SEO Pricing Structures
In terms of SEO pricing and structures, everyone has their own approach. Personally, I’ve worked with SEOs who charge varying rates and have different structures.
Generally, I prefer to charge a flat monthly fee. It’s the simplest way for clients to understand. Introducing one-off costs and hourly rates can confuse clients and lead to constant back-and-forth discussions.
I typically set a fixed monthly budget. In the first month, I focus on on-page optimizations. From the second month onward, I concentrate on link building. However, I do let clients know that some of their budget may go towards on-page adjustments throughout the ongoing process.
Communication is Key
It’s crucial to communicate to clients that SEO is a long-term strategy:
It’s not a quick fix or something where budgets can fluctuate monthly based on their bank balance.
I usually require a minimum three-month commitment.
This helps manage expectations since many clients might expect results immediately and may not understand that the work takes time to produce results.
While you can’t enforce contracts strictly, having this structure provides a foundation for your work.
I usually charge a flat monthly fee via direct debit, with an invoice sent out each month.
Reporting and Performance Tracking
Clients also receive a monthly report via Loom.
I track keywords and their domain authority, which are good indicators of performance.
Remember, traffic can vary due to seasons, weather, and personal preferences, so traffic isn’t a reliable indicator of performance.
Setting Rates for SEO
SEO pricing and rates can vary widely. You’ll find both cheap and expensive SEOs.
Your comfort level in charging will depend on your experience.
If you’re new and lack confidence in your results, it’s reasonable to charge less.
Many gurus advise doubling your rates, but if you’re still learning, it’s better to charge what feels right until you build confidence in delivering results.
For example, I’ve reached a point where I can confidently charge £££ if I believe I can generate significant leads for a client.
If you’re still learning, treat it as a paid learning opportunity and charge less.
Minimum Charges
My minimum fee for SEO services starts at £800 a month.
This is for basic packages, including some on-page tweaks and ongoing link building.
Lower budgets, like £200 or £300 a month, often attract clients who lack the long-term mindset needed for SEO.
They tend to quit after a short period and may request refunds, so I avoid those lower-budget projects.
However, if this is your first project with someone you know and trust, it might be fine to negotiate a lower rate.
Understanding the Value of Your Work
When budgeting, consider your time and expertise.
The insights you provide can significantly impact a client’s strategy.
For instance, if a client is spending £2,000 on Linkbuilding without guidance, they might not achieve good results.
However, spending just 10 minutes analyzing their keywords can deliver £100’s of value,
So your rate for strategy can be in the hundreds of £ per hour.
Whilst lower value activities like actually implementing the onpage changes you’ve suggested may be charged lower.
SEO Pricing Strategies
For link building, consistency is key.
You can source links from various platforms like Fat Joe or Fiverr,
or link from your own personal network of sites.
Determine your link costs and add a markup for administration and profit.
If you’re unsure about a client’s potential, consider charging a one-time fee for necessary on-page work before starting link building.
The main thing is to communicate clearly with your clients about what you’re doing and why.
Client Communication and mindset
Transparency is essential, especially when results may not show immediately
Regular check-ins and updates—bi-weekly, for example—can help maintain client trust.
Explain any lack of movement in rankings and discuss what to expect moving forward.
Ultimately, for SEO, a client’s satisfaction with your communication and the work being done often matters more than immediate results.
Calculating Value
Estimate the potential ROI based on keyword rankings, traffic, and conversion rates.
If you’re struggling to figure out your pricing as a freelancer, assess
- how many leads your client gets
- what that lead is worth over a year
- How many more leads can you get them
- Work that backwards to how much you can charge.
For instance, if you can rank position 1-3 for a keyword with 1,000 monthly searches,
you could get 10% of that traffic.
If the website converts 10% of that traffic into paying customers,
then you could get the client an estimated 10 monthly customers every month.
If a customer is worth £1000 over a year, then you’ve just made them £10,000/yr
This is all just very rough estimates,
But you can use these numbers to demonstrate return on investment.
