What Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of improving your website to increase its visibility on search engines like Google. The goal? To rank higher for keywords your ideal customers are searching for—so they find your business instead of your competitors.
Good SEO helps drive organic traffic, which means people find you naturally through search, not paid ads. It’s long-term, sustainable, and often more cost-effective over time than other marketing channels.
There are three main parts to SEO:
1. Technical SEO – Making sure your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy for search engines to crawl.
2. On-Page SEO – Optimizing content, title tags, headers, and images for specific keywords.
3. Off-Page SEO – Building trust with backlinks (links from other websites), local citations, and reputation signals.
Why Do I Need SEO?
Think about your own behavior when you search for something online. You probably click one of the top few results, right? That’s why SEO matters. If your website isn’t optimized, it won’t show up when people are searching for what you offer.
Here are a few reasons SEO is critical for businesses:
• Most web traffic starts with a search engine.
• Higher rankings = more visibility = more leads.
• Organic traffic is free (unlike paid ads).
• SEO builds trust—people trust Google’s top results.
• Your competitors are already doing it.
Even if you have a beautiful website, it won’t work for you if no one can find it.
What SEO Does My Web Designer Handle?
When you hire a professional web designer—like us at Vacant Creative—you get basic SEO setup included in your website project. Here’s what that typically covers:
Technical SEO Setup
• Fast page load speeds
• Mobile responsiveness
• Clean site architecture (easy to crawl)
• Secure site (HTTPS)
On-Page SEO Setup
• Optimized title tags and meta descriptions
• Proper header structure (H1, H2, etc.)
• Alt text for images
• Keyword-rich page content (based on initial research)
This gives your site a strong SEO foundation. But SEO isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s ongoing. That’s where monthly SEO services come in.
What Am I Paying for Monthly With SEO?
Monthly SEO services are about continuously improving your site’s visibility and adapting to how search trends and competitors evolve. Here’s what’s usually included in ongoing SEO:
Keyword Research (Ongoing)
Updating your strategy as trends, seasonality, or customer behavior changes.
Content Marketing
Publishing blog posts, FAQs, landing pages, and more—targeted for high-intent keywords that attract your audience.
Technical Audits & Fixes
Making sure your site stays fast, bug-free, and technically sound.
Local SEO
Optimizing your Google Business Profile, building local citations, and improving visibility for “near me” searches.
Backlink Building
Earning links from reputable websites to build trust and authority with Google.
Reporting & Analytics
Tracking your performance, keyword rankings, traffic, and conversions so you can see what’s working.
If you’re not investing in ongoing SEO, your competitors who are will keep outranking you.
How Long Does It Take to See SEO Results?
SEO takes time, but it’s worth the wait. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
• 1–2 Months: You’ll see technical improvements and foundational fixes completed.
• 3–6 Months: You’ll start ranking for lower-competition keywords and see a gradual increase in traffic.
• 6–12 Months: You can expect to see a real return on investment, including leads, sales, and better rankings for high-competition keywords.
It depends on your industry, location, current website status, and competition—but in most cases, SEO is a 6–12 month investment for long-term gain.
How Much Should I Spend on SEO?
SEO pricing can vary widely depending on:
• Your location (competitive markets like Orange County cost more)
• The size of your site
• Your goals and competition
• Whether you’re targeting local or national audiences
Is SEO Worth It?
Yes. SEO is one of the highest ROI marketing strategies—especially for small to mid-sized businesses that want to grow sustainably without always relying on ads.
Here’s why it pays off:
• It compounds. One blog post can rank for years.
• It’s cost-effective. You don’t pay per click like with ads.
• It attracts the right people. SEO pulls in users with intent.
• It builds trust and authority.
It may take longer to see results compared to PPC, but the leads and traffic you get from SEO are often better qualified and lower-cost in the long run.
Final Thoughts
SEO is more than just keywords—it’s about building a search-friendly digital ecosystem for your business. Whether you’re a local shop in Orange County or an ecommerce brand looking to scale nationally, SEO is a smart investment.
Here’s the breakdown:
• Your web designer lays the SEO foundation
• Monthly SEO builds your visibility and trust
• You start seeing results in 3–6 months
• Long-term, it’s one of the best ways to grow your business online
Need help improving your rankings? Let’s talk about how our SEO services can fit your goals and budget.
