What you're actually paying for
SEO isn't a single product — it's a mix of technical fixes, on-page optimization, content and authority-building. What you pay reflects how competitive your market is and how much of that work your site needs.
Common pricing models
Most agencies charge one of three ways: a monthly retainer (the most common for ongoing SEO), a project fee (for a one-off audit or fix), or hourly (for smaller tasks). Retainers make sense because SEO compounds over time — the work in month three builds on month one.
What affects the cost
Your industry and competition, the current state of your website, the number of pages and locations you target, and how quickly you want to move all influence price. A local service business usually needs less than a national e-commerce store.
How to budget sensibly
Rather than asking only "how much," ask "what return." A realistic SEO budget is one you can sustain for several months, because that's when results typically build. Start with an audit so you're investing in the fixes that matter most first.
Get a specific number
General ranges only go so far. The fastest way to a real figure is a short review of your site and goals — which we offer free.
Want a free review?
We'll look at your site and goals and recommend the best next step — no obligation.