Nobody likes waiting for things. Whether it’s for the bus, for pay day, or for SEO results. Unfortunately, waiting is just one of those things that you’ll have to accept. It’s as they say, good things come to those who wait!
But seriously, how much time should you expect to spend on your SEO before you can reap the benefits? As is the case with most things in life, it isn’t that easy to give a definitive answer for it.
The time taken to see results will be massively dependant on your individual circumstances and won’t be the same for two different businesses if they both start their SEO at the same time.
Carry on reading our article to find out more!
How long does it take for SEO to work?
If you’re looking to work with an SEO company and they tell you that they can get you instant results, you should run away immediately!
Those people either:
- Haven’t got a clue about how SEO actually works, or
- Are purposefully trying to take advantage of you.
Either way it’s bad and you’re better off taking the time to find another agency to help you instead.
Maile Ohye, former Developer Programs Tech Lead at Google, stated in a video that it takes ‘four months to a year’ to see improvements and benefits from SEO. I’d say she’s a reputable source!
If you need instant results then go for pay per click (PPC) advertising. With this, you’ll show up in Google’s ad spots at the very top of searches. Bear in mind though that it will cost you every time someone clicks on your ad and you have the potential to be outbid by another business with a higher domain authority.
SEO, on the other hand, is more gradual but has the benefit of being free at the point of use whenever you receive clicks from search pages.
As well, one of the best things that we find about SEO is that to make your website optimised for search engines often means making it better for user experience.
Google praises websites that provide a good and authentic user experience with higher positions on the search pages.
For example, take dwell time in SEO. If you make your page responsive, easily readable, and show the reader that you have the information that they’re looking for, then they will stick around on your page before going back to the search engine results. The time spent on your page is called dwell time, and pages with a higher dwell time get rewarded with higher ranking positions.
This is just one example of a ranking factor. Google has plenty of other ranking factors, usually split between three important SEO categories: technical, content, and backlinks.
Technical SEO
The first step in beginning an SEO overhaul should be to sort out your technical SEO. This includes things like how fast your site loads and how responsive it is, as well as how it’s optimised for crawling and indexing.
Check out what our SEO Manager, Tom, has to say about technical SEO:
“Technical SEO will pave the foundations for a good website, but depending on the complexity of your website it can be an absolute game changer.
If you’re the owner of a simple 5-page website providing services just in the UK then you’re likely going to focus on content and on-page SEO rather than technical.
But if you have a large eCommerce website that sells products all across the globe, you’re going to struggle to gain organic visibility in all of your target regions without proper technical SEO implementation.”
On top of this, if you have some technical SEO issues then it will hold you back if you go to upload your SEO content and begin developing backlinks as you won’t see the full benefit.
If you have a fast website that loads quickly and your server is set up correctly so that your URLs are original then you’re off to a good start with your technical elements. There’s more to worry about than this, so contact us and get in touch with Tom to give you an insight into how you can optimise your businesses technical SEO.
Content and off-page SEO
Content and backlinks will be the mainstay of your on-page and off-page SEO strategy and something that you will be continually developing as time goes on.
If you’re only just getting started with SEO then it’ll be massively important that you start creating high-quality content. With no content, you have nothing to show when people search Google for phrases or questions.
You want to create content that matches user intent, and that’s where SEO services come in. By using SEO tools, you can identify what Google’s users are searching for relating to your niche.
Look at what the best performing websites do well and have a look at what you think can be improved. Try and always provide your users with something that’s relevant and that they can’t get anywhere else.
Content doesn’t necessarily just mean the text. Being search engine optimised means having SEO friendly images too.
Backlinks will be built into your content and you’ll develop them over time. A backlink is when another site has a link to yours. An example of a way you can earn a backlink is by doing independent research and coming up with an original take or statistic. Then when other sites want to reference your content, you should be listed as a source and linked on their page. Bam! Backlink secured!
Google actively discourage people using ‘black-hat’ methods like buying backlinks, so be aware that doing this could end up harming your site’s performance.
How long does it take for SEO to kick in?
So now you know the average time it takes for SEO to bring benefits and the steps you should go about implementing it, how long will it take for SEO to positively impact your business?
This will be dependent on your industry and your competitors. If you have a highly competitive industry, like health or fashion, then you should expect to wait longer to see results.
If your competitors are huge, well-established businesses then this will be even more relevant to you. Their budgets will mean that they can afford to spent such a large amount of time on SEO, and their established domain authority gives them a boost to their rankings that you’ll have to work hard to overcome.
To get results as quickly as possible try to choose low competition keywords. Basing your strategy around these terms gives you the biggest chance of dominating the search results without waiting years.
As well, try and reach out to other businesses for backlinks. If you find a piece of content that you really like then don’t be afraid to link to it in your own content. Building a supportive network of websites and businesses is Googles dream, and by now you probably know that what Google says goes.
