Of course, when it comes to budgeting for SEO, costs can go all over the place. Monthly rates range from a low of $250 to more than $10,000, though the majority of businesses-63 percent-fall in the $500 to $5,000 per-month range. On average, agencies charge $3,209 per month, whereas freelancers have a much lower average rate of $1,348 per month. The following guide demonstrates how different pricing models for SEO work, how the cost can fluctuate based on experience, location, and type of service, and general market rates across varied SEO professionals.
Understanding SEO Costs
SEO can cost varying amounts based on a number of factors, including the experience of the provider, the difficulty of the goals of the client, and if the client needs localized or global coverage. Generally speaking, SEO pricing consists of:
- Hourly Rates: The most popular rate brackets fall within the range of $100-$150/h, coming in at 25% of all SEO providers.
- Monthly Retainers: For ongoing services and regular optimization, the majority of businesses reported spending about $3,209/month with agencies.
- Per Project Pricing: In some instances, the projects are one-time in nature. The pricing per project will vary rather wildly based on the particular scope of the project at hand and provider expertise.
How Much Does Local SEO Cost?
Generally, local SEO services are cheaper than more general SEO services. The average price for local SEO is $1,557 per month, even though it costs agencies an average of $1,819 to provide local SEO services. The average for freelancers is about $1,150. In general, small businesses using local SEO services to reach customers nearby said the most common hourly rate range falls in the range of $75 to $100.
How Much Does SEO Cost for Small Businesses?
Similarly, local SEO costs would run at about $1,557 a month for small businesses. It goes lower for very small businesses with thin wallets and meager needs: 42% of all SEO providers charge in the range of $250 to $1,000 a month. Small businesses with modest SEO needs usually work with freelancers or agencies offering entry-level services.
Overview of SEO Pricing Model
- Monthly Retainers: Ongoing SEO Services
A majority, 78.2%, of the SEO providers charge using a monthly retainer model, and their costs may differ greatly based on experience and location.
- Typical Cost: The most common price ranges were from $501–$1,000 per month, with 42.8% charging in the range of $501 to $2,000.
- Regional Difference: In the U.S. and Canada, 79.1% of the providers charge at least $1,001 per month, while in India, 76% of the SEO providers charge $1,000 or less per month.
Average by Provider Type:
- Agencies: $3,209/month
- Consultants: $3,250/month
- Freelancers: $1,348.63/month
In general, agencies and consultants charge nearly double what freelancers charge for monthly retainers, while experienced SEO providers often command higher rates.
- Hourly Rates: Flexibility for Ad-Hoc Work
Hourly pricing is another option for businesses that need occasional SEO assistance.
- Most Common Rate: $75–$100 per hour, with 24% of providers charging in this range.
- Regional Difference: India-85.7% charge $30/hour or less; U.S. and Canada-66.7% charge between $75-$200.
- Average by Provider Type:
- Consultants: $171.18/hour
- Agencies: $98.90/hour
- Freelancers: $71.59/hour
SEO consultants are usually more expensive per hour when compared to agencies or freelancers, and the prices strongly depend on the years of experience. The price for those providers that have 5–10 years of experience in business is around $118.35 per hour.
- Per-Project Rates: One-Time SEO Initiatives
When businesses want to finish certain projects, such as keyword research or an SEO audit, it would be perfect for them to pay per project.
- Most Common Rate: $2,501–$5,000 per project, with 21.2% of providers charging this rate.
- Regional Variation: In India, 93.75% of the vendors quote $1,500 or less, while the opposite holds true for providers in the U.S. and Canada, where 83.3% quote above $1,001.
- Average by Provider Type:
- Agencies: $9,507.84/project
- Consultants: $8,685.53/project
- Freelancers: $2,348.63/project
SEO agencies are usually the most expensive in their per-project services, averaging more than fourfold what freelancers charge, particularly in projects that require great dealing in resources and expertise.
Factors Affecting Cost by Experience and Market Reach
Experience
In my opinion, the experience level of an SEO provider is one of the most significant factors influencing their pricing. As providers gain expertise and build a proven track record, their rates naturally increase. Here’s a breakdown of average monthly retainers based on experience levels:
- Less than 2 Years in Business: $1,540.52 average monthly retainer
- 2–5 Years in Business: $2,023.13 average monthly retainer
- 5–10 Years in Business: $3,648.28 average monthly retainer
The most notable price jump occurs beyond the fifth year of operation, where the average retainer more than doubles. This is often because providers in this range have established a robust portfolio of successful SEO campaigns, enabling them to justify higher prices. For example, an experienced provider with 10 years in the industry might showcase results such as improved organic search traffic by 300% for a high-profile client, adding immense credibility to their service offering.
If you’re considering hiring an SEO provider, I recommend evaluating their experience and checking reviews or case studies to ensure the rates align with their expertise. Reputable platforms like Clutch and G2 can help verify a provider’s credibility and past performance.
Local vs. Global Service Reach
The geographical scope of an SEO provider’s services also significantly impacts pricing. Providers who operate exclusively within local markets tend to charge lower fees compared to those offering global services. Here’s how the costs differ on average:
- Local Market: $1,557.08/month average for monthly retainer
- Global Market: $3,473.74/month average for monthly retainer
Global SEO providers typically command higher rates because they manage campaigns across multiple regions, each with its unique challenges. For example, optimizing content for the U.S. market may focus on a specific set of keywords and cultural nuances, while a campaign for the European market might require multilingual SEO, compliance with GDPR regulations, and adaptation to local search engines like Yandex or Baidu.
In my experience, businesses targeting global audiences should be prepared to invest more due to the complexity of these campaigns. For instance, a provider handling global SEO may need tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze international keyword trends, competitor strategies, and backlink profiles in diverse regions.
For smaller businesses focused on local markets, opting for a provider specializing in local SEO can offer excellent value. Providers might use tools like BrightLocal to optimize Google Business Profiles or focus on hyper-local keyword targeting. For example, a bakery in Chicago could benefit significantly from ranking higher for searches like “best bakery in Chicago” or “artisan bread near me.”
Conclusion to SEO Pricing
SEO is an investment worth noting on local or global visibility. Knowledge of typical costs and pricing models of SEO supports a business in being practical in setting a budget. As tempting as it may be, the cheapest option probably will not get good enough results. Usually, expertise in SEO corresponds to cost. Indeed, an experienced SEO provider can draft more effective long-term results that, within time, will be well worth it.
Meanwhile, the cost structure of SEO fits a wide variety of business types and objectives. As the market continues to evolve, it further justifies that the SEO budget directly reflects in the level of expertise or service required to make sure businesses get value from their investment, with a definite direction toward better rankings and increased visibility.