A Startup Idea That Actually Works

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Programmatic SEO Meets the Franchise Model

Programmatic SEO is back — and this time, it’s more impactful than ever.

However, the business opportunity discussed in this article presents a twist.

First let’s go over what programmatic SEO (pSEO) is and how to do it effectively.

Then, we’ll explore how to franchise this strategy to build a scalable venture.

What Is Programmatic SEO?

You create a landing page targeting specific keywords and locations

like — “best coffee shops in Manhattan, NY” or “affordable plumbers in Dallas, Texas.”

Wait 3 months.

Then get 10–20 leads per month on autopilot.

The catch?

Keyword research + giving users what they want is the hard part,

lets cover that below, but first…

Testing myself

I tested this for the first time back in May with NWA Hotwire with just 2 blog posts and 2 months later randomly I get 30–40 users visiting per week.

NWA Hotwire Home page

It works but it takes time, which is why the steps below are CRUCIAL.

This approach can drive a significant amount of organic traffic while bringing in highly valuable leads.

Here’s how to do it:

How to Do Programmatic SEO

Step 1: 
Find your main keyword using the ahrefs Free Keyword Generator HERE

Criteria:
Find a keyword that has:

  • Keyword difficulty (KD) of less than 20

  • Volume of > 500

  • Many child keywords

Keyword Difficulty KD < 20 means you need fewer than 10 backlinks to secure a spot on Google’s first page.

Volume: 500 is for 1 country. For a global reach, triple that to 1,500. With a 1% conversion rate, this translates to 15 sales per month.

Child Keywords: Ranking for the main keyword allows you to capture all related long-tail keywords as well. This is where the money is.

Since you’ll spend 1–2 months on this, invest a day or two to find the best keyword possible.

Step 2: 

  • Build your product around the keyword

  • Deliver exactly what the user is searching for

  • Ensure your main keyword is optimized across your content.

  • Create numerous subpages to target a range of related keywords.

  • Provide both free and paid options

Provide users what they want — like“sustainable fashion brands.” — right away.

This keeps them on your site longer, which Google likes.

Make use of free community libraries and materials, make them easy to use and download.

Optimize for your main keyword.
Make sure your primary keyword appears throughout your content, including your domain, title, and alt text. Be cautious not to overuse it, as Google may penalize keyword stuffing.

To easily rank for all long-tail keywords, you need to create a ton of pages focusing on those specific keywords. 

Link the most crucial pages on your homepage and include all relevant pages on a special category page. This helps Google recognize their existence.

For exaple this is what Danny Postma did with his “Free Figma componens” keyword

Offer both free and paid options. 

Providing free products can keep users engaged on your site, improving your Google ranking.

To build trust, offer valuable content or tools at no cost before introducing paid options. To make money, restrict some features to paid access with a one-time payment option for better conversion rates.

Step 3: Backlinks are the top ranking factor for Google. Why? Because they signal quality. The more backlinks a product has, the better it likely is.

How to get backlinks? 

Launching on Product Hunt is beneficial regardless of your rank. Even if you finish last, you still gain a valuable link with a high domain authority (DR) of 90/100. The higher the DR, the more impact.

Many websites repost content from Product Hunt, which means you typically gain not just one backlink, but often between 10 to 30. This can be sufficient to secure a first-page ranking for keywords with a difficulty (KD) of less than 10.

Step 4: Wait. It typically takes two to three months for Google to start sending significant traffic, with a larger increase around six months. Ensure all your pages are prepared in advance so you don’t waste time.

And that’s how you create a successful product with no initial followers and a zero-dollar marketing budget. 

The beauty of this strategy is how simple it is. Once set up, it requires minimal effort as the traffic will keep flowing in on its own.

Tools like Webflow, Tag Parrot, Whale Sync, and Airtable make this process easier by automating the creation and indexing of landing pages. 

The key is focusing on high-search, low-competition keywords, especially in niches like home services. 

With the right execution, this strategy can generate thousands of clicks, turning it into a solid business model.

Building a Lead Generation Franchise

Now, picture taking this approach a step further. 

Instead of setting up a traditional franchise, what if you offered a lead generation service that feeds businesses with a constant stream of high-quality leads?

You could sell this service as a franchise, charging an upfront fee to set up the system and then a monthly maintenance fee. 

