SEO, or search engine optimization, is a long-term strategy that can take time to show its effectiveness for a new website. The time it takes for SEO to be effective varies depending on several factors, such as the website's quality, age, and authority.

How Long Does SEO Take to Work for a New Website?

According to a study conducted by Morningscore, which surveyed 75 SEO experts, 82% of them reported that it takes an average of 6 months to see an increase in traffic from SEO efforts. However, the full results of good SEO strategies can take even longer, with some experts suggesting it can take up to 12 months or more.

One of the main reasons SEO takes time is due to the Google Sandbox effect. This is an algorithm that prevents new websites from ranking well for specific keywords to avoid cheating the algorithm and scamming consumers. As a result, it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for a new website to start accumulating traffic from search engines.

The overall authority of a website, which comes from the quality of the content it publishes and the backlinks and mentions it receives from other credible sources, also plays a significant role in SEO effectiveness. Building this authority takes time and requires a consistent effort in creating high-quality content and establishing legitimate backlinks.

So, SEO can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months or more to show its effectiveness for a new website. This is due to factors such as the Google Sandbox effect, the time it takes to build authority, and the need for consistent effort in creating high-quality content and establishing legitimate backlinks.

How Long Does it Take to Optimize a Website?

Optimizing a website from scratch can take a considerable amount of time, depending on various factors such as the size and complexity of the website, the experience of the development team, and the chosen technology stack. On average, it can take anywhere from 150 to 500 hours to build a website from scratch.

The process involves several stages, including planning, design, development, content creation, and testing. Each of these stages can take a varying amount of time, with some stages taking as little as 4 hours and others taking up to 80 hours or more.

It's worth noting that the time it takes to optimize a website can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of the project. Factors such as the type of website (e.g., informational, membership, or e-commerce), the level of customization, and the need for third-party integrations can all impact the overall timeline.

All this means is that optimizing a website from scratch can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the project's complexity and the resources available.