Cost of SEO (2024 Statistics)
Every business should have an SEO strategy to generate leads, increase web traffic, and drive
Every business should have an SEO strategy to generate leads, increase web traffic, and drive sales.
But, many companies are hesitant because of the cost. So, what is the average cost of SEO? Does it generate a positive ROI?
This detailed report examines the average SEO cost based on various factors. With this in mind, we’ll cover the following:
Top Cost of SEO Statistics
- $82.88 per hour is the average cost for SEO services.
- A full-service SEO company costs $100 to $149 per hour.
- The United States has the highest average SEO cost at $113.54 per hour.
- Local SEO and content creation are the most expensive services at $124.50 per hour.
What is the Average Cost Of SEO?
According to the latest available Clutch agency data, the average cost of SEO is $82.88 per hour.
The expected cost to hire a full-service SEO company ranges between $100 and $149 per hour.
This hourly rate is calculated from 62,862 SEO firms listed on the platform. Of the 62,862 SEO firms on Clutch, only 37,714 list an hourly rate.
Below is a detailed look at what firms charge on Clutch.
| Rate | # of Firms | % of Firms |
| Under $25 | 6,561 | 17.40% |
| $25 – $49 | 9,695 | 25.71% |
| $50 – $99 | 7,036 | 18.66% |
| $100 – $149 | 9,328 | 24.73% |
| $150 – $199 | 4,368 | 11.58% |
| $200 – $300 | 530 | 1.41% |
| $300+ | 196 | 0.52% |
Clutch data also supports the claim that most SEO projects cost less than $10,000.
However, depending on the project scope, duration, industry, etc., more complex or larger-scale projects for enterprise clients can exceed this price range.
Similarly, Ahrefs surveyed 439 SEO service providers to determine the average cost of SEO and found that SEO services cost an average of $2,917/month.
However, they also learned that the figure can range from as low as $500 to over $10,000 per month. This is due to varied project scopes, locations, business sizes, and other factors.
Average Cost of SEO By Location
The cost of SEO services also changes depending on the geographical location of the service provider.
According to Clutch data, the United States is the most expensive country on average for SEO services at $113.54 per hour.
Close behind is Australia at $104.13 per hour and Canada at $103.03 per hour.
Below is a breakdown of average SEO costs per hour across different countries:
Here are the detailed numbers:
| Country | # of Firms | % of Firms | Average Cost per Hour | Cost per Hour Range |
| United States | 19,892 | 31.64% | $113.54 | $100 – $149 |
| India | 6,593 | 10.49% | $24.63 | Under $25 |
| Canada | 2,389 | 3.80% | $103.03 | $100 – $149 |
| Australia | 1,673 | 2.66% | $104.13 | $100 – $149 |
| Spain | 655 | 1.04% | $48.75 | $25 – $49 |
| Mexico | 453 | 0.72% | $45.73 | $25 – $49 |
| Poland | 314 | 0.50% | $67.17 | $50 – $99 |
| Ukraine | 301 | 0.48% | $42.90 | $25 – $49 |
| Philippines | 270 | 0.43% | $23.79 | Under $25 |
Clutch also learned that 75% of SEO agencies worldwide offer SEO as a standalone service. The most common pricing model globally is a monthly retainer, used by 57% of agencies.
Meanwhile, 36% of agencies charge hourly for their SEO services. Project-based pricing is offered by 33% of SEO agencies.
Approximately 20% of agencies offer performance-based pricing models.
The average monthly retainer for SEO services globally ranges from $2,500 to $5,000.
Source: Clutch
Average Cost of SEO By Service Type
The amount you pay for SEO services varies by service type. However, average hourly rates range between $25 and $149.
For example, services like link building, on-page, and technical SEO are priced between $25 and $49 per hour, compared to premium services like content creation and local SEO, which are priced between $100 and $149 per hour.
Below is a list of SEO service types and their average hourly cost based on Clutch’s agency data.
Here is the table with numbers:
| Service Type | Average Hourly Cost | Hourly Cost Range |
| Link Building | $37 | $25–$49 |
| Local SEO | $124.5 | $100–$149 |
| Multilingual SEO | $37 | $25–$49 |
| On-Page (On-Site) SEO | $37 | $25–$49 |
| Technical SEO | $37 | $25–$49 |
| SEO Content Creation | $124.5 | $100–$149 |
| SEO Mobile Optimization | $37 | $25–$49 |
Now, let’s take a closer look at the scope of each individual service, average prices, and what is included with each SEO service package.
Link Building
Link building remains one of the most important aspects of SEO. Acquiring high-quality backlinks is a surefire way to boost a website’s authority and search engine rankings.
On average, agencies charge between $25 and $49 per hour for link-building services. This includes the outreach and research processes involved in acquiring backlinks.
For businesses preferring a monthly retainer model, costs range from $500 to $5,000 per month.
Other agencies like to charge per link. High-quality links can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 each.