This model works particularly well in industries like home services, where local SEO is a must. By offering this, you help businesses grow without them having to worry about handling SEO on their own.

Advantages of a Lead Generation Franchise

1. Low Initial Investment: Unlike traditional franchises that require significant capital for physical locations, a lead generation franchise has minimal overhead.

2. Recurring Revenue: The monthly maintenance fee ensures a steady stream of income, providing financial stability.

3. High Demand: Industries like home services, real estate, and healthcare always need new leads to sustain and grow their businesses.

4. Scalability: Once the system is set up, it can be easily replicated across different locations and industries.

Steps to Set Up a Lead Generation Franchise

Step 1: Research Your Market

Identify industries where lead generation is crucial. Home services, real estate, and healthcare are excellent starting points.

Step 2: Develop the System

Create a comprehensive lead generation system that includes:

  • Keyword research for local SEO.

  • Automated content creation.

  • Backlink strategies.

  • Analytics and reporting tools.

Step 3: Test the System

Before selling the service, test it with a few businesses to ensure it delivers high-quality leads consistently.

Step 4: Create a Franchise Package

Develop a package that includes:

  • Initial setup.

  • Training materials.

  • Ongoing support.

  • Marketing materials.

Step 5: Market Your Franchise

Use targeted advertising and outreach to attract potential franchisees. Highlight the benefits and success stories from your initial testing phase.

Case Study: Home Services

Imagine a small plumbing business struggling to find new clients. 

Photo by Imani on Unsplash

They sign up for your lead generation franchise and within a few months, their business sees a significant increase in high-quality leads. 

The owner no longer worries about SEO and can focus on delivering excellent service. 

This success story can be replicated across various home services, making your franchise an invaluable asset.

By focusing on high-demand industries and creating a reliable system, you can build a successful lead generation franchise that helps businesses grow while providing you with a steady income stream.

:::Bonus:::

The Secret to Repurposing Viral Content with AI

Ever had a piece of content go viral on one platform but flop on others? 

An AI tool can help you bridge that gap by repurposing viral content across multiple platforms.

Finding Viral Content

The first step is identifying viral content that has already taken off on one platform. You can analyze engagement metrics like shares, comments, and likes to find out what’s trending.

Using AI tools like OpenAI, you can automate this process. Once the viral content is identified, it’s all about repurposing it for other platforms. 

For example, a viral TikTok video can be transformed into a Twitter thread or an Instagram post, extending its reach and making an even bigger impact.

Automating the Repurposing Process

To scale this process, automation is key. AI tools can help you quickly repurpose content while maintaining the quality and consistency of your posts.

The AI analyzes your existing content, identifies what works, and then generates new posts that follow the same style. This allows you to keep your audience engaged across multiple platforms without the hassle of creating brand-new content from scratch.

Where do I find more content like this?

Subscribe to Solo Begins 👈

Execution > Ideas

Execution beats ideas every time, that is why I recommend thinking about what you are passionate about that will make you stick it out till the end.

Programmatic SEO offers a powerful way to generate high-quality leads and dominate local search results. 

By creating numerous targeted landing pages and optimizing for specific keywords, you can drive significant organic traffic to your site. The approach does require time and patience, but the results can be substantial.

Key Points Recap:

  1. Keyword Research: Use tools like Ahrefs to find low-competition, high-volume keywords. Focus on keywords with a difficulty (KD) of less than 20 and a volume greater than 500.

  2. Content Creation: Build content around your main keyword and its related long-tail keywords. Ensure your primary keyword is optimized throughout your site.

  3. Backlink Strategy: Gain backlinks by launching on platforms like Product Hunt, which can boost your domain authority and improve your search rankings.

  4. Patience and Consistency: Allow time for your efforts to bear fruit. Google typically takes a few months to start driving significant traffic to new pages.

By following these steps meticulously, you can create a successful product or service even with no initial followers and a minimal budget. Tools like Webflow, Tag Parrot, Whale Sync, and Airtable can simplify the process, making it easier to implement and scale.

Building a Lead Generation Franchise

Taking the programmatic SEO approach further, you can establish a lead generation franchise. This model can generate recurring revenue and requires a low initial investment, making it an attractive business opportunity.

Stay frosty.