Local SEO: How Long Will It Take for Your Longmont Business to Rank in Searches

Do you have a Longmont business? When you’re just starting your online presence, even if you’ve been in business for awhile, you might be stressing about how long it’ll take until your phone starts ringing from people who found you online.

You might have heard of SEO. This stands for Search Engine Marketing. It gets really complicated fast, so while you might be able to do and understand the basics, that’s probably not enough to get your phone ringing. At some point, you’ll likely find yourself calling in a professional you can trust to help.

If you’re a business that competes locally, then you’ll want to find someone who specializes in Local SEO specifically like RunLocal Marketing in Longmont, CO.

Ranking and competing online in a specific local area is its own specialty and is quite a bit different from ecommerce SEO, for example, which is national or even international in scope.

So for local businesses, how long will it take to see results?

Generally you’ll want to invest in a monthly retainer for at least 1 year. SEO is a long game with lasting results. In fact, studies show that you’ll get a big jump in rankings and online traction in years 1-2 and steady growth in year 3+. So pick a comfortable budget and keep at it.

I advise businesses to consider SEO to be an overhead expense like keeping the electricity flowing. That’s what you’re doing anyway — you’re keeping the electricity flowing to your online presence just like you would for an offline, physical storefront.

Your marketing budget should be 5-10% of your gross income and if you want your phone to ring, you’ll need to compete with businesses who are investing that marketing budget at least partly in SEO.

The Basics of Local SEO

Let’s clarify what Local SEO is all about.

Local SEO is a digital marketing strategy specifically designed to help you get customers in your local area. It’s done by maximizing your ranking in search engine results and maps listings.

Unlike broader SEO strategies that target a national or global audience, Local SEO is when you focus on a smaller, targeted city or area.

Looking for a dentist? a restaurant to eat at? a chiropractor? an eye doctor?

Most people still look up these types of businesses in search engines and the results show a combination of maps listings, ads, and organic lists of businesses. Even AI results are just a combination of those same search results and maps listings.

If you want to be relevant online, you have to know how to be listed and be listed high or it might feel like your business doesn’t exist.

Who Should Focus on Local SEO?

This guide is aimed at small business owners who serve local customers. If your business operates online and caters to clients nationwide, this content might not be applicable to you. However, if you run a local service or retail business, understanding Local SEO can significantly improve your ability to reach potential customers in your area.

Setting Realistic Expectations

One of the first steps in your Local SEO journey is setting realistic expectations. While it’s tempting to anticipate immediate results, the truth is that SEO is a long-term investment.

PRO TIP: The reality is that more often than not, the speed you get results at is directly a result of your budget. Higher budgets mean more hours and more work can be done sooner.

At RunLocal Marketing, we suggest thinking of the first year as one effort and front-loading the budget toward months 1-3. Then later in the year the budget resets to your preferred monthly amount of work.

The result of your initial “sprint”?

Toward the end of the first year, you’re getting more results than if you’d kept a set pace each month from the start.

Here are three critical points to keep in mind:

It’s an Estimation: While you can estimate how long it will take to see results, it’s essential to remember that these are just ballpark figures. The actual timeline will vary based on numerous factors.
Focus on Action: Rather than fixating on when results will materialize, it’s more productive to focus on implementing your strategy. Getting to work is often more beneficial than worrying about immediate outcomes.
Continuous Improvement: SEO is not a set-it-and-forget-it activity. It requires ongoing effort and adaptation to maintain and improve results.

Estimating the Timeline for Results

To better understand how long it might take to see results from Local SEO, consider the following factors:

Your Starting Point

The current state of your online presence plays a significant role in determining how quickly you can expect results. If you already have an established website with some level of authority, you may see results faster than a new site starting from scratch.

Competition in Your Industry

Different industries have varying levels of competition. In highly competitive markets, it may take longer to see significant results. For example, industries like roofing or plumbing might require more effort and time than less competitive niches.

Quality of Your SEO Strategy

The comprehensiveness and execution of your Local SEO strategy will significantly impact your results. A well-planned and executed strategy will yield better results than a haphazard approach. Factors include:

Keyword Research: Identifying the right keywords to target is crucial for driving relevant traffic to your site.
Content Quality: High-quality, relevant content that resonates with your target audience can improve your search rankings.
Backlink Quality: Building backlinks from reputable sources can enhance your site’s authority and improve rankings.

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What to Expect in the First Few Months

Now that we’ve established some foundational knowledge, let’s break down what you can expect in terms of timelines during the initial phases of your Local SEO efforts.

Month 1: Foundation Building

The first month of your Local SEO strategy is primarily about laying the groundwork. Activities during this phase include:

Strategy and Keyword Research: Your strategy is your foundation. Don’t move ahead without solid market research and a sound strategy.
For example: Remember, you’re trying to rank locally so don’t try to use state or national-level keywords unless you know what you’re doing. You’ll waste budget and time and wonder why your phone isn’t ringing.

Pro Tip: Don’t focus on state or national search results. If your marketing agency focuses on these keywords, they probably don’t know what they’re doing or they’re tricking you with good results that don’t mean anything.

National and state-level keywords are easier to rank for because the businesses that know what they’re doing leave these terms alone. You don’t need leads for your roofing business from people located a state away from you.
Setting Up Google My Business: This is essential for local visibility. Ensure your listing is complete and accurate.
Website Optimization: Optimize your website for local search with relevant keywords and ensure it is mobile-friendly.
Building Local Citations: Ensure your business is listed in local directories with consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information.

During this phase, you may not see immediate results. Instead, you are establishing a solid foundation for future success.

Month 2-3: Gaining Momentum

As you progress into the second and third months, you should start to build momentum. Key activities include:

Content Creation: Regularly publish local content that addresses the needs and interests of your community.
Encouraging Reviews: Positive reviews can enhance your credibility and visibility in local searches.
Backlink Acquisition: Focus on gaining backlinks from local sources to improve your site’s authority.

By the end of the third month, you may begin to notice improvements in local search rankings, increased website traffic, and engagement on your Google My Business listing.

Month 4-6: Seeing Tangible Results

By this point, many businesses start to see significant results from their Local SEO efforts. Expect to observe:

Increased Local Visibility: Your business may appear more frequently in local search results.
Higher Website Traffic: Improved rankings often lead to increased organic traffic.
Better Conversion Rates: Targeted traffic typically results in better conversion rates.

Remember, SEO is a continuous process; ongoing optimization and content updates are essential for maintaining and improving results.

Factors Influencing Your Timeline

Several factors can affect how quickly you see results from your Local SEO efforts:

Industry Competitiveness: The more competitive your industry, the longer it may take to rank effectively.
Quality of SEO Services: Engaging with a skilled SEO agency can accelerate your results.
Search Engine Algorithm Changes: Frequent updates to search engine algorithms can impact your ranking and visibility.

Conclusion

Understanding the timeline for Local SEO is crucial for setting realistic expectations and developing a successful strategy. While initial results may take a few months, the ongoing nature of SEO means that continuous effort is essential for long-term success. By focusing on establishing a solid foundation, optimizing your online presence, and consistently engaging with local audiences, your business can thrive in local search results.

As you embark on your Local SEO journey, remember that patience, persistence, and a commitment to quality are key to realizing the benefits of your efforts. If you’re ready to take the next steps in your SEO strategy, consider reaching out for professional assistance to ensure you’re on the right track.