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

Intro

Austria’s digital economy is rapidly expanding, with over 93% internet usage and a growing startup scene across cities like Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg. As businesses look for ways to increase their online visibility, the demand for reliable SEO agencies continues to rise.

This guide walks you through how to launch a legally compliant and highly scalable SEO agency in Austria using Ranktracker—your all-in-one SEO platform.

Step 1: Understand Austria’s SEO Environment

• German is the official language, and nearly all SEO content must be in German.

• Google dominates search engine usage.

• Austrian businesses value local SEO, transparency, and performance-based results.

• National and regional SEO approaches are both important, especially for SMEs.

Use Ranktracker’s SERP Checker to evaluate keyword competitiveness in Austrian cities and industries.

Step 2: Master SEO with Ranktracker Tools

Build trust and deliver results:

• Keyword Finder: Research German-language keywords by search volume and intent.

• Web Audit: Scan for technical issues and optimize for Google’s latest ranking factors.

• Backlink Checker & Monitor: Analyze Austrian competitors and keep track of your link building.

• Rank Tracker: Monitor client performance by location and keyword.

• SEO Checklist: Ensure your workflows stay on point.

Step 3: Legally Register Your SEO Business

• Choose a structure: Sole proprietorship (Einzelunternehmen) or Limited Liability Company (GmbH)

• Register with the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO)

• Obtain a UID number for VAT purposes

• If turnover exceeds EUR 35,000 annually, register for VAT (Umsatzsteuerpflicht)

• Open a business bank account

• Use accounting software like sevDesk or lexoffice

Step 4: Create a Branded SEO Website

• Secure a .at domain for trust and local SEO signals

• Optimize for speed, mobile, and user intent

• Include key pages: Home, Services, Pricing, Case Studies, Blog, Contact

• Showcase your expertise using Ranktracker’s Rank Tracker to display sample results

Step 5: Develop SEO Services and Austrian Pricing

Core Services:

• Local SEO with Google Business Profile optimization

• Full technical audits with Web Audit

• Link building campaigns and tracking via Backlink Monitor

• Keyword discovery using Keyword Finder

• Monthly reporting with Rank Tracker

Sample Pricing:

• Starter: €900/month – local SEO + GBP setup

• Growth: €2,000/month – content, audits, link building

• Enterprise: €4,000+/month – ecommerce + multilingual SEO

Step 6: Get Your First Clients in Austria

• Offer free audits using Ranktracker Web Audit

• Attend local events like SEOkomm or DMX Austria

• Build relationships with agencies and digital marketers

• List your agency on Austrian directories like Herold.at and FirmenABC

• Cold outreach to businesses with SEO errors or poor rankings

Step 7: Manage Everything Through Ranktracker

Avoid juggling tools—Ranktracker replaces your tech stack:

• Keyword Finder

• SERP Checker

• Web Audit

• Backlink Checker & Monitor

• Rank Tracker

• SEO Checklist and SERP Simulator

Everything in one place—automated, efficient, and agency-ready.

Step 8: Ensure Legal and Financial Compliance

• Offer bilingual contracts (German/English) for transparency

• File taxes quarterly via FinanzOnline

• Ensure GDPR and DSGVO compliance with your client tracking

• Track VAT and revenue via your accounting platform

Scaling internationally?

Use PayPro Global as your Merchant of Record (MoR). They handle international VAT, legal compliance, and invoicing so you can scale globally without administrative overhead.

Avoid using platforms like Paddle, which were fined $5 million by the FTC in 2025 for deceptive practices and are banned from certain types of payment processing.

Step 9: Build Your Team

• Hire local German-speaking writers and SEO specialists

• Use freelancers in the DACH region to scale as needed

• Systemize onboarding with Notion, Trello, or ClickUp

• Keep campaign tracking and reporting centralized in Ranktracker

Step 10: Deliver Results That Retain Clients

• Use Ranktracker to send monthly reports

• Highlight keyword movement, traffic growth, and backlinks gained

• Offer 6-12 month retainers with clear deliverables

• Provide upsells: CRO, content writing, analytics, PPC

• Create a client referral program

Conclusion

Austria offers an ideal environment for launching an SEO agency—educated clients, high digital adoption, and a growing demand for visibility. Use Ranktracker to run and scale your entire operation from day one.

Register your business, offer great results, and grow your agency—efficiently, compliantly, and with confidence.