If you’re thinking about SEO (or AISO), you’re probably asking the same thing most business owners do: “How long until this actually works?”
Fair question. Because unlike ads, SEO isn’t instant. It takes some patience – but once it kicks in, it pays off in ways ads never can.
SEO Isn’t Overnight Shipping
SEO doesn’t show up in two days. Think of it like planting a garden: you prep, you water, you give it time, and eventually it keeps feeding you. Most businesses see results starting around three to six months, with bigger growth closer to a year. The timing depends on things like your industry competition, how SEO-friendly your site is, and how consistent you are with content and credibility-building.
Why It Takes Time
Search engines (and AI) want proof they can trust your site before they showcase it. That trust comes from publishing valuable content, having a site that’s clear and easy to navigate, and showing consistency over time. It’s like building a reputation – slow at first, but once established, it sticks.
However, Quick Wins Exist
The long game is where SEO shines, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see anything in the short term. Improvements like speeding up your website, fixing page titles, or updating old content can spark results in weeks while the deeper SEO work keeps growing in the background.
The Bigger Picture: SEO + AISO
Here’s what’s changing: SEO isn’t just about Google rankings anymore. AI-driven search (AISO) is shifting how people discover businesses. That means your website and landing pages need to be designed for both – traditional search engines and the new AI-driven results. The sooner you adjust, the sooner you’ll show up where your customers are actually looking.
Our Theory: Play the Long Game
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Ads might give you quick wins, but SEO and AISO build authority that lasts. Plant the seeds now, keep nurturing them, and your business won’t just show up – it’ll stay up.
At Design Theory, we build websites and marketing strategies designed to get you seen in both search engines and AI results.
