What Is Your Experience with SEO and Online Marketing for Your Business?

My experience with SEO and online marketing began about a year and a half ago when I started managing my business efforts on my own. Initially, I experimented with various apps for generating leads and managing my Google profile. Despite these efforts and seeking help from friends and freelancers on Fiverr, I didn’t achieve the results I wanted. After trying two agencies without success and feeling like I was only spending money without getting calls from Google Ads, I decided to take a different approach. Since then, the experience has been amazing—I feel more in control of the outcome and confident in my skills.

Full Explanation

My journey in SEO and online marketing began with self-initiative. For about eighteen months, I managed attempts to attract leads using different apps and making sure my Google profile was well maintained. To improve my website, I involved friends and hired experts via Fiverr. However, none of these methods brought satisfactory results. I also engaged two marketing agencies seeking professional help, but their efforts didn’t yield positive outcomes either.

This pattern left me feeling like I was spending money without seeing any return, especially with Google Ads where calls or inquiries never materialized. Realizing the need for a change, I decided to try a new, more hands-on approach where I have more control over the strategies and the results. Since adopting this new way, I’ve seen a positive turnaround and gained confidence in navigating SEO and online marketing for my business.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Initial Self-Management: Started managing SEO and online marketing independently, focusing on apps for lead generation and Google profile management.
Seeking External Help: Asked friends for advice and hired freelancers from Fiverr to enhance website performance.
Agency Trials: Tried two different marketing agencies hoping for professional results, but did not achieve the desired impact.
Reflection: Felt like investments in ads and agencies were not producing calls or leads.
A New Approach: Decided to take control personally, adopting a new method that allowed better understanding and influence over outcomes.
Current Status: Experiencing positive results and a sense of control, feeling empowered to continue managing online marketing effectively.

Real Examples

Throughout this process, I used apps to try to generate business leads and made updates to my Google profile to improve visibility. Friends contributed by providing help with website improvements, and Fiverr freelancers were hired to assist with technical or creative tasks. Despite these efforts, no significant leads came in from Google Ads, and agency partnerships didn’t improve results. The turning point came when I shifted from outsourcing and passive methods to actively managing and understanding the marketing myself.

Common Mistakes

Relying heavily on external agencies without understanding or controlling the process.
Spending money on ads like Google Ads without monitoring results or calls.
Depending solely on apps or freelancers without a cohesive strategy.
Expecting quick results without adjusting approaches based on outcomes.
Not feeling empowered to handle marketing personally, which can lead to ineffective spending.

FAQs

How long did it take to see results from managing SEO yourself?: The experience described started about a year and a half ago, with positive results coming after deciding to take a more hands-on approach.
Did hiring agencies improve your marketing outcomes?: No, the two agencies tried did not provide good results.
What was the motivation to change your strategy?: Feeling like money was being spent without generating any calls or leads prompted a shift to a more controlled approach.
Do you still use apps and freelancers?: Initially yes, but the focus shifted more towards managing SEO and marketing personally for better results.

Key Takeaways

Managing SEO and marketing independently can increase control and understanding of results.
External help is valuable but should be combined with personal oversight.
Spending money without measurable outcomes indicates a need to revisit strategy.
A hands-on approach can lead to better, more reliable results in SEO and online marketing.
Confidence and knowledge grow with active participation in managing business marketing efforts.