SEO Costs: A Transparent Overview
What does SEO cost? is one of the most common questions businesses ask us. The honest answer: It depends. But unlike many agencies, we want to give you concrete numbers.
In this guide, you will learn:
- Which SEO pricing models exist
- What influences costs
- Realistic price ranges by service
- Whether cheap SEO is worthwhile
- How to calculate SEO ROI
SEO Pricing Models
Hourly Rate
For smaller projects or consulting, SEO is often billed hourly.
Typical hourly rates:
- Junior SEO: 60-80 EUR/hour
- Senior SEO: 100-150 EUR/hour
- SEO agencies: 80-200 EUR/hour
Suitable for: One-time audits, consulting, workshops
Monthly Retainer
The most common model for ongoing SEO work.
Typical monthly costs:
- Small businesses: 500-1,500 EUR/month
- Medium businesses: 1,500-5,000 EUR/month
- Large businesses: 5,000-20,000+ EUR/month
Includes typically: Technical SEO, content optimization, reporting, link building
Project-Based
For defined projects with clear scope.
Examples:
- SEO Audit: 500-2,000 EUR
- Website Relaunch SEO: 2,000-10,000 EUR
- Content Strategy: 1,500-5,000 EUR
What Influences SEO Costs?
1. Industry and Competition
Highly competitive industries (finance, insurance, legal) require more effort than niche markets. More competition = more investment needed.
2. Current Website Status
A technically clean website with existing content requires less work than a new or problematic site.
3. Goals and Scope
National visibility costs more than local SEO. More keywords = more effort.
4. In-house Resources
Can your team create content? Do you have a developer? Less agency work = lower costs.
SEO Costs by Service Type
Service | Price Range | Frequency
SEO Audit | 500-2,000 EUR | One-time
Technical SEO | 1,000-5,000 EUR | One-time/Annual
On-Page Optimization | 100-500 EUR/page | Ongoing
Content Creation | 200-800 EUR/article | Ongoing
Link Building | 200-500 EUR/link | Ongoing
Monthly Support | 500-5,000 EUR | Monthly
Local SEO | 300-1,000 EUR | Monthly
Is Cheap SEO Worthwhile?
Be cautious with offers under 300 EUR/month. Quality SEO requires time and expertise.
Warning signs of poor SEO providers:
- Guaranteed #1 rankings
- Secret techniques
- Extremely low prices
- No transparency about methods
- No references
Risks of cheap SEO:
- Google penalties
- Spammy backlinks
- Duplicate content
- Wasted budget
SEO ROI: Is the Investment Worth It?
SEO typically offers excellent long-term ROI. Example calculation:
Investment: 2,000 EUR/month for SEO
Results after 12 months:
- 5,000 additional monthly visitors
- 2% conversion rate = 100 leads
- 10% close rate = 10 new customers
- Average customer value: 1,000 EUR
- Monthly revenue: 10,000 EUR
ROI: 500% (10,000 EUR revenue / 2,000 EUR investment)
GoldenWing SEO Packages
We offer transparent pricing for every budget:
Starter Package - 990 EUR/month
- Technical SEO optimization
- 2 content pieces monthly
- Monthly reporting
- Email support
Growth Package - 1,990 EUR/month
- Everything in Starter
- 4 content pieces monthly
- Link building (3 links/month)
- Competitor analysis
Enterprise Package - Custom pricing
- Full-service SEO
- Dedicated account manager
- Custom strategy
- Priority support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum SEO budget?
For meaningful results, plan at least 500-1,000 EUR/month. Below that, progress is too slow to compete effectively.
How long until SEO pays off?
Typically 6-12 months for positive ROI. SEO is a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
One-time or ongoing SEO?
Both have their place. A one-time audit identifies issues, but ongoing work maintains and improves rankings.
Can I do SEO myself?
Basics yes, but professional SEO requires expertise, tools, and time. Most businesses see better results with expert help.
Conclusion
SEO costs vary widely based on your needs, competition, and goals. Quality SEO is an investment that typically pays for itself many times over.
Important: Focus on value, not just price. Cheap SEO often costs more in the long run through wasted time and potential penalties.
Ready to discuss your SEO investment? Contact us for a free consultation and custom quote.