How Much Does SEO Cost in 2024?

Search engine optimization is what connects your company to the majority of your customers.

If you want your website to rank #1 in Google search results and increase its web presence then SEO can do this for you.

With SEO, you can increase your website’s search engine rankings and get leads from organic rankings without spending any amount on Pay Per Click Services. SEO can drive quality traffic to your website to increase conversions and goal completion.

Whether you’re a new entrant in the market or an established market player, SEO is not only necessary but an essential part of your overall Inbound marketing campaign or online marketing strategy and can increase your internet marketing package cost.

SEO companies will optimize your keywords to make sure your website appears when someone searches for your service-related keywords. Keyword optimization helps your website to make it relevant for your brand and service-related keywords.

SEO cost depends mainly on several keywords and targeting. If it’s a local search optimization SEO campaign then it may cost less than eCommerce SEO or national SEO campaigns.

This is because an SEO package is based on the number of target keywords. After hiring an SEO agency it’s time to automate your lead generation with the help of CRM.

How Much Does SEO Cost Exactly?

We understand that business owners want a straightforward answer here. You want a figure easily fitting into your monthly or annual budget. Unfortunately, it is not so straightforward.

The truth is that the cost of SEO varies greatly based on the SEO services you require or want. SEO package pricing varies depending on a variety of criteria, including the amount of material necessary, expectations, business growth estimates, and the scope of services required.

When you receive SEO pricing quotes from marketing organizations, you should have a good understanding of what to expect so that you are not overcharged or startled later on.

We want to help businesses of all sizes understand how to appropriately budget for high-quality SEO services while avoiding being taken advantage of.

How Are SEO Prices Determined?

Before a marketer or agency can give you an accurate idea of how much SEO will cost, you will need to give them some information about your business. This will help an SEO marketer figure out how much work needs to be done, what kind of content is needed, and how long projects should take to finish. The following are some of these important factors :

How your search engine exposure is right now
How much money you make on average per sale

The percentage of leads that turn into sales.
The campaign goals.
How quickly do you want to see results?
How the current marketing budget is split up (for example, as a share of cash sales).

Part of the reason why SEO prices can vary so much is because of this.

How Much Do Businesses Typically Spend on SEO Services?

Most firms have budgets ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹8,20,000 per month. However, the same survey shows that roughly 48.9% of agency SEO practitioners expect their clients’ spending to improve slightly over the next year.

The Search Engine Journal also said that companies with monthly funds of less than ₹4,000,000 were more likely to spend most of their money on SEO services than on paid media, social media, design, influencer marketing, and other things.

What Would Be a Fair Price for SEO Services?

Be sceptical of companies providing services for ₹12,000 a month or less, especially as the average SEO professional in 2024 earns up to ₹58,00,000 annually (according to Glassdoor). For such a low price, a company or specialist is either using questionable practices, such as link schemes, or will produce very few outcomes.

One thing to note is that clients who pay more for SEO services have tended to report higher satisfaction rates over the years. According to the Search Engine Journal’s State of SEO in 2024, 12.96% of SEO practitioners reported they were working with budgets of more than ₹8,00,000.

In many ways, search engine optimization services are a get-what-you-pay-for kind of deal.

Are Monthly SEO Services the Better Option?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is not a one-time fix, so keep that in mind as you research prices. The type of service you desire affects SEO costs, in addition to your business aims and ambitions. Investigating the matter of quality is essential before addressing this facet.

It’s important to note that link-building and content marketing, among other SEO methods, necessitate regular attention. Search engine optimization (SEO) is not a one-and-done deal; rather, it requires ongoing monitoring, analysis, and tweaking to achieve success.

There has to be constant improvement and updating of content and links. For this reason, the majority of company owners are prepared to pay a monthly fee to an SEO firm that delivers satisfactory results.

Our Monthly SEO Packages

At One Basket Marketing, we provide three SEO packages to help you enhance your web visibility in search engines: Basic, Advanced, and Enterprise, each with up to five, twenty, and thirty keywords. The costs for these SEO packages are:

Bronze

₹ 20,000/Month

Silver

₹ 30,000/Month

Gold

₹ 45,000/Month

Below are the expected SEO costs based on the SEO pricing model.

