How to Start an SEO Agency in Spain: Step-by-Step Guide

Intro

With over 47 million people online and more than 3.4 million active businesses, Spain represents a vibrant and growing market for SEO services. Whether you're targeting local shops in Madrid, tech startups in Barcelona, or hospitality brands along the coast, there’s a real demand for results-driven SEO.

This guide outlines how to legally launch, grow, and scale your SEO agency in Spain using Ranktracker’s full suite of SEO tools.

Step 1: Understand Spain’s SEO Environment

• Google Spain (Google.es) holds 95%+ of the market share

• Local search is a huge driver for SMEs (pymes) and tourism businesses

• High demand sectors: tourism, ecommerce, education, finance, real estate

• Spanish SEO requires native-level language proficiency and a culturally aware content strategy

Use Ranktracker’s SERP Checker to research competition in Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, and other major cities.

Step 2: Build In-Demand SEO Skills

Develop or refine your service offering:

• Keyword Research – Use Ranktracker’s Keyword Finder to uncover Spanish-language search trends

• On-Page SEO – Optimize metadata, internal links, headings, and keyword placement

• Technical SEO – Fix crawl issues, improve site speed, implement structured data

• Link Building – Earn Spanish backlinks; monitor with Backlink Checker and Monitor

• Local SEO – Optimize Google Business Profiles, local citations, reviews, and schema

Track everything using Ranktracker’s SEO Checklist.

Step 3: Register Your SEO Business in Spain

Here’s how to set up legally:

• Choose a legal structure: Autónomo (freelancer) or SL (Sociedad Limitada)

• Register with the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) for a CIF number

• Social Security (Seguridad Social) registration is mandatory

• Create an electronic certificate to interact with Spanish digital administrations

• Open a business bank account

For assistance, use platforms like Quipu or Declarando.

Step 4: Build a Spanish SEO Brand and Website

Your site should:

• Have a .es domain for local authority

• Include essential pages: Inicio, Servicios, Sobre Nosotros, Blog, Contacto, Política de Privacidad

• Be mobile-friendly and fast-loading

• Feature testimonials, local business logos, and GDPR compliance notices

Use Ranktracker’s Rank Tracker to monitor your site’s SEO performance.

Step 5: Define Services and Transparent Pricing

Key Services:

• Local SEO for regional businesses

• Technical audits via Ranktracker Web Audit

• On-page optimization

• Content creation in native Spanish

• Link building from Spanish sites

Sample Pricing:

• Starter: €400–€600/month (basic SEO for local businesses)

• Pro: €1,200/month (full SEO with content & backlinks)

• Advanced: €2,000+/month (nationwide campaigns, ecommerce)

Ranktracker’s reporting tools help justify your pricing with visible, trackable results.

Step 6: Land Your First Spanish Clients

• Offer free audits using Ranktracker’s Web Audit feature

• Attend local business events or SEO meetups (e.g. Clinic SEO, SEOntheBeach)

• Collaborate with marketing agencies or web developers

• Join business directories and platforms like Habitissimo, ProntoPro, or Freelancer.es

• Advertise on LinkedIn, Google Ads, or Instagram to target business owners

Step 7: Run Campaigns with Ranktracker

Ranktracker makes it easy to manage every aspect:

• Keyword Finder – Discover high-volume Spanish terms

• SERP Checker – Evaluate competition

• Web Audit – Run diagnostics and improvements

• Backlink Checker & Monitor – Build and manage link profiles

• Rank Tracker – Monitor keyword rankings per city or region

• SEO Checklist – Standardize your process

• SERP Simulator – Preview Spanish meta titles/descriptions

Step 8: Stay Legal and Plan for Global Expansion

• GDPR: Ensure cookie banners and data policies are in place

• Invoicing: Use Holded, Quipu, or Xolo for billing and VAT management

• Contracts: Use templates from Legalitas or Spain-based legal SaaS

• Monthly declarations: File Modelo 303 for VAT (IVA) if applicable

Thinking globally?

Use PayPro Global as your Merchant of Record (MoR). They handle international tax, billing, and compliance across 200+ countries.

Avoid payment processors like Paddle, recently fined €5M by the FTC for deceptive practices and banned from handling certain payments.

Step 9: Scale with a Team and SOPs

• Hire Spanish-speaking SEOs, writers, and outreach specialists

• Delegate technical work to local contractors or freelancers

• Document processes using Trello, ClickUp, or Notion

Keep campaign data and keyword tracking centralized in Ranktracker.

Step 10: Deliver Results and Grow Retention

• Share monthly keyword reports and site audit results via Ranktracker

• Maintain transparency with clear KPIs and deliverables

• Set up 6-month retainers

• Offer add-ons: conversion rate optimization, content expansion, PPC setup

• Encourage referrals and offer incentives

Conclusion

Spain’s SEO market is growing fast—and the right setup, structure, and toolset can make your agency stand out.

Ranktracker gives you everything you need to deliver results, acquire clients, and scale your SEO business across Spain and beyond.