What's the difference between SEO consulting and managed SEO?

Managed SEO is a done-for-you service where Search Studio handles all ongoing work each month. SEO consulting is more focused: a strategy call, an audit or a roadmap that gives you clarity and direction without a long-term retainer. Consulting suits businesses with an in-house team, a smaller budget or that need expert input at a specific point in time.

Which consulting tier should I start with?

If you have one specific question or want a quick second opinion, start with Tier 1 (Strategy Call). If you've been doing SEO and it's not working, Tier 2 (SEO Diagnostic) will tell you why. If you need a full strategy for your team or agency, Tier 3 (90-Day Roadmap) is the right fit.

Do you offer SEO consulting in Toowoomba and Brisbane?

Yes. Fonthip Ward is based in Toowoomba and works with business owners across Toowoomba, Brisbane and the broader Queensland region. All consulting sessions are run via Zoom.

Can SEO consulting lead into a managed SEO retainer?

Yes. Many clients start with a diagnostic or strategy session to get clarity, then move into a managed SEO campaign. Work done in consulting carries directly into managed SEO so nothing is wasted.

How do I prepare for a strategy call?

A short intake form is sent before every call so Fon can review your site, goals and questions in advance. No formal preparation is needed on your side.

Is there a free discovery call before I commit?

Yes. You can book a free 20-minute discovery call through the contact page to ask questions before booking a paid consulting session.

SEO Consulting Toowoomba & Brisbane

Is this right for you?

SEO consulting works best
in situations like these.

You don't always need someone to run your SEO. Sometimes you just need someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

01

You've been doing SEO but not seeing results

You've spent money on SEO, received monthly reports and still can't figure out why your rankings haven't moved. A diagnostic cuts through it and tells you exactly what's wrong.

02

You have a specific question that needs a real answer

Should you consolidate pages? Is your site structure hurting you? Is your current agency doing the right things? Book a strategy call and get a direct answer in 60 minutes.

03

You have an in-house team that needs direction

Your team can execute but they need a strategy to follow. The 90-Day SEO Roadmap gives them a clear, prioritised plan built around your actual business goals.

04

You want a second opinion before committing to an agency

Before signing a 12-month retainer, it makes sense to get an independent view. I'll tell you what to look for and whether the proposal you've received stacks up.

Consulting options

Three ways to work
with me directly.

Pick the option that matches where you are and what you need. All three include direct access to me, clear deliverables and no fluff.

Tier 1

Strategy Call

"Ask Me Anything SEO"

Best for: owners who have a specific question, want a second opinion or need a quick sanity check on their current SEO direction.

Format 60-minute Zoom call, recorded

Includes Pre-call intake form, recorded session, written summary notes sent within 48 hours

Best for One focused problem or question

From $250

AUD

Book a Strategy Call

No vague reports.
No junior handoffs.

Regardless of which tier you choose, a few things stay consistent across every consulting engagement.

Direct access to Fon

You work with me, not a junior analyst or an account manager. I do the audit, write the strategy and run the call myself.

Written deliverables

Every session results in written notes, a report or a full strategy document. You leave with something you can act on, not just a memory of what was discussed.

Clear turnaround times

I tell you upfront how long things take and I stick to it. No chasing, no wondering where things are up to.

Honest, practical recommendations

I'll tell you what's actually holding your site back, what matters most and what you should do first. Even if the answer is "your current setup is fine."

Recorded sessions

Strategy calls are recorded so you can revisit them without scrambling to take notes during the conversation.

Pre-call intake form

I send a short brief before every engagement so I arrive prepared. No time wasted getting up to speed on the call itself.

Fonthip Ward, SEO consultant and founder of Search Studio

Who you're working with

You get straight answers
from someone who knows.

I'm Fon. I've been doing SEO for over 14 years, including working behind the scenes for Australian marketing agencies before launching Search Studio. I've seen a lot of businesses pay for SEO advice that either wasn't acted on or wasn't actually right for their situation.

My consulting sessions are direct. I don't pad things out to fill time and I don't tell you what you want to hear. If your site has a real problem, I'll tell you what it is and what to do about it. If it's actually in better shape than you think, I'll tell you that too.

I'm based in Toowoomba and work with business owners across Brisbane, Queensland and nationally. SEO doesn't require us to be in the same room, but if you're local, I'm always happy to chat over coffee.

Book a Free Strategy Call More about Fon

What clients say

Honest work.
Real results.

Fonthip is an excellent digital marketing professional who I would (and do) recommend to anyone who wants real results. We've worked with Fon and her team across strategy and implementation of both SEO and Adwords campaigns over several years. The results speak for themselves. We were amazed with how much she initially achieved in a short time frame on our small starting budget. Whenever we have any available marketing budget we turn to Fon and it feels like she waves a magic wand and the leads start pouring in. Fon is always patient and informative with non-marketers who need help understanding things. She's professional, highly knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. Don't look anywhere else.

Sonja Meyer

Design for Sustainability · Client since 2021

FAQ

Questions about
SEO consulting.

Managed SEO is a done-for-you service where I handle all the ongoing work each month. SEO consulting is more focused: a strategy call, an audit or a roadmap that gives you clarity and direction without a long-term retainer. Consulting suits businesses that have an in-house team, a smaller budget or just need expert input at a specific point in time.
If you have one specific question or want a quick second opinion, start with Tier 1. If you've been doing SEO for a while and it's not working, Tier 2 will give you a clearer picture of why. If you need a full strategy to hand to your team or current agency, Tier 3 is the right fit. Not sure? Get in touch and I'll recommend the right option for your situation.
Yes. I'm based in Toowoomba and work with business owners across Toowoomba, Brisbane and the broader Queensland region. All consulting sessions are run via Zoom so location isn't a barrier, but I do understand the local market and competitive landscape for businesses in this area.
Yes, and it often does. A lot of clients start with a diagnostic or strategy session to get clarity on where they stand, and then move into a managed SEO campaign once they're confident in the direction. The work done in consulting carries directly into managed SEO, so nothing is wasted.
I send a short intake form before every call so I can review your site, your goals and any specific questions before we meet. There's no formal preparation required from your side. The more context you can give in the intake form, the more useful the session will be.
Yes. If you're unsure which option is right for you or want to ask a few questions before booking, you can book a free 20-minute discovery call through the contact page. No pressure, no sales pitch.