SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is one of the most important aspects of any online marketing strategy. It can be a bit frustrating, however, when you don't see results right away. So how long does SEO take to show results? And why does it take so long? What are the best practices in the SEO process? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and provide some tips to help you understand why it takes time and how you can make the most of your SEO strategies.
You've hired an SEO Expert. You need to see results and your ranking improve on Google, yesterday.
Just how long will it take to see your search engine optimization results?
The short answer, most SEO experts will say 6 to 9 months for an existing website. If you are a new business, it can take 9 to 12 months. Several factors come into play depending on what you hired your SEO company to do. Are you implementing an SEO short-term or an SEO long-term strategy?
The timeframe is based on the initial SEO implementation and the time it takes search engine algorithms to search index your site. The subcategories for SEO are vast, which is why SEO isn't immediate. It takes time to determine:
- Is your business valid?
- Is your page relevant to the user's search (keywords)?
- Are you providing trustworthy and reliable information?
- How long does it take your page to load?
- Do you have backlinks? (internal and external linking to another page or website.)
SEO Short-Term Strategy
At Belt Creative, we offer an SEO Discovery Package. This package is good for businesses that are new or want to get established on the web. We focus on the following items:
- SEO Discovery
- Setup of Google My Business, Google Analytics, & Google Search Console
- Setup of Global Site SEO
- On-Page Optimization
- 30-Minute Post-SEO Optimization Strategy Call
These steps are important in getting the SEO results you need for your business.
What is SEO Discovery?
Our SEO development team runs a Website Audit that will give you a full analysis of your website. It will determine site speed, generate target keywords, evaluate the overall user experience, and your website ranking factors. The end result = SEO campaign tailored to your business.
Using Google to Get More Customers
According to research, 91% of people use Google worldwide.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) profile is a free resource that will kick-start your SEO success by giving you higher visibility on Google Search and Google Maps. If you run a local small business this is a must. Comparatively, it is easier to rank with a GBP than a "normal" organic search.
Adding Google Search Console and Google Analytics to your profile will give you significant results on website performance and user intent.
The Setup of Global Site SEO & On-Page Optimization
Google's algorithm uses on-page experience as part of its ranking factor. Setting page titles, page meta descriptions, compressing images to improve load times, linking and adding image alt text is a vital way to establish your business in search rankings.
30-Minute Post-SEO Optimization Strategy Call
At Belt Creative, we know that SEO doesn't happen overnight. This is why we empower you with the knowledge and the steps for future SEO success. That will allow you to focus your digital marketing efforts.
But, only short-term if you are not continually making improvements. Frequently posting on your website is search engine friendly with more opportunities to index your site. Which can help with your site rankings and position.
SEO Long-Term Strategy
An SEO long-term strategy is an ongoing process that will evolve over time. We start with a plan that includes keyword research, new content recommendations (such as blog posts and landing pages), and user experience improvements to the website.
Why Keywords Matter
Keywords are one word or many (long tail keywords) that users type into search, telling search engines about topics or ideas in your website's content and then ranking it accordingly. Think of keywords as a pipeline that connects your target audience with your website. For this reason, you must have these targeted keywords on your website.
Blog Posting and Landing Pages
Regularly posting a blog with enriched related content makes a tremendous difference in how your website performs in search engines and can improve your site ranking. This approach includes keywords, back-linking, or link-building to relevant websites. Landing pages are stand-alone web pages that are part of a marketing or advertising campaign. They are optimized for search engines using targeted keywords and can help attract organic searches.
Keep in mind, the quality of your content does matter. Simply filling a page with keywords or back-linking to the wrong sites will do more harm than good. Search engines are more than likely going to penalize your site for low-quality content with keyword stuffing. Likewise, with unrelated back-linking.
User Experience Improvements
Keywords are not the only thing search engine algorithms take into account. Creating a good user experience is excellent for your search performance, to name a few. Optimizing your images for faster load times on desktop and mobile. Breaking up content into a meaningful hierarchy of heading and content for easier search engine indexing.
Whether you are a new business or a business that has yet to establish your online presence, Belt Creative has an SEO Strategy that can fit your needs. Try our risk free one month SEO Discovery Package. Don't stop there or your upfront investment will be lost. Eventually, your content will become dated and no longer worth a search index.
Investing in an SEO Long Term strategy will allow for a better ranking since you are continually adding relevant content and engaging with your customers. Boost your website's traffic and get a higher rate of conversions. It will make a significant difference between you and your competitor.
Don’t you want to make your website work for you, even when you are not working?
Need help with your SEO strategy and content marketing plan? Hire a designer and sales expert at Belt Creative.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Long Does SEO Take?
How long does it take for SEO to work
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the length of time it takes for SEO to work will vary depending on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of the keywords you're targeting, how well your website is optimized, and how much effort you put into your SEO campaigns. However, in general, you should expect to see results within 3-6 months if you're applying best practices and dedicating sufficient resources to your efforts.
How long does SEO take to deliver real results?
The amount of time it takes for SEO to deliver real results varies depending on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of the keywords you're targeting, how well your website is optimized, and how much effort and resources you invest into your SEO campaigns.
How do I know if SEO is working?
The effectiveness of SEO will vary depending on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of the keywords you are targeting, how well your website is optimized, and how much effort you put into your SEO campaigns. However, there are a few general indicators that can help you gauge the efficacy of your SEO efforts, such as increases in web traffic, higher rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs), and increased leads and conversions from organic search. If you're seeing any or all of these positive indicators then it's likely that your SEO efforts are having a positive impact on your website's performance.
What is the difference between organic and inorganic traffic?
Inorganic traffic refers to the paid or sponsored traffic, while organic traffic is generated through unpaid or free search results. Paid search results are displayed in the form of advertisements, while organic search results are not. Organic traffic is generated through SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts, while inorganic traffic is generated through SEM (Search Engine Marketing) efforts.
Why does SEO take time before you see the benefits?
SEO takes time before you start to see the benefits because of the complexity of search engine algorithms and their continuous changes. Search engine algorithms are designed to provide users with the most relevant, useful and accurate results, so website owners must ensure that their websites adhere to the latest best practices in order to be successful.
How long does it take for Google to update rankings?
Google typically updates its ranking algorithm on a monthly basis, although there are often smaller adjustments throughout the month.
