How Long Does SEO Take?

SEO (search engine optimisation) is the process of improving your visibility and rankings with Google and other search engines. 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, making SEO an important tool for your business. SEO can be tailored specifically to your goals depending on what you want to achieve. But, how long does SEO take to work?

SEO is a long-term project. Results typically start to show around 6 months in, but this is the bare minimum timeframe to start seeing positive progress. At Wildcat Digital, we recommend giving it at least 12 months as it takes time to build your domain authority – a key ranking factor.

Read on to find out more about the results of SEO and why it can take so long with Wildcat Digital.

How Long Does SEO Take To Show Results?

Typically, the minimum timeframe for SEO to start showing results is around 6 months but it could be shorter or longer. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to how long SEO takes. That’s why, at Wildcat Digital, we recommend starting with a minimum 6 month retainer to get your website in a good place and start ranking.

Why Does SEO Take So Long?

SEO takes so long because Google and other search engines’ algorithms are ever-evolving. It can be difficult to move up the rankings when Google regularly changes its algorithm – almost like moving the goalposts every time you meet their conditions.

Due to this and the competitive nature of SEO, it may take longer for you to see progress than you might think. This is normal.

It often depends on the health and authority of your website when you begin your SEO journey. If you’re effectively starting from scratch, it takes time to build your domain authority – a key factor that Google uses to assess the quality of a website.

On the other hand, more established websites, perhaps those that have worked on SEO or other digital marketing practices before, may see results faster. This is because attention may have already been given to areas that contribute to SEO.

How SEO works

SEO works in several different ways and can be split into various categories to suit your business’s needs. Depending on the goals of your campaign, will determine what side of SEO service you need.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO is the process of optimising your website’s content for search engines and users. It helps to make your website more appealing to both Google and your target audience. By using various techniques and practices, you can optimise your content to best appeal, these include:

Keywords: Keywords are an important tool for optimising your website. They can give you an indication of where your page is ranking and what your clientele is searching for. Keyword difficulty can help you determine what keywords you should be targeting depending on the difficulty score, which will bring you organic traffic without too much effort.
Title Tags: Title tags are usually the main part of a user deciding on what website they want to click on. By making them compelling and relevant to your content, you will generate organic traffic to your site.
Internal Linking: By linking your pages to one another, called internal linking, you can boost your authority as internal links build your link equity (ranking power). Internal links also establish the structure of your site and indicate to Google which pages of your site are the most important.
H1 Tags: A H1 tag helps search engines learn about the content on your pages. It also indicates to your readers what the content is and improves the readability of your website.
Unique, Helpful Content: Content is a key element of on-page SEO. By publishing quality content you can gain high-grade backlinks, gain media attention and develop the E-E-A-T on your site as well as your domain authority.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO refers to the tactics applied outside of a website to improve its rankings. You have limited control over off-page SEO and it helps to build your authority as a website. The goal of implementing off-page SEO strategies is to get users and search engines to see you as trustworthy and to get you to engage with them. These techniques include:

Building Backlinks: One of the most important off-page SEO strategies is building your backlink profile. Backlinks help Google to see you as an authoritative source and can increase your domain authority. Backlinks from high authority and popular sites can increase your ranking with Google and other search engines.
Local SEO: By using Local SEO, you can optimise your presence online and target local traffic for your business. Using local SEO techniques such as Google Business Profile you can increase the visibility of your site and give your site a higher position on Google’s search results. To find out more about local seo, why not check out our blog ‘How Can I Rank Better In My Local Area?’
Digital PR: Digital PR is an incredibly beneficial off-page SEO strategy. You are able to build your brand by promoting your content across multiple online channels. This will drive traffic directly to your website and encourage conversions. Additionally, it will help to build your backlink profile and, in turn, improve your domain authority.

Learn more about all the different element to SEO in our blog, What are the Different Types of SEO Services? Your Complete Guide.

