How long does SEO take?

Points to check

• Early work may involve fixing technical problems, improving existing pages and establishing measurement. Ranking or lead gains may take longer.
• Ask for milestones the provider can control, such as audits completed, pages improved and reporting in place.
• Review qualified enquiries alongside visibility. A timetable promising a guaranteed position should be questioned.

Start with the brief

Write down the business outcome you need, the people you want to reach and any practical constraints. This makes it easier to judge whether a suggested service or platform is appropriate.

There is no dependable universal deadline for search results. The starting site and competitive market matter.

Compare the work, not just the headline

Ask providers to describe the deliverables, who will do the work, what they need from you and when the result will be reviewed. A written proposal should distinguish included work from optional extras.

• Technical and content review
• Search intent and page improvements
• Measurement and ongoing recommendations

Questions worth asking

• What will happen in the first 90 days?
• Which work is included each month?
• How will leads and useful traffic be measured?

Ask for a schedule of work and leading indicators, while judging success against relevant enquiries over time.

Make a fair comparison

Use the same brief for each provider, request any missing details in writing, and consider ownership and ongoing support alongside price. You can use the free worksheet to record the answers.