Author: Karol

  • How Long Does SEO Take to Work? (And Why It Feels So Slow)

    How Long Does SEO Take to Work? (And Why It Feels So Slow)

    If you’ve just started working on your website’s SEO and are wondering when you’ll start seeing results, you’re not alone. Almost every founder, blogger, or marketer has asked this same question: How long does SEO take to work?

    And the frustrating answer?

    It depends.

    But that’s not helpful, right? So in this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s going on behind the scenes, what affects how fast (or slow) you rank, and how to know if your SEO is on the right track. Think of this like a map—one that shows you where the slow curves, steep hills, and acceleration lanes are.

    Let’s start at the beginning.

    Why Does SEO Take So Long to Work?

    Imagine planting a seed.

    You water it, give it sunlight, and care for it daily. But the next day? It still looks like a pot of dirt. That’s SEO.

    SEO works kind of like farming. You’re not buying results like you would with ads. You’re building authority, relevance, and trust with Google—over time.

    Here’s why it takes a while:

    • Google doesn’t instantly trust your website. Especially if it’s new, Google needs time to figure out who you are and if you’re a reliable source.
    • There are millions of websites. If you’re writing about something lots of other websites are also covering (like “best laptops” or “how to lose weight”), you’re in a tough race.
    • Google uses hundreds of factors to rank websites. Things like your content, your website’s speed, how many other websites link to you, and how easy your site is to read and navigate.
    • Google needs time to find and understand your content. Even if you publish a great blog post, it can take days or weeks before Google fully crawls, indexes, and evaluates it.

    So SEO isn’t just about writing and waiting. It’s about doing the right things consistently and patiently.

    How to Get SEO Results Faster

    Now, while SEO takes time, there are things you can do to speed things up a little bit. Think of these like adding fertilizer to your plant—it doesn’t make it grow in one day, but it helps.

    1. Choose Easier Keywords to Compete For

    Let’s say you’ve just opened a tiny coffee shop in a big city. If you try to compete with Starbucks on day one, you’ll get crushed. But if you focus on your local street or neighborhood—boom, now you have a chance.

    That’s what low-competition and long-tail keywords are.

    Instead of going for “digital marketing,” try something like “digital marketing for handmade soap businesses.”

    Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or even Google’s autocomplete can help you find these gems.

    2. Understand What the Searcher Really Wants (Search Intent)

    Let’s say someone types “best running shoes.” Do they want a history of shoes? No—they want recommendations.

    Google tries really hard to match what people mean when they search—not just the words they type.

    So before you write, Google the keyword yourself and look at the top results:

    • Are they listicles? (“Top 10 Running Shoes”)
    • Are they reviews? (“Nike vs. Adidas”)
    • Are they how-tos? (“How to choose running shoes”)

    Match the type of content you create with what’s already ranking. That’s what Google thinks people want.

    3. Fix the Hidden Tech Problems on Your Site

    Even if your writing is great, your website needs to be technically sound.

    Think of it like a beautiful house built on a weak foundation—it looks good, but it’s risky.

    Technical SEO means:

    • Making sure your pages load fast
    • Making sure your site works well on mobile phones
    • Fixing broken links
    • Avoiding duplicate content
    • Making sure search engines can find your pages (via sitemaps and clean code)

    You can use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Sitebulb to find and fix problems.

    4. Keep Publishing Great Content—and Clean Up the Bad Stuff

    Content is your fuel.

    You need to publish regularly, but more importantly—you need to publish helpful content. That means:

    • Giving real answers
    • Showing examples
    • Keeping it updated

    At the same time, go through your old posts. If something is thin, outdated, or useless—either fix it or delete it.

    And if you have 3 articles saying the same thing? Combine them into one powerful guide and redirect the old ones.

    5. Get Links—Internally and From Other Sites

    Links are like votes.

    If other good websites link to your content, Google sees you as trustworthy.

    You can get these by:

    • Guest posting
    • Being featured in niche blogs or news sites
    • Creating content that’s good enough to be cited naturally

    Also, don’t forget to link between your own pages. It helps Google understand your site structure and keeps people exploring.

    5 Things That Determine How Fast You’ll See Results

    You can do everything right and still see slow results if these factors aren’t working in your favor:

    1. Your Budget and Resources

    If you’re doing everything yourself in your spare time, results will come slower. If you have a team creating content, fixing your site, and building links, things move faster.

