Marketing
Marketing
SEO / GEO
SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is considered by most digital marketing experts to be one of the most essential tools for any business operating online. Whether you’re just starting out or running an established company, understanding and implementing SEO can dramatically change how customers find you.
What exactly is SEO?
SEO is the practice of improving your website or online store so it appears higher in search engine results when people look for products, services, or information related to your business. Think of it as making your website more visible and attractive to search engines like Google, so they recommend it to users searching for what you offer.
The goal is simple: to rank on the first page of search results for the “keywords” or search terms that your potential customers are actually typing into Google. SEO involves multiple strategies working together, including On-page SEO (optimizing content and structure on your website), Off-page SEO (building your website’s reputation through links from other sites), and Technical SEO (making sure your website works properly and loads quickly).
Why you should integrate SEO into your digital marketing strategy
Today, when people want to find a product, service, or answer to a question, their first stop is almost always a search engine like Google. Here’s an important fact: 93% of users never make it past the third page of search results. This means if your business isn’t showing up on the first page, you’re practically invisible to most potential customers.
Search Engine Optimization is the perfect solution for you:
- If you want to establish your brand in your industry and stand out from competitors who may be getting all the attention right now
- If you want to increase traffic to your website or online shop without constantly spending money on paid advertising campaigns
- If you want to be found exactly when potential customers are actively searching for what you sell or offer
- If you want long-term results that keep bringing customers to your site month after month, year after year
The beauty of SEO is that it works for virtually any type of business. Whether your company is large and well-established, brand new and unknown, local or international, Search Engine Optimization can drive real growth. Unlike paid ads that stop working the moment you stop paying, SEO builds lasting visibility that continues to deliver results over time.
At Cactus, we can fully support you in growing your business and reaching your goals with our team of SEO specialists. We create a strategy tailored specifically to your needs, business objectives, and industry trends. Combined with our technical expertise and commitment to staying current with search engine updates, we’ll help you climb to the top of search results and stay there.
How quickly can my website appear on the first Google results page?
This is the most common question entrepreneurs ask when they decide to invest in SEO, and it’s completely understandable. After all, you want to see results from your investment.
The honest answer is: it depends on several important factors.
The first major factor is competition. How many other websites are trying to rank for the same keywords? A highly competitive keyword in a crowded industry (like “running shoes” or “car insurance”) will naturally take longer than a more specific, less competitive phrase (like “handmade ceramic mugs in Athens”).
For difficult and very competitive keywords, you should realistically expect 6 to 12 months before seeing significant results. In some extremely competitive industries, it can take even longer. For less competitive keywords, you might see results in 3 to 6 months. We generally set 3 months as the minimum timeframe for any keyword strategy to start showing measurable progress.
You might hear stories about websites reaching the first page in less than 15 days, but these cases are rare exceptions. Usually, these involve keywords with very little competition or commercial value, or worse, they involve questionable techniques that might get quick results but lead to penalties down the road. Our approach focuses on sustainable, long-term growth that won’t put your website at risk.
Think of SEO like planting a garden. You can’t plant seeds today and expect fully grown vegetables tomorrow. But with consistent care, the right techniques, and patience, you’ll have a harvest that keeps producing season after season.
What are the procedures to optimize a business website for SEO?
SEO isn’t a one-time project, it’s an ongoing process that requires regular attention and adjustments. This is why SEO is typically offered as a monthly service. Our work follows a continuous cycle with three main phases:
Phase 1: Analysis and Targeting
- Current position analysis - We examine where your website stands right now in search results
- Keyword research - We identify which search terms your potential customers are actually using
- Competition analysis - We study what your competitors are doing and find opportunities they're missing
- Goal setting - We define clear, measurable objectives for your SEO campaign
Phase 2: Development and Positioning
- Content creation - We develop high-quality, valuable content that answers your customers' questions
- On-page Technical SEO - We optimize your website's structure, titles, descriptions, images, and internal code
- Off-page SEO and backlinking - We build your website's authority by earning quality links from reputable sites
- Internal linking - We connect your pages strategically to help search engines understand your site structure
Phase 3: Monitoring and Refinement
- Data analysis - We track your website's performance using Google Analytics, Search Console, and other tools
- Regular reporting - We keep you informed about progress, traffic growth, and ranking improvements
- Goal achievement analysis - We measure results against our initial objectives and adjust the strategy as needed
- Retargeting and optimization - We continuously refine our approach based on what's working and what's not
This cyclical process ensures your SEO strategy stays effective even as search engines update their algorithms and your competition changes their tactics.
GEO: The Future of Search with Generative Engine Optimization
As technology evolves, so does the way people search for information. Enter GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, a new approach designed for AI-powered search tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, Gemini and other AI assistants.
What are LLMs and why do they matter for your Website’s Traffic?
Large Language Models are AI systems that can understand and generate human-like text. Instead of simply showing a list of website links like traditional search engines, LLMs provide direct answers by processing information from across the internet. Think of them as having a conversation with a knowledgeable assistant rather than sorting through search results yourself.
More and more people are turning to these AI tools to find information, get recommendations, and make decisions. This shift means businesses need to think beyond traditional SEO.
What is Generative Engine Optimization?
GEO is the practice of optimizing your content so that AI systems can easily understand, reference, and recommend your business when answering user questions. While traditional SEO focuses on ranking in search results, GEO focuses on getting your business cited and mentioned by AI assistants.
Here's what makes GEO different:
- Focus on clear, direct answers - AI systems prefer content that answers questions concisely and accurately
- Emphasis on authority and credibility - LLMs are more likely to reference well-established, trustworthy sources
- Structured information - Organizing content in ways that AI can easily parse and understand
- Natural language optimization - Writing in a conversational way that matches how people ask questions
The good news?
Many of the principles that make good SEO also work for GEO. Quality content, clear structure, and authoritative information help you succeed in both traditional search and AI-powered search. At Cactus, we’re staying ahead of these trends to ensure your business remains visible no matter how people search for what you offer.
Cactus and the Future of AI-Powered Visibility
At Cactus, we understand that the digital landscape is changing rapidly. Our goal isn’t just to help your website rank well on Google—we’re also focused on making sure your business gains visibility and traffic through Large Language Models and AI assistants.
As more users turn to AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overview for answers, we’re developing strategies to ensure your business gets recommended and cited by these platforms. This means optimizing your content to be the authoritative source that AI systems trust and reference when users ask questions related to your industry.
We’re investing in understanding how LLMs work, what types of content they prefer to cite, and how to position your business as a go-to resource in your field. Whether someone searches on Google or asks an AI assistant for recommendations, our comprehensive approach ensures you’re visible across all channels. This forward-thinking strategy gives you a competitive advantage as the way people discover businesses continues to evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions about SEO
Video Creation / Edit
Social Media today is the medium that, today more than ever, your future customers use when they want to get in touch with your company and interact with.
Performance Marketing
Google has,for several years, been able to advertise in its search results for keywords and phrases that users are looking for.