The Cost of SEO: How Much Should You Pay?

As with most service-based industries, there aren’t any “guidelines” about what SEO should cost. It’s built on market demand, the competitive landscape, and what makes sense for the individual business. And as a business, there are obviously different factors at play. A one-person organization based from home with an Internet connection and cell phone has a different cost structure than a large service-based agency. So, the factors that go into the guidelines must account for the significant cost differentials.

• Reputation
• Service
• Education
• What to watch for when shopping SEO
• A note to SEOs and agencies on pricing and service models
• FAQ: How can I determine the right SEO cost for my business?

Add to that the fact that there is no set of agreed-upon “standards” for service and the measurement of performance. This becomes confusing to the potential client on what they are supposed to be buying.  I have seen a lot of sites that have a long list of deliverables without any quantifiable set of measurements.

“I will edit eight pages per month” is not ROI, and is obviously easy to perform. That said, there are many companies claiming to do SEO that simply punch down a list of tasks without any results other than that you paid for the tasks to be done.

As a consumer, it is a matter of risk.

If you’re in the research stage of shopping for SEO, this post is meant to give some insight into the cost of SEO, and what you’re buying when you pay for search engine optimization.

Reputation

First, reputation is earned, and that reputation takes expertise, and that expertise is based upon significant investment. Not everyone has 10,000 hours in this field (this is what many people consider “expert” level). Thought leadership is a consideration as well. Do they have a “voice” in their community? Do they consistently work to demonstrate it?

If you’re considering off-shore SEO, you’ll find that a company with potentially hundreds of SEOs is unlikely to have anyone on your project with significant knowledge at the low fee they are charging. That said, experience and knowledge can be expensive.

Service

Next, let’s think about the costs of a typical day at an SEO company. There is research time, education time and project management time factored into every client’s plan. As a client:

• Do you expect answers?
• Do you expect reports?
• Do you expect service?

If you want all of this, expect a time investment by the company. To make a real impact, your SEOs should be spending significant time on the things that matter to a great SEO service. Anything less than a good chunk of hours towards the components that go into a stellar SEO service will likely produce a less-than-satisfying experience.

Education

A quality SEO spends at least a few hours each week keeping current on the industry and trends. Google changes its algorithm about 500 times per year, and has buildings of people just “inventing” new things for its search product.

Think about the time and costs that go into keeping knowledge up, such as:

• Continuing education
• Additional training
• Conferences and workshops
• Hands-on research

There is no boiler template for applying Web marketing, so things must continuously be learned, tested and reported. Having a well-rounded SEO is critical, and so, you ultimately pay for that.

Each company has its own commitment to expertise and developing it. And each company has a different opinion of the value of your business and the commitment to quality versus just “punching a clock.” These things must be taken into consideration when paying for SEO.

What to Watch for When Shopping SEO

Here are just a couple of signs to watch out for when shopping for SEO:

• Any company stressing links as the main selling point of their SEO. Of course, there are companies who work to gain organic links through quality tactics. Or companies that specialize in analyzing link profiles to get rid of bad links. These are typically fine. But any company that is in the business of buying or selling links is not one you want to be involved with.
• Any company where work is performed off-shore by an army of SEOs, where the target native language and culture is not the company’s first language/experience.
• Any company charging dirt cheap for SEO; they might be under-committed to education and service.
• Any company promising “top rankings”; this is extremely difficult for any company to guarantee, and the promise itself is essentially cheapening the discipline of SEO.
• Any company not reasonably ranked for their major keywords themselves (the “cobblers child” excuse is invalid).

And, make sure you always:

• Ask for references if you’re not familiar with their reputation.
• See if they have had a lot of complaints filed against them.
• Find reviews about the company online.

A Note to SEOs and Agencies on Pricing and Service Models

In the market for SEO are both small and large businesses. Looking to the future, think about how you can assist the demand for quality SEO. Consider the following:

• Big business and status: We see often that larger companies will not buy from any company that does not have a solid reputation in the industry. What this can ultimately mean is that the large companies that can afford expertise and service will gain higher rankings faster than any small company buying cheap services from companies with no track records.
• Small business and accessibility: We have a strong belief that most of the future growth of the Internet will be with local businesses. As in, small businesses with small budgets. Our experience shows that small companies do not care about reputation; they buy based upon price.

So even if you’re a well-known firm at the higher end that’s targeting large companies, consider creating accessible services for small businesses to be able to access your expertise. Plans priced with very little margin assumes there is a volume opportunity.

There is a great opportunity in local SEO, where a business can hire by reputation, and also receive well-priced, high-value SEO services sufficient to beat the cheap low-quality SEOs.

Remember, you’re not trying to beat Google, and you are not really trying to beat the large companies, you are trying to beat your local competition. And that battle can be won.

Curious about working with us? Reach out. 

FAQ: How can I determine the right SEO cost for my business?

Search engine optimization is essential for the success of any website, yet calculating its SEO cost may seem complicated and daunting. Our experienced staff has all of the answers for calculating it correctly with step-by-step guides to assist you.

A Step-By-Step Process to Determine Your SEO Cost:

1. Assess Your Business Goals and Needs

Before diving into the costs associated with SEO, it’s essential to understand your business goals. What do you aim to achieve through SEO?

2. Understand the Pricing Models

SEO agencies typically offer different pricing models, including monthly retainer, hourly rates, or project-based pricing. Monthly retainers are the most frequently utilized form of retainer payment plans, typically costing anywhere from several hundreds to several thousands of dollars, depending on how much work needs to be completed. Select the model which best meets both your budget and needs.

3. Research Industry Standards

Research is your ally in determining the right SEO cost. Familiarize yourself with industry standards and average pricing. Keep in mind that SEO prices can vary depending on factors such as location and competition in your industry.

4. Request Multiple Quotes

To ensure you’re getting a competitive price, reach out to multiple SEO agencies or consultants for quotes. Don’t base your decision solely on price, though. Consider the value and expertise they bring to the table.

5. Evaluate the Scope of Work

The complexity and extent of the SEO work required significantly impact the cost. Determine which services you need, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, or content creation. A comprehensive SEO strategy will come at a higher cost.

6. Quality Over Quantity

Don’t fall into the trap of choosing the cheapest option. Quality is key in SEO. A more expensive but reputable agency may provide better results and ROI in the long run.

7. Consider the Long-Term Perspective

SEO is an ongoing process. Consider the long-term benefits when assessing the cost. A solid SEO strategy can yield sustained results, making the investment worthwhile.

8. Transparency and Communication

Choose an SEO partner who communicates clearly and provides transparent pricing. Make sure you fully understand what’s included in the cost.

9. Be Wary of Guarantees

Beware of agencies that promise guaranteed rankings or results. Numerous variables influence SEO, and no one can guarantee top positions in search results.

10. ROI Analysis

Finally, evaluate your SEO efforts’ potential return on investment (ROI). A well-executed SEO strategy should deliver tangible results that justify the cost.

To determine the ideal SEO cost for your company, it is crucial to carefully assess its goals, industry standards, and scope of work. As this decision will have an enormous impact on your online success, following this whitepaper’s steps may help make an informed decision and select SEO services aligned with your business goals. SEO requires long-term commitment if it’s to help grow businesses digitally.

This article was updated on November 15, 2023.

Bruce Clay is founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc., a global digital marketing firm providing search engine optimization, pay-per-click, social media marketing, SEO-friendly web architecture, and SEO tools and education. Connect with him on LinkedIn or through the BruceClay.com website.

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