SEO Model	Cost
Fixed Price	₹ 1,25,000- ₹ 2,000,000 Per Contract
Project-based	₹ 4,00,000 – ₹ 2,500,000 Per Project
Hourly	₹ 8000 – ₹ 20,000 Per Hour
Monthly	₹ 1,25,000 – ₹ 4,00,000 Per Month

What Should You Add to Your Current SEO Strategy in 2024?

The role of artificial intelligence in SEO will increase. A new Google algorithm, Rankbrain, which is capable of learning, will have a significant impact on how a website is ranked. You must optimize your site for RankBrain. Still, how? Your website must contain engaging, well-organized, and significant content.
Voice search will gain considerable traction. Therefore, you must optimize your website for voice searches through the incorporation and consideration of commonly used keywords and phrases.
Mobile friendliness will become more significant than ever before. Google implemented a Mobile-First-Indexing policy in 2019 whereby the mobile version was given precedence over the desktop version. Therefore, ensure that your website is mobile-optimized. Contents with over 3000+ words will get more traffic, more shares, and of course, high rankings.

How Much Does Local SEO Cost?

You are likely marketing to a local customer base. If that’s the case, we imagine that you are probably asking yourself the question: how much does local SEO cost?

Local SEO comes at a more affordable price compared to global and national SEO services. Working with a smaller, more focused audience means facing less competition. Typically, local SEO campaigns can be quite affordable, starting at around ₹ 20,000 per month, based on your requirements.

Similar to global and national SEO, the cost will vary based on the pricing models you prefer and the specific search engine optimization package required. In a broad sense, local SEO can be categorized into three groups:

Automated Local SEO (₹20,000- ₹50,000 per month)

This is typically the cheapest option and will ensure that business information is provided to directories. This involves ensuring that all contact information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and email links – is correct on sites like Yelp or Yellow Pages.

However, this alone will not boost your search ranking, since this is merely the necessary information that Google uses for geographical search results. Still, this can be enough to gain visibility if you only operate in one location and want to target customers within a specific city or state. These services would involve updating all business accounts on location-based sites and incorporating necessary links and information customers commonly search for. It does not involve content marketing or social media management.

Small Scale Local SEO (₹ 1,50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per month)

Typically, these campaigns focus on developing precise advertisements that are displayed for a specific period in a particular location. Typically, this involves utilizing pay-per-click ads or social media campaigns that are specifically targeted to reach a local audience.

Small-scale SEO caters to smaller businesses focusing on a specific local area and aiming to reach customers within a limited distance. It is beneficial for maintaining low costs while targeting a very specific audience.

Many small-scale SEO services also incorporate elements such as…

Writing and promoting content
Utilizing remarketing strategies
Implementing local service ads

It’s crucial to grasp how to enhance content to align with local search intent and discover innovative methods to reach audiences that fit the required criteria. Although more comprehensive than automated SEO, local SEO marketers can assist with the fundamentals without delving into all the intricate details. While this could serve as a solid foundation, there is no assurance of immediate expansion.

Comprehensive Local SEO (₹ 2,00,000 – ₹4,00,000 per month)

Many clients seek a comprehensive package that encompasses all aspects of SEO, such as:

On and offsite SEO (at least 4 hours per month)

Blog post optimization
Local service ad management
Monthly reports and meetings
Social media creation and posting (multiple times per week)
SEO and website audit
Technical SEO audit
In-depth competitor analysis
Content audit and strategy
Paid search management
Content creation and marketing
Reporting
Google Business Profile management
Brand management
Social media
Link building
Citation optimization
Management of online reviews

For a comprehensive package with all these services, expect to pay a minimum of ₹ 1,50,000 per month. Typically, agencies will charge between ₹ 2,00,000 to ₹ 4,00,000 for these weekly services, particularly when virtual meetings and reviews are included.

This service offers clear insights into how your marketing budget is being utilized. Thorough SEO places a strong emphasis on analyzing reports to monitor metrics such as online traffic growth, conversion rates, and visibility.