    2. Your Domain’s Age and History

    Older websites that have built up a good reputation usually rank faster. New sites? They need to prove themselves.

    If your domain has been penalized before (maybe someone used spammy tactics in the past), that can also slow you down.

    3. How Search-Engine-Friendly Your Website Is

    If your website has poor navigation, no clear structure, or messy code, Google has a hard time figuring it out. Clean things up:

    • Use proper headings (H1, H2, etc.)
    • Make sure your URLs are simple and descriptive
    • Write good page titles and meta descriptions

    4. How Fast Google Can Crawl and Index Your Site

    Sometimes Google takes a long time to discover your pages. You can help by:

    • Submitting new pages to Google Search Console
    • Having a sitemap
    • Avoiding pages blocked by robots.txt or “noindex” tags by mistake

    5. The Competition in Your Industry

    Trying to rank for fitness, health, finance, or tech? Expect slower results. These are ultra-competitive.

    But if you’re targeting something specific like “SEO for landscaping companies in Phoenix,” you might see traction within weeks.

    What a Real SEO Timeline Looks Like (Month by Month)

    Let’s say you’ve just started your SEO campaign. Here’s what to expect in the first six months:

    Month 1: Research and Audit

    You begin by:

    • Auditing your website
    • Researching your keywords
    • Looking at what your competitors are doing
    • Making a game plan

    Not much happens on the surface this month, but this research is your blueprint.

    Month 2: Fixing and Preparing

    You fix tech issues, set up Google tools, and maybe redesign a few parts of your site.

    You’ll also start writing your first pieces of content.

    But traffic? Still probably flat. That’s normal.

    Month 3: Content Starts Rolling Out

    Now the fun begins.

    You start publishing helpful blog posts, improving service pages, and setting up internal links. If you’ve done outreach, maybe you get your first backlinks.

    A few keywords might creep onto page 2 or 3 of search results.

    Month 4: First Signs of Life

    Now you start seeing actual growth.

    • You get more impressions in Google Search Console
    • A few posts show up on page 1 (usually for long-tail keywords)
    • You might start getting a trickle of traffic

    Keep going. This is where most people give up—but you’re just warming up.

    Month 5: Acceleration

    You’re in a groove now.

    • Content is consistent
    • You’re building links and getting mentions
    • You’ve removed bad pages and improved your site structure

    Traffic starts climbing. Maybe 300–1000 monthly visitors. Leads or sales might start trickling in.

    Month 6: Compounding Growth

    This is when it gets fun.

    Your old posts are ranking higher. Your new posts get indexed faster. Your site starts earning trust.

    If you’ve done things right, you might be seeing:

    • 2–5x the traffic you had in month 3
    • Consistent keyword wins
    • Some page 1 rankings for higher-volume queries

    So… When Will I Rank #1?

    If you’re asking, “When will I be number one on Google?”—pause.

    It’s not about ranking #1 for everything. It’s about building a steady stream of traffic that grows month after month.

    Realistically:

    • In a low-competition niche with great execution? You might see real results in 3–6 months.
    • In a competitive niche? Expect 9–12 months before you hit serious traction.

    But the cool part?

    Once it works, it works on autopilot. No ads. No chasing trends. Just reliable, compounding organic traffic.

    Final Thoughts

    SEO is not a quick fix. It’s a long-term investment. But if you stick with it, the rewards are huge.

    You’ll build trust, get traffic while you sleep, and eventually—rankings, leads, and authority will come to you.

    So be patient. Keep learning. Keep publishing.

    Your future self will thank you.

  • The Top 25 Google Search Engine Alternatives

    The Top 25 Google Search Engine Alternatives

    If you’re like most people, Google is your go-to search engine due to its unmatched popularity and domination. It might not, however, always provide the greatest experience for everyone. Whether you want new viewpoints, increased privacy, or more customized search results, there are numerous options to consider.

    Here are 25 excellent Google search engine alternatives to consider. These search engines each have unique features, privacy benefits, or specialized search capabilities.

    AI-Powered Search Engines

    AI search engines offer numerous benefits, including the capacity to understand context, quicker and more relevant results, and customized experiences.

    They do, however, have drawbacks, including the possibility of bias, privacy issues, and an excessive reliance on technology.

    It’s important to exercise caution while using AI search engines, double-check information from several sources, and be mindful of any potential negative effects. In this manner, you may maximize the advantages while lowering the dangers.

    1. Bing

    Google’s closest rival is Microsoft’s Bing search engine. It offers a variety of search features, such as map, video, and image searches.