Why Does SEO Take So Long?
SEO takes time due to several factors, these include:
Algorithm Updates
Search engines like Google frequently update their algorithms to improve the relevance and quality of search results.
These updates can affect website rankings, requiring constant monitoring and adjustment of SEO strategies.
Competitive Landscape
In competitive industries, numerous websites are vying for top positions in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Achieving and maintaining high rankings requires you to outperform competitors in terms of content quality, backlink profile, and user experience.
Technical Optimisation
Technical aspects of a website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and crawlability, play a crucial role in SEO.
Fixing technical issues and optimising site architecture can be time-consuming but essential for search engine visibility.
Content Development and Optimisation
Creating high-quality, relevant content is fundamental to SEO success.
This involves keyword research, content creation, on-page optimisation, and ongoing refinement to ensure content meets user intent and search engine criteria.
Backlink Building
Building a strong backlink profile from authoritative and relevant websites is a key ranking factor.
However, acquiring quality backlinks takes time and effort, as it often involves outreach, relationship-building, and content promotion.
Trust and Authority
Establishing trust and authority with search engines takes time, especially if you have a new website or it is in a competitive niche.
Consistently providing valuable content, earning backlinks, and delivering a positive user experience are essential for building trust over time.
Natural Indexing Process
Even after implementing SEO strategies, it may take time for search engines to index and rank your new or updated content.
Patience is required as search engines gradually crawl and evaluate websites for relevance and quality.
What Factors Influence How Long SEO Takes?
Several factors influence the duration of SEO efforts and how long it takes to see significant results:
Competition Level
The competitiveness of your industry or niche can significantly impact the time required for SEO.
Highly competitive sectors may require more time and resources to outrank your competitors and establish authority.
Website Age and History
Established websites with a history of SEO efforts may see results more quickly compared to new websites.
This is because older domains often have more trust and authority in the eyes of search engines.
Current Website Status
The existing state of a website, including its technical health, content quality, and backlink profile, can affect the time needed for optimisation.
Addressing and improving any existing issues can expedite the SEO process.
Content Quality and Relevance
Creating high-quality, relevant content that resonates with the target audience is essential for SEO success.
It may take time to develop and optimise content that effectively addresses user queries and provides value.
Backlink Profile
Building a strong and diverse backlink profile is crucial for SEO, but it’s a gradual process.
Acquiring authoritative and relevant backlinks takes time and effort, and the quality of backlinks matters more than quantity.
Algorithm Updates
Search engines frequently update their algorithms to provide users with the best possible results.
These updates can impact your SEO strategy and may require adjustments to maintain or improve rankings.
Technical SEO
Optimising technical aspects of a website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and crawlability, is essential for SEO success.
Fixing technical issues and ensuring proper implementation of SEO best practices can take time.
Why SEO is a Good Way to Maximise Long-Term Growth
There are many reasons why SEO is great for long-term growth:
Sustainable Traffic
Unlike paid advertising, where traffic stops when you stop paying, SEO generates organic traffic from search engines over the long term.
By consistently optimising your website and content, you can maintain and grow your organic traffic without ongoing advertising expenses.
Builds Authority and Trust
SEO involves creating high-quality content, earning backlinks, and providing a positive user experience, all of which contribute to building authority and trust with both users and search engines.
As your website gains authority, it becomes more likely to rank higher in search results, driving more traffic and leads over time.
Cost-Effective
While SEO requires an initial investment of time and resources, its long-term benefits often outweigh the costs.
Once you’ve established strong search engine visibility, the ongoing maintenance and optimisation required are typically less costly than continuously investing in paid advertising.
Targets High-Intent Users
SEO allows you to target users who are actively searching for information, products, or services related to your business.
These users are often in the consideration or purchase stage of the buying cycle, making them more likely to convert into customers or leads.
Adapts to Algorithm Changes
While search engine algorithms evolve, the fundamentals of SEO remain relatively consistent. These include providing relevant, valuable content and a positive user experience.
By focusing on these fundamentals, you can adapt to algorithm updates and maintain or improve your search rankings over time.
Long-Term ROI
While SEO may take time to show significant results, its long-term return on investment (ROI) can be substantial.
As your website gains authority and visibility in search results, the traffic and leads it generates can continue to grow, providing a consistent stream of revenue and business growth over time.
Enhances User Experience
SEO involves optimising various aspects of your website, including site speed, mobile-friendliness, and usability, to improve the overall user experience.
By prioritising user experience, you not only improve your search engine rankings but also increase customer satisfaction and retention, contributing to long-term growth.
Contact our SEO team for results
If you want to get started on your SEO then the best time is right now! Make the investment and get ahead of the long turnaround time to get your results as early as you can.
Contact Blaze Media, experienced SEO and public relations digital marketing agency, with any and all SEO queries and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!