Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic SEO potion you can use to boost your search engine rankings overnight. Many digital marketing experts explain search engine optimization to be like the stock market, where you get from it what you put into it. Investment is key, and slow and steady will win the race.
Because it isn’t easy to simply answer, “How quickly does SEO work?” here are some frequently asked questions concerning SEO best practices and the speed of your website’s optimization.
How long does it take to generally see results?
Depending on the vigor of your marketing strategy, you can expect to see results within three to six months. It is hard to accurately pinpoint this timeframe simply because there are a bunch of different factors that go into what results you are looking for. Sometimes you want to optimize for local SEO, compared to national SEO, and how you define success is different in those areas.
What is the difference between local SEO and national SEO?
The difference is simple: it all has to do with where you want to target your reach. Search engine algorithms target specific areas based on what your website’s keywords express. Whatever is written on your website will show up when a Google search user types a query.
In short, local SEO targets potential clients in your specific location. This is a great method to focus on if you are a small business in the service industry such as a plumber, an HVAC repair company, or a dentist. National SEO reaches a broader audience, and is great for companies looking to expand their business nationwide.
Does my website’s size impact how fast my SEO works?
In short, yes. In order to determine rankings, Google bots go out and “crawl” your website. But this will take time if you have dozens of pages and a lot of written content. Your CRM platform also can make or break the speed, as a small WordPress site will work much faster than a Magento site with thousands of pages.
But, that’s not to say large websites are a bad thing! Content is a great thing to have. Just make sure your expectations are in check when you start creating your SEO strategy.
What other factors should I keep in mind when it comes to SEO speed?
First of all, look at your starting point. If you have to start from scratch, it is safe to expect a longer return. Then look at your competition, and see what their online presence is like. Do they have a good quality website with a bunch of content? Do they have a lot of followers on social media and good engagement? If so, it may take time for you to catch up to them, but that’s still a very attainable goal with proper SEO strategies.
What are some determining factors that go into a Google search ranking?
There are a few different tried and true SEO best practices that can dramatically impact your results, according to digital marketing experts at Search Atlas. They are:
- Keyword optimization. Put simply, keywords help to drive search traffic directly to your website.
- Building a diverse backlink profile. You want other websites in your business’s niche to link to you as a way to tell Google you are an authority in that space.
- Content. Content is king when it comes to SEO, and the more information you have on your website explaining who you are and what you do, the easier it will be to convert potential clients.
SEO is an investment, and working with a digital marketing agency is the best way to ensure your online visibility is promoted.