Semrush is one of the most popular all-in-one digital marketing platforms, offering a wide range of tools for SEO, content marketing, PPC, keyword research and competitive analysis. With over 10 million users globally, it has become the go-to platform for agencies looking to streamline workflows and deliver great results for clients.
But is Semrush truly worthwhile for agencies aiming to scale up revenue and growth? In this detailed guide, we will cover:
- Key benefits of using Semrush for agencies
- Features that make client and project management easier
- How to set up and customize Semrush for agencies
- Client reporting and communicating ROI with Semrush
- Integrations with other marketing tools
- Lead generation opportunities
- Comparing Semrush plans and pricing for agencies
- Mistakes to avoid with Semrush implementation
- Semrush training for getting your team up to speed
- Real-life examples of agencies growing with Semrush
- Alternatives to consider and comparison with competitors
- Verdict: Is Semrush ultimately worth it for your agency?
Why Agencies Love Semrush
Semrush brings the whole digital marketing stack under one roof. The key benefits that make it an ideal agency tech stack include:
All-in-one Platform Saves Time and Money
With 40+ tools for SEO, content marketing, PPC, social media and competitive research, Semrush eliminates the need for multiple tools. This saves agencies both time and money.
Flexible Client and Project Management
Semrush allows creating separate projects for every client. You can customize permissions, access and reporting for each client.
Helps Demonstrate ROI to Clients
The robust analytics and easy-to-create reports make it simple to showcase campaign results and ROI to clients.
Marketing Automation for Scaling Agency
Features like workflow automation, alerts and scheduled reports enable agencies to manage more clients without expanding teams.
Gain a Competitive Edge for Clients
Tools like backlink tracking, rank tracking and detailed competitor analysis help agencies deliver strategic solutions.
Lead Generation Opportunities
Semrush‘s Agency Partners program connects businesses with agencies. You can also embed lead gen forms on your website.
Integrates With Other Marketing Tools
Semrush offers integrations with analytics, CRM, email marketing, payment solutions and other marketing software.
Clearly, Semrush provides immense value specifically for digital marketing agencies with its versatility and scope of features. Next let‘s understand how to customize it for your agency.
Setting Up Semrush for Your Agency
Using Semrush effectively for an agency requires some customization and setting it up appropriately. Here are the key steps for configuring Semrush for your agency:
1. Compare Plans and Subscription Costs
Semrush offers custom pricing for agencies. Compare the Pro, Guru and Business plan features and limits to calculate which one fits your agency.
2. Determine Number of Projects Needed
Estimate the number of clients and projects you need to create inside Semrush to manage your workflows. Each plan has project limits.
3. Invite Team Members and Assign Roles
Add your account managers, content specialists, outreach specialists etc. Control what access each one gets for different projects.
4. Install Integrations With Other Tools
Connect analytics, CRM, payments tools etc. used by your agency via integrations to get more from Semrush.
5. Brand and Customize Reports
Make reports, invoices and other documents for clients branded to your agency by adding logo, colors etc.
6. Set Up Automated Reports and Alerts
Use scheduled email reports, smart alerts for rank changes etc. to save time and enable automation.
With the right agency workspace setup, your teams can collaborate easily for clients on Semrush.
Managing Clients and Projects in Semrush
Semrush makes handling multiple clients less complex through its projects and users permissions features. Here are some tips for easy client management with Semrush:
- Categorize projects by client, services offered, industry etc. to group reporting
- Set up permissions carefully so employees only access relevant data
- Assign multiple users across teams to each client for continuity
- Use color coding projects to quickly identify different types of clients
- Configure notifications so multiple staff get alerts if something needs attention
- Automate repetitive reporting tasks to serve more clients without adding staff members
Smooth collaboration internally ensures you deliver excellence externally for clients.
Reporting Results and ROI to Clients
One of the highlights of Semrush for agencies is easy reporting. Here‘s how to demonstrate campaign results to clients:
Track KPIs Relevant to Each Client
Based on campaign goals agreed upon with a client, track relevant KPIs like rank improvements, organic traffic, backlinks etc.
Schedule Customized Reporting Dashboards
Create branded reports with tracked KPIs for each client showing periodic progress. Automate email delivery.
Compare Metrics to Industry Benchmarks
Position client‘s results better by comparing to averages in their business vertical and location.
Calculate and Present ROI
Combine campaign expenses and revenue data to showcase ROI delivered through your efforts.
With data-backed reporting showcasing your value, Semrush makes client retention easier.
Integrating Semrush With Other Software
Semrush integrates well with other popular marketing tools agencies rely on:
Analytics Integration
Connect Google Analytics or other analytics software to bring together campaign data.
CRM Integration
Sync your CRM containing client details and sales pipelines for easy access in Semrush.
Social Media Scheduling Integration
Schedule and publish social posts for clients directly from Semrush tools.
Billing & Invoicing Integration
Easily track time spent per client and project and invoice clients accordingly.
Email Marketing Integration
Use email campaign data in Semrush reports for complete results analysis.
Forms and Surveys Integration
Get deeper insights into prospects and clients by integrating lead capture forms.
With the right integrations, Semrush can truly function as your agency‘s command center.
Unlocking Lead Generation Opportunities
Semrush offers agencies built-in lead generation features:
Getting Listed as Agency Partner
Get more visibility and leads by listing your agency as a certified Semrush partner.
Embedding Lead Gen Forms
Add lead capture or contact forms from Semrush on your agency website‘s pages to get direct leads.
Detailed Lead Profiles
View in-depth data on leads generated like companies, keywords and traffic sources for follow-ups.
Lead Exports and Sync with CRM
Export and integrate leads with your CRM for sales team to nurture and convert them.
For agencies looking to scale growth, leveraging these lead generation tools is a great starting point.
Comparing Semrush Plans for Agencies
Semrush offers custom pricing plans for agencies to better suit their needs:
| Plan | Pro | Guru | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price/Month | $99.95 | $379.95 | $599.95 |
| Projects Limit | 1 | 15 | 40 |
| Keyword Limit | 500 | 1,500 | 5,000 |
| Backlink Data | 3 Months | 12 Months | Full History |
| Support Level | Limited | Priority + Premium | Priority + Dedicated Manager |
| White Label | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ + Custom Branding |
| Lead Gen Forms | ❌ | ✅ | Agency Website Embed |
Consider the projects, keywords tracking volume and historical data you need to determine the best plan.
Guru plan meets most medium sized agencies‘ requirements striking a balance of features and value.
Common Semrush Mistakes To Avoid
While Semrush is quite intuitive, agencies making these mistakes lose out on getting full value:
Not Having a Dedicated Kick-off
Having an organized kick-off workshop to customize Semrush for your agency processes is vital.
No Team Training
Your team needs proper onboarding into using Semrush optimally for client work.
Not Testing Integrations
Don‘t wait till client work starts to test integrations with analytics, billing etc. tools.
Lagging Client Configuration
Client configurations like permissions and reports must be ready before signing them up.
Ignoring Advanced Features
Leverage advanced capabilities for automation, workflows, alerts etc. for enhanced efficiency.
Avoid these missteps with thorough preparation and training to maximize productivity.
Getting Your Team Up to Speed With Semrush
Semrush provides excellent training resources to educate your team:
Attend Live Product Demos
Semrush offers free customized product demos for agencies to experience the platform.
Sign Up For Semrush Academy
These self-paced online courses teach both basic and advanced usage for its wide range of products.
Access Semrush Blog and Resources
The Semrush blog has category-wise guides, tips and tricks which teams can leverage.
Join Semrush Community Forum
Ask queries and get insights from other Semrush users on the community portal.
Follow Semrush YouTube Channel
The video tutorials cover detailed usage across all key features and tools.
Leverage multiple learning channels including docs, courses, emails and in-app messages for comprehensive guidance. Allocate time for your team to gain expertise.
Real Agency Growth Results with Semrush
In Semrush‘s Agency Partners success stories, we find proven examples of growth unlocked with Semrush:
Gravityleap
This 70+ people agency saw 34% more qualified leads and 53% revenue growth from Semrush content and lead generation integrations.
ClearPivot
This Toronto-based agency was able to take up 3 times more clients within a year by streamlining workflows with Semrush.
Directive Consulting
For this UK agency, Semrush tools have become the backbone of campaigns delivering an average 200% ROI for clients.
There are hundreds more agencies that have scaled using Semrush through operational efficiency and expanded offerings.
Semrush Alternatives Worth Considering
While Semrush is the most popular all-round solution, a few alternatives provide similar capabilities:
Ahrefs
Has robust backlink analysis, rank and keyword tracking tools comparable to Semrush
Moz Pro
Moz excels in link metrics, site analysis and keyword research
Sprout Social
Specializes in comprehensive and collaborative social media management
SpyFu
Valuable mostly for PPC keyword and website advertising research
BuzzSumo
Expert content discovery, outreach and monitoring functionalities
Evaluate if any specific needs around SEO or content can be better addressed via these platforms before deciding. But they lack the combined value.
Verdict – Is Semrush Worth It for Agencies?
In summary – yes, Semrush is highly beneficial and worthwhile for digital marketing agencies.
The breadth of tools along with special agency-focused capabilities around client management, lead generation, customized reporting, automation and integrations make Semrush a complete package.
It enables teams to deliver excellent work together in one unified platform. The live sync across projects ensures continuity which clients appreciate.
ROI calculation also reveals great value with reasonably priced plans even for 50+ client agencies given the number of tools included.
Using it strategically by identifying your agency‘s specific pain points and growth goals to address via Semrush features is key to maximize value. Comprehensive onboarding and training of your team ensures adoption.
While evaluating options, calculating total cost of many separate tools which Semrush consolidates makes its worth stand out.
For agencies aiming to scale and get more from their teams without exponentially growing costs, Semrush is highly recommended.
