SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It involves optimizing a website to improve its visibility when people search for products or services related to your business in search engines like Google. The higher the visibility of your pages in search results, the more likely you are to attract attention and attract prospective and existing customers to your business.

SEO is a long-term strategy. Results typically take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to start showing, depending on various factors such as the competitiveness of your industry, the current state of your website, and the strategies implemented. Significant results, especially in highly competitive sectors, can take a year or more.

On-page SEO refers to optimizations you can apply on your website, such as content quality and keyword optimization, meta tags, and site speed enhancements. Off-page SEO involves activities outside your website to improve your site’s reputation and authority, such as link building, social media marketing, and brand mentions.

While basic SEO can be performed by anyone with the willingness to learn, more advanced techniques usually require specialized knowledge and tools. Hiring a professional or an agency can provide expertise and ongoing support that might be difficult to match on your own, especially if you're running a business full-time.

The cost of SEO services can vary widely based on the scope of the project, the service provider’s expertise, and the competition within your industry. SEO can be structured as a monthly retainer, a project-based fee, or hourly consulting rates. It’s important to discuss expectations and deliverables clearly before starting.

Look for providers with a good track record, transparent practices, and clear communication. Ask for case studies, references, and a detailed proposal with the scope of work. Avoid anyone promising instant results or using black-hat SEO tactics that can penalize your site.

Keywords are words or phrases that users type into search engines to find what they're looking for. Using the right keywords on your website helps search engines understand what your site is about and how it should rank in search results. Keyword research is fundamental to developing a successful SEO strategy.

SEO and paid advertising (such as PPC - pay-per-click) serve different purposes and often work best in conjunction. SEO is about building long-term organic visibility, while paid advertising offers immediate traffic and visibility. A balanced approach often yields the best results.

Success can be measured using various metrics, including organic traffic, rankings for specific keywords, conversion rate from organic traffic, and improvements in site visibility. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can provide valuable insights into your SEO performance.

Local SEO and organic SEO are both strategies aimed at improving your visibility in search engine results, but they target different kinds of search queries and outcomes:

Local SEO focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. These optimizations help your business show up in localized search queries and in Google's "Local Pack" or "Map Pack," which is a section of Google's search results that shows a map and a list of three local businesses related to the query. Local SEO is crucial for brick-and-mortar businesses or services targeting customers in specific geographic areas. Factors that influence local SEO include your Google My Business listing, local citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites), reviews on Google and other review sites, and local keywords.

Organic SEO refers to the practices implemented to obtain a natural placement on organic search engine results pages (SERPs). These optimizations are not localized and apply to a broader scope of search queries. The focus here is on creating high-quality content, optimizing keywords, improving site speed, securing backlinks, and ensuring the overall user experience is positive. Organic SEO is essential for businesses looking to draw traffic from various regions or internationally, not just locally.