Hi there, I'm Eugene. With over 20,000 hours spent building and ranking websites, and running SEO and SEM campaigns, I've navigated the intricate world of digital marketing with a focus on SEO, Google Ads, and Facebook Ad campaigns. Today, I want to share my insights on a question that often comes up: "Why does SEO take so long, and why is it considered a monthly or even weekly activity?"
Understanding the Nature of SEO
SEO, to me, is akin to a long-term investment, much like buying an investment property or a home. It's about the long game, aiming for lasting benefits. Earning Google's trust doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process where consistency and quality lead to a stable influx of traffic. This stability is crucial, barring you're not in a niche that Google might frown upon.
The Analogy of Building a Taller Building
Imagine SEO as the process of constructing a taller building than our competitors. In a digital landscape cluttered with millions of websites, we're all striving to stand out. Google acts like the local council, periodically assessing these digital 'properties' and assigning rankings. This analogy perfectly illustrates the ongoing effort required to not just reach the top but stay there.
The Continuous Effort Explained
Building Trust with Google
Building trust with Google requires time and consistent effort. It's about proving your site as a reliable source of information or services in your niche. This involves not just creating content but ensuring it's of high quality and serves the user's intent. Google's algorithms are incredibly adept at distinguishing between genuine value and spammy tactics, making the quality of your content and backlinks more important than ever.
The Role of Backlinks
Backlinks, in my experience, are like the utilities to a house—they're essential. However, they need to be of high quality. Poor-quality backlinks can do more harm than good, akin to shoddy electrical work in a building. They should serve as endorsements of your content's quality from other reputable sites.
The Never-Ending Sculpture
SEO is a never-ending sculpture, constantly being shaped and reshaped. The digital landscape is always evolving, with competitors striving to outdo each other. This dynamic environment means that SEO strategies must be flexible and adaptive, always ready to respond to new challenges and opportunities.
Continuous Improvement and Adaptation
Just as a homeowner might renovate or extend their property to increase its value, website owners must continually adapt and improve their sites. This goes beyond just adding content or links; it involves ensuring the site remains technically sound, user-friendly, and aligned with Google's ever-evolving algorithms.
The Evolution of SEO
The approach to SEO has evolved significantly. Gone are the days when exact match domains and a flood of backlinks could guarantee top rankings. Today, Google values genuine brands that offer a superior user experience. This includes a robust online presence, engaging content, and a strong backlink profile from reputable sources.
My Personal Takeaway
As someone who has built and ranked hundreds of websites, I've seen firsthand the shift towards valuing real brands over mere keyword optimization. A genuine brand, with a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, will almost always perform better in the long run. This is because Google prioritises the user experience, and a real brand is more likely to provide a positive one.
SEO is indeed a marathon, not a sprint. It's about building a digital presence that not only ranks well but also genuinely serves the user's needs. Through patience, persistence, and continuous improvement, achieving SEO success is not just a possibility but a certainty.
So, let's keep sculpting our digital presence, building our 'buildings' taller and stronger, and aiming for the pinnacle of Google's rankings. The journey of SEO is long, but the rewards are well worth the effort.