One of the most common misconceptions about search engine optimization (SEO) is it should be a quick fix. However, it takes time to secure SEO results in the long-term. It can take varying timelines for a business to see a change in its SEO marketing strategy. Here’s what to consider and how to shoot for great SEO results.

An SEO marketing strategy isn’t immediately effective

As much as small and enterprise businesses might hope their new SEO strategies are taking off right away, that isn’t the case. Many people will feel discouraged finding out it doesn’t take effect right away, but they shouldn’t. Because of Google’s algorithms, it will always take at least a few weeks (at the very least) for any SEO results to become apparent.

Why do SEO results take time? Google is user-focused. The algorithms it uses are set up to provide users with the best, most informative, and most relevant search results. That would be impossible without thoroughly analyzing and crawling web pages. That takes time. And one small change on a website here and there might not register with Google as having improved the website for users.

While people used to be able to trick Google’s algorithm using tricks like keyword and backlink stuffing, that’s not possible anymore. Google has adapted and it can’t be fooled so easily. It now takes a legitimate SEO marketing strategy to see results.

Since Google’s algorithms are much more advanced, it takes more analyzing and more time than before for a website to change its SEO results. So implementing an SEO marketing strategy today doesn’t guarantee a change tomorrow. A website must consistently show relevancy and improvements to win Google’s favor.

Conduct an SEO audit for optimal results

How can businesses boost their SEO results and reach their goals faster? There aren’t many black-and-white answers to this topic, but focusing on the following aspects of a website will help.

Competition

An SEO audit of a website will outline where one website stands in relation to its competitors. Competition is one of the first things to consider. Businesses with lots of competition will have a harder time attaining SEO results in a shorter time frame. Because there’s more competition, more keywords are being used by other businesses and other already-established websites.

Businesses with less competition will have an easier time reaching their desired SEO results, but they may have a smaller audience to speak to. That’s why pinpointing a business’s unique value proposition (UVP) can help cut through the competition.

Backlinks

There isn’t the option anymore to fill blogs or web pages with backlinks hoping for a higher search engine result page (SERP) score. Google’s algorithm watches out for that. So businesses must use links wisely.

Quality backlinks are a sign a website is credible and trusted, making users more likely to rely on it. It’s also a sign to Google that the website should be shown more.

To secure great backlinks, a website will first need awesome content. Otherwise, other businesses won’t have anything they’ll want to link to. It’s a win–win scenario for two businesses but only if both sides offer quality content.

When it comes to using backlinks, fewer high-quality links outshine many low-quality links. High-quality backlinks will drive SEO results more than others.

Content

Google takes into account a website’s content and how it relates to a user’s search query to determine how it should rank. Because Google is user-focused, it will populate the results page with what it thinks is most valuable and informative.

Websites must produce high-quality content that answers user questions and matches the keywords they’re searching for. 

If there’s already content on a website that’s performing well, learn from that and try to emulate what it is about that content users want to see. Content can also have the opposite effect. If something isn’t performing well and it’s been sitting on the page for a long time, Google might flag it as unhelpful to users. It can be just as helpful to get rid of content that isn’t performing.

New or updated content should also be added regularly. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a few pieces a day, but the regular intervals look better to Google. A rush of uploaded content might be flagged as suspicious.

Resources

Keep in mind not every business will devote the same resources to an SEO marketing strategy. That’s also a factor when it comes to SEO results and when different businesses will see them. Huge enterprises that can afford to hire multiple SEO experts and already have an established brand are likely to see SEO results faster. That’s not to say smaller businesses won’t see SEO results; it will probably take a bit longer and need some extra foundational building.

Website’s history

New and old websites will experience SEO results differently. New domains won’t have the authority and reputation of older websites because they don’t have as much history with Google’s algorithm.

Older websites (or more established websites) usually have some backlinks, more content, and more rapport with Google. It will be easier for them to reach their intended SEO results because they’re already part of the way there.

Technical SEO

Businesses will also need to optimize the technical SEO aspects of their website. Often, this is done with the help of a search engine optimization agency so businesses can run an SEO audit with the help of experts.

Technical SEO adds to the information Google crawls. Ensure the metadata is optimized, including a relevant meta title and description. Images should have titles and alt tags. An SEO audit can also determine page speed and whether or not that’s having a negative impact.

How long does it take to see SEO results?

According to Google’s Maile Ohye, “In most cases, SEOs need four months to a year to help your business first implement improvements and then see potential benefit.” One of the reasons this time frame varies depends on working with the right search engine optimization agency and avoiding those that offer guarantees.

It’s also the above factors that affect how and when a business will see SEO results. Some changes, such as impressions and clicks, might start changing within a few weeks. Other large-scale results like SERP ranking can take up to a year. This is what people should have in mind before starting their SEO journey. Like putting on muscle, it takes time and hard work.

Ultimately, there’s no one answer for every business. There are too many variables to account for. But a good number to have in mind is four months to one year. To get started on this timeline and start making changes to achieve the desired SEO results, contact Pedestal Search, your SEO experts.