SEO Agency Pricing Guide 2026

SEO agencies typically charge a monthly fee between $2,000 - $20,000. The cost of an SEO firm can widely vary though. Factors like years of experience, location, specialty and scope can impact the total cost.

Key Findings: How Much Does an SEO Firm Cost?

• Average SEO Project Costs: The usual cost of SEO projects reviewed on Clutch is less than $10,000.
• Hourly SEO Rates: Most SEO agencies on Clutch charge anywhere from $100-$149/hour for their work.
• Pricing for Different Types of SEO Services:
  
  • Link Building: $25–$49/hour
  • Local SEO: $100–$149/hour
  • Multilingual SEO: $25–$49/hour
  • On-Page (On-Site) SEO: $25–$49/hour
  • Technical SEO: $25–$49/hour
  • SEO Content Creation: $100–$149/hour
  • SEO Mobile Optimization: $25–$49/hour
    
    Data Source: Clutch, backed by data from 65,550 SEO companies and their client project reviews.

Where is This SEO Pricing Data Sourced?

Ensuring the validity and accuracy of all data is of utmost importance to us at Clutch. Our team collected this SEO pricing information through our expansive database of over 65,000 web design agencies and thousands of first-party client reviews from actual client projects.

Why Should You Hire an SEO Agency?

SEO is, in simpler terms, the process of improving a website to increase visibility when people search for a particular topic. SEO can help a business page rank higher on Google and drive more website traffic.

When businesses look to hire a full-service SEO company, they likely want to find an agency that will help their services gain more visibility in their specific industry.

For example, a tax accounting firm based in Nebraska would want to drive more customers to their new website. If a small business owner is searching for tax support, they will likely type in “tax accountants in Nebraska” in their favorite search engine to find the right fit for their needs.

An SEO company helps your business be seen first on search engine results pages (SERPs).

This SEO pricing guide will provide more insight into how much it costs to hire an SEO agency and the costs associated with the most popular SEO services.

As shown in the chart above, the average SEO project on Clutch ranges from a few thousand dollars to several tens of thousands. All of this is dependent on the scale and scope of your project.

Average SEO Project Cost

• Based on data gathered from Clutch review, the average cost for a project with an SEO agency is $37,158.66.
• Usually, the timeline for SEO projects, according to verified client testimonials, is 12 months.
• The average monthly cost of SEO projects is $3,199.19.

For any business that’s looking to attract an online customer base, regardless of industry, their marketing teams must rely on a variety of SEO tactics to improve website usability, increase rank on search engines, and generate new leads. This includes optimizing website content, leveraging social media platforms, enhancing website speed, and ensuring mobile compatibility to provide a seamless user experience.

Additionally, businesses should focus on building quality backlinks and conducting thorough keyword research to understand the terms their target audience is searching for. Implementing local SEO strategies can also be crucial for businesses aiming to attract nearby customers. Regular monitoring and updating of these tactics are essential to adapt to the ever-changing search engine algorithms and maintain a competitive edge.

With many options in the SEO sphere and general uncertainty on the ins and outs, it can be difficult for business leaders and marketing teams to know where to invest their time and resources. This is where an SEO company can have the most impact.

What is the Real Cost of Hiring an SEO Company in 2026?

According to Clutch’s pricing data, hiring an SEO agency generally costs between $100–$149/hour; though figures may vary depending on several factors.

Clutch meticulously compiles this pricing information from its comprehensive database of verified client reviews and ratings. At Clutch, we value the integrity and validity of all information presented so that potential corporate clients can gain crucial insights they need to choose the right service provider for their needs.

Types of SEO Services & Hourly Rates

SEO companies provide consultation services to help businesses of all sizes increase their online visibility. However, they may implement many different strategies to improve your website's performance — all of which vary in price.

This table examines the pricing models for each SEO service and the average SEO price when working with an SEO agency.

