How long does it take to see SEO results

As an online marketing agency, the question we are asked most frequently at the first discussion with a client is "How long does it take for my site to reach the first positions in Google?". The answer is not simple, because the question is invalid from the beginning, and the reason the majority of our potential clients ask this question is a misunderstanding of what SEO means today.

 

New SEO vs old SEO

 

A few years ago, SEO was focused on few keywords, that brought the most traffic. Obviously, keeping track of your website rankings was very simple, and usually was made manually.

 

When a potential client says "I need to be number 1 on Google for this keyword", we realize that clients' know-how about SEO is still blocked in the paradigm of the old SEO. This kind of approach is wrong from the start, because it is not actual anymore.

 

Today, SEO is more and more associated with searches that use a natural language, specifically long-tail keywords. The explanation is that more and more people use tools like Siri or Google Now to vocally activate those searches. Also, when users search in Google, they use detailed expressions to get faster to the information they are interested in. Long-tail expressions have more advantages:

 

- they are easier to target, as there is less competition on them, unlike shorter keywords, which have a bigger volume of monthly searches;

 

- they are more relevant to users, because they include more details;

 

- they bring targeted traffic to the site;

 

- they have a better conversion rate.

 

Nowadays, the objective of an SEO strategy is not targeting simple keywords, which stay the same in time, but focusing on a large number of long-tail expression, which can be different from one period of time to another.

 

Google rankings are not as important as you think

 

Google rankings are important, but this is not the only aspect an SEO strategy should focus on. If by the question "How long does it take to see SEO results" you actually mean "How long does it take to reach the first positions in Google", you are mistaking the effects and the results. A lot of SEO agencies with a bad reputation promise reaching the top positions in Google fast, because this is a simple SEO effect which can easily impress clients, but which has no value if it doesn't lead to a better conversion rate and increases sales (these are the results that an effective SEO strategy should bring you). So, it is recommended to hire a professional SEO agency, which focuses on results, not on effects.

 

Now that you understand the difference between old SEO and new SEO and agree that your business needs a better conversion rate and more sales, not only top rankings in Google, we can answer the question: "How long does it take to see SEO results?".

 

To answer this question, we must keep in mind a few factors:

 

- your website's "age";

 

- on-page optimization and its quality;

 

- the site's functionality;

 

- your site's content level;

 

- the inbound links.

 

Whatever your website's level is before starting the SEO process, you should see the first results in 3 to 6 months. Here's a hypothetical scenario about how the SEO process should take place in the first 6 months and what results you can expect:

 

First month

 

The first month is dedicated to research and planning. After the first discussion between the client and the SEO agency, an SEO audit will be made and the initial keyword strategy will be established.

 

Second month

 

During the second month, changes will be made according to the SEO audit:

 

- on-page optimizing of the content, the URL structure, the meta tags and the images;

 

- page speed optimization;

 

- 301 redirects for the 404 Error pages and for pages that need changing the URL;

 

- HTML modifications (headings - tags h1, h2, h3);

 

- if necessary, modifying the web design, in order to have a more user-friendly site.

 

Third month

 

During the third month, the SEO agency will start the off-page optimization process, which consists of creating content (blog articles, press releases, guests posts) and publishing them on high authority sites including a link to your website. At the end of this month, it's possible to see the first effects of the SEO efforts, which will translate in slightly better rankings in search engines.

 

Fourth month

 

During this month, creating off-page content continues, as well as modifying the website - both technically and in content, depending on the evolution of different indicators (organic traffic, keyword rankings etc) - and link profile consolidation. By the end of the fourth month, you can see a more consistent increase in Google rankings, of organic traffic and of conversion rates. The growth is not as spectacular as those you will have after 1 year of SEO, but are visible enough to convince you that SEO works.

 

Fifth month

 

Starting with the fifth month, you can introduce social media into your online marketing strategy, in order to promote your content and increase traffic on your website. Google rankings, conversion rates and sales continue to grow.

 

Sixth month

 

During this month, you can start adding CRO techniques (conversion rate optimization), in order to capitalize the traffic gained through SEO and generate more sales. SEO-wise, starting this month, the strategy will focus more on creating quality content and promoting it, as creatively and varied as possible. The way you do it and the marketing channels you choose are different depending on your business' field.

 

Keep in mind that the first 6 months are very important and only after this period you will start to truly notice the SEO strategy's effects. After one year of SEO, the results will be more consistent and, if you achieved your goals, by no means should you stop. SEO is an activity that must be constant because once you achieve your goals you have to maintain them too. Moreover, your business is not the only one that benefits of SEO and the competition is tough.