    According to HawkSEM, about 27% of US search queries are handled by Microsoft’s Bing.

    Bing offers a range of customizable search settings, such as location settings, privacy controls to control data collection and usage, and safe search filters.

    With the help of Microsoft’s AI technologies, Bing’s search capabilities are improved, outperforming many other search engines in terms of accuracy and contextual relevancy.   

    Bing uses its own search algorithms and crawler, making its SERPs different from Google’s. It also offers Microsoft Rewards, earning users points for searches or shopping. These points are redeemable in Microsoft and Windows stores.

    Bing has its chatbot, Copilot, which provides customized results to users.

    According to Meetanishi Microsoft Bing gets more than 3 billion monthly active users.

    3. Perplexity.ai

    Perplexity AI is a search engine powered by AI that can be accessed via online and mobile applications. Since its launch in 2022, it has grown to 15 million users and answered 250 million questions by July 2024.

    The platform uses AI to provide answers to search queries, providing source links that allow users to explore the original content. While the basic version is free, membership is necessary to access other services like image generation and Copilot, an intelligent assistant that prompts follow-up questions to improve search results.

    However, because it relies on large language models (LLMs) to extract answers, Perplexity can occasionally generate false or misleading results.
    For example, when asked “What are the seven wonders of the world”, Perplexity delivered a clear and informative response, accompanied by helpful citations for further reading.

    4. You.com

    You.com was founded in 2020 by Richard Socher, a well-known natural language processing (NLP) expert and former Salesforce chief scientist. Since its launch, they have served 1 billion queries.

    You.com’s AI-powered search engine provides summary responses to questions. Additionally, they offer a list of websites with content related to your search.

    Even though You.com has its internet crawler, it uses Bing to power its searches. You can select between a private mode, which guarantees that You.com does not gather any of your data, and a personal mode, which provides more customized options. You.com offers both a paid and freemium edition.

    Additionally, the company provides an AI writing helper called YouWrite, an image-generating tool driven by AI, and a Chrome extension.

    You may select from more than 20 different AI models with it, making it the ideal option for AI enthusiasts.

    Mainstream Search EngineschGPT

    Mainstream search engines have established themselves as credible competitors to Google and have retained a small but consistent market share over the last few years.

    5. Yahoo!

    Yahoo! is one of the more popular alternatives to Google, with a decent 2.67% of the market share in 2023.

    Yahoo was around before Google. It started as a web portal and in 1995 developed its search engine. Yahoo’s strength lies in its diversification; in addition to search, it offers services like email, news, finance, and more.

    Since Yahoo! uses Microsoft Bing as its engine, search results are comparable. It has a simple, text-heavy layout for its search results page.

    Yahoo received over 700 million monthly active users and received 3.4 billion monthly visits in 2022 even though their search market share is declining.

    6. Ecosia

    The primary distinction that sets Ecosia apart is its dedication to using ad income for green initiatives, like planting trees.

    Ecosia plants a tree for around every 45 searches you conduct. They give you a customized counter to keep track of the number of searches you’ve done, which demonstrates your direct involvement in reforestation.

    Nearly 210 million trees have been planted by Ecosia to date, and the organization has also committed 85 million euros, or roughly $92 million, to climate action.

    It doesn’t build a personal profile to customize adverts and search results, nor does it keep your search history indefinitely (it gets erased after a week). Additionally, Ecosia is open about the fact that you can disable cookies.

    Additionally, Ecosia asserts that it is carbon-negative, having constructed its solar power plant to power its servers sustainably. Ecosia is free, however, you can gift a tree.  

    7. Aol

    AOL, previously America Online, is a brand marketed by Yahoo! Inc. You still get a start page with selected hot subjects from the news, entertainment, sports, health, food, and finance categories in the online portal game.

    However, it can also be used as a web search engine. In the US, its market share is 0.09%. During the 1990s and 2000s, it was extremely popular.

    It is not the most private search engine because location and activity tracking are enabled by default. On the other hand, you can disable these through the Privacy Dashboard. The search results are powered by partnerships with Google and Bing.

    Privacy-Focused Search Engines

    Protecting your digital privacy might be tough in the present day of targeted ads and tracking. For a more private and safe online search experience, these are the best alternative search engines.

    8. Startpage

    Startpage, headquartered in the Netherlands, provides Google-like search capabilities without tracking users. It is excellent for people who appreciate privacy.