When providing these comprehensive local SEO services, it’s important to focus on call tracking and conversions to accurately measure your ROI.

Other key performance metrics included in comprehensive SEO tracking are:

Rankings
Backlinks
Analytics
Paid search
Competition
Website health
Google Business Profile
Reviews
Citations
Social media engagement

It is expected that the cost of local SEO packages will climb when more comprehensive services are included. Nevertheless, extensive marketing strategies are more advantageous as they provide better value and yield bigger returns.

What Other Factors Contribute to SEO Pricing?

Beyond the typical differentiation between company rates, SEO pricing packages can be impacted by various factors.

1. Industry

There is more competition in some sectors since they are more inclined to use Internet marketing. Keywords about lawyers take up an excessive amount of space among Google’s most expensive keywords. Medical offices, financial institutions, locksmiths, auto mechanics, real estate agents, software developers, marketing agencies, and home improvement companies are among other industries that have pricey and competitive keywords.

The number of monthly searches for a certain industry is a major factor in SEO pricing.

A company that gets thousands of monthly searches for their services, for example, will have to shell out more money for SEO packages. The same goes for businesses in areas with a lot of competition; they’ll have to shell out more money to rank higher.

The particular strategies’ techniques, on the other hand, will differ from one industry to another and from one company’s objectives to another. To achieve the best possible outcomes, it is crucial to take a comprehensive approach and incorporate personalized marketing methods.

Average Industry SEO Prices

Home Services: ₹ 1,25,000 – ₹ 2,00,000
Healthcare: ₹ 2,50,000 – ₹ 4,00,000
Law: ₹ 2,00,000 – ₹ 4,00,000
Software & IT: ₹ 2,50,000 – ₹ 4,00,000
eCommerce: ₹ 2,00,000 – ₹ 4,00,000

2. Geographic Location

The population of a city or the specific area you are focusing on will affect SEO pricing. Even small factors can make a difference. For example, snow tyre services would be more competitive in Alaska than in Florida or Southern California.

Naturally, densely populated urban areas will also experience higher levels of competition. Localised SEO packages in major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago will come at a higher cost compared to those targeting customers in smaller towns.

Typically, each location comes at an additional price, considering that the SEO team will need to conduct location-specific keyword research.

3. Type of Service You Need

The cost of SEO services can vary based on factors such as optimizing your website for search engines, enhancing your online reputation, creating content, and more.

It can help you decide which SEO pricing structure suits your business the most. For example, if you only require assistance with setting up Google Business Profile accounts and optimizing site tags, this can be a one-time cost per project. For those looking to establish a strong blog presence and improve search engine rankings, opting for monthly services may be the way to go.

4. Current Brand Awareness and Visibility

SEO costs can vary depending on your brand’s present level of exposure and visibility. If you are a new company beginning from scratch, you will need to do a lot of legwork. On the other side, if your company has been operating for a while and already has a strong search presence, you will need to prioritize optimization and upkeep.

5. Website CMS and Existing Content

The type of Content Management System (CMS) used by a website, as well as the quality of its current content, can have a considerable impact on SEO service costs.

Different CMS platforms offer varying degrees of flexibility and SEO friendliness. Some may necessitate more complex technological optimizations for search engines, whereas others are naturally more search engine-friendly. This can alter the amount of effort involved.

If a website’s content is outdated or poorly optimized, a complete content revamp may be required to line up with current SEO best practices – which typically comes at a high cost.

6. Business Goals & Objectives

What are the goals of your company’s online presence?

If you set ambitious goals like dominating a competitive market or rapidly growing your customer base, your SEO strategy might require more resources and a higher level of sophistication. Achieving complex goals often requires thorough keyword research, content creation, technical optimization, and continuous monitoring, which can result in increased service expenses.

For businesses with more modest goals or a focus on long-term growth, a phased and gradual approach may be a cost-effective option.

7. Urgency of Results

If you require quicker results, the cost of SEO services will increase. To achieve a quicker completion time, it is essential to allocate more resources, such as manpower, and tools, and possibly invest in paid advertising. Consequently, the SEO provider will have to raise their prices to achieve tangible results promptly.