Note: Price ranges above are in U.S. dollars

All SEO engagements should start with a comprehensive SEO audit that reviews what’s preventing the website from capturing the right amount of organic traffic. An SEO audit gives your team a plan to fix specific site issues and start the journey of turning site visitors into conversions.

Once a full SEO audit report is delivered, the actionable recommendations can become the next steps for the SEO company you’ve hired. A reputable SEO agency will also prioritize those fixes based on lift, impact, and your company goals. They will systematically address the most critical issues first to ensure that your website sees immediate improvements in organic traffic and user engagement.

Communication with your SEO firm is essential during this phase to align priorities and expectations, ensuring that both parties are on the same page. A good SEO company will also provide detailed timelines and measurable objectives for each recommended action, helping you track progress and ROI effectively. By following this structured approach, you can effectively allocate your marketing resources to the most impactful SEO strategies.

What Services Do SEO Companies Offer?

• SEO audits
• On-page / off-page SEO services
• Technical SEO support
• Custom SEO strategy plans
• Competitive analysis
• Monthly reports

Before hiring an SEO agency or consultant, it’s important for your marketing team to outline what’s most important for you in an SEO partner. The cost of working with an experienced SEO company depends on various factors like industry experience, size and location.

What Impacts the Cost of Hiring an SEO Company?

• Agency size
• Experience
• Scope of Work
• Urgency
• Location

Larger SEO companies will likely charge more for their services because of their level of experience and client history. An SEO company that specializes in a specific industry or niche can also charge more.

The scope of work or SEO services provided also impacts—for example, if your accounting firm is a small business that is just starting out with a website, the SEO agency will likely need to do more work to get it up to snuff and compete.

Urgency is also a niche factor regarding the cost of hiring an SEO company. SEO is a process that takes time - the changes a company makes to your website might not take shape for a few weeks. If an SEO agency only works with a few clients, they can dedicate more time and resources to your company, but that might come with a price tag.

The location of the service provider also impacts the cost of hiring an SEO agency. If an agency is based in a metropolitan location, the SEO company will usually charge more for its services.

Additional Reading:  'SEO Glossary: 92 Essential Terms'

In contrast to other regions around the world, SEO agencies in North America, Australia, and Western Europe seem to charge more for SEO services than other agencies in other parts of the world. These higher rates can be attributed to the cost of living, market demand, and the general competitiveness of these regions.

Moreover, agencies in these areas often have greater access to advanced technologies and a larger pool of SEO experts, which can drive up prices. It is important to note that these hourly rates are based on the average rate charged by agencies and do not reflect any geographic factors. This means businesses should carefully consider the location of their chosen SEO partner and weigh the potential cost differences against the quality of service offered.

Ultimately, while the cost may be higher in these regions, the potential for superior service and results often justifies the ivestment.

Business leaders can review customer testimonials, SEO package prices, and case studies to get an idea of SEO agency pricing, but the best way to find out how much it will cost to hire an SEO company is to contact SEO professionals directly to get a price point. Often an SEO company will offer a free first consultation, so be sure to ask.

Pricing Models for SEO Services

Many agencies offer SEO packages or pricing models that can provide companies with a plethora of services to help them reach the first page of Google.

A lot of SEO companies work on fixed pricing models. These fixed-price contracts often include set services like keyword research, on-page optimization, and content creation, all tailored to meet the client's specific needs. For instance, a small business might select a package that encompasses initial SEO audits, followed by regular monthly updates to maintain and improve its search engine rankings.

Fixed pricing can be advantageous for businesses as it offers transparent costs and helps in better budgeting and financial planning. Additionally, this model enables the SEO company to streamline their process and dedicate specific resources to projects without constant negotiations, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.

SEO professionals can offer the following pricing models to business owners:

Monthly Retainers

For a monthly retainer, clients will pay a monthly recurring fee for selected SEO services. This arrangement ensures sustained optimization efforts across various aspects of SEO without the need for renegotiation.