    Instead of searching the entire web, Startpage collects results from numerous search engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, highlighting links that are present across all of them. It also includes a URL generator, a proxy service, and HTTPS capability.

    Startpage had topped 3 million daily searches by 2023, indicating that it was becoming increasingly popular among privacy-conscious users. It also complies with the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR), which ensures user data privacy.

    9. DuckDuckGo

    DuckDuckGo is a mainstream search engine, but its main appeal is that it doesn’t collect or store any personal information.

    In 20121 it had substantial growth, managing about 98.79 million search queries per day. DuckDuckGo accounted for 2.13% of the US search market as of December 2023.

    DuckDuckGo’s search results come from over 400 sources, but no personal information is shared with any of them.

    DuckDuckGo is a wonderful solution for those who value their privacy and personal information when exploring the web.

    They have DuckDuckGo Lite, a mobile version of the search engine.

    10. Swisscows

    Swisscows is a privacy-focused search engine headquartered in Switzerland, a country known for its strict privacy rules. It uses semantic information recognition to get rapid and efficient search results without retaining personal information.

    Swisscows is also family-friendly, with automatic filtering of violent and inappropriate content. It avoids using tracking cookies and geolocation. While it uses Bing for web searches, it created its index for the German language edition.

    With over 20 million searches processed monthly in 2018, Swisscows distinguished itself as a search engine that respects user privacy by not collecting or keeping data.

    Swisscows also provides a unique, ad-free music search option that respects user privacy.

    11. Brave Search

    The private search engine Brave Search is produced by Brave Software, the same company that created the privacy-focused Brave browser.

    In 2023, it became completely independent of other search engines such as Bing, relying only on its index to improve user privacy and transparency in search results.

    Brave Search, which is integrated with the Brave browser, provides an ad-free browsing experience while also rewarding users with cryptocurrency, resulting in a unique combination of privacy and earnings.

    Brave Search has grown rapidly, with 24.57 million daily active users as of January 2024. Additionally, it states that over 65 million people use the Brave browser every month for a faster and safer browsing experience.

    12. Gibiru

    Gibiru is a search engine that values privacy and does not censor results. It is ideal for people who want to avoid being tracked by the government or companies. Gibiru’s servers remove all search logs within seconds after processing the query. In March, Gibiru received 2.84 million visitors. It uses a modified Google algorithm to provide search results, so you can get what you’re looking for without worrying about Google tracking you.

    Gibiru also offers a mobile app for anonymous online browsing. Gibiru earns commission when users make purchases or perform activities based on its search results, rather than using personal data for ads.

    Search Engines for Specific Countries or Languages

    These search engines are intended to address the special needs of users in various regions by reflecting local languages and cultural backgrounds. They can adjust to both language and cultural differences.

    For example, Baidu and Yandex adhere to local censorship laws, which influence the material that users see. Similarly, Naver’s design has been modified to South Korean consumers’ preferences.

    Here are some notable examples:

    13. Baidu

    Baidu is China’s leading search engine, with a 66% market share. Its search results cater specifically to the Chinese market, with content hosted on Chinese servers ranking higher in the SERPs.

    Baidu, like Google, provides a variety of services, such as maps, music, movies, and an app store. In addition, Baidu offers a mobile browser and an app.

    14. Yandex

    Yandex is Russia’s top search engine, with more than 50% of the market share. It is well-known for its powerful algorithm, which accurately interprets Russian-language search requests. Yandex is also widely used in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Ukraine.

    Apart from its search engine, Yandex offers a range of services like Yandex.Maps, Yandex.Music, and Yandex.Money, all of which contribute to a smooth user experience.

    It also has an advertising network that lets businesses and organizations reach their intended audiences.

    15. Sogou

    Sogou is a rapidly growing Chinese search engine with a 5% market share in China. It provides an interactive search experience and includes features like WeChat integration, article search, English search, and translation services.

    Sogou is committed to providing professional, accurate, and convenient search results by utilizing its own artificial intelligence algorithms.

    16. Naver

    Naver is the second most popular search engine in South Korea, accounting for 34% of the market share. Its interface is only in Korean, with no English version available.

    As a local search engine, Naver does not index the entire internet. Instead, it concentrates on offering a variety of services, including blogs, news, music, and shopping.

    Furthermore, Naver provides a mobile app for easy searching on the go.

