The cost of SEO can range from a mere $15 to a whopping $10,000.
Sounds crazy, right?
How can the cost of the same service differ so much? Allow us to explain.
Well, the cost of SEO depends on a whole bunch of stuff. Let’s break it down, so it’s easier for you to understand.
How Much Does Hourly SEO Cost?
The average hourly rate of SEO is $75-$100; this rate is preferred by 24% of SEOs all over the world.
But if you need a cheaper option, you can hire freelancers from Upwork or similar platforms, who will charge you $15-$35 on average.
The hourly rate of the SEOs mainly depends on their skill level, experience, and reputation.
So, if you want to hire an expert SEO specialist on an hourly basis, you may have to spend $200+ per hour.
How Much Does Monthly SEO Cost?
The average monthly rate of SEO can be between $500-$1000, almost 22% of SEO agencies follow this pricing range in exchange for their services.
This price range also depends on the agency’s skill, experience, and reputation plus the range of services they will be offering.
So, you can also find agencies with less than the $500 rate if you do not need a wide range of services.
On the flip side, if you want to hand over all your SEO needs to your agency, you may have to spend more than $1000 per month.
How Much Does Project-Based SEO Cost?
Project-based SEO pricing typically starts from $2500 to $5000 per project.
But unlike the other two pricing models, the cost of this pricing model heavily depends on the scope of your project.
So, based on the difficulty of the project, the cost can rise to $10k or even more, but that’s a rare occasion.
In the case of small-time projects, the cost will hover around $1000 or more.
Which SEO Pricing Model Should You Go For?
As you already know there are three types of SEO pricing models. But which one suits you the best?
- If you have several specific tasks or need SEO work on an ad-hoc basis, you should opt for the per-hour rate and also hire a freelancer or a small SEO agency.
- Monthly retainers are for you if you need long-term growth and consistent SEO efforts. This is the most popular SEO model among big agencies and most clients who need SEO expertise regularly.
- The one-time project-based pricing would be the best choice if you’re looking for in-depth service on a specific part of your online presence. The project could range from optimizing a specific section of your website to a full SEO audit.
Other Factors That Affect SEO Pricing
The cost of SEO can also differ depending on other factors except the pricing model. These factors are-
Location
You can see the biggest difference in SEO pricing based on different regions in the world.
For instance, the monthly SEO cost in India is equal to an hour of SEO service in Australia.
Let’s find out the SEO prices in different countries-
| Location | Per Hour Cost | Per Month Cost |
| USA | $50 – $100 | $1000 – $3,000 |
| UK | $75 – $150 | $1250 – $2500 |
| India | $15 – $30 | $250 – $1200 |
| Australia | $125 – $250 | $1250 – $3500 |
| South Africa | $30 – $80 | $500 – $1100 |
| Malaysia | $40 – $150 | $650 – $1000 |
| Singapore | $40 – $200 | $200 – $1100 |
| New Zealand | $100 – $250 | $1000 – $5000 |
| Nigeria | $35 – $60 | $300 – $1000 |
| Dubai | $30 – $130 | $500 – $3200 |
Range of Services
SEO agencies will offer you a range of services from keyword research to full SEO audits. The pricing will vary depending on the services you are getting.
The table below will give you an idea about the cost of different services-
| Services | Average Cost |
| Keyword Research | $500 – $2000 per month |
| Content Audit | $500 – $7500 per audit |
| Content Writing | $0.15 – $0.50 per word |
| Technical SEO | $500 – $5000 per month |
| Local SEO | $300 – $2000 per month |
| eCommerce SEO | $500 to $750 per month |
Size and State of Your Business
The size of your business will have an impact on the cost of the SEO service you will receive. Usually, large enterprises spend more on SEO than small businesses or entrepreneurs.
| Business Size | Cost |
| Startup | $750 to $1500 per month |
| Small business | $1,500 to $3,000 per month |
| Medium-sized business | $1,500 to $5,000 per month |
| Enterprise | $5,000+ per month |
Competitiveness
The competitiveness of your niche will impact the SEO pricing.
The more competitive your market is, it will take more expertise and time for your business to get more traffic. This translates into increased cost.
Time Sensitivity
This usually applies to project-based contracts. If you need your project to be completed within a short time, obviously the agency or freelancer will have to use more resources on it.
Thus the pricing will increase.
How Much Do You Need to Spend on SEO?
So, the cost of SEO is not something you can calculate simply.
That’s why, besides having a sound idea about the cost, you should also have a proper SEO budget, which will help you track your ROI.