SEO service costs typically range from $500 to $10,000 per month, with the average small business spending between $750 and $2,000 monthly. I'll break down exactly what you can expect at different price points.

For hourly SEO consulting, you'll typically pay between $100-$300 per hour. This is ideal if you need specific advice or want to validate your current SEO strategy.

Here's what you can expect at different monthly retainer levels:

Basic SEO ($500-$1,000/month):
- Keyword research
- On-page optimization
- Basic content creation
- Monthly reporting
- Local SEO basics

Mid-tier SEO ($1,000-$3,000/month):
- Everything in basic package
- Regular content creation
- Link building
- Technical SEO
- Competitor analysis
- Comprehensive reporting

Enterprise SEO ($3,000-$10,000+/month):
- Full-service SEO management
- Advanced technical optimization
- Extensive content strategy
- High-authority link building
- Custom reporting dashboards
- Dedicated SEO team

One-time SEO project costs typically range from $1,000 to $30,000, depending on your website's size and needs. This might include site audits, migration services, or initial optimization work.

Factors that influence SEO pricing:

- Website size and complexity
- Competition level in your industry
- Geographic targeting (local vs. national)
- Current website condition
- Speed of results needed
- Content creation requirements

For most small businesses, I recommend budgeting at least $1,000 monthly for meaningful results. Anything less might not provide enough resources to compete effectively in most markets.

Remember that SEO is a long-term investment. Expect to commit to at least 6-12 months of services before seeing significant results. While you might find cheaper options, especially overseas, quality SEO services from reputable agencies rarely cost less than $500 monthly.

When comparing quotes, focus on deliverables rather than just price. A higher upfront investment in quality SEO often provides better ROI than cheaper alternatives that might use risky tactics or provide minimal value.

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