    Charitable search engines

    17. Goodsearch

    Goodsearch is a charitable search engine that donates a portion of its profits to organizations that its users choose. Goodsearch donates $0.01 to the user’s selected charity for each search that is conducted. Yahoo generates the search results.

    But there are a few things you should know about the GoodSearch browser extension. It is categorized as a browser hijacker by PCRisk, which implies that it can change browser settings without the permission of the user, possibly compromising their security and privacy.

    18. YouCare

    YouCare, a charitable search engine founded in France, gives away 80% of its income to various charitable organizations.

    YouCare stands out for being transparent; to confirm the contributions made, go to their donation certificates page. YouCare also has a counter that keeps track of how many searches you’ve done.

    You can also specify where your money can be allocated among the many charitable deeds.

    A Copyright-Free Search Engine

    19. Openverse

    Openverse is an open-source search engine developed as part of the WordPress initiative to assist users locate free and freely licensed content like as images and audio.

    Unlike Google, which provides a broader range of search results, Openverse focuses on a huge, searchable library of open-source media, such as images, audio, and videos.

    It’s excellent for anyone who needs music for movies or photos for blog articles without having to worry about copyright issues.

    Openverse indexes more than 700 million objects from 45 sources, including Wikimedia Commons and Flickr.

    A Revenue-Sharing Search Engine

    20. Yep.com

    Yep.com, created by Ahrefs, positions itself as a unique search engine that prioritizes user privacy by not tracking or selling user data.

    While it monitors the frequency of keyword searches and the click popularity of links, it does not create personal profiles for targeted advertisements. Its business approach encourages direct pay for content providers by offering a 90/10 revenue share.

    Additionally, it does not keep search history, IP addresses, or User-Agent strings indefinitely.

    Knowledge-Based Search Engines

    21. Wiki.com

    Wiki.com collects results from thousands of wikis throughout the internet, making it a perfect search engine for people who value community-driven information, such as Wikipedia.

    Wiki.com increases the accessibility of varied information sources by focusing on collaborative content, which appeals to individuals who value community-led information.

    22. Wayback Machine

    The Internet Archive, often known as the Wayback Machine, is a useful tool for researching historical web pages and much more.

    It serves as a comprehensive online library, providing access to a wide collection of digitized materials such as millions of free videos, books, music, and software.

    23. X (Formerly Twitter)

    X stands out as a fantastic real-time search engine, especially useful during situations when immediate updates are critical. While Google may eventually catch up, nothing beats the speed of a tweet in critical situations.

    X excels in providing minute-by-minute information, making it the go-to platform for those who need quick updates and insights when every second counts.

    Its capacity to supply real-time material ensures that people remain informed and connected during critical events.

    Specialized Search Engines

    Specialized search engines focus on specialized topics or industries, giving users more relevant and focused results than broad search engines such as Google.

    Here are some  examples:

    24. WolframAlpha

    WolframAlpha is a powerful computational knowledge engine that delivers precise answers in a variety of fields, including mathematics, science, and linguistics.

    It is an excellent resource for students, teachers, and professionals.

    The Pro version, priced at $5.49 per month, includes advanced computing and data processing features.

    25. LinkedIn

    LinkedIn is widely known as a business-oriented search engine, with 61 million searches made each week. Its search algorithm promotes the originality of an organization’s LinkedIn Page name; more distinctive names get higher search results. 

    However, overusing keywords might backfire, triggering spam filters and lowering visibility.

    The system takes into account criteria such as the number of followers, connections to the searcher, page activity, and the relevancy of search terms in the organization’s name, all of which influence search ranks.

    Conclusion

    While Google is still the preferred search engine for many people, it’s important to know that it may not always be the greatest fit for your requirements and tastes.

    Exploring other search engines can have numerous advantages, including increased privacy and a more personalized search experience. Whether you want to share entertaining material or protect your online privacy, these options can help.

    From privacy-focused platforms to those with unique features and eco-friendly solutions, there is a search engine for everyone. We encourage you to experiment with these alternatives and share your results.

    Which ones did you try, and how did they affect your search habits?

  • 35 SEO Memes You Will Instantly Relate To

    35 SEO Memes You Will Instantly Relate To

    In SEO, things move more quickly than you can keep up, and landing on the first page of Google seems like hitting the jackpot. If you’ve ever worried about keywords, been frustrated by backlinks, or wondered why your site isn’t ranking despite your best efforts, you’re not alone. SEO can be a difficult and sometimes perplexing job, but it also has a lot of amusing moments that only those in the industry fully understand.

