How Much Does SEO Cost?
Local SEO pricing typically ranges from $300 to $500 per month. Small-scale SEO packages cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per month. Comprehensive Local SEO services can be priced as high as $3,000 to $5,000 per month. Most businesses have budgets that vary from $500 to $10,000 per month.
Hourly, Monthly, Per Project SEO Cost
Hourly Rates:
- US agencies: $75–$300 per hour
- Overseas companies: $10–$50 per hour
The average hourly rate for SEO services typically ranges between $75 and $300 according to SearchEngineLand. This can vary based on factors such as the provider's expertise, the complexity of the project, and geographic location.
Monthly Rates:
- US agencies: $500–$10,000 per month
- Average range: $500–$10,000 per month
In the U.S., many small businesses spend around $500 per month on SEO. According to recent data, over half of all SEO professionals work with monthly budgets ranging from $500 to $5,000, with 28.6% reporting budgets in the $1,001-$5,000 range according to SearchEngineJournal.
Per Project:
- Agencies: $2,501–$5,000
- Consultants: $5,001–$10,000
- Freelancers: $101–$250
The average fee for an SEO project typically ranges from $2,500 to $5,000. This can vary depending on the project's scope, complexity, and the provider's experience. For larger or more complex projects, the fee can be higher.
Local Campaigns:
- Typically lower than other campaign types
SEO Cost by Task
Auditing:
SEO audits assess your current performance and identify areas for improvement. Costs range from $500 for a simple audit to $30,000 for a comprehensive one according to Forbes.
SEO Copywriting:
Quality content is crucial for SEO. Experienced content creators charge between $0.20 to $2 per word, translating to $200 to $2,000 for a 1,000-word page. SEO copywriting costs an average of $0.15 to $0.50 per word according to FOXRR.
Technical Configuration
Proper site setup and technical SEO are essential. Developers typically charge $40 to $160 per hour for these tasks.
SEO Research Tools
Tools like Ahrefs and Semrush help with keyword and competitor research, costing $99 to $129.95 per month.
SEO Reporting and Monitoring Tools
Tracking the effectiveness of your SEO efforts often involves reporting tools, which can be bundled with research tools or accessed via Google Analytics for free.
Link Building
Acquiring backlinks from reputable sites can cost $100 to $1,500 per link, depending on quality and industry.
SEO Pricing Models
SEO services are often offered in packages:
Starter SEO Packages
Include basics like keyword research, local optimization, and meta information. Average pricing ranges from $300 to $500 per month. Basic SEO plans can range from $250-$3,000 a month according to OuterBoxDesign.
Intermediate SEO Packages
Add advanced site optimization, link building, and A/B testing, costing $400 to $900 per month.
Advanced SEO Packages
Include extensive services such as paid search management and advanced reporting, with costs exceeding $4,000 per month.
Pricing by Provider
Pricing varies by provider type:
SEO Agency
Average hourly rate: $99, Monthly rate: $3,209, Per-project rate: $9,508
SEO Consultant
Average hourly rate: $171, Monthly rate: $3,250, Per-project rate: $8,686
SEO Freelancer
Average hourly rate: $72, Monthly rate: $1,349, Per-project rate: $2,349
Pricing by Business Size
Costs can also vary based on business size:
Startup
Monthly price: $750 - $1,500
Small Business
Monthly price: $1,500 - $3,000
Medium Business
Monthly price: $1,500 - $5,000
ROI of SEO
SEO can offer a good return on investment. The average business spends $497 per month on SEO, with those spending more often seeing better results. For instance, if your SEO campaign costs $20,000 and generates $100,000 in sales, your ROI would be 4, meaning $4 earned for every $1 spent.
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