Many folks believe that once their website is optimized and has achieved great search rankings, those rankings should remain intact indefinitely.
Nope. That’s simply not true.
In this Search Engine Optimization Frequently Asked Questions (SEO FAQs) video blog, I address the question, Do I need an ongoing SEO service? and share 6 things your ongoing SEO should include.
(The article below is a summary of the video, but you’ll get more details and examples if you watch the video.)
Is SEO a one-time project or an ongoing project?
The internet is a dynamic and ever-evolving space. Search algorithms are in a perpetual state of change, websites are continuously being updated, and competitors are constantly vying for better positions. If you optimize your website just once and then check that off your list, over time any progress you’ve made in your search rankings will gradually erode due to these changes.
In other words, if you want to want to continue to have good search rankings, you have to continue to do SEO.
6 Things Your Ongoing SEO Should Include
Whether you’re handling it yourself or entrusting a company like OurChurch.com, here are the key parts of ongoing SEO.
1. Regularly Review Search Ranking
Ongoing SEO involves the regular monitoring of your search rankings. You should generate or receive SEO reports that show how your website ranks for the specific keywords you’re targeting.
This not only allows you to track your SEO progress but also helps uncover any issues. If you notice a significant drop in rankings in a month, that’s a red flag indicating that something needs investigation.
2. Monitor Website Changes
Updating your website with fresh, relevant content is crucial. Unfortunately, it’s likely that as you edit your website, you will delete or change parts of your pages that had been optimized. We have this issue with our own website all the time.
If these changes go undetected and unaddressed, they will cause a drop in search rankings.
Therefore, it’s important to keep track of what’s been optimized, review changes to the website, and if those changes affect the optimization, take steps to re-optimize.
3. Stay Informed on Search Algorithm Changes
Did you know… Google makes more than 1,000 changes to its search engine every year?!?
While many of these changes are minor and have little impact, some can be massive, affecting millions of websites. To stay ahead, someone in your organization should be monitoring these algorithm changes and making necessary adjustments to your SEO strategy.
4. Adapt to Change
It’s not enough to just know about changes to search rankings, web pages, and search algorithms. You must respond and adapt.
5 & 6. Link Building and Content Marketing
SEO is like a race. No matter what position you’re in, if you stop running, your competitors will eventually pass you. But if you keep moving forward, you can pass your competitors – into the top 10, top 5, and even the #1 spot.
Link building and content marketing are vital components of your ongoing SEO service. They help you not only keep up with your rivals but also gain ground on those who are ahead of you.
Link building and content marketing are definitely not a one-time service. Links and new content must be added regularly to maintain and advance your SEO.
As digital marketing expert Rebecca Lieb says…
SEO is an ongoing project, not set-it-and-forget-it. -Rebecca Lieb

Outsource your ongoing SEO
At OurChurch.Com we believe so strongly in the importance of ongoing SEO, we don’t even offer one-time SEO services. All our SEO services include monthly SEO reports, proprietary tools that monitory your website for changes, SEO updates, link building, and content marketing.
If you’d like to explore church SEO or Christian SEO for your business, school or ministry, we would love to talk with you and answer any questions you might have.
Fill out the consultation request form below (mobile) or on the right (desktop) to schedule a call!
Comment and Share your thoughts:
- What questions do you have about SEO reporting, monitoring, and adjustments?
Read or watch more SEO FAQ articles and videos!

Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
1 Comment
I am an SEO specialist, and this job is very helpful for me because I don’t have to commute because I work from home here. There are many advantages to working online, so I hope others can learn about it so they don’t have to struggle anymore.