    In this post, we’ve compiled 35 SEO memes that shows the ups and downs of the job . Now get a cup of coffee,  settle in, and get ready to chuckle (or groan) as you go through the most hilarious SEO jokes the internet has to offer.

    1. The Viral Unicorn vs. The SEO Marathoner

    It’s humorous sometimes, despite all the hard work, a bit of luck and timing can catapult someone to the top! It’s like watching someone effortlessly get through a challenging course you’ve been sweating over by using a secret shortcut that no one else is aware of.

    2. Cat Listens, No One Else

    It seems like only your cat, with its unblinking gaze and full attention, fully comprehends the depths of your SEO existence. Your cat sits there, ears perked up, hanging on every word as if you’re sharing the secrets of the universe, while everyone else is lost in the jargon.

    3. The Ultimate Test of Patience

    You speak SEO, but they hear “blah, blah, blah.” They don’t care about the complex science involved—they just want to know why their rankings are declining!

    4. Seriously, Google?

    Just when you thought you could relax and enjoy the holidays, your rankings decide to take a holiday too!”

    5. Planning a Coup?

    It’s like trying to dethrone a king with an impenetrable fortress—sure, a coup is possible, but it’s going to take a lot more than just good content.

    6. Either Way, it’s A Headache!

    Is there a Google update that will pass, or have you been penalized? Either way, you’re stuck figuring out how to get back on track!

    7. Great Job, Honey!

    It’s a little accomplishment, but it feels like winning the lottery of internet validation. Finally your moms comments have a competition!

    8. My Morning Brew

    Knowing that my content has just received a boost, I’m motivated to plunge into optimizing and ascending the SERPs, driven by coffee and SEO successes!

    9. The Polite Threat

    I may not know where you are, but I’ll find you and politely ask you to remove those links!

    10. Constantly Checking SERP positions? Yep, We All Do It

    No matter how many SERP tools come out, we just can’t resist. SEO is thrilling for geeks. Google always keeps us on our toes. So, here we are: checking rankings, checking again in incognito mode.

    11. It’s Just Waiting for Google to Get Around to You

    SEO may appear hard, but it is more about patience than brain surgery. With a little time and effort, you will notice results!

    12. No Content Strategy? Nice Try, But No Entry!

    Without a content strategy, you’re not getting through the SEO gatekeepers. You Gotta Have a Plan, Bro! Without one, you’re just wandering aimlessly in the SEO wilderness!

    13. Thought I Will Never Find You

    I’ve finally done it! It makes you want to shout from the rooftops. That moment is pure, unadulterated joy, and no amount of metrics can ever measure it!

    14. Nichmares Again!

    You’re tossing and turning, dreaming of keyword opportunities and market segments, as if your subconscious is hosting its own SEO conference. SEO can consume your thoughts, even when you’re supposed to be catching some z’s!

    15. How Now?

    It’s like asking for a slow-cooked, gourmet meal but demanding it in five minutes. But don’t worry, we’ll turn up the heat as much as we can and get those results cooking faster.

    16. You Might Lose Your Leg Next Time😄

    It’s like saying “I’m not afraid of spiders” and then realizing you’re in a room full of them.

    17. Oh, Really? Dream On!

    Sure, good content is important, but don’t forget about all the other factors that come into play!

    18. The Never-Ending Battle

    Please google let me hold it a little longer.

    19. Your Crush Doesn’t Know You Exist

    Time to give it a makeover before Google swipes left for good.

    20. Backlink Insomnia

    “I really need to build more backlinks!” It’s funny how SEO stress can invade your sleep and make you obsess over backlinks.

    21. Play By The Rules, Buddy 😉

    The goal is to play fair and make Google’s job easier by offering valuable content and a great user experience. Earn those rankings with quality content and honest effort! The goal is to stand out, not to sneak around!

    22. A Thousand Reasons To Smile

    Could have been worse, LOL! Seeing this graph makes me realize my day isn’t so bad after all. Sometimes, a little perspective on someone else’s SEO struggles can be oddly comforting.

    23. The SEO Struggle of Being Almost Famous

    You’re so close to the spotlight, but somehow, you’re stuck in the “better luck next time” zone! “Don’t give up your big break could be just one search engine adjustment away!”

    24. SEO Goldmine

    Time to seize that prime spot on the SERP and enjoy the sweet taste of SEO victory!

