I came across this post at shimonsandler.com about the tasks an SEO professional should be doing.

Here is a summarized task list for the SEO Consultant.

1) Understanding Client's Business Objectives & Strategic marketing plan
2) Comprehensive Website Analysis
3) Keyword Research and Analysis.
4) Baseline report
5) Competitive analysis for main keywords/keyword phrases in Search Engines.
6) Content Analysis & SEO Copywriting
7) Analysis of information architecture and linking structure.
8) Analysis of HTML and page layout.
9) HTML validation.
10) Recommendations for necessary modifications to essential page text elements for achieving satisfactory search engine placement.
11) Recommendations to optimize source code including the URL, filenames, page titles, descriptions, javascript, etc.
12) Search Engine Saturation / Link Popularity Analysis
13) Link Relevancy & Co-Citation Analysis
14) Internal & External Linking Strategy & Recommendation.
15) Ongoing Monthly monitoring, reporting and recommendations.
16) Continually optimize according to the client's needs and business objectives

I think these are really very important key tasks that every SEO professional should do. But I think the most important is task#1. It is always necessary to understand what the client's business objectives are. Is it for branding, for lead development, for selling products..etc.

The strategic marketing plan is also important. In fact, I believe SEO is just a tool to realize and achieve the results expected in the marketing plan.

The post also includes topics about SEO Process, Deliverables, and Pricing.

There are a lot of SEO pricing schemes, but what's becoming popular is the retainer pricing scheme where you set a specific number of hours a month for a fixed amount. On the client's perspective, it is important to have a known amount of spending for SEO or Internet Marketing. It would be hard for a client to draft an Internet Marketing/SEO plan and have it approved by his/her boss if there is no quantifiable amount. Client's always wanted to control their spending. They don't like getting over budget and being suddenly billed with an amount they don't expect.

[via shimonsandler - seo consultant ]