How Long Does it Take for an SEO Campaign to See Positive Effects?

Websites That Have Never Engaged in SEO

For websites that have never engaged in SEO, the first step is often making sure that the website is optimized for search engines. However, we have found that many websites are not SEO-compatible, especially if they were programmed or coded by a web design agency that is not well-versed in SEO best practices. In our experience, most web design agencies are not SEO-savvy, even though they may promise to code websites to be SEO-compatible. Therefore, an SEO expert is typically needed to make the necessary changes to the website to make it SEO-friendly.

The amount of time needed for these changes to be made will depend on the complexity of the website and the extent of work required. If the development items required to make the website SEO-compatible take 4 weeks, for example, it can be expected that positive SEO results will follow once those changes have been implemented. While it is common to expect positive results within 3-4 weeks of the first SEO changes, it is important to note that every website is unique, and results may vary.

In summary, the timeline for an SEO campaign to yield positive results can vary depending on the starting point of the website and the extent of work required. By engaging an experienced SEO expert and ensuring that the website is SEO-friendly, businesses can increase their chances of seeing positive results in a timely manner such as after 4 weeks.

Websites That Have Been Engaged in SEO, Before

For websites that have been engaged in SEO before, the timeline for seeing positive results can vary depending on the previous SEO efforts. If the SEO campaign was paused, the impact of the pause can be mitigated by working with an experienced SEO expert to identify the gaps in rankings and prioritize items that need to be addressed to regain lost ground. An analysis of year-over-year (YoY) rankings can be particularly helpful in identifying these gaps.

Assuming that the previous SEO efforts were effective and the necessary adjustments have been made, positive results can be seen within a shorter timeframe, typically within 4 weeks of restarting the campaign. Each website is unique, and results may vary depending on factors such as the website’s niche, competition, and content quality.

By working with an experienced SEO expert and ensuring that the website’s previous SEO efforts are thoroughly analyzed and addressed, businesses can increase their chances of seeing positive results within 4 weeks as well.

The Rule of Thumb on SEO Speed

While some positive changes can be seen within a few weeks of initiating an SEO campaign, significant results usually take longer to achieve. In general, SEO campaigns start showing amazing results after 4-6 months, although initial success points and positive milestones may be seen within weeks.

Building trust with Google takes time, and the timeline for achieving positive results depend on factors such as whether the website has been subject to SEO before. If a website has previously ranked well, it is an indication that Google trust had been established once, and regaining that trust can be faster. On the other hand, if the website has never been part of an SEO process, it may take longer to achieve Google’s trust.

While Google has not publicly disclosed how it calculates trust, SEO experts have observed that Google tends to provide a small pace in rankings within the first weeks and months of an SEO campaign. This may be a deliberate strategy to prevent spammy websites from ranking overnight. As a result, even if an awesome SEO process has been initiated, the real boost is likely to happen after 4 months.

Given these factors, most SEO companies recommend continuing with an SEO campaign for at least 12 months to be able to show success. Therefore, it is not recommended to engage in SEO for less than 12 months.

By understanding the rule of thumb on SEO speed, businesses can set realistic expectations and work with an experienced SEO expert continuously to achieve long-term success.

Content Production as an SEO Booster

While SEO improvements are usually the focus in the early stages of an SEO campaign, at some point, additional and continuous content production becomes necessary for continued growth. While there is no clear timeline for when content production should begin, experience shows that it is a definite SEO booster when done at any time.

Producing a mass amount of content at any time can catapult the rankings of a website in a much faster pace, leading to better SEO results. However, content production can also be expensive. Smaller companies may produce 1-2 pieces of content per month, which can still provide steady SEO growth. On the other hand, companies with larger budgets can produce 20-30 pieces of content per month or more, and may even become market leaders in terms of SEO.

It’s important to strike a balance between the benefits of content production and the associated costs. While it may not be necessary in the early stages of an SEO campaign, incorporating it at the right time can be a powerful tool in boosting SEO results.

The Myths of One-Time SEO

In the world of SEO, there is no such thing as short-term or one-time efforts. SEO is a continuous process that requires ongoing efforts to maintain and improve rankings. Websites that fail to provide fresh and relevant content on a regular basis risk losing their rankings as Google prioritizes constantly developing websites.

While a one-time SEO effort during website development can provide a necessary framework for future SEO campaigns, it is not a substitute for ongoing efforts. If no SEO campaign is initiated after a website’s launch, its SEO power will be in a sleep mode, and over time, the website’s SEO compatibility may decrease due to constant updates in Google algorithms and changes in SEO technology.

One-time SEO reports can be helpful in identifying SEO opportunities and risks, and outlining the next steps for SEO strategy. However, such reports are usually only found in enterprise-size companies where internal marketing and convincing decision-makers of the importance of SEO is crucial. For midsize companies, it may be more beneficial to engage in an SEO campaign from the outset, rather than investing in a one-time report.