A general answer to the question "How long does SEO take?" is you can expect to wait 3 to 6 months before starting to see results.
As per Search Engine Land, SEO stands for "search engine optimization" and is a process through which your website can generate traffic from free and organic search results on search engines. For business owners, this is done with a view to generating leads and sales. It's important to remember that 4 to 6 months is when you begin seeing results; SEO results grow over time, and the results you’re getting at 6 months should be considerably less than what you’re getting at 12 months.
To get started, be sure to download our free SEO checklist!
How long does SEO take? Make sure you're asking the right question!
It used to be that getting your website to achieve high search engine rankings was the answer to the question at hand. However, that's no longer necessarily the case.
As Josh Steimle writes in Forbes, "Getting rankings is an output SEO firms can easily sell because they’re emotionally satisfying, but they’re worthless unless they generate leads or sales--the outcome you want. That’s why you should only hire SEO firms or SEO professionals who focus on outcomes, rather than outputs." For more on that, check our article on How We Are Working to Make Our Services the Best Available!
The question you should be asking is "How long does SEO take to start generating leads and sales for my business?" The answer remains similar to above (beginning at 4 to 6 months), but it frames the question in a way that focuses on conversions as opposed to traffic.
Note: SEO is considered a long-term marketing tactic, not a way to generate sales quickly. Even if you're not seeing results after a few months, it's important to trust the process. Do not give up too soon, or that initial investment will be for naught.
How often do you take time to work on the website?
You're going to want to start laying the SEO groundwork with tasks such as research, planning and keyword strategies, as well as conducting an audit of the website to see where you stand.
If the website needs a major overhaul, that will obviously command a significant time investment. Content creation will come next as you begin to populate the website with unique and high-quality articles, FAQs and expanded product and company information pages.
All of this takes time, and the more frequently you can get these tasks done, the better off you will be.
What techniques are you using?
There are several SEO techniques that are easy to implement and will definitely bring some results. Those include, but are not limited to the following (via Cognitive Seo):
- Optimize your titles and headings
- Post fresh, high quality content
- Implement tracking
- Install an SSL Certificate
- Link to relevant, authoritative websites
- Ask Friends and Customers for Reviews
- Make Your Website Mobile Friendly
By hiring SEO professionals, you can ensure that these important techniques are implemented effectively.
How well versed are you in SEO?
At the end of the day, the answer to "how long does SEO take?" comes down to the knowledge base of those working for you. As MOZ puts it SEO isn't just about the search engines themselves; "It’s about understanding what people are searching for online, the answers they are seeking, the words they’re using, and the type of content they wish to consume. Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to connect to the people who are searching online for the solutions you offer."
Chances are you don't have the time to invest in keeping up on all the latest in SEO techniques. SEO professionals can help you become a market leader in your industry or specific market.
Trust Profitworks!
Profitworks Small Business Services provides website traffic and website conversion optimization services to increase the number of sales generated from a website.
The focus of our services is on increasing sales and providing a positive return on investment!
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