Clients benefit from ongoing services such as content creation, link building, keyword optimization, and continuous performance monitoring. This consistent approach can lead to improved search engine rankings and more significant, sustainable organic traffic growth over time. Additionally, monthly retainers often include regular progress reports and strategy adjustments, ensuring that the SEO plan evolves with changing market conditions and client needs.

Fixed Priced Contracts or Packages

A fixed-price SEO package allows clients to sign a contract and then pay a set fee for a specific SEO service.

For example, a tax accountant could hire an SEO specialist to update meta information and write copy for their new website to showcase their knowledge of state tax services and rates for local customers.

Project-Based

Similar to contract-based services, project-based pricing allows clients to pay a determined amount for custom SEO projects. For example, it is not uncommon for a company to enter a project-based agreement with an SEO agency for a technical audit and implementation.

Such projects are highly customizable and can cater specifically to a company's unique needs, whether it involves optimizing outdated website elements, conducting a comprehensive SEO audit, or implementing a detailed keyword strategy tailored to the business's target market. This model offers flexibility as it allows the business to tackle specific SEO challenges as they arise, without committing to a long-term contract.

Furthermore, this approach ensures that clients can receive specialized expertise for distinct SEO tasks, leading to more effective and targeted optimization efforts. By opting for project-based pricing, businesses can efficiently manage their SEO investments while ensuring that critical SEO needs are addressed promptly and professionally.

Hourly Rates

For SEO partnerships based on hourly rates, clients pay SEO agencies or freelancers an hourly fee in exchange for SEO services.

Quick Tip: When deciding on which SEO partner to work with, be careful of organizations that brand themselves as “cheap SEO” services. These companies generally lack the right SEO expertise to help your company earn the highest value with organic search or may participate in black hat SEO practices.

Additional Reading: 'When to Hire an In-House SEO Specialist vs. an SEO Firm'

13 Questions to Ask When Interviewing SEO Agencies

1. How long has your business been doing SEO?
2. How do you approach backlink acquistion?
3. Do you have experience working with businesses in my industry?
4. How do you measure and report success?
5. Do you offer all three flavors of SEO - technical, UX and content?
6. How will it take for us to start seeing positive results?
7. How do you determine which keywords we should capture?
8. How will you help us stay ahead of our competitors?
9. Will I have a dedicated team, work with the same team?
10. Can you share some of your client case studies?
11. What’s your pricing model?
12. What’s the contract time commitment (if applicable)?
13. What are your termination terms?

Read more questions to ask potential SEO partners, according to Clutch. 

How Do I Budget for SEO?

In addition to increasing organic traffic, one of the biggest reasons companies choose to invest in SEO is its affordability. Unlike digital advertising, social media, and other marketing strategies, companies don’t need to spend a ton on placing an ad to see the impact of SEO.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t require some investment, though. SEO is one of the key digital marketing services that provide success to businesses, making it tough to estimate typical costs due to the wide range of SEO services and the specificity of the company's SEO needs.

Most marketing experts recommend spending between 7%–10% of your company revenue on digital marketing, and only a fraction of that should go towards SEO. 

Deciding how much to spend on SEO depends on your business’s needs and goals. If you’re looking to rank nationally, you’ll likely need more resources than if you are just looking for local rankings. You should also consider the competition in your industry and how much they put into their SEO efforts.

It’s important to remember that SEO takes time to see results, which means that you should set aside a portion of your digital marketing budget for SEO every month.

Hire the Right SEO Company for Your Marketing Budget

The amount your company pays for SEO services will depend on the size of your business and the help you require.

While SEO pricing varies from agency to agency, the most important aspect of choosing the right SEO partner is finding one that understands your business goals.

A trusted SEO consultant or company will deliver the correct advice on SEO services that will be the most impactful for your business, provide ongoing support for all technical aspects, and strive to stay within your company’s budget.

Whether you’re looking to hire an SEO consultant for a technical support fix, looking for a long-term SEO company to support multiple project-based tasks, or investing in a retained SEO expert to help your local SEO services, Clutch can help slim down your search and provide the most qualified and personalized options for you.