During the first month, clients may find SEO operations obscure and hard to understand, until the results are expressed in specific figures — page views in organic search results, click-through rates, new texts, terms of reference for copywriters, and so on. But in SEO, no less important than the actual work of internal optimization or link building is the preparatory stage: collecting and analyzing data, arranging it systematically and processing it into logical work lists and analytical documents. That's what is going on behind the scenes in SEO. Yes, that’s right: while the client is waiting to see rising search rankings, increased CTR, and familiar SEO operations, we’re doing the work that really matters. Below is a real example of an SEO work list that Alconost created for an Android mobile development client during the first month of the project. 

Read also our articles related to this topic: 

SEO Plan. How Long Does It Take To Promote A Website In Search Results?

Search Queries Analysis and Adjusting Promotion Strategy  

FYI: Why is keyword compilation and creating a semantic core so important?

The semantic core consists of keywords and phrases, and in fact, is the framework of your entire website. This is true whether we’re talking about SEO for mobile apps or “classic” website SEO. Naturally, mobile apps have their own nuances, and these can be significant. But selecting the right semantics is the key.

The semantic core is created by carefully studying search demand in your niche, checking for synonyms, identifying the chief interests and needs of your potential client, filtering out irrelevant queries, and structuring the website and various types of web pages based on all the data collected.

Knowing what your client is looking for and how they go about it will massively increase your chances of success. 

In an ideal world, the semantic core is formed at the web development stage. But the reality is that clients usually come to us with existing websites, and that makes things a bit more complicated, though by no means impossible. When it comes to creating a semantic core, the rule is “better late than never!”

An example of query grouping in one of the clusters of the semantic core when studying search demand for a b2b site of an equipment manufacturer

To better illustrate the volume and content of the first month of SEO work, we took an actual report on one of Alconost’s clients — a mobile app and software developer. We analyzed around 25 query groups containing a total of around 10,000 queries. We compiled a table containing a detailed SEO work list, and specified the time needed to perform each task.

What you get at the close of the first month of SEO work

As you see, during the first month Alconost's SEO specialists spent around 35 hours working with the semantic core and establishing certain terms of reference. Is that a lot, or not? Aside from sampling and analyzing keywords, the SEO work included agreement with the client, consulting, compilation of various documents, and initial competitor analysis. Once this comprehensive initial stage of the work is complete, the client ends up with:

1. A list of terms of reference for the main pages;
2. A precise structure for all possible web pages with keywords selected for them, even allowing for the possibility of future changes in search demand;
3. A clear concept of what content is in demand and what copywriters need to work on;
4. An understanding of strategic prospects for developing their niche;
5. A comparison table for query groups based on quantitative parameters, with conclusions;
6. A clear view of the prospects for all query groups checked based on website traffic generated and potential conversion; 
7. An understanding of what competitors are doing, areas of overlap with them, and ways to stand out.

We hope this brief case study with an actual work list will help you understand how SEO professionals really spend their time working on your project. Naturally, the list is not exhaustive: a lot depends on the niche, competition within that niche, and your own objectives.

The experts at Alconost are always ready to help clients with all things SEO, analysis, and consulting, whether you're a mobile developer or in another field altogether. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alconost is an internet marketing agency that offers search engine optimization for multilingual websites as well as PPC management, SMM and Content promotion. We conduct full SEO audits and website optimization, improve website usability, develop an international promotion strategy and analyze statistics and many others to increase your profits and improve your positions in search engines.

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