How Much Does SEO Cost & Is It Worth It?
In today’s digital world, businesses constantly explore ways to expand their reach and attract new customers. Chances are, you’ve encountered SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in your research. It’s a powerful marketing tool, but a natural question arises: “how much does SEO cost?” and more importantly, “is SEO worth it” for your business?
How Much Does SEO Cost Exactly?
Know what to expect.
Understanding how much SEO costs can feel like navigating a maze, but budgeting for it doesn’t have to be! This guide aims to demystify the process by exploring the key factors that influence SEO costs and help you determine the sweet spot for your business growth. Let’s ditch the guesswork and unlock the real value of ranking higher in search engines.
The reality of SEO is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. While everyone would jump at the chance to rank above competition for a mere $500 a month, that’s simply not the case. Focusing solely on price shopping can ultimately hinder your business growth. Instead, view SEO as an investment, aiming for efficiency and maximizing the return on your investment (ROI). The key question shouldn’t be “how much does SEO cost,” but rather, “how can I evaluate the efficiency and value of my SEO investments?”
The price tag for effective SEO services can vary significantly due to several factors. The amount and complexity of content needed can impact cost. Are you aiming for local visibility or national reach? Different goals require different strategies and budgets. The growth potential of your industry and target market can influence the level of effort and resources needed. Different SEO packages offer varying services, impacting the overall cost. By understanding these factors and exploring all your options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and business objectives.
▼ Business/SEO Service Needs
Overall, the biggest factors that will determine SEO pricing will be your specific business and SEO service needs. Consider these different variables:
- Business goals and objectives.
- Competition and type of industry you are in.
- Urgency.
- Existing brand awareness and exposure.
- Existing visibility in organic search.
- The overall technical abilities of your CMS.
- Local vs. Global SEO.
- Status of existing SEO strategy.
- Scale of SEO strategy.
▼ Business Size
Yes, your SEO costs will be influenced by your business’ size, products or services offered, and its competitive landscape. For instance, a newly established company may have fewer webpages and consequently require less effort for their project than an enterprise organization. The larger the scale, the larger the retainer.
- Basic Retainer: $875 to $1,750/mo.*
- Standard Retainer: $1,750 to $3,500/mo.*
- Advanced Retainer: $3,500 to $7,000/mo.*
- Specialized Retainer: $7,000+/mo.*
* Prices may fluctuate based on your needs.
▼ SEO Pricing Models
The amount you will budget or spend on SEO services will depend on the type of agreement you choose. Whether you want one-time assistance or continuous expert management from a reputable company. Here is a general overview of the different pricing models:
- One-time Project Costs: Although there are various ways to approach SEO, one of the more popular methods is through an audit. This type of service typically costs between $5,250 and $10,000+ when working with a professional agency. It may also be possible to pay for optimization on a one-time basis without signing a long-term contract depending on the company.
- Retainer-Based & Monthly Plans: Monthly or annual plans are a great way to get continuous and long-term support for your business. With meetings and collaboration, strategies can be tested and customized as data is received. The cost will depend on where your business is at and where you want it to go.
- Hourly Rates: Hourly pricing will be heavily influenced by the person or company in charge of your SEO. For example: experience level, the elements needed, and more. The average hourly rate for freelancers is around $50-$75/hr. while SEO companies are $175-$250/hr.
Take the Expense Out of Expensive
Sticker shocked? Get to Know Your ROI.
Although it may appear to be an expensive endeavor, SEO is actually one of the most affordable marketing investments available to businesses. Search engine optimization (SEO) can provide a great return on investment (ROI) and should not be overlooked. Remember:
- SEO takes time to work. In fact, it can take anywhere from six to twelve months before seeing a return on investment, and that is after proper optimization.
- SEO takes multiple skills. Sometimes, this may even include multiple experts working together. From producing SEO content to optimizing page speed, there are numerous areas where SEO strategies are implemented.
- SEO takes expertise. Sure, search engines have been around for a while now, but that doesn’t mean that changes don’t occur. Algorithms are updated regularly, technology advances, and even changes in online behavior need to be considered. Google makes well over 3,000+ modifications a year. Are you keeping up-to-date on all of that? We are.
Is SEO Worth It?
Invest and create your future.
Indulging in SEO isn’t just a treat; it’s a momentous change. Picture this: Your website, a scrumptious delicacy lost in a sea of confections. Now, SEO acts as the flavor enhancer, making your business the cherry on top of SERPs.
But is the investment worth the sugar rush? Absolutely. Let’s talk hard data—quantitative style. Let’s take a look at the entire year for a local furniture store. Everything is off the charts specifically the engagement rate and engagement time per session from the channel group Organic Search. They received on average around 1,000 organic visits per month for 2023 from our efforts:
Organic Traffic Splendor
Businesses that prioritize SEO witness a spike in online visibility, leading to a whopping 75% increase in organic traffic. The top traffic source for all websites is organic search accounting for 53% of all website traffic.
Imagine your storefront attracting more foot traffic than the aroma of freshly baked cookies.
Delicious ROI
And the return on investment (ROI)? It’s not just a handful of candy; it’s the whole candy aisle. Studies show a 14.6% close rate for SEO-generated leads compared to a meager 1.7% for outbound strategies. It’s like upgrading from a single chocolate bar to an entire candy buffet, irresistible.
Don’t Be Left in the Dust
1. 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
2. 75% of people never go past the first page of Google search results.
Still skeptical? Picture this: Without SEO, your website is that lonely candy in the back, gathering dust. With it, you’re the jawbreaker at the front, capturing attention and satisfying cravings.
Supercharge Your Website with a Custom SEO Plan
We offer a range of SEO plans to fit your specific business needs and budget. From building a strong foundation (Basic & Standard) to dominating search results (Advanced & Specialized), our expert team will craft a customized strategy to elevate your online presence. Explore the features and benefits of each plan to find the perfect solution and unlock explosive growth for your business.
Basic Retainer
For locals & smaller-sized projects
$875-$1,750 /mo.
Listing Management
Brand Monitoring
Review Management
Map Rank Tracker
Competitor Review Analysis
Standard Retainer
For regionals & medium-sized projects
$1,750-$3,500 /mo.
On-page Optimization
Off-page Optimization
SEO Copy
Technical SEO Audits
Structured Data
Advanced Retainer
For nationals & larger-sized projects
$3,500-$7,000 /mo.
Regional Competitor Analysis
Ongoing Content Creation
National Backlink Acquisition
Performance Monitoring
Advanced Reporting
Specialized Retainer
For internationals & world domination
$7,000+ /mo.
Localized Web Pages
Ecommerce
Enterprise
Multi-regional &
Multilingual Site Management
Need more SEO insights?
Explore our FAQ like a delightful dessert buffet. Click a question for a single bite or savor the entire knowledge base!
▼ Beginner SEO FAQ
How to Learn SEO
What is an SEO Campaign Strategy?
How to Identify Keywords for SEO
What is SEO Copy & How to Write SEO Content?
What is an SEO Title?
What is Meta Tag in SEO?
Why is Having Duplicate Content an Issue for SEO?
What Is On-Page & Off-Page SEO?
Why are Internal Links Important for SEO?
What are Backlinks & Link Building in SEO?