If you’re a small business owner looking into SEO for the first time, the pricing can feel all over the place. You’ve probably seen quotes ranging from $200/month to $10,000/month and wondered what on earth the difference is.
Let’s break it down honestly.
The Real Price Ranges
Most legitimate SEO agencies charge between $1,000 and $5,000 per month for small business SEO. Here’s what each tier typically looks like:
$500–$1,000/month covers basic local SEO — your Google Business Profile optimization, a handful of citations, and some on-page tweaks. This is fine if you’re in a low-competition market and just need the fundamentals.
$1,000–$3,000/month is where most small businesses land. At this level, you’re getting keyword research, content creation, technical SEO fixes, link building, and monthly reporting. This is enough to compete in moderately competitive local markets.
$3,000–$5,000+/month is for businesses in competitive industries — think personal injury law, roofing, HVAC, or any market where the top spots are worth tens of thousands of dollars in monthly revenue. This tier includes aggressive content strategies, high-quality link building, and often conversion rate optimization.
Red Flags to Watch For
If someone offers you SEO for $200/month, run. At that price point, they’re either doing nothing meaningful or using black-hat tactics that will eventually get your site penalized by Google.
Other warning signs include agencies that guarantee specific rankings (nobody can guarantee that), lock you into long-term contracts from day one, or can’t clearly explain what they’re doing each month.
What Actually Matters
The real question isn’t “how much does SEO cost?” — it’s “what’s the return on investment?”
If you spend $2,000/month on SEO and it generates 30 new leads per month, and your average customer is worth $500, that’s $15,000 in revenue from a $2,000 investment. That’s a 650% ROI.
The best SEO agencies track everything back to the dollar so you always know exactly what your investment is producing.
How to Get Started Without Breaking the Bank
If you’re not ready to commit to a monthly retainer, start with a one-time SEO audit. A good audit will show you exactly where your site stands, what your competitors are doing, and where the biggest opportunities are.
At Scout Growth Co., we offer free SEO audits because we believe in showing value before asking for a commitment. We’ll analyze your site, your competitors, and your market — then give you a prioritized action plan you can keep whether you work with us or not.
Ready to see where you stand? Get your free SEO audit here — no strings attached.