Addiction treatment programs and search engine optimization don’t really seem to have much in common. Upon closer inspection, however, the opposite is actually true.

In working with some of the largest drug rehab centers in the country, Dreamscape Marketing has determined that SEO and addiction treatment share many similarities. In this exclusive excerpt from Dreamscape Marketing’s whitepaper “10 Reasons Why SEO is Like an Addiction Treatment Program,” here’s one such similarity:

Sticking to a Long-Term Plan Makes a Difference

Think of those rehab patients who work extremely hard on their recovery for a week and then believe they have done their part and that the process is over. Obviously, patients like this will be in for a rude awakening when they discover that effective addiction treatment never involves a quick fix. It’s a long process that requires commitment, perseverance, and patience—definitely patience!

In the realm of drug rehab SEO, a one-off optimization initiative has about as much potential to create a long-term result as an intense week-long stab at sobriety. It just doesn’t work that way. Obviously, SEO leads are important, and drug rehab centers have a very good reason for seeking them. It’s been established that SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate. This is in sharp contrast to outbound leads (such as traditional direct mail or print advertising) that only offer a 1.7% close rate. However, like drug addiction rehab, SEO isn’t an overnight process.

In SEO, as in drug addiction treatment, creating an effective plan and sticking with it is what makes the difference. Both require commitment—and both can deliver extraordinary results if you do your part.