SEO Pricing Guide: What's The Cost of SEO in 2024? (2024)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful digital marketing strategy that helps you outshine your competitors in search engine result pages (SERPs).

But how much does SEO cost? On average, small and midsize companies can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 to $5,000 per month on an SEO project.

There are tons of factors that can influence how much you’ll spend on SEO, so keep reading for the inside scoop on all things SEO pricing!

P.S. Did we mention we’re partnered with an industry-leading SEO agency? We offer transparent SEO service pricing, so you know upfront what you’ll pay and receive with our SEO services.

View our SEO pricing, and then contact us to launch your personalized, revenue-driving SEO strategy!

How much does SEO cost?

While many businesses pay between $1,500 to $5,000 per month for SEO, you could pay as little as $100 per month or upwards of $30,000, depending on several factors.

SEO service pricing can vary largely depending on the size of your business, the scope of your project, and your SEO provider.

Take a look at the tables below for a more in-depth look into average SEO costs:

SEO service pricing broken down by pricing model

Take a look at the different SEO pricing models and their costs below:

Depending on the agency or consultant you’re working with and your needs, you can pay for your SEO strategy on a monthly, fixed contract, one-time project, or hourly basis.

Some agencies might have a set monthly amount for their services, or you might pay a set fee for your entire project. You’ll likely pay an hourly fee if you work with a consultant.

Investing in SEO services from an experienced agency is a great way to help you earn a higher return on investment (ROI) for your efforts, making it a cost effective SEO option.

An experienced SEO agency, we take the time to get to know your unique business to craft a personalized SEO strategy that helps you achieve and exceed your goals.

From getting access to advanced technology and in-depth reports with our in-house software, MarketingCloudFX, to receiving ongoing optimizations to ensure your strategy always drives revenue, WebFX can help you do it all.

SEO costs broken down by business size

View a breakdown of SEO service pricing by business size in this table:

The size of your business can also have an impact on your SEO costs. For example, a company just starting out would likely have a smaller website and fewer content pages, resulting in a smaller scale SEO project compared to an enterprise company’s website.

What determines the cost of SEO?

Many factors determine the cost of SEO, such as:

The size of your business

The size of your business influences the cost of SEO services. Larger enterprises typically have more extensive websites and require more comprehensive SEO strategies to compete effectively in their industries. Small businesses, on the other hand, may have simpler websites and less complex SEO needs.

The scale and scope of the SEO project will directly impact the overall cost. Enterprises often invest more in SEO due to their broader reach and competitive landscape, while small businesses may focus on more localized and targeted SEO efforts.

The scale of your SEO project and website

The scale and complexity of your SEO project and website are important SEO pricing factors.

Websites with numerous pages, intricate structures, and diverse content types require more extensive SEO strategies and implementation.

A comprehensive, full-service SEO plan will cost more than a one-off single SEO service, such as a link profile audit. However, opting for a comprehensive plan may be more cost-effective than purchasing multiple one-off services. Factors such as website redesigns, migration, or technical SEO audits may also incur additional costs.

The agency’s or consultant’s experience and location

The experience level and geographical location of the SEO agency or consultant you choose can significantly impact pricing. Established agencies with a proven track record of delivering results often command higher fees due to their expertise and reputation.

Additionally, agencies based in regions with higher living costs or greater demand for SEO services may charge more for their services. However, it’s essential to balance cost considerations with the quality of service provided and the agency’s ability to meet your specific SEO needs and goals.

Your chosen SEO pricing model

The pricing model you choose, such as monthly retainers, hourly rates, project-based fees, or performance-based pricing, can have a significant impact on your SEO costs. Each model has its advantages and potential use cases. Monthly retainers provide ongoing support and maintenance, while hourly rates may be more suitable for specific tasks or consultations.

Understanding the implications of each pricing model and aligning them with your budget and objectives is crucial for selecting the most cost-effective option.

Your current SEO performance

The starting point of your website’s SEO performance also influences the cost of SEO services. Websites with minimal existing optimization may require more extensive initial audits, keyword research, and content optimization efforts to establish a solid foundation. On the other hand, websites with a history of SEO investments and established rankings may require more nuanced strategies focused on refinement and maintenance.

Evaluating your current SEO performance allows SEO professionals to tailor their services to address your website’s specific strengths and weaknesses effectively.

Your company’s needs and goals

Understanding your company’s unique needs and goals is fundamental to developing a tailored SEO strategy and determining your costs. Whether your objective is to increase website traffic, improve search engine rankings, generate leads, or boost online sales, aligning your SEO investment with these objectives is essential.

Different goals may require varying levels of investment and resources to achieve, making it crucial to communicate your priorities clearly with your chosen SEO provider.

