SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the most misunderstood marketing channel. Business owners hear conflicting advice, get pitched by spammy agencies, and often give up before seeing results. Here’s a straightforward guide to what SEO actually is, how it works, and what to expect.
What SEO Actually Is
SEO is the practice of improving your website so it appears higher in Google’s organic (unpaid) search results. When someone searches for what you offer, you want to be in the top 3-5 results—that’s where 75% of clicks go.
The Three Pillars of SEO
1. Technical SEO
Your website’s foundation: fast loading speed, mobile-friendly design, proper URL structure, XML sitemaps, and security (HTTPS). Think of this as making sure Google can find, read, and understand your site.
2. On-Page SEO
The content on your pages: relevant keywords in titles, headings, and body text. Meta descriptions that encourage clicks. Internal links that help visitors and Google navigate your site. Quality content that answers real questions.
3. Off-Page SEO
Your website’s reputation: backlinks from other reputable websites, online reviews, social signals, and brand mentions. Google sees these as votes of confidence—more quality votes = higher rankings.
What to Expect Timeline-Wise
- Month 1-2: Technical fixes, keyword research, strategy development
- Month 3-4: Content creation, on-page optimization, early ranking movements
- Month 5-6: Noticeable traffic increases, some keywords entering top 10
- Month 7-12: Compounding growth, significant traffic and lead increases
How to Evaluate SEO Proposals
A good SEO agency will show you: specific keywords they’ll target, a realistic timeline, how they’ll measure success, and examples of past results. Be wary of anyone guaranteeing #1 rankings—no one can promise that.
Brandastic provides transparent, results-driven SEO services across Southern California. Get a free SEO audit for your website.
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