When we create SEO strategies, no one can guarantee how long it would take until the first results. Sometimes, people expect instant results, like jumping from page 3 to page 1 on Google in a few days. Also, they think their revenue will increase the very next day.
We can say that unrealistic expectations are the worst enemy of every business and everything that matters. SEO is rapidly growing and changing, so what was relevant in 2019 can’t be used the same way in 2022. Rules and guidelines are updated daily, and SEO professionals must follow them.
But does it really work? Are all SEO efforts worth the time and money invested? Many businesses have these questions, no matter if they work alone on it or hire agencies to complete that on their behalf.
So, here are a few ways to check if everything works fine:
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1. Check if you Appear in Local Results
There is a simple way to do this. Open any browser, but use the incognito mode. Then type some of the queries you were targeting during the SEO implementation. Set your location on Google, and check if you appear in the local results.
Depending on your goals, you can even check if you appear globally on the first three, five, or ten pages.
If you are focused on local results, make sure everything is set before browsing. For example, if your business is based in Long Island, and you are working with a long island seo firm, then you should appear higher in SERPs. For the same search query, you can compare the ranking with another period.
2. Use Google Search Console Reports
Before you start implementing any SEO strategy, we suggest you register your website with Google Search Console and download the initial report. After that, you can repeat the process after one, three, or six months, or every other week, to see if there is any improvement.
GSC reports give you a detailed insight into which keywords rank higher and which ones are still relevant for your business. You can use tools like Ahrefs or SemRush to compare the results and get a complete report on how you perform on search engines.
3. More People are Interested in Your Products or Services
If your sales go up and you receive more emails and calls, you are probably doing something right. The search engine reports can help you figure out which keywords are more attractive, so you can adjust the strategy around them.
But, one of the best signs things are going well is an increased number of leads and prospects. Some of them will eventually become customers. If they are satisfied with the service, these people will recommend you to their friends or leave a great review on your website.
On the other hand, if you face huge traffic drops or fewer people contact you, you have to find the reason for that. Sometimes it takes time until the strategy works, but when the traffic drop is huge, something is very wrong.
4. Track Down the Organic Traffic
To do this, you have to set up your Google Analytics account. The good thing is that the most important features are completely free and enough to follow the traffic.
So, once you are sure you follow the right website metrics, go to the left column and follow this path:
Acquisition > Overview > All Traffic > Channels
Now you get a report table. Find the row named “Organic Search” and see what’s there. Compare the report to another given period (the previous month or so), and see if the organic traffic is increased.
Every SEO strategy aims to help you rank higher and get more organic traffic, so you don’t have to pay for ads and promote your content. So, this parameter is the right way to see how your strategy performs over time.
5. You Receive Quality Backlinks
The backlink strategy is a crucial SEO element. In the first phases, you are writing blogs and guest posts, trying to build a strong backlink network behind. At some point, as search engines recognize your value, they push you higher on SERPs.
So, other businesses looking for quality backlinks will use your site as support. Once you see someone linking your blogs to theirs or using it as a source when writing content, you will know you did great with your SEO.
Most content management systems will notify you every time someone mentions you in their content. Also, you can track this down using great SEO tools like Ahrefs or OpenSiteExplorer.
Final Thoughts
SEO is a great way to receive organic traffic through target keywords. But, sometimes, it takes a month or two (or even more) until you implement it completely. The key is to be patient and set realistic goals, but also to track down the overall performance.
Use these tips to see how things go and adjust the strategy as needed.
