Clear Oak Studio

SEO GUIDE

The Truth About SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a long-term system. This page gives a measured, transparent explanation of what it can do, what it cannot do, and how we build infrastructure that improves your odds over time.

What SEO Is - And What It Isn’t

  • SEO improves structure, clarity, and authority over time.
  • SEO does not guarantee rankings.
  • SEO does not produce instant results.
  • SEO does not override 20-year competitors overnight.

If someone promises guaranteed rankings in 60 days, they are either misinformed or not being transparent.

Why Competitive Markets Take Time

Search results are shaped by accumulated trust signals. Domain age, review volume, brand search volume, backlinks, and local map authority all influence competitiveness.

New businesses are often competing against companies with 20+ years of domain history, thousands of reviews, and established authority.

3-6 MONTHS

Structural improvements

6-12 MONTHS

Traction and signal lift

12-24 MONTHS

Authority growth

What We Provide

  • Clean technical structure
  • Proper service and location page architecture
  • Schema implementation
  • Internal linking
  • Performance optimization
  • Clear analytics
  • Strategic roadmap guidance

We improve probability. We build infrastructure. We do not sell miracles.

What We Do Not Offer

  • We do not manage paid advertising.
  • We do not run Google Ads campaigns.
  • We do not guarantee ranking positions.
  • We do not promise instant traffic spikes.
  • We do not sell backlink packages.

If your growth strategy requires aggressive paid acquisition, we recommend working with a dedicated advertising specialist.

Optional SEO Add-Ons

These are structured, scoped services built to improve long-term clarity and search performance. Results always depend on market competition and execution consistency.

Content Development

For businesses building long-term authority.

INCLUDES

  • 1 professionally structured blog post per month (SEO-aligned, not keyword stuffing)
  • Or 1 new service/location page per month
  • Internal linking optimization
  • Proper heading structure
  • Schema enhancements where relevant

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Guaranteed ranking improvements
  • High-volume content publishing
  • Backlink outreach campaigns

PRICING

  • $299/month (1 piece/month)
  • $499/month (2 pieces/month)
  • Custom pricing for larger build-outs

Google Business Profile Optimization

For local businesses focused on Maps visibility.

INCLUDES

  • Profile audit and optimization
  • Service and category refinement
  • Review response framework
  • 2 optimized GBP posts per month
  • Q&A management structure
  • Photo update guidance

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Paid Local Services Ads management
  • Guaranteed Maps ranking positions

PRICING

  • $350 setup
  • $249/month ongoing management

Structured Local SEO Expansion

For businesses expanding into additional service areas.

INCLUDES

  • Location page build (optimized properly, not duplicate spam)
  • NAP consistency review
  • Citation audit
  • Internal linking refinement
  • Structured service + town page rollout plan

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Aggressive backlink campaigns
  • Ranking guarantees
  • National SEO strategy

PRICING

  • $950-$1,500 project-based
  • Optional $299/month refinement

Conversion and Performance Advisory

For businesses that want better ROI from existing traffic.

INCLUDES

  • Conversion audit
  • Form optimization review
  • Call tracking setup guidance
  • Offer positioning review
  • Landing page structure feedback
  • Quarterly performance consultation

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Ad campaign management
  • Funnel buildouts for paid traffic
  • Revenue guarantees

PRICING

  • $750 one-time audit
  • Included with Authority Package

Our Philosophy

We build digital infrastructure correctly. We improve clarity, structure, and probability. We operate transparently. We will never promise what we cannot control.