See Results With Our SEO Experts At Wildcat Digital

If you want to get started with your SEO journey but don’t know where to begin, why not get in contact with our SEO experts here at Wildcat Digital? We are an award-winning digital marketing agency, offering targeted SEO services designed for all your needs. To arrange your free consultation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Alternatively, if you have any SEO-related questions, why not check out our Knowledge Base content hub. Our experts are here to help.

Post by

Lucy Walsh

Will Hitchmough

Founder

Our founder, Will Hitchmough, worked at a number of high profile Sheffield Digital Agencies before founding Wildcat Digital in 2018. He brings an extensive knowledge of all things related to SEO, PPC and Paid Social, as well as an expert knowledge of digital strategy.

Digital Marketing can be a minefield for many businesses, with many agencies ready to take your money without knowing how to deliver results. I founded Wildcat Digital to deliver digital success to businesses with smaller budgets in a transparent way.

Chloe Robinson

Content Strategist Team Lead

With a degree in Marketing and a background in more traditional, offline marketing, Chloe joined Wildcat in 2021 after deciding to move into the digital marketing industry. She joined us as a Content Specialist and quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Content Strategist and later an SEO Team Leader.

Outside of work, Chloe is an avid creative. If she’s not knitting, you’ll likely find her behind a sewing machine or in the kitchen trying (and often failing!) to make sourdough.

Paul Pennington

SEO Account Director

Paul has a strong background in SEO, having previously founded and ran a successful eCommerce business, as well as running a personal blog that achieves an average of 17K users per month. Paul’s knowledge of SEO is extensive, with a strong emphasis on client handling and technical SEO.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family and staying active with weight lifting and combat sports.

Nadea van der Merwe

Head of Operations

Nadea joined Wildcat in 2021 and has since overhauled the way we work. She has a background in various administrative, operations and HR roles, which gave her the experience and skills needed to lead and organise a growing business.

Outside of work, Nadea loves anything that keeps her active, but she especially enjoys hiking, camping and mountain biking.

Molly Sturgeon

SEO Account Manager

With a background in sales, Molly is a natural Account Manager, brilliantly handling any issues that come her way. Having joined us as a Digital Marketing Executive, and working part-time through her final year of University, Molly is a shining example of how hard work pays off. She is now an SEO Account Manager with a particular interest in Content and Client Management.

In her spare time, Molly loves to get out in nature, hiking and exploring the Peak District. She also loves cooking and likes to unwind with a bit of yoga.

Libby Oldale

Senior PPC Account Manager

Libby joined Wildcat in 2021 as our first PPC hire. With a degree in Digital Media Production, a Master’s in Digital Media Management and previous experience in Social Media Management, Libby hit the ground running and has since climbed the ranks to Senior PPC Account Manager and has a particular interest in the eCommerce sector.

Outside of work, Libby likes gaming, and cooking and likes to keep active by lifting weights.

Jasmine Savery

SEO Team Leader

Jasmine joined Wildcat in 2022 with a strong background in SEO and Account Management. At the time, she was finishing up a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and has since worked her way up to SEO Team Leader. Jasmine excels at content writing and promotion, and particularly enjoys finding creative ways to join the dots on multi-channel campaigns.

In her spare time, Jasmine volunteers at a charity, helping combat loneliness & social isolation experienced by older neighbours. Outside of Wildcat, she owns a catering company, Savery Grazing, creating delicious grazing tables & platters for a range of events. She also loves skiing and exploring the Peak District.

Braden Godley

Senior PPC Executive

Prior to joining Wildcat, Braden founded and ran his own Social Media Management agency where he gained valuable skills in growing brands’ online presence, which has since proven invaluable in his role at Wildcat.

Outside of work, Braden is a big football fan, regularly travelling to Pride Park to support Derby County. He also enjoys watching and playing snooker, hiking in the Peak District, and attending air and car shows.