    25. The Ultimate ‘Déjà Vu’ Moment

    When your competitor takes ‘great minds think alike’ to a whole new level.

    26. I’m Just A Devotee At The Church of Google

    While my friends and family think I’m a tech wizard, I’m only just paying tribute to the Google gods if you see me with my eyes glued to the screen and whispering sweet nothings to the search bar, know that I’m just paying homage to the SEO gods.

    27. Google’s Wandering Eye

    Did I forget to sprinkle some magic SEO fairy dust? The whole thing just leaves me scratching my head and laughing through my frustration—because, let’s be honest, sometimes the SEO game is just downright confusing!

    28. Pure frustration! Lol

    I start off with enthusiasm, but end up feeling like I’m reciting the alphabet in a foreign language. They’re nodding and smiling, but I can tell they’re mentally checking out! Meanwhile, I’m left wondering if I should just show them cat videos instead!

    29. Just Lost My Appetite

    Why does every update feel like Google’s way of saying, “Surprise! Your hard work is now a puzzle with missing pieces”?

    30. Seriously, Where Do We Hide?

    And just when you think you’ve found a hiding spot, Google’s like, “Found you!”

    31. If Pity’s Too Much, How About a Bit of Shame? Lol!

    So here I am, laughing through my exasperation, wishing Google would at least feel a twinge of embarrassment for all the chaos they create!

    32. Mastering the Art of SEO Self-Sabotage

    Hey Google, check me out! I’m so obviously human with all my ‘genuine’ spelling errors and grammar slip-ups, right? No way an AI would mess up like this, so my EEAT score is bound to skyrocket… isn’t it? Guess am in for a shock!

    33. Newsflash! You can’t Rank By Adding More Garbage

    Exactly! More words don’t equal better rankings. Quality and relevance are key.

    34. The Struggle is Real

    I stand a chance but its tough though. I need the Lords intervention too!

    35. When Your Client Thinks SEO is Instant Magic—Brace for the LOLs

    Unfortunately, we don’t have a fairy godmother on speed dial.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Productized Services [Examples Included]

    The Ultimate Guide to Productized Services [Examples Included]

    Service productization has emerged as a viable alternative to the traditional billable hours model for those seeking predictable, scalable growth in their business. If you want to take your business to the next level, it’s time to use the potential of productized services.

    I will walk you through each step of productized services in this comprehensive tutorial, including what they are, why you should use them, and how to get started.

    What is The Productization of Services?

    A productized service is purchased and sold like a product. This method entails turning your services into packaged, standardized offers that look like products.

    Instead of charging by the hour or by the project, you create set products that are simple for customers to understand and buy.

    Take for example, our niche edits link building service which is very clear on what we offer for each package:

    • Bronze package – 5 backlinks for $140
    • Silver package – 10 backlinks for $260
    • Gold package – 20 backlinks for $480

    To ensure that all prospective clients are aware of what they are getting into, all terms and conditions are fixed. As you can see above, our productized service has well defined and fixed deliverables at a particular price.

    This ensures there is less back and forth in the sales process when discussing the scope and negotiating the price.

    Ways to Productize Your Service.

    To create a productized service, you must first determine which of your services are best suited to being packaged as a “product.”

    Productization requires a significant amount of thought and effort. Here’s an outline of steps you can use:

    1. Identify Your Niche

    Clearly explain the service you provide and the type of client you are seeking. In contrast to generic services, productized services are specifically designed to fulfill the demands and expectations of a particular target audience.

    Ideally, you should have an idea that accomplishes these goals and that no one else can match. Offering very specialized services significantly reduces your direct competition. Although doing so narrows down your target market, the quality will surely increase.

    2.  Run A Competitor Analysis

    Studying your competitors provides you with vital information about their strengths, shortcomings, and unique selling propositions (USPs). With this knowledge, you could beat your rivals by positioning your productized services.

    By bundling your services into an unrivaled USP, you provide them with a compelling reason to choose your company above others, increasing your chances of gaining their confidence and patronage. You can take it a step further and impersonate a client to determine the customer experience your competitors provide.

    3. Choose Format & Structure

    Depending on your service, you can tailor a suitable format that fits your business best. There’s a wide range of possibilities here.

    You could create courses or training sessions, offer your ideas in a book, build design templates, or create a website to provide your content—whatever makes the most sense.

    Consider how often your clients typically need this particular service, if you will offer a support service for recurring needs, if your services are limited or unlimited, and how much it costs to deliver.

