How Long Does It Take for a Website to Rank on Google?
So, how long does SEO take to work? This question comes up a lot, and it’s a tough one to answer definitively. There are so many variables to consider, like how competitive your industry is, your budget, the quality of your website and the authority of your domain.
For complete transparency, we recommend giving it around 6 months before you start expecting to see results. Quicker results are definitely possible, but SEO is a longer-term ongoing strategy, not a quick fix. It requires dedication and hard work by your SEO provider, but it does pay off.
At the Web Design and SEO Company, we don’t set a minimum term for your SEO service, but we make sure you understand the process and timescales before we hit the ground running. Just take a look at our clients’ positions on Google (and our own!) – to see how we deliver results.
What Impacts SEO?
As mentioned above, there are a wide range of factors that impact SEO. Let’s delve into more detail about why SEO takes so long!
Local Competition
When it comes to ranking on Google, competition is a huge factor for local businesses or even those serving the entire UK. The number of local businesses with websites providing similar services in your targeted area directly affects how quickly your website can benefit from SEO and boost its rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs). In fact, the broader area you are trying to target, the more businesses you will likely be competing with and the harder it will be to get to the top of Google results pages.
The Domain Itself
If you are aiming to get your website high on the first page of Google, selecting the right domain name is essential. This can’t be overstated. People often come to us initially wanting to have a very short domain with just their company or brand name – but this means nothing at all to Google and may well have an adverse impact on rankings.
Your website domain should match the user’s search intent. For example, B&Q’s domain is diy.com. Whilst B&Q is a renowned household name, people will likely search for “DIY” rather than “B&Q” when they want to DIY their homes! Similarly, if you type in holidays.co.uk, you’ll find First Choice, whilst breakfast.co.uk sends you to Kellogg’s!
Your domain should clearly represent your main service and your primary location. For example, if you are a handyman in Plymouth, a domain like handymanplymouth.co.uk would be an excellent choice if it’s available. In addition, it is best to avoid hyphens or similar characters in your domain name, as they can come across as spammy.
The length of time a domain has been registered and in use on a quality website also contributes to its authority, greatly impacting your SEO rankings. If you purchase a brand-new domain, it may take longer for SEO to have an effect. But, it is still worth persevering with a highly relevant domain.
Website Quality
The effectiveness of your website’s SEO will depend on a multitude of factors. It should include high-quality content, well-executed SEO strategies, relevant keywords, strong security measures, and visually engaging elements like images and videos. Additionally, your website should be easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and quick to load.
Keeping your website regularly updated with fresh content like blogs, photos, articles, case studies, and testimonials is also essential for boosting its rankings. It is equally important to ensure that it is free of broken links and 404 “Page not found” errors and is easily accessible across all devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. All these combined elements will determine how long it will take for SEO to work.
Overall Online Presence
The amount of time it takes for SEO to have a noticeable impact on your website is also heavily impacted by your overall online presence. This involves being featured on high-quality directories and listings, receiving positive reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot, and consistently posting and interacting with social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Additionally, the credibility of your website can be improved by receiving backlinks from other relevant and high-quality websites, which essentially serve as a vote of confidence by search engines.
When Will My New Website Rank on Google?
So, as you can see, SEO takes time and patience, and it certainly isn’t something that instantly happens overnight. As we mentioned before, it is usually best to wait at least 6 months before expecting to see results. But this can vary based on factors like your website’s age and your location competition, in addition to how much time you invest in SEO.
If you have an established domain with less competition for your local services, you might even start to see results sooner. However, if your domain is new and you’re targeting a larger area, it could take up to 12 months or more.
How Do I Get My Website to the First Page on Google?
By investing in a professionally designed and SEO-optimised Website, along with expert Local SEO Services, a strong online presence on relevant Social Media platforms, lots of positive online reviews, and top-quality backlinks, you can greatly improve the chances of your SEO efforts working on Google, as well as other search engines like Yahoo and Bing.
When launching your new website, it might be a good idea if you can dedicate more than just one day per month to SEO in the first few months to give it the boost it needs and accelerate the effects of SEO.
Some companies decide to accompany SEO with Google Ads (Pay Per Click), also known as Search Engine Marketing (SEM), in the early stages while waiting for the SEO to kick in. On the other hand, integrating Google Ads and SEO continuously can maximise your website’s visibility in search engine rankings. This comprehensive approach can lead to substantial improvements in your online presence and attract more potential customers to your business.
Need an SEO-Optimised Website?
At the Web Design and SEO Company, we are experts in crafting fully SEO-optimised Websites for Independent Businesses and Tradespeople. No matter your industry – whether you work in the trades, automotive industry, manufacturing & engineering, hospitality & tourism, healthcare, education, retail, pet services, or any other professional service – we can elevate your business’s visibility on search engines and help it flourish.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in our SEO-optimised Websites and SEO Services, head to our Online Shop for Websites for Small Businesses and Tradesmen. Alternatively, if you have unique functionality and/or styling requirements, Book a Call with us for a Bespoke Website Design.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to explore our Knowledge Hub, where you’ll find FAQs and useful resources, such as Blogs, Videos, and even eBooks on choosing the right website design company and SEO agency for your Trades or Small Business.
You can also reach us by calling 01752 291865, messaging us on WhatsApp on 07457 404241, completing our contact form, or starting a Live Chat now!