SEO is essential for small businesses. At the same time, SEO lacks a standard pricing model across agencies and vendors. This dichotomy is unfortunate since small business owners need to ensure visibility of their website with SEO but they don’t have an apples to apples comparison.
So if SEO lacks a standard pricing model then you might wonder about an estimated range or ballpack figure. Again this is a little more complicated and the short answer is a range of $500 to $30,000 for SEO services. The long answer is that this depends on the breadth of the SEO services, the size of the agency, and the scope of your project. On top of this, the total costs can be calculated in different ways.
Hourly costs
Hourly billing often ranges between $100 and $300 per hour. Though this would seem simple and straightforward at first glance, SEO services for small business can take longer than expected to complete and thus increase your total cost.
Performance-based costs
This pricing model depends on achieving the agreed upon results. For small business owners, it’s important to seek results that align with your business objectives. Also, ensure that you are getting full transparency from the agency. Measuring your own results with Google Analytics is a good way to double check.
Project-based costs
Project costs can run between $1,000 and $30,000 total. This method is more convenient because of the readily defined activities, timeline, and cost of the project.
While a one-off project can provide short-term success, it will not provide enough lasting impact for a long-term SEO strategy. Another downside is that small business owners may incur additional services or extra fees, especially if project goals are not clearly defined for the agency at the start of the project.
Monthly retainer
Retainers often range between $750 and $5,000 per month. This is a common approach with SEO services for small businesses and a more successful one, considering that SEO should be a long-term strategy and not a one-off project.
Hidden costs
Agencies take time. In addition to the actual cost of SEO it’s important to note the amount of time required for both the small business and the agency. For the small business, any time devoted to SEO can impact other priorities like working with customers and managing staff. And for the agency, their time is often billed to small business even if it’s not specifically included as a line item. So the small business is effectively paying twice!
Evaluating priorities
After considering the actual and hidden costs of SEO you would be forgiven for wondering if it’s still necessary. But you should think of the longer-term value of an SEO strategy and the gaps that small businesses face without it.
Think of a strong SEO strategy like getting directions to somewhere. With simple and easy directions you might find a business more easily (just like your customers online with SEO). But with poorly thought-out directions you might get hopelessly lost or even find another business (again, just like your customers online).
An app-based approach
What if you could find a more efficient model to help drive a long-term SEO strategy? Most small businesses already entrust some of their most important functions like accounting and inventory to software. So why not their digital marketing and SEO?
With the Jagernaut app, small businesses can launch, manage, and track performance of their SEO. See our blog post regarding our recent beta launch of the app or check out our other digital marketing solutions to learn more!