How to Track Your SEO Progress (Without Losing Your Mind)
If you’ve ever Googled your business name, held your breath… and scrolled past pages of competitors before finally spotting yourself on page 4, you’re not alone.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) can feel like one big guessing game — especially when you’ve invested time, energy, or money into it and you’re not sure if anything’s actually working.
So, how do you really know if your SEO is moving the needle?
Let’s break it all down: what to track, how to track it, and what it all means for your business growth.
Why Tracking SEO Progress Matters (More Than You Think)
SEO isn’t a one-off task or a sprinkle of magic keywords. It’s an ongoing strategy. And like any strategy, if you’re not measuring progress, you’re flying blind.
Here’s what tracking helps you do:
Spot wins early (like more traffic or better rankings)
Catch problems before they snowball (e.g. a page drops in search)
Make smarter decisions (what to double down on, or ditch)
Prove the ROI of your investment (especially if you're paying an SEO agency)
It’s not just about getting to page 1—it’s about knowing why you got there… and how to stay.
Meet Rob: A Quick Anecdote
Rob runs a window-cleaning business in Colchester. He hired a cheap SEO service off a freelancer site who promised him "Page 1 in 7 days."
At first, Rob was chuffed. He searched “best window cleaner Colchester” and there he was—right at the top! Until he realised… it only showed up on his own phone and only when he was standing outside his own house.
That, friends, is what we call the illusion of SEO success.
Tracking real SEO progress? That’s how Rob finally got seen by customers beyond his driveway—and built a reliable pipeline of leads.
The Key Metrics That Actually Matter
Let’s start with what you should be looking at.
1. Organic Traffic
This is the number of visitors coming to your site via search engines like Google—not through ads or social media.
👉 Use: Google Analytics
🎯 Track: Overall traffic, which pages get the most hits, and what search terms brought them in.
✅ Tip: Look for steady month-on-month growth. Big spikes might mean a one-off event (like a blog going viral), but sustainable growth is the real goal.
2. Keyword Rankings
Your keyword rankings show where you sit in Google for specific search terms.
👉 Use: Google Search Console + paid tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or SEMrush
🎯 Track: Movement in key terms like “accountant in Essex” or “eco cleaning products UK”
✅ Tip: Don’t obsess over one keyword. Track a group of keywords related to your service or location.
3. Click-Through Rate (CTR)
CTR shows how many people actually click when they see your listing in search results.
👉 Use: Google Search Console
🎯 Track: Are your meta titles and descriptions compelling enough?
✅ Tip: A low CTR could mean you’re showing up but not standing out. That’s fixable.
4. Bounce Rate & Dwell Time
If people land on your site and click straight off again, that’s a red flag. Bounce rate tells you this. Dwell time tells you how long they stay.
👉 Use: Google Analytics
🎯 Track: Which pages are keeping people’s attention—and which ones aren’t.
✅ Tip: Add videos, FAQs, or better formatting to hold interest.
5. Conversions
Traffic is great. But you’re not a blogger (unless you are). You’re running a business.
👉 Use: Google Analytics (set up conversion tracking)
🎯 Track: How many visitors fill in your contact form, call you, book a demo, or buy something.
✅ Tip: This is your true north. If SEO is working, it should eventually show here.
Tools That’ll Make Your Life Easier
Here’s your SEO Swiss army knife:
Google Search Console – Free. Shows your keywords, impressions, CTR, technical issues.
Google Analytics – Free. Deep insight into how users interact with your site.
Ubersuggest – Affordable keyword tracking and competitor insights.
Screaming Frog – Great for SEO audits, broken links, and on-page checks.
If you’re working with an SEO agency, they should give you regular reports—ask for them if they don’t.
Warning Signs Your SEO Isn’t Working
Not all traffic is good traffic.
Watch for these red flags:
You rank for unrelated keywords (e.g. “free online bingo Essex” when you sell dog treats).
Traffic is rising but leads are falling.
Your homepage loads slower than a snail on a sugar crash.
You’re stuck in position 94 after 6 months.
SEO should build trust, generate leads, and support your business goals.
If it isn’t, it’s time to ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓How long does SEO take to show results?
For most small businesses, you’ll see early signs in 3–6 months. Real, game-changing results? Often 6–12 months. SEO isn’t fast—but it is worth it.
❓Can’t I just track my position on Google manually?
You can… but it’s unreliable. Google personalises results. What you see isn’t what your customers see. Use tools like Google Search Console instead.
❓Do I need to track every keyword?
Nope. Just the ones that matter most—those that match your services, location, and audience intent. Quality over quantity.
❓Is traffic the same as leads?
Not quite. Traffic = visitors. Leads = visitors who take action. You want the right traffic—people who actually want what you offer.
❓Why do rankings go up and down?
Google updates its algorithm regularly. Competitors change things. You add new content (or don’t). It’s normal. Watch trends, not daily shifts.
❓Can I do this myself or do I need an agency?
You can do it yourself. But if time is tight or SEO feels like learning ancient Greek, working with pros can save you stress—and get results faster.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
SEO isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about steady, strategic progress.
A good SEO strategy builds your visibility over time, helps you earn trust, and gets your business in front of the people who need you most.
But you can’t fix what you’re not tracking. So if you’re investing in SEO—or thinking about it—make sure you’re measuring the right things.
Start small. Check your numbers monthly. Know your baseline. Celebrate the wins.
And if you’d rather not do it alone…
📞 Let’s Talk SEO That Actually Works
At 99 quid websites, we help UK small business owners grow their visibility, generate leads, and finally understand what’s really going on with their SEO.
Want a no-pressure chat to see what’s possible for your business?
👉 Click here to contact us or drop us a message. We’re friendly, we don’t do jargon, and we love a good cuppa while talking strategy.
Let’s track some real progress together.
