Month 1: Setting the Foundation
In the first month of your SEO campaign, the primary focus is on setting a strong foundation. This involves:
- Conducting an in-depth SEO audit of your website.
- Keyword research to identify the most relevant and valuable keywords for your business.
- On-page optimisation, including meta tags, headers, and content tweaks.
- Improving site structure and internal linking.
During this time, you might start to see some movement in key metrics, such as an increase in organic traffic and improved rankings for some keywords. However, these changes are usually incremental and should be seen as the initial steps in a longer journey. The key metrics that we measure on an on-going basis are:
- Domain authority
- Organic keywords
- Backlinks
- Referring domains
- Website health score
Months 2-3: Building Momentum
As you move into the second and third months, your SEO strategy begins to build momentum. Activities in this phase include:
- Creating and optimising high-quality content.
- Building backlinks from reputable sites.
- Enhancing user experience (UX) and site speed.
- Ongoing technical SEO improvements.
Months 4-6: Gaining Traction
Between the fourth and sixth months, your SEO efforts gain significant traction. At this stage, you can expect:
- More substantial increases in organic traffic.
- Higher rankings for a broader range of keywords.
- Improved engagement metrics, such as lower bounce rates and longer session durations.
This period is also when you might start seeing some leads trickling in from your website. These early leads are a good sign that your SEO strategy is working and resonating with your target audience.
Months 7-12: Seeing Real Results
From the seventh month onwards, your SEO strategy should be in full swing. This is when you can expect to see:
- Consistent and significant growth in organic traffic.
- Dominant rankings for your primary keywords.
- A steady stream of leads and enquiries from your website.
It’s important to note that while you may start seeing leads earlier, a consistent flow of quality leads typically starts around the 9-12 month mark. This is because SEO is a long-term game, and it takes time for your content and backlinks to mature and for Google to fully recognise your site’s authority.
Patience and Consistency: The Keys to SEO Success
SEO is not a quick fix but a long-term investment. The timelines mentioned are general estimates and can vary depending on factors such as your industry, competition, and the current state of your website. The key is to remain patient and consistent with your efforts.
In summary, while you can expect to see key metrics like organic traffic and rankings start to improve from the first month, generating a steady stream of leads may take a bit longer. Typically, significant results can be seen between the sixth and twelfth months of a well-executed SEO campaign.
Remember, the rewards of a successful SEO strategy are well worth the wait. Increased visibility, higher traffic, and growing leads can transform your business in the long run. So, keep at it, stay patient, and watch your SEO efforts pay off.
If you have any questions or need help with your SEO strategy, please contact us at dotwall Web Design. We’re here to help your business thrive online.