8. Target Audience & Demographic

Your SEO service pricing is closely connected to your target audience and demographic. To effectively tailor their strategies, your agency must have a deep understanding of the specific characteristics and preferences of the target audience.

For example, if a company targets a specialized market that faces tough competition, it might need to invest more in SEO to differentiate itself. Demographic factors like age, location, and online behavior play a significant role in shaping the complexity of SEO campaigns. When focusing on younger demographics or particular regions, it can lead to the need for varied approaches, which can affect the total expenses for SEO services.

9. The Rise of Generative AI and Machine Learning in Search Engines

Exploring Search Engines

In 2023, artificial intelligence will play a significant role in the realm of content marketing. With the advancement of AI tools, we can anticipate increasing effects on search engine algorithms, leading to the necessary evolution of SEO services.

There is a noticeable trend towards more advanced SEO strategies. Creating high-quality content that is contextually relevant and optimizing for the human experience is the main focus.

In addition, an increasing number of SEO agencies are incorporating natural language processing techniques and leveraging AI to analyze user behavior patterns. AI can speed up the SEO process and reduce costs, while also emphasizing the importance of high-quality, human-created content in specific situations.

Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness by Google

Introduced by Google, EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It is used to assess the quality of online content.

Google, as the dominant search engine, is dedicated to providing users with trustworthy and precise information. EEAT plays a crucial role in evaluating the credibility of web pages within its algorithm.

Following EEAT principles typically requires a thorough and detailed approach to creating content, optimizing it, and building links. To establish expertise, one must possess deep industry knowledge, while creating authoritative content necessitates extensive research and thought leadership. Being trustworthy means keeping information transparent and reliable.

SEO services that focus on EEAT principles may demand more resources, such as subject matter experts, content creators, and quality assurance processes, potentially leading to increased costs. Creating content that meets Google’s standards requires SEO professionals to dedicate substantial time and effort to aligning it with relevant search queries and showcasing expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

SEO pricing may reflect the higher level of expertise and diligence required to meet Google’s EEAT guidelines.

What is the Return on Investment (ROI) of SEO?

SEO services do not come with a guaranteed return on investment. If an SEO agency promises you guaranteed results, it’s best to steer clear!

Nonetheless, a solid ROI is not uncommon. Hubspot’s 2023 Marketing and Strategy Trends Report highlights the importance of leveraging SEO for high ROI and effectiveness. It states that at least 88% of those utilizing SEO strategies plan to increase or maintain their investments.

ROI rates may vary greatly based on the industries of different companies. Examining the three-year averages for various industries and their break-even points.

Being patient and consistent is crucial in SEO, as there is no guaranteed rate of return. Typically, companies start to see returns within six months to a year of launching their SEO campaign.

Invest in an SEO Agency That Will Boost Your Revenue

If you’re looking for an SEO company that offers great value, think about hiring a digital agency with years of experience. Their history of achieving exceptional outcomes for multiple companies is impressive.

This offers an insider’s perspective to help you grasp SEO pricing structures and the variables influencing your costs. Every business needing SEO services has a unique budget that doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Investing in top-quality work can lead to greater results and ROI, as the cost is influenced by various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Monthly SEO Packages Include PPC Ads?

A few packages may include monthly PPC ads. Companies spending more than ₹ 4,00,000 per month often invest in PPC and retargeting, which varies based on the specific plan and services provided by the SEO agency.

Are Website Content Included in SEO Packages?

Developing, designing, and launching a new site usually comes with a price tag ranging from ₹8,20,000 to ₹16,50,000. Hence, new website content is usually an extra cost with SEO packages, but many agencies offer SEO services to their web design clients.

How Do You Determine Your Budget for SEO Services? Are you looking for SEO services?

The 2022 CMO Survey results reveal that the majority of businesses allocated between 8% and 13% of their company revenue to marketing expenses in the past year.

