SEO costs depend on what you need and how competitive your market is. Most small and mid-sized businesses spend somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 a month on a retainer. One-off audits typically cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Here is how to think about it.
The three ways SEO is priced
Monthly retainers. You pay a fixed amount each month for a set scope of work. This is the most common model and the best fit for steady growth.
Projects and audits. You pay once for a defined piece of work, such as a technical audit or a site migration. Good for diagnosing a problem or fixing a known issue.
Hourly work. You pay a rate, often $75 to $200 an hour, for specific tasks. Useful when you know exactly what you need.
What moves the price
- Competition. Ranking for “personal injury lawyer Atlanta” costs more than “bakery Decatur”.
- Site size. A 40-page site and a 10,000-product store are different jobs.
- Locations. Each location has its own profile, listings and local pages.
- Content volume. Four pages a month is a different job from eight.
- Authority gap. If competitors have far stronger links, closing it takes time and money.
What you should get for the money
A clear scope. A plan you can read. A monthly report that shows inquiries, not only rankings. A named person who answers your questions. Notice terms you can live with.
Red flags
A guaranteed ranking. A price that is too cheap to cover real work. A report full of activity and no outcomes. A long lock-in. Refusing to say who does the work.
How long before it pays back?
Most sites need three to six months to move. Plan for that. A retainer that pays back in month two is unusual; one that pays back in month ten is common.
How to compare quotes
Ask each agency for the scope in writing, the monthly report sample, the notice terms and who runs the account. Compare those, not the headline number.
Our own prices are public. Local SEO starts at $750 a month, plans start at $1,000, and audits start at $1,200. See the details on the pricing page.