Published · Updated
In short: What SEO services include, in short: eight parts – technical SEO, keyword research, on-page optimisation, content, local SEO, links and mentions, AI visibility and a monthly report. Month one goes on the audit and strategy, months two and three on technical fixes and key pages, then on content and trust. In our experience, first changes show within 2–3 months and steady growth within 6–12 months. Google’s own guidance says no one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google – if an SEO firm promises one, look elsewhere.
An SEO proposal often has a single line: “SEO optimisation, €400 per month”. What is actually done for that money is often unclear to business owners. This article explains what SEO services include, what a month-by-month work plan looks like, when to expect results and the red flags to watch for when choosing an SEO firm. In Estonian, people search for this service as SEO teenus.
What do SEO services include?
A complete SEO service has eight parts. A cheaper package covers some of them, a full one covers all:
| Part | What is done | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Technical SEO | Indexing, speed, mobile view, errors, redirects, sitemap, robots.txt, structured data | If Google cannot read the page, good content will not help |
| Keyword research | What customers search for and in which language, which page owns which query | Without it you optimise the wrong things |
| On-page SEO | Titles, meta descriptions, H1–H3, internal links, images and alt text | Helps Google and AI understand what the page is about |
| Content | Improving service pages, blog articles, FAQs, case studies | Content brings new queries and answers buyers’ questions |
| Local SEO | Google Business Profile, reviews, consistent business details | Brings customers from Google Maps and the map pack |
| Links and mentions | Partners, directories, media, industry associations | Trust for both Google and AI |
| AI visibility (GEO) | Answer at the top of the page, facts, Schema.org, AI crawler access | Your company appears in ChatGPT and Google AI answers |
| Reporting | Search Console, GA4, enquiries and sales, a list of completed work | You see what you are paying for |
If a proposal only mentions “keywords and meta descriptions”, that is on-page SEO, not a complete SEO service. Always ask which parts are included in the monthly fee.
What does an SEO work plan look like month by month?
Month 1: audit and strategy
A technical audit, access to Search Console and Google Analytics, keyword research in Estonian, Russian and English, competitor analysis and a plan of which page owns which query. Also check that the site is open to AI crawlers – see the AI visibility checklist.
Months 2–3: technical fixes and key pages
Speed and indexing issues, titles and meta descriptions, improved service pages, internal links, structured data and a tidy Google Business Profile. To check speed, see the website speed test guide.
Months 4–6: content and local visibility
Blog articles and FAQs answering real customer questions, case studies, collecting reviews, local pages and first mentions with partners and directories.
Months 7–12: growth and trust
New topics, refreshing old pages, links and media, conversion improvements and AI visibility: whether your company is mentioned in ChatGPT and Google AI answers. More: GEO optimization.
When do SEO results show?
In our experience, first changes in Search Console show within 2–3 months and steady growth within 6–12 months. Local queries and technical fixes move faster; competitive nationwide keywords move slower. That is why many providers ask for a 3–12-month minimum contract.
What should an SEO report include?
- organic clicks and impressions from Search Console compared with last month and last year;
- enquiries and sales from organic search;
- rankings for key queries;
- work completed this month and next month’s plan;
- visits from AI search (chatgpt.com, perplexity.ai).
What are the red flags when choosing an SEO firm?
- Guaranteed #1 rankings. Google’s guidance states plainly that no one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.
- A “special relationship with Google” or secret methods that are never explained.
- Buying links in bulk. Buying links to influence rankings breaks Google’s spam policies.
- Mass-produced content without expertise or review.
- No access: you cannot see Search Console and Analytics yourself.
- Reports on rankings only, not clicks and enquiries.
What questions should you ask an SEO firm?
- Which of the eight parts are included in the monthly fee?
- Who writes the content, and is it included in the price?
- Does the SEO firm make technical fixes, or your developer?
- How are links and mentions billed?
- How long is the contract and how do you end it?
- Do you work with Russian and English SEO too?
- Do you work on AI visibility (ChatGPT, Google AI)?
- Which case study can you show with numbers?
For what this work costs in Estonia, see SEO services cost in 2026. Our SEO services cover all eight parts in Estonian, Russian and English; start with a free website audit or a technical SEO audit. If your customers are in your city, also read what is local SEO.
Frequently asked questions
What do SEO services include?
Technical SEO, keyword research, on-page optimisation, content, local SEO, links and mentions, AI visibility and a monthly report. A cheaper package covers some of these, a complete service covers all.
What happens in the first month of SEO?
A technical audit, access to Search Console and Analytics, keyword research, competitor analysis and a plan of which page owns which query.
How quickly do SEO services deliver results?
In our experience, first changes show within 2–3 months and steady growth within 6–12 months, depending on competition and the state of the site.
Can an SEO firm guarantee a #1 ranking on Google?
No. Google’s guidance says no one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Treat that promise as a red flag.
Do SEO services include AI visibility?
A modern SEO service also works on getting your company into ChatGPT and Google AI answers: clear answers, facts, structured data and AI crawler access.