    No matter which productized services model you choose, remember that in the end, you should keep it simple. Offering millions of options will only delay your client’s decision and or even discourage them entirely if the process is too complex.

    4. Marketing

    If you fail to market your productized services, no number of strategies can help. The results of services are difficult to predict, intangible, and sometimes delayed. As a result, customers are slow to decide who to trust, and if you are trying to sell to businesses, the process may take even longer.

    Additionally, you must devote time to promoting your productized service and publicizing your wins as soon as you achieve them. Request recommendations, reviews, and testimonials from satisfied clients. This gives potential customers peace of mind that they have come to the right spot for their needs.

    Examples of Productized Service

    The suppliers’ creativity is the sole restriction on the variety of packaged services that can be offered. Nearly any service provider may take its most well-liked products and develop a solution that works for the majority of clients.

    The following are some examples of productized services:

    1. Content writing services

    Writers can productize their services by providing particular content within a set time limit. You can define the word count, revision requests, and optional add-ons such as images, SEO keyword optimization, and more.

    Here are a few companies that offer productized services for content creation:

    2. Legal services

    You are wrong if you believe that attorneys could only bill by the hour.

    Regardless of whether they work as legal consultants or as practicing attorneys, lawyers can potentially productize a portion of their independent services.

    Some examples include;

    3. Website Design

    Web design works well as a productized service since you can charge per project.

    There are various productized services available for website design:

    • Restaurant Engine: provides eateries with a full package for website design
    • Design Mastermind: provides one-off services for website design, sales page building, and branding
    • WP Quickie: is a WordPress task management tool with a support plan

    4. Coaching

    Unlike consultants, who normally market their expertise, coaches, and mentors market their knowledge, experience, encouragement, and support.

    Here are a few examples:

    • Copyhackers: offers lessons and courses to help writers hone their copywriting abilities and conversion strategies
    • Boss as a Service: helps you meet deadlines and finish your work by keeping you on track with your productivity targets
    • GrowthMentor: Offers tailored guidance from vetted startup and marketing mentors

    5. Software

    Software-as-a-service (SaaS) involves implementing and administering an established software platform.

    Examples of software-productized services include:

    • ProcessKit: provides a complete implementation of process-driven project management software
    • ConvertNow: an email marketing platform that helps businesses build their email lists and send out email campaigns
    • Bench: Integrates human customer service with online bookkeeping

    How to Market a Productized Service

    1. Define your target market

    The first thing you should ask yourself when marketing productized services is who you intend to sell the product to.

    What demands will your productized services address? If you answer these questions, you will be able to discover the best marketing channels to reach your target audience.

    2. Create a sales page

    After determining your target market and what they require, your next move should be to develop a sales plan for your productized service. The sales page should be straightforward and concise.

    It should also highlight the qualities and benefits attached to your service. Remember to include pricing information and a call to action so that potential clients may easily acquire your services.

    3. Drive traffic to your sales page

    Once your sales page is complete, you need to start driving traffic to it. There are several ways to do this, including paid advertising, search engine optimization, and social media marketing.

    We recommend starting to build some backlinks for your website at this point if you want SEO to eventually become part of your marketing strategy. Our niche edits backlink service can do this for you without you doing any work. Make sure to check it out.

    Choose the marketing channels that will reach your target market most effectively and start driving traffic to your sales page. Social media marketing and paid ads might be a more immediate approach because it brings customers quickly in the short-term.

    In the long-term, however, you need the search engine traffic to start kicking in to bring some easy leads.

    4. Convert visitors into customers

    After directing traffic to your sales page, you must begin converting site visitors into paying clients. You can achieve this by providing a discount or a free trial for your service.

    To improve the conversion rate on your sales page, you also need to use good copywriting and design.

    5. Upsell your customers

    Once you have clients, you can begin offering them more products and services through upselling. One way to achieve this is by providing premium versions of your productized service or by cross-selling related products.

    You may boost sales and expand your company by upselling your clients. These marketing techniques are essential for creating a compelling product marketing strategy that appeals to your target market in addition to selling your productized service.

    Conclusion

    Productizing  your services can be a great way to give your business a fresh start and accelerate its growth. Although productized services seem to have many appealing benefits for businesses and are simple to carry out, they also have certain drawbacks.

    To be on the safer side,  activate your strategic thinking and develop a well-planned strategy. Get as much information as you can from all angles, then use that information to inform your judgments.

    Featured image: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash