SEO Onboarding with Norman: So Easy, Even a Human Can Do It
Ever wondered what happens when you first meet Norman, our AI-powered SEO strategist? Unlike those generic chatbots that waste your time with endless questions, Norman gets you set up and ready to go before your tea goes cold.
Here's the thing - I know you're nervous. You've bought a DIY SEO program but you're not confident in your SEO skills. You don't know what you don't know. That's exactly why we built Norman this way.
As one client told us: "I was extremely impressed with the onboarding process; it was simple to achieve some very powerful things..."
Let me walk you through exactly how Norman builds your custom SEO strategy - because understanding the process helps you get the most from it. You'll spend 10-15 minutes answering questions, then Norman takes up to 45 minutes to build your strategy while you grab a cuppa.
Before You Start: Quick Setup Tips
Lost your login details? Check your spam folder first - they often hide there. If you still can't find them, just hit the password reset. Takes 30 seconds.
Important: Only one person should complete the onboarding. Having multiple people try to set things up creates conflicts and confusion. Pick your point person and let them handle it.
Before you log in, grab your Google account logins:
- Google Analytics (to see what's working)
- Google Search Console (for search performance)
- Google Business Profile (for local visibility)
Having these ready makes the process smoother, though you can always come back to this step if needed.
Wait, What? You Don't Have These Google Tools?
Don't have Google Analytics or Google Business Profile? Not sure what Google Search Console even is?
OK. Don't panic. We can add those after you finish the rest of your onboarding. But they are important elements, so be sure to follow up with me after you're done onboarding. Just skip over any of those you don't have - Norman will work with what you've got.
The "What If I Get Stuck?" Reality Check
Here's what's brilliant - no one has actually got stuck during onboarding. It really is that straightforward. But if you do hit a snag, the Facebook group is the place to ask questions. We do like to stop to eat and sleep (except Norman, but if he's the problem, he can't offer the solution).
There are also questions and answers that other users have put in the Facebook group that may help you find your way. And here's the brilliant bit - if you need to walk away to get answers, Norman remembers exactly where you left off. No starting over, no lost progress.
What if you have to close your browser before you finish? Just come back to portal.kickstartseo.co.uk. Norman will be waiting for you right where you left off. Learn more about the SEO Portal - your command centre for everything.
Meeting Norman: Your First Steps Together
When you sign up for Optimiser AI or Essentials, Norman immediately starts learning about your business. This isn't random data collection - it's a focused assessment designed to create an SEO plan that brings you the right traffic, not just any traffic.
The whole process follows the same pattern you'll use once your strategy is live: Norman asks questions, you give answers. Norman builds a strategy around those answers, and you give feedback. Nothing happens that you don't approve. It's AI powered by humans.
Your hands-on time? Just 10-15 minutes. Norman guides you through every step, and it's actually quite painless.
Step 1: Where Are Your Customers?
First thing Norman needs to know: where your customers are based.
He'll automatically detect your country and ask whether you serve the whole nation or specific locations. For local businesses, this is crucial. There's no point ranking for "plumbers" nationally when all your customers are in Sheffield, Birmingham, and Leeds.
Setting Your Location Priorities
Here's where it gets clever. Norman lets you add your service areas, then asks you to drag them into priority order. Why? Because your SEO strategy should focus on where most of your business comes from.
You can select up to four locations, ordered by importance. If you service more areas, pick your top four money-makers. Norman will suggest similar areas based on what you enter - handy if you've forgotten that village just outside your main patch.
Quick tip: Double-check these locations before proceeding. They'll shape your entire SEO campaign. Get them wrong, and you'll be targeting customers who'll never use you.
Step 2: Telling Norman About Your Business
Next, Norman generates a description of your business. This isn't marketing waffle - it's the foundation of your keyword strategy.
He'll craft something that highlights:
- Your key products or services
- The locations you serve
- Details about your target customers
Don't like what Norman's written? Double-click and edit it. This description helps Norman understand what makes you different from every other business in your sector.
Step 3: Who's Your Competition?
Norman's already been doing his homework. He'll show you a list of competitors he's identified in your market.
Scroll through and tick any you recognise. Know competitors Norman's missed? Add their website addresses. You can include up to five competitors total.
This isn't about copying them - it's about understanding your market. Norman analyses what's working for them and identifies opportunities they've missed. Groovy, right?
Step 4: What Do You Actually Do?
Time to tell Norman exactly what products and services you offer. He'll suggest some based on your industry, but you're in control.
Drag the relevant ones into your list, ordered from most important to least. You can add up to eight different products or services. These aren't just labels - they're the foundation of your keyword targeting.
Critical point: The order matters. Your primary service should be at the top because Norman will prioritise finding customers searching for that.
Don't worry about getting everything perfect - you can adjust competitors, keywords, and strategies anytime after going live. The only mistake is not starting.
Remember, you don't know what you don't know about SEO. That's fine. Norman does. Trust the process.
Step 5: Connecting Your Google Accounts
Norman asks to connect your Google accounts:
- Google Analytics (to see what's already working)
- Google Search Console (for current search performance)
- Google Business Profile (for local visibility)
Just follow the prompts to connect. This gives Norman the data he needs to build on what's already working, not start from scratch.
The Magic Happens: Building Your Keyword Strategy
Now Norman goes to work. Using everything you've told him, he builds your keyword strategy. This is where 30 years of SEO experience meets AI processing power.
You'll see two progress bars during this phase. Don't worry if Norman seems to pause - he's not stalled, he's working. What used to take me a day and a half, Norman does in about 20 minutes. Feel free to walk away, grab a snack, check your emails. Norman will be ready when you come back.
He's not just picking random keywords. He's:
- Analysing search volumes (because search volume matters more than your favourite keywords)
- Checking competition levels
- Matching keywords to buying intent
- Creating location-specific variations
When he's done, you'll see exactly why each keyword was chosen. No mysterious black box here - complete transparency.
Reviewing Your Keywords
Norman shows you all the keywords he's selected. Scroll through and deselect any that don't fit. Maybe he's included "emergency plumbing" but you don't do call-outs. One click removes it.
This is your strategy - you have the final say.
Mapping Keywords to Pages
Here's where Norman really shines. He analyses your entire website to find the best page for each keyword. Some keywords will map to existing pages. Others might need new pages creating - you'll be able to see all of this in your Sitemap Strategy when you finish onboarding.
This process can take up to an hour total, but it's usually much quicker. Norman will email you when it's complete. Again, you'll see progress bars - just let Norman work his magic. He's not randomly assigning keywords - he's creating a plan where each page has a specific job to do.
Each page gets up to three keywords. Why three? Because that's the sweet spot for focused optimisation without overdoing it.
Final Review: Your SEO Strategy Is Ready
Norman shows you the complete plan:
- Which keywords target which pages
- Why he's made these choices
- Where new pages might be needed
You can edit any assignments that don't look right. Once you're happy, one click activates your SEO strategy.
Installing The Onsite Optimiser
Final step: installing The Onsite Optimiser snippet on your website. This gives Norman the ability to implement your SEO strategy round the clock.
Important: Norman won't change anything without your approval. You stay in complete control. Think of it as giving him the keys to your website - he can suggest improvements, but you decide what actually happens.
Two installation options:
- Do it yourself (copy and paste one line of code)
- Let our team handle it for you
What Happens After Onboarding?
With setup complete, Norman begins his real work:
- Optimising your pages for selected keywords
- Suggesting content improvements
- Monitoring your progress
- Adapting the strategy based on results
Within a week, you'll have your first blog post ready. Two weeks in, Norman's making changes that get you found. This time next year? Well, you know what Del Boy said.
For Optimiser AI clients, you'll approve changes through the Approval Centre. For Essentials clients, you'll get Norman's recommendations to implement yourself.
Need help along the way? Join our Facebook group - that's where our DIY community hangs out, shares tips, and gets answers. It's brilliant.
Why This Approach Works
This isn't how other SEO companies operate. They'll spend weeks on "discovery phases" and charge you thousands before doing anything useful. Norman's onboarding gets you up and running in 10 minutes, with a strategy based on real data, not guesswork.
That's the difference between The Norman Advantage and generic SEO tools. Norman's not just software - he's your AI strategist, powered by three decades of real-world SEO experience.
But wait, there's more... (sorry, couldn't resist!)
The Human Touch
While Norman handles the technical heavy lifting, you're never dealing with just a machine. Our Facebook group is there for questions, Dee's available for support, and you've got a whole community of business owners going through the same journey.
It's the best of both worlds - AI efficiency with human expertise and care.
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