How Much Should I Pay Someone for SEO?

As a small business owner, you’ve likely heard of the term “SEO”.  You know it’s important and can drive traffic to your website, but when it comes to hiring someone to handle your SEO, the big question arises: “How much should I pay for SEO services?” In this post, we’ll break down the costs associated with hiring an SEO professional or agency, factors that influence pricing, and how to ensure you’re getting the most value.

Understanding SEO: What Are You Paying For?

Before talking about costs, it’s important to understand what you pay for when you invest in SEO. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) works to improve your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. The goal is to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords, which can lead to increased traffic and ultimately, conversions from our ideal clients.

Here are some key components of SEO:

1. Keyword Research: Identifying the terms your target audience is searching for.
2. On-Page Optimization: Ensuring your website’s content, structure, and code are optimized for search engines.
3. Technical SEO: Enhancing the backend of your website to improve load speed, mobile-friendliness, and security.
4. Content Creation: Developing high-quality content that engages visitors and supports your SEO goals.
5. Link Building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable sites to boost your domain authority.
6. Analytics and Reporting: Monitor your website’s performance and adjust strategies based on data.

Each of these elements requires time, expertise, and ongoing maintenance, which is why SEO is often considered an investment rather than a one-time expense.

The Cost of SEO: What to Expect

SEO pricing can vary widely depending on several factors. This can include the scope of work, the experience of the SEO provider, and the competitiveness of the specific industry you are in. In addition, there are a variety of potential pricing models that SEO providers may offer. So, we’ll explore some of the more common pricing models and what you can expect to pay. It should be noted that these are only estimates and each case will be unique based on your specific needs.

Hourly Rate

• Cost Range: $75 to $200 per hour
• Best For: Small, short-term projects or consultations
• What You Get: With hourly rates, you pay for the time the SEO professional spends working on your site. This model is ideal for businesses that need help with specific tasks, such as an SEO audit or keyword research, rather than ongoing management.

Monthly Fees

• Cost Range: $500 to $5,000+ per month
• Best For: Businesses looking for continuous SEO support
• What You Get: A monthly retainer is the most common pricing model for ongoing SEO services. This usually includes a range of services such as on-page optimization, content creation, link building, and regular reporting. The cost can vary significantly depending on the level of service, the agency’s reputation, and the complexity of your needs.

Package-Based Pricing

• Cost Range: $1,000 to $30,000+ per project
• Best For: Specific SEO projects like a site redesign, a content overhaul, or adding a new service to your website
• What You Get: Project-based pricing is ideal for businesses that need a one-time SEO boost, such as optimizing a new website or conducting a comprehensive audit. Costs can vary widely depending on the project’s size and scope.

Factors Influencing SEO Costs

The wide range of SEO pricing is influenced by several factors. Here’s what you need to consider when evaluating quotes from SEO professionals:

1. Experience and Expertise: SEO experts with a proven track record and years of experience typically charge more than less experienced providers. You pay for their knowledge, skills, and the results they’ve achieved for other clients.
2. Scope of Work: The more comprehensive the SEO strategy, the higher the cost. A full-service SEO package that includes content marketing, technical SEO, and link building will cost more than basic on-page optimization.
3. Industry Competitiveness: If you’re in a highly competitive industry, ranking on the first page of Google may require more effort, which translates to higher costs. For example, an e-commerce site in the fashion industry may need a more aggressive SEO strategy than a local service provider.
4. Geographic Targeting: Local SEO, which targets customers in a specific area, can be less expensive than national or international SEO. However, if you’re targeting a large geographic area or multiple locations, expect the costs to rise.
5. Agency vs. Freelancer: Hiring an SEO agency often comes with higher costs due to overhead and the range of services they offer. Freelancers can be more affordable, but they may not have the resources or time to provide the same level of service as an agency.

Determining Your SEO Budget

Now that you understand the cost structure and factors that influence pricing, how do you determine how much to spend on SEO? Here are a few tips:

1. Align with Business Goals: Your SEO budget should reflect your business goals. If your goal is to increase traffic by 50% within six months, you may need to invest more in a robust SEO strategy.
2. Consider ROI: SEO is an investment, and like any investment, you should expect a return. Consider the potential revenue increase from improved search rankings and factor that into your budget.
3. Start Small and Scale: If you’re new to SEO, consider starting with a smaller budget and scaling up as you see results. Many SEO providers offer tiered services, so you can begin with basic optimization and add more services as your budget allows.
4. Get Multiple Quotes: Don’t settle for the first quote you receive. Reach out to multiple SEO providers, compare their services and pricing, and choose the one that offers the best value for your needs.

Ensuring You Get Value for Your Money

Finally, it’s essential to ensure that the money you spend on SEO is well-invested. Here’s how:

1. Check References and Reviews: Before hiring an SEO provider, check their references, read reviews, and ask to see case studies or examples of their previous work.
2. Understand the Contract: Make sure you understand what services are included in your contract, how results will be measured, and what happens if your goals aren’t met.
3. Set Clear Expectations: Communicate your goals and expectations clearly with your SEO provider. Regular communication and reporting are key to ensuring that your investment will pay off.
4. Avoid “Cheap” SEO Services: If an SEO provider offers services at an unusually low rate, it could be a red flag. Cheap SEO often involves shortcuts like black-hat techniques that can hurt your website in the long run.

Invest in SEO With Simplified SEO Consulting

SEO is a crucial component of online success, especially for small businesses. While the cost can vary, it’s important to approach SEO as an investment that can yield significant returns if done correctly. By understanding the factors that influence SEO pricing and following best practices when choosing an SEO provider, you can make a well-informed decision that benefits your business in the long term. Our team of SEO specialists is happy to offer support with per-hour work, DFY packages, and more. 

Remember, the goal isn’t just to pay for SEO but to pay for results that align with your business goals. Start working with the team at Simplified SEO Consulting by following these steps:

1. Apply to work with us to improve your SEO
2. Meet with an SEO specialist 
3. Start improving your SEO rankings!

Other Services Offered with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team knows there are many aspects of SEO that you may need help addressing on your site. This is why we offer a variety of SEO services. Other services offered include our Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer a 12-week Done With You Intensive SEO Program. Visit our blog to learn more today!

About the Author

Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He has integrated what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues.  He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation, finding solutions to some of the more technical aspects of SEO, and responding in a timely manner to client concerns.  Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them with extra problem-solving support. He now provides additional support with a variety of local SEO services. He often goes the extra mile to do outside research. By doing so, he sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!