If you’re seeking a starting point for planning your marketing budget, it’s often suggested to aim for at least 8% of your company revenue. Make sure to allocate a minimum of 8% of that figure to SEO strategies. This is merely a suggestion; your company’s requirements and objectives will determine your budget more precisely.

It is crucial to assess your position relative to your competitors and the level of effort required to surpass them.

Should you Increase Your SEO Spending Budget Over Time?

Paying upwards of ₹ 8,20,000 per month will provide a fully managed SEO marketing campaign for your business. Ultimately, this will allow you to completely forget about promotion and leave it to an experienced team. You might be surprised to learn companies can spend up to ₹ 8,00,000 per month on SEO – depending on the keywords targeted and the level of competition.

So, high-quality SEO services can be cost-effective and provide a fantastic ROI. Also, note that it can take a while before you start to see measurable results from SEO. This is a marathon, not a sprint. The more effort you put into content creation, keyword inclusion, link-building, and other SEO strategies, you will see better results.

How Do Agencies Set Their Fees for SEO Services?

Separate Pricing for Different Types of Services

Typically, agencies begin by compiling a comprehensive list of the services they provide. Then, they individually price each item. They provide clear pricing for all their services, including lead generation, SEO, and blog writing.

Next, agencies curate packages for services that complement each other. This promotes the idea of clients opting for bundled services as a way to save money, while also benefiting the agency with increased profits. It’s a mutually beneficial situation for both parties involved.

Give Clients the Freedom to Select Their Preferred Services

Good agencies offer their clients the freedom to choose by pricing their services separately. Companies have the flexibility to choose from different packages and can adjust their budget to cover agency fees.

Clients appreciate the ability to choose their SEO services as it provides them with a sense of control and security.

Take into account the profitability of the client.

Many agencies take into consideration their client’s profitability when determining the prices for their SEO services. The client’s average revenue is assessed to determine how their service fees can be made more affordable for individual companies.

Ultimately, SEO prices must be affordable. If companies are unable to afford them, it can pose a significant issue. Top-notch agencies find a sweet spot between accommodating clients’ budgets and delivering high-quality services.

How Do You Determine Your Competitor’s SEO Performance?

When it comes to staying informed about your competitors’ strategies and actions in SEO, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest developments. By doing so, you can ensure that you don’t fall behind and can stay competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. It’s quite simple to determine the performance of local competition, despite the belief of many business owners.

Before anything else, it is crucial to conduct thorough keyword research. This involves delving into the top ten performers for the keywords that are relevant to your target audience. By delving into statistics and data such as Traffic Value and Domain Authority, you can gain valuable insights into your competitors’ performance and determine the necessary steps to surpass them. Or, more importantly, the amount you’ll have to budget for.

Forbes emphasizes the importance of businesses being discoverable on the web through multiple channels to maintain a competitive advantage.

Should You Outsource Your SEO Marketing to an Off-Shore or Whitelabel Agency?

It’s a matter of opinion, Quality is often reflected in the price you pay, so attempting to save money on your SEO services may not yield favorable results. In addition, collaborating with off-shore teams may result in extra costs related to team training and navigating cultural differences.

Hiring “state-side” has the advantage of avoiding cultural barriers, resulting in significant time, energy, and cost savings.

What Should You Do if Your Budget is Tight?

However, many small business owners view SEO as an expense or even a potential hazard. SEO should be seen as a valuable long-term investment that consistently benefits you and your business.

Consider the impact a remarkable piece of content on your website can have. WordStream states that content marketing is more cost-effective and generates a higher volume of leads compared to traditional marketing programs.

Investing in the expertise of a skilled SEO marketer to craft a top-notch piece of optimized content for your website can generate a steady stream of new leads for an extended period. The one-time payment can prove to be a wise investment in the long run.

Although ₹ 40,000 is considered the minimum amount to pay, small business owners should strive to increase their monthly SEO budget to a range of ₹ 1,25,000 to ₹ 4,00,000.

It’s important to keep in mind that seasoned SEO professionals offer a comprehensive service that covers all essential elements, including…

Creating high-quality content
Building links
Optimizing conversion rates
Improving the accessibility and usability of your website
Managing customer reviews