SEO Blogging case study
How DK Studio Went From 1,500 to 150,000 Yearly Website Visitors Through Story-Driven SEO
Client & Context
Client: DK Studio | Austin-based Residential Architecture Firm
Industry: Architecture & Design
Size: Small boutique firm (team of 3)
Role: Senior Copywriter & Brand Strategist
DK Studio is a woman-owned architecture firm in Austin specializing in custom homes, renovations, and additions. I worked directly with Founder and Principal Architect Dianne Kett to help expand their web presence, boost organic visibility, and position the studio as a thought leader in residential architecture.
Challenge
When DK Studio reached out, they had:
No blog presence and minimal on-page content
Low search visibility—ranking for only a handful of niche keywords
Under 1,500 annual website visitors
Key pages (About, Services, Portfolio) either missing or extremely thin on copy
The firm’s digital footprint didn’t reflect their architectural expertise, and competitors were consistently outranking them for high-value searches. The goal was to build authority, attract qualified leads, and turn their website into a true inbound marketing engine.
Approach / Method
To rebuild their SEO foundation, I created a story-driven content marketing strategy that balanced technical SEO precision with educational, human-centered writing.
Strategy highlights:
Conducted keyword research using Keywords Everywhere, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to identify missed opportunities and trending topics.
Built a content cluster framework—cornerstone blogs supported by related subtopics—to strengthen domain authority.
Developed annual blog calendars focused on design education, architectural tips, and frequently searched client questions.
Expanded and keyword-optimized key website pages (About, Services, Portfolio) to ensure they were properly indexed by Google.
Maintained a consistent cadence of 2–4 blogs per month from July 2020 through September 2024, refining tone and structure to align with Google’s Helpful Content standards.
Solution & Implementation
Each month followed a structured workflow:
Keyword and topic ideation with the DK team
SEO-optimized outlines and internal linking strategy
Drafting and editing for readability and authority
Uploading, formatting, and publishing with full metadata
By layering educational storytelling with keyword-targeted insights, we positioned DK Studio as both an approachable design voice and a technical expert. All work was executed and managed solely by me.
Results
The results speak for themselves:
📈 From 1,500 to 150,000+ annual visitors
📊 300% year-over-year traffic growth during our partnership.
🌐 330,000+ total website visits from 2020–2024, with 250,000+ organic via Google Search.
🔥 Three viral blogs ranking in the Top 5 positions on Google, each with 50,000+ views and 4:30+ average time on page:
📊 30% increase in lead form submissions from organic visitors.
🔍 Over 2 million keyword impressions in 2025, continuing to drive traffic long after active engagement ended.
“Since working with Drew, our visibility has skyrocketed. Our blog now ranks among the top results for major architectural searches, and we’re getting new client inquiries every week.”
A Look at the Google Results…
Answer Engine Optimized: Securing Top-Ranking Placement in Google Search Labs AI
Displayed as #1 Answer to the Search Query
Ranked Again as #2 in the Google Organic Search Results
Recommended as an Answer to Questions People Also Ask
Key Takeaways
Authority-building content works. Educational, long-form blogs answering specific client questions drastically outperformed generic design content.
Technical SEO + human storytelling = sustainable growth. The content continues to perform years later, proving that Google rewards authenticity and structure.
Why it matters: This project shows how a strategic SEO blogging framework can transform a small design studio into a trusted online authority—without paid ads.