Jon Herdman

Senior SEO Executive

After spending ten years managing businesses, restaurants, cafes and event spaces across Sheffield, Jon decided to change careers and joined Wildcat as an SEO Executive in 2022. He especially enjoys the client management side of the job, helping them to understand digital marketing and ways in which they can build their business’s presence online.

Outside of work, Jon likes to keep fit with running, badminton and football, and also loves music.

Rachel Davies

SEO Executive

Rachel joined us as a graduate, having recently graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in English Literature. Since joining, Rachel has proven herself to be a Content Queen, and particularly enjoys getting stuck into projects that allow her to explore her creative side.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including rugby, singing, reading, and spending time with her family and three labradors.

Carl Atterbury

PPC Team Leader

Carl joined Wildcat in 2023 with a wealth of experience in PPC. He has experience working with a wide range of clients, industries and budgets, from small local businesses all the way to international e-commerce businesses. Carl has a particular interest in strategic planning and forecasting. He is passionate about data analysis and creating sustainable long-term cross-channel strategies.

In his spare time, Carl enjoys keeping fit by lifting weights, bouldering and running. He’s also a keen musician, having played the double bass and bass guitar for 20 years.

Dariusz Baczyk

Team Lead & Technical SEO Account Manager

With a degree in Computer Science and SEO experience dating back to 2017, Dariusz has a wide range of SEO skills and knowledge. His specialist knowledge of Technical SEO has firmly landed him the title of Wildcat’s Technical Wizard, and he has recently taken on the responsibility of Team Leader for the Panthers Team.

In his spare time, Dariusz loves hiking, experimenting and trying new coffees and loves learning new things. He is currently learning more about CRO and AI and how this could benefit our clients.

Jamie Stowe

SEO Account Manager

With a degree in Film and TV production, and a varied career history, Jamie made the move to marketing with a Masters degree in Digital Media Management. He has since worked in SEO at Agencies across Sheffield, before joining Wildcat and working his way up to SEO Account Manager. Jamie has a particular interest in backlinks and Digital PR and has recently gained a client a valuable backlink from Forbes!

In his spare time, Jamie is an avid foodie and loves trying new restaurants and cuisines. He also loves to travel and spent a year travelling to Australia after university.

Andy Blanchard

SEO Executive

Andy joined Wildcat in 2023 after starting his digital marketing career in-house for a local Sheffield company. Since joining, he has developed a strong interest in Technical SEO and has strong skills in Account Management.

Outside of work, Andy loves music and plays in a couple of bands. He also enjoys rock climbing, cycling, photography and good food.

Siena Russell

Client Success Coordinator

Siena joined us in 2023 with a background in sales and digital marketing. She leads on client relationships across the company, ensuring that our customers are happy throughout their journey with us, from their initial consultation through to onboarding and beyond.

Outside of work, Siena enjoys travelling and getting stuck into the local culture. She likes to make the most of her experiences and particularly enjoys watching sunrises and sunsets from beautiful locations around the world.

Thea Chapman

Senior SEO Executive

Thea has a wealth of experience in SEO, having previously worked for other Digital Marketing Agencies in Sheffield. She has a particular interest and skills in Technical SEO, but is more than willing to get stuck in and give anything a go.

Outside of work, Thea spends most of her time with her children, but also loves reading, photography and gardening.

Tom Brookes

PPC Executive

Before joining Wildcat, Tom worked across different industries, building skills in sales and customer service. He later developed a passion for digital marketing whilst working on personal marketing projects and freelance ventures, and gained numerous certifications in PPC and Social Media.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys staying active by going to the gym and hiking. He also loves travelling and motorbiking.

Rich Ayre

Head of Growth

Rich joined us in May 2024 to head up our growth team. With years of experience helping other agencies to grow, Rich joins us at an exciting time as Wildcat is working on a five-year plan to become one of the biggest agencies in the UK.

Outside of work, Rich is a father to three children, which keeps him very busy! He’s also recently started running again to keep fit and loves a bit of DIY.