Local SEO
Local SEO is a more niche service that requires expertise in analyzing local SERPs. It also directly leads to more money in a business owner’s pockets.
On average, agencies and local SEO specialists charge between $100 and $149 per hour for this service. This rate includes strategy, Google business profile optimizations, keyword research, etc.
For small- and medium-sized businesses, the retainer cost for local SEO ranges between $500 and $2,500. Enterprise companies will spend $2,500 to $10,000 (or more).
Multilingual SEO
Multilingual SEO is a service for businesses looking to expand their reach into international markets. It includes optimizing content for different languages to rank for keywords in other countries.
Agencies charge between $25 and $49 per hour for multilingual SEO services. This includes keyword research in target languages, content writing or optimization, and implementation of hreflang tags.
Monthly retainers will range from $1,000 to $5,000 per month.
Most agencies or SEO professionals will be on the lower end of this range, depending on the project size, number of languages, and targeted markets.
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO is included with most larger SEO packages because it is an important component of SEO strategy.
Expect to pay between $25 and $49 per hour for standalone on-page SEO services. This rate covers keyword optimization, meta tag improvements, and content updates.
Monthly retainers for on-page SEO services generally range from $500 to $3,000.
Technical SEO
Technical SEO is when experts analyze and optimize a website’s technical aspects to improve its search engine rankings. This includes improving site speed, mobile friendliness, and crawlability.
On average, agencies charge between $25 and $49 per hour for technical SEO services. This rate includes site audits, fixing crawl errors, and implementing structured data.
Monthly retainers range from $1,000 to $5,000 for ongoing technical SEO work.
SEO Content Creation
SEO content creation involves developing high-quality, optimized content that helps improve search engine rankings while providing value to the target audience.
On average, agencies charge between $100 and $149 per hour for SEO content creation services. This higher rate reflects the specialized skills required to create engaging, SEO-friendly content.
Monthly retainers for content creation can range from $1,500 to $10,000 or more.
SEO Mobile Optimization
With the increasing prevalence of mobile searches, SEO mobile optimization has become a critical service. It ensures that websites perform well on mobile devices and rank highly in search results.
On average, agencies charge between $25 and $49 per hour for SEO mobile optimization services. This includes improving mobile site speed, enhancing user experience, and implementing mobile-specific SEO strategies.
Monthly retainers are priced between $500 and $3,000 for ongoing mobile optimization work.
Average Cost of SEO By Business Size
WebFX surveyed 500 businesses to learn about the average SEO cost for each company, depending on their size.
Micro-enterprises and small businesses spend the least on SEO service costs, at $501- $2,500 per month. Below is a look at each business size and average monthly SEO cost.
| Business size | SEO cost (Monthly) |
| Micro-enterprise (1-10 employees) | $501 – $1,000 |
| Small business (11-50 employees) | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Mid-sized business (51-250 employees) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Large business (251-500 employees) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Enterprise business (501+ employees) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
Notably, there is only a slight discrepancy in average spend for mid-sized, large, and enterprise businesses. However, at the upper end, many enterprise companies spend over $10,000 per month on SEO services.
The survey also found that, on average, SEO costs $2,500 to $7,500 per month for businesses across all sizes.
Micro-enterprises tend to have higher hourly rates but lower monthly and project costs due to the smaller scale of their SEO needs.
Project-based costs for large businesses have the widest range. This indicates more variability in the scope of SEO projects for companies of this size.
Source: WebFX
What Do SEO Services Include?
The actual costs of SEO depend on many factors, such as:
- The complexity of your website
- Your industry’s competitiveness
- Your specific SEO goals
- The scope of services required
- The experience level of the SEO provider
If you’re unsure what SEO services include, here’s what the average monthly SEO retainer will consist of:
- On-Page SEO Optimization
- Keyword Research
- Technical SEO Audits
- Content Creation
- Link Building
- Local SEO Management (if applicable)
- Monthly Performance Reporting
- Ongoing Strategy Adjustments
However, most SEO experts will create a custom plan for your business or website based on your current and future goals from an SEO campaign.
Top SEO Agencies, Companies, and Service Providers
Below, we highlight key players in this industry based on Clutch ranking factors. This trusted platform has recognized these agencies for their exceptional performance and expertise in delivering effective SEO solutions.
- WebFX
- SmartSites
- Ignite Visibility
- Victorious SEO
- Intero Digital
- OuterBox
- Rankings.io
- Inweb
- Netpeak
- Digital Authority Partners
- Elit-Web
- Let’s Get Optimized
- Editorial.Link
- Coalition Technologies
- Incrementors Web Solutions
Source: Clutch
Conclusion
Understanding the costs associated with SEO is required to determine whether it fits into your company’s marketing budget.
With all the data, you can make informed decisions aligning with your budget and goals. Investing in quality SEO services can yield significant long-term benefits, ultimately leading to improved visibility and growth in your business.
Max Roslyakov
Founder, Xamsor