How long does it really take to see results from SEO?

Sarena Harwood
17 hours ago
4 min read

Series: Your Website’s Live — Now What?

Part 4 of 5(If you missed Part 3 — “Google Ads vs SEO Blogging: Which Works Best for Accountants?” — catch up there first! In that post, we explored the differences between Google Ads and SEO blogging, and how to use both together for maximum impact.)

Also for further catch up:

Part 2 - How blogging helps your website get found on Google

Part 1 - Why your website launch is only the beginning

So, you’ve launched your accountancy website, started blogging, and maybe even invested in Google Ads. You’re feeling good about the content, and you’re eager to see some organic traffic rolling in.

But weeks pass, and… nothing!

Sound familiar? If you’re wondering “When will I start seeing results from SEO?”, you’re not alone. Many accountants expect immediate results from SEO, but the truth is, SEO is a long-term game.

Here’s what you need to know about SEO timelines, and why it takes time for your efforts to pay off.

Why results from SEO takes time

When you optimise your website for search engines, you’re competing for visibility in a crowded, ever-changing marketplace. Google wants to show the most relevant, useful websites for each search, which means it takes time to build authority and gain trust with the search engine.

Here’s what happens in the background when you work on SEO:

Content creation: Each blog, page, and update to your site signals to Google that your content is fresh and relevant.
Crawling & indexing: Google’s bots crawl your site to understand what your content is about and decide if it’s helpful enough to appear in search results.
Ranking improvements: Over time, as more high-quality content is added and optimised, your rankings slowly improve, helping you appear higher in search results for target keywords.
Earning trust: Google needs to trust your website’s expertise and authority. Building this takes time through consistent content, backlinks, and user engagement.

How long does it really take?

Here’s the honest truth: SEO results don’t happen overnight. In fact, it typically takes 3 to 6 months to see the first signs of meaningful improvement in rankings and organic traffic.

What affects your SEO timeline?

Several factors can impact how quickly you start seeing results. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Competition: If you're in a competitive market (like accountancy), it may take longer to outrank other firms.
Content consistency: The more regularly you publish quality blog posts, the faster your content can start ranking.
On-page SEO: Ensuring your website is technically optimised (e.g., fast load times, mobile-friendly, clear site structure) is crucial for quicker results.
Backlinks: If other reputable websites link to your site, it boosts your authority and can speed up your rankings.
Target keywords: The difficulty of ranking for your chosen keywords will also impact how long it takes to see results. For example, ranking for “accountant Surrey” will be much harder than ranking for “tax tips for Surrey freelancers”.

What to expect in the first few months

Months 1-3:

Site crawl & indexing: Google starts to understand your content and begin indexing your site.
Small improvements: You might see a slight increase in traffic, but nothing dramatic just yet.
Focus on quality: The first few months are all about ensuring you have quality content, correct technical SEO, and site structure in place.

Months 4-6:

Ranking improvements: This is when you should start seeing some results. Your pages may begin ranking for lower-competition keywords and generate steady traffic.
Blog performance: Some of your blog posts may start showing up for long-tail keywords (e.g., “best accountant for freelancers in Surrey”). These might be low-traffic terms, but they start building momentum.
Gradual growth: You’ll see more organic visitors each month as your content builds up authority.

6 Months and beyond:

Increased traffic & leads: After 6 months, your site will likely see a significant increase in organic traffic, especially for target keywords. Your blog content will keep driving leads over time.
Authority building: As you add more high-quality blog posts and build backlinks, your site becomes more authoritative.

Speeding up the process: Best practices for faster results

Although SEO takes time, you can still accelerate the process by following these strategies:

Focus on local SEO: As an accountant, your clients are likely local. Optimise for location-based keywords like “accountant Surrey” or “tax advisor Guildford.” Add your business to Google My Business and optimise your listing.
Use long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific search phrases that are easier to rank for. For example, “accountant for small businesses in Surrey” has less competition than just “accountant Surrey.”
Create high-quality, evergreen content: Blog posts that answer common questions (e.g., “How to choose an accountant in Surrey”) will continue to drive traffic over time.
Build backlinks: Work on earning backlinks from reputable local sources or industry-specific sites to improve your domain authority.
Monitor your progress: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track how your rankings are improving and which pages are getting the most traffic.

Final thoughts: Patience pays off

If you’re wondering when you’ll start to see results from SEO, the answer is: it depends, but typically you can expect to start seeing traffic growth in 3 to 6 months.

The key is to stay consistent and focused on providing valuable content for your audience, the results will follow.

And remember, this isn’t a one-time project; SEO is ongoing. The more content you create, and the more backlinks you build, the stronger your website becomes over time.

If you want help accelerating your SEO journey then visit my service page: Digital Marketing Services for Professional Firms | Marketing with Sarena

Or just need some advice on where to start, I can help you develop a content marketing strategy that works for your firm. Email me at hello@marketingwithsarena.co.uk or visit the Contact Me page to get started.