Your budget

Budget considerations play a significant role in determining the scope and scale of your SEO initiatives. While it’s essential to invest enough in SEO to achieve meaningful results, overspending beyond your means can strain your financial resources unnecessarily.

Establishing a realistic budget that aligns with your business goals and expected ROI is key ensuring a cost-effective SEO investment. Open communication with your SEO provider about budget constraints allows you to develop cost-effective strategies that deliver measurable outcomes while staying within your budget.

What do SEO services include?

Before investing in SEO services, you need to know what your plan will include.

Typically, SEO services include the following deliverables:

• Initial website and SEO audit
• Keyword research and integration
• Competitor analysis
• SEO contentcreation and optimization
• On-page SEO, including title tag, URL, and meta description optimizations
• Off-page SEO, like building your backlink profile
• Technical SEO, like page speed optimization and responsive web design
• Ongoing reports and analysis of your SEO performance
• Ongoing strategy optimizations and improvements

Our SEO experts help you save tons of valuable time and resources by acting as an extension of your marketing team.

We take the time to get to know you, your team, and your business to ensure we craft and manage a strategy that drives traffic, leads, and sales for your business.

Our top-tier SEO services include all the deliverables mentioned above, plus much more.Contact ustoday to learn more about how our SEO services help your business grow!

Is it worth paying for SEO?

SEO is worthwhile if you work with a reputable partner that has the right strategy in place and knows how to drive results. SEO can significantly increase your visibility in search, which is one of the most commonly used online channels and has a higher conversion rate than many other digital channels. SEO can drive long-term value for your business through increased visibility with your target audience.

To determine whether your SEO pricing is cost-effective, you can calculate your ROI. Take a look at the progress you’ve made toward your goals since beginning your SEO services and compare that to your costs. For example, useful metrics to look at are leads and sales from organic search. Keep in mind that SEO is a long-term strategy and that it can take time to see results, especially if you’re just getting started with SEO.

Hiring SEO professionals vs. DIY SEO

It is possible to do SEO yourself, which may make you wonder whether paying for SEO is worth it. DIY SEO might be a practical approach if your business is just starting out and you’re not yet ready to put significant investment into marketing. On the other hand, you might opt to do SEO yourself if you have the resources to hire an in-house SEO team with the expertise to drive results.

However, many companies, especially small to mid-sized businesses, choose working with SEO professionals over doing their own SEO. This is because creating and implementing an effective SEO strategy takes significant expertise, time, and resources. When doing SEO yourself, you have to invest time into learning SEO and working on the many elements of an SEO strategy, which takes time and resources away from other aspects of running your business.

A reputable SEO agency already has everything it needs to efficiently drive results, which means you’ll get a return on your investment more quickly and can focus on other important projects related to growing your business.

How to set a budget for SEO

Creating a clear SEO budget is key to getting the most out of your SEO. The ideal amount to budget for SEO differs from business to business, but the average budget ranges from $2500–$7500 per month, making up about 5–10% of the total marketing budget.

To determine your budget, you’ll want to set goals for your SEO strategy, evaluate your overall marketing budget, and decide which areas you want to focus on to achieve your objectives. You can then assess your in-house capabilities and start comparing SEO services to see what best fits your needs.

An SEO budget acts as a guide, steering marketing efforts toward growth. Crafting an SEO budget goes beyond financial planning—it’s a strategic must for unlocking online potential and driving lasting growth in the digital realm.

How much should you spend on SEO?

As we mentioned, companies typically spend around $1,500 to $5,000 per month on SEO. However, when it comes to SEO, one size doesn’t always fit all, and your company might spend more or less on your strategy.

How much you spend on SEO depends on your company’s unique needs and goals. Do you already have an SEO strategy in place? Do you have a large website with hundreds of pages that require optimizations?

All of these factors will determine the perfect price for your SEO strategy.

So, what’s the bottom line? How much you pay for your SEO strategy will ultimately come down to the scale of your SEO project and your chosen agency or consultant.

Choose the best agency or consultant that helps you achieve your goals and earn the highest ROI. To help you choose the best SEO agency, take a look at the agency’s

• SEO pricing plans and deliverables
• Reviews and testimonials
• Case studies

It’s also important to remember that SEO is an ongoing strategy. Search engines and users are constantly changing, and your website will need to keep up to help you drive more revenue.

An ongoing monthly SEO investment is one of the best ways to keep your site optimized for maximum traffic, leads, and conversions.

Invest in an SEO strategy that drives revenue

We offer completely transparent SEO pricing, so you always know what you’ll pay and receive with our SEO services.

Our SEO experts have more than 25 years of experience crafting revenue-driving SEO strategies. We’ll craft a personalized strategy, tailored to your unique company’s needs and industry to help you achieve your business goals.

Our SEO services have helped clients drive over $3 billion in revenue. Is your business next?

Contact usto launch your revenue-driving SEO strategy today!

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