SEO pricing is one of the most confusing things a small business owner has to deal with. One provider quotes a few hundred dollars a month, another quotes several thousand. Both claim they will get you to the top of Google. Here is how to make sense of it.
What you are paying for
SEO is mostly time. Someone has to research what your customers search for, fix technical problems on your website, write and improve content, manage your Google Business Profile, build links and report on progress. The more of that work your situation needs, the more it costs.
What changes the price
How competitive your market is
Ranking a cafe in Kyogle takes far less work than ranking a family lawyer on the Gold Coast. The more businesses chasing the same searches, the more work it takes to beat them.
How many services and towns you want to rank for
One service in one town is a much smaller job than ten services across eight towns.
The state of your website
An older, slow or poorly structured site needs fixing before SEO can really work. That might mean a one off clean up or, in some cases, a rebuild.
Rough budget guide
Every business is different, but in general terms most small local businesses fall into one of three groups.
- Small town, low competition businesses often do well with a modest monthly plan focused on the Google Business Profile, reviews and a few key pages
- Businesses covering several towns in the Northern Rivers usually need more content work and link building each month
- Businesses in busy markets like the Gold Coast or competitive industries like legal and health need a bigger, more consistent investment to make headway
We give fixed quotes after looking at your site and competitors. See what SEO costs for more detail.
What happens if you underspend
If the budget is too small for the market, the work gets spread thin and progress is slow or invisible. It is often better to focus a smaller budget on one service and one or two towns, win there, then expand.
When SEO is not the right move yet
SEO is not always the answer. It may not be worth it yet if:
- You need customers this week, in which case Google Ads will be faster
- Your website is not converting the visitors you already get
- You cannot handle more work right now
- Very few people search for what you sell
Warning signs in an SEO quote
- Guaranteed first place rankings
- Hundreds of links for a low monthly fee
- Long lock in contracts
- Reports full of numbers but no mention of calls or enquiries
Common questions
How long before SEO pays for itself?
Most businesses see movement within two to four months and stronger results over six to twelve months. In quieter markets it can be quicker.
Is cheap SEO worth it?
Usually not. Very cheap packages tend to rely on automated tools and poor quality links that can do more harm than good.
Can I do some of it myself?
Yes. Keeping your Google Business Profile active and asking for reviews makes a real difference. Our SEO consultant service can give you a plan to follow.
