cancel too. This all seems to have started after she got some spam emails claiming her SEO is bad and promising better results.
I don’t want to lose these clients—especially as I charge much less than most freelancers—but her threats feel wrong. What would you do in this situation?
It sounds like it might be a seasonal issue. This happens sometimes, and while it’s frustrating, it’s not uncommon. As for the other agency, it’s normal for clients to get approached by others, but her attitude isn’t professional at all.
Look into whether this is seasonal and explain that your role is to improve visibility, which you’ve done. No one can force people to call or click. Also, her threatening to badmouth you is out of line. If it happens, consider sending a cease-and-desist letter. If you lose clients because of her, you might even have grounds to sue.
No, this was a verbal agreement. It’s my first time offering a referral discount, so I didn’t think to include anything about preventing her from pulling her referrals if things went south.
@Avery
Verbal agreements can be tricky, but you’re still the one in control here. Stay calm and focus on defusing the situation. Approach her with confidence that she needs you as much as you need her—whether that’s true or not.
You might say something like, ‘We can either work together to solve this or go separate ways, which wouldn’t help either of us. So far, I’ve done XYZ to improve your rankings, and the emails you received are likely spam from people desperate for business.’
Point out that call volume can fluctuate for reasons outside of your control, like seasonal trends, but reassure her you’re addressing any possible SEO-related causes. Keep it professional and focused on solutions.
Spend more time talking to your other clients and showing them results. Simple, clear reports can help them see the value you’re providing. Be ready to lose this one client, but don’t let her take others with her. Focus on finding new clients to replace her.
Why not run some Google Ads to bring in leads while things pick up? SEO alone isn’t always enough, especially for businesses in luxury markets.
I’m dealing with something similar right now. Leads are down for one of my clients, so I’m setting up a meeting to pitch ads and email campaigns to help them out.
Try not to let emotions take over, even though her threats are frustrating. Stick to facts and focus on solving the problem. Here’s one way to approach it:
Acknowledge her concerns: ‘I understand why the drop in calls is worrying, and I take this seriously.’
Show her the progress: Share the data that proves the improvements you’ve already achieved, like the increased rankings and traffic.
Explain SEO timelines: ‘As mentioned when we started, it usually takes 3–6 months to see consistent results. The wins we’ve seen so far are a great start, but it’s part of a long-term strategy.’
Look into other factors: ‘Let’s explore if external issues, like seasonal trends, might be affecting calls.’
Address her threats calmly: ‘I value the referrals you’ve given me, and I want to focus on solutions rather than ultimatums, as trust is key for both of us.’
Also, keep detailed records of your interactions and performance in case she continues to be difficult. Moving forward, think about revising your referral terms to avoid situations like this.
You’ve already delivered great results in just three months, like getting her to #2 on Google Maps and boosting rankings for other keywords. Stick to a calm, professional tone, and remind her of these wins in your response. Sometimes clients need to be reminded of the bigger picture.