How Do I Know If My SEO Is Actually Working?
It’s the #1 SEO question: how do I know if it’s working? Here’s what service-based businesses should track—and how Managed Nerds can show you progress you can actually see.
“I signed up for SEO three months ago… but how do I know if it’s working?”
If you’ve asked that, you’re not alone. Service-based businesses—especially trades and solopreneurs—often feel SEO is a black box.
You’re not seeing it like you do with ads where every click is counted. SEO happens behind the scenes. But there are clear signs to look for—and ways to measure what matters.
What Not to Worry About First
Let’s start by clearing the air: ranking #1 for “roofer” or “plumber” alone is not the right goal.
SEO success isn’t about vanity keywords. It’s about:
- Are you showing up for your customers’ actual searches?
- Are you getting more calls or form fills?
- Are your leads better qualified?
A healthy SEO strategy is built for growth, not gimmicks.
The Right SEO Signals to Watch
📈 Organic Traffic Trends
Your website traffic should grow from non-paid search over time.
- Use Google Analytics or tools like GA4.
- Watch for month-over-month and year-over-year trends.
🌎 Local Rankings & Visibility
Check if you’re appearing in the local map pack for:
- Service + location searches (“roof repair Evans GA”)
- Branded searches (“Your Business Name reviews”)
Tools like BrightLocal or even manual Google searches (incognito mode) can show progress.
⭐ Review Growth
Google Business Profile reviews often rise as SEO improves your visibility. More eyes → more calls → more customers → more reviews.
📝 Content Engagement
- Blog posts getting more clicks
- Time spent on pages increasing
- Bounce rates improving
These signal Google is sending the right traffic to you.
☎️ Call & Lead Tracking
Most importantly—are your calls, bookings, or forms increasing?
We can track:
- Calls from your GBP listing
- Click-to-call from your site
- Quote forms submitted
How Long Should It Take?
Typical service-based SEO timelines:
- Month 1–2: Setup and cleanup. Minimal change.
- Month 3–4: Traffic starts shifting, map pack rankings begin.
- Month 5–6: Noticeable lead growth. Branded search rises.
- Month 6+: Compounding growth across search terms.
If you’re not seeing movement after 4–6 months, it’s time to review your strategy.
How Managed Nerds Makes It Clear
Managed Nerds believes SEO should be transparent—not magic.
Here’s what we do:
- Provide monthly reports showing traffic, rankings, and leads
- Set realistic goals for service-based businesses
- Explain what’s working—and what needs adjusting
- Offer AI-driven insights to uncover new SEO opportunities
No fluff. Just progress you can understand.
Ready to See SEO Results You Can Actually Measure?
If you’re tired of guessing if your SEO is working, it’s time to make it crystal clear.
Contact Managed Nerds today
We’ll show you what’s working, what’s not, and how to turn SEO into one of your best lead sources.
