It’s hard to know how much you should spend on SEO and what you’re getting for your money.
A lot of companies offer SEO services, but the quality and price can vary.
It can be hard to figure out what you’re actually paying for and whether or not you’re getting a good deal.
We’ve put together this guide to help you understand the different factors that go into SEO pricing so that you can make an informed decision about where to invest your marketing dollars.
Why Does SEO Cost So Much?
To succeed in today’s competitive market, you need an edge.
This is where SEO comes into play and can help turn your company into a leader.
Most searches don’t go past the first page of google or even just the first few results, so it is important that prospects can find you high on search engine results pages (SERPs).
And this is where the problem lies – everyone is vying for the same place on Google search results.
It is not an easy task and it takes a lot of time, energy, money and a specialised skillset.
I’m sure you might ask why are some charging $100 per month and others $10,000 per month?
There are various factors that go into the pricing from SEO agencies, which we will discuss below.
Factors That Go Into the Cost of SEO
A company might decide to work with an SEO agency to help them get their website ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
The location of the agency
For example, the price that an SEO agency charges are more likely to be higher in a country like The United States than in India.
This is because the cost of living is more expensive in The United States than in India.
Sometimes you might find a company in, say, The United States that outsources to India.
The Business Type
SEO is more expensive for commerce than it is for local businesses. This is because the strategies vary as well as the expertise.
The Agencies Experience
The price of an SEO agency may vary depending on its level of expertise. For example, how many years they have been in business and the results they have proven to provide.
For example, an SEO agency’s knowledge in the e-commerce space can help them emulate and implement those strategies for another e-commerce business.
Agencies price all over the place, so a higher price doesn’t always mean better SEO. People just have to do their due diligence on the agency.
Hiring an SEO agency that doesn’t know what they are doing can actually hurt your business’s SEO.
That is because if an agency does black hat SEO which is SEO that goes against search engine guidelines the business’s domain can get penalised.
And if Google penalises your domain, it can take a long time to recover and get your reputation back.
So it’s important to hire a trusted agency.
This can be done by making sure that they create great content, communicate with you well and work to build high-quality links for your business.
The Client’s Experience
What we mean here is that a new business is going to need a lot more help setting up its SEO than an established one.
A business that is just starting out is going to have low domain authority. They might need Google search console and analytics setup as well as content creation from scratch.
What are The SEO Pricing Models?
There are typically three pricing models that are used: per hour, per month, or per project.
1. Per Hour
This is when a client is charged ‘per hour’ of work done.
This is a more uncommon pricing structure as agencies often prefer to work with clients over an extended period.
However, this pricing structure could be used for contractors and freelancers.
This means that the cost of SEO services could vary month to month based on your goals and objectives outlined.
The price per hour could range from $50 – $250.
If you want a more long term focused approach to SEO, it’s more beneficial to work with an agency on a monthly basis. And if you are looking for some simple SEO fixes, then per hour makes more sense.
However, SEO is not a short term solution; it can take months, if not a year, to see results. But once you see them, your chance of getting more traffic and sales becomes greater.
2. Per Month
This is when a client is charged ‘per month’ for SEO services.
This is the most common pricing structure as you can maintain a monthly client base on retainer.
Each month the client is charged the same amount. The types of SEO services done are likely to be customised to your business’s goals and objectives as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. But it will depend on the agency.
The price per month could range from $500 -$10,000.
3. Per Project
This is when a client charges ‘per project’ for SEO services.
This structure is a bit more customisable than the monthly one and varies greatly depending on the needs of the company.
The price per project could range from $1000 to $1,000,000.
As you can see, each model has its advantages and disadvantages.
Now that you know what you could expect as a price range for each model, it can help you understand which one is best suited to your current and future needs.
What’s Included in a Package?
This is likely to vary from agency to agency and the business’s goals and objectives.
We’ve included a few common things that are included in SEO packages below:
- SEO Audit
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics
- Google Business Profile
- Competitive Analysis
- ON-Page SEO
- Off-Page SEO
- Keyword Research
- Content Creation
- Link Building
- Reports
So, how much should you spend on SEO?
The answer to that question depends on a lot of different factors, including your website’s size and competition, the services you need, and your own budget.
But with a little bit of research, you should be able to find an affordable and reliable SEO service that delivers good results.
Have you tried out any SEO services yet? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
We understand that finding the right SEO agency can be tough. That’s why we offer a free consultation so that you can find out how our services can help your business grow. Contact us today for more information about our pricing and services!
Now that you know how much SEO costs, you can proceed to the next section of the KAMG SEO Content Hub and learn how to get help with SEO.
