How much does SEO cost in 2023? ๐ฐ
In Nov 2022, we surveyed over 400 SEOs to find out how much they charge for their services (hourly, monthly retainer + per-project).
Check out the top 10 takeawaysโplus a look at each pricing model in more detail. ๐
H/T: @JoshuaCHardwick
In Nov 2022, we surveyed over 400 SEOs to find out how much they charge for their services (hourly, monthly retainer + per-project).
Check out the top 10 takeawaysโplus a look at each pricing model in more detail. ๐
H/T: @JoshuaCHardwick
1. Hourly rates
34.8% of respondents price some or all of their work by the hour.
The most popular hourly rate for SEOs is $75-$100, at 24%.
Overall, 90% of SEOs charge $150/hour or less.
34.8% of respondents price some or all of their work by the hour.
The most popular hourly rate for SEOs is $75-$100, at 24%.
Overall, 90% of SEOs charge $150/hour or less.
2. Hourly rates by region
Hereโs a breakdown of hourly rates by region:
๐ India-based SEOs are an outlier.
85.7% of them charge $30/hour or lessโwhile the remaining 14.3% command $51-$60/hour.
Hereโs a breakdown of hourly rates by region:
๐ India-based SEOs are an outlier.
85.7% of them charge $30/hour or lessโwhile the remaining 14.3% command $51-$60/hour.
Sidenote: We didn't have much data for some regions, so take the above results with a pinch of salt. โ
We also grouped Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands + Spain together since they're the only European countries (besides the UK) with a GDP of 1 trillion or more.
We also grouped Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands + Spain together since they're the only European countries (besides the UK) with a GDP of 1 trillion or more.
3. Hourly rates: Do SEO agencies charge more per hour than freelancers?
Yep.
58.7% and 58.8% of SEO agencies and consultants (respectively) command more than $75/hour, compared to only 36.6% of freelancers.
Yep.
58.7% and 58.8% of SEO agencies and consultants (respectively) command more than $75/hour, compared to only 36.6% of freelancers.
4. Hourly rates: Do SEO agencies charge more per hour than freelancers? (cont'd)
However, the most common hourly rate for SEO agencies and freelancers is the same: $75โ100/hour.
For SEO consultants, itโs $100โ150/hour.
However, the most common hourly rate for SEO agencies and freelancers is the same: $75โ100/hour.
For SEO consultants, itโs $100โ150/hour.
5. Hourly rates: Do experienced SEOs earn much more per hour?
Yep, they do.
Check out the average hourly rates based on years of experience:
2 years or less: $73.05
2-4 years: $97.11
5-10 years: $102.03
10+ years: $118.35
Yep, they do.
Check out the average hourly rates based on years of experience:
2 years or less: $73.05
2-4 years: $97.11
5-10 years: $102.03
10+ years: $118.35
6. Hourly rates: Do those offering services worldwide charge more per hour than those serving local markets?
Yes, slightly.
Those offering their services locally earn $93.89/hour.
Meanwhile, those serving the worldwide market earn $106.69/hour.
Thatโs a difference of 13.6%.
Yes, slightly.
Those offering their services locally earn $93.89/hour.
Meanwhile, those serving the worldwide market earn $106.69/hour.
Thatโs a difference of 13.6%.
7. Monthly retainer rates
78.2% of respondents charge a monthly retainer for some or all of their work.
Of these, the most popular rate for SEOs is $501โ$1,000/month (20.4%).
68.8% of SEOs also charge $2000/month or less.
This means only 31.2% get retainers of $2,001+.
78.2% of respondents charge a monthly retainer for some or all of their work.
Of these, the most popular rate for SEOs is $501โ$1,000/month (20.4%).
68.8% of SEOs also charge $2000/month or less.
This means only 31.2% get retainers of $2,001+.
8. Monthly retainer rates by region
๐Again, India is a clear outlier.
76% of India-based SEOs charge $1,000 or less per month.
The remaining 24% charge between $2,001-$10,000.
It's a different story for the US + Canada, where some SEOs command $25,001โ$50,000/month. ๐คฏ
๐Again, India is a clear outlier.
76% of India-based SEOs charge $1,000 or less per month.
The remaining 24% charge between $2,001-$10,000.
It's a different story for the US + Canada, where some SEOs command $25,001โ$50,000/month. ๐คฏ
9. Monthly rates: Do SEO agencies charge more per month than freelancers?
Yep. 57.4% of SEO agencies command $1,001+/month, vs 32.2% of freelancers.
Most common monthly retainer ranges:
SEO agencies: $500โ$1,000
Consultants: $2,501โ$5,000
Freelancers: $251โ$500 and $101โ$500
Yep. 57.4% of SEO agencies command $1,001+/month, vs 32.2% of freelancers.
Most common monthly retainer ranges:
SEO agencies: $500โ$1,000
Consultants: $2,501โ$5,000
Freelancers: $251โ$500 and $101โ$500
10. Monthly rates: Do experienced SEOs charge more per month?
Yes. Avg retainer rates by years of experience:
2 years or less: $1,540.52
2+ years: $2,023.13
5-10 years: $3,648.28
Things level off after the 10-year mark. This could be due to our limited data for this subset.
Yes. Avg retainer rates by years of experience:
2 years or less: $1,540.52
2+ years: $2,023.13
5-10 years: $3,648.28
Things level off after the 10-year mark. This could be due to our limited data for this subset.
11. Monthly rates: Do those offering services worldwide charge more than those serving local markets?
Yesโ123.1% more!
Those offering their services locally charge $1,557.08/month, on average.
Comparably, those serving the worldwide market earn $3,473.74/month.
Yesโ123.1% more!
Those offering their services locally charge $1,557.08/month, on average.
Comparably, those serving the worldwide market earn $3,473.74/month.
12. Per-project rates
48.9% of respondents charge a per-project fee for some or all of their work...
...with the most popular fee being $2,501โ$5,000 (21.2%).
Overall, 49.4% of respondents command per-project fees of $2,001+.
48.9% of respondents charge a per-project fee for some or all of their work...
...with the most popular fee being $2,501โ$5,000 (21.2%).
Overall, 49.4% of respondents command per-project fees of $2,001+.
13. Per-project rates by region
Once again, India's the outlier.
93.75% of India-based SEOs charge $1,500 or less.
The remaining 6.25% charge between $2,001-$2,500.
Looking at the US + Canada in isolation, 83.3% charge at least $1,001.
Once again, India's the outlier.
93.75% of India-based SEOs charge $1,500 or less.
The remaining 6.25% charge between $2,001-$2,500.
Looking at the US + Canada in isolation, 83.3% charge at least $1,001.
14. Per-project rates: Do SEO agencies charge more than freelancers?
Yep. 73.3% of SEO agencies charge $1,001+ per project vs. 64% of consultants and 40.68% of freelancers.
Yep. 73.3% of SEO agencies charge $1,001+ per project vs. 64% of consultants and 40.68% of freelancers.
15. Per-project rates: Do SEO agencies charge more than freelancers? (cont'd)
Overall, the most common per-project fees are:
Freelancers: $101-$250
SEO agencies: $2,501โ$5,000
Consultants: $5,001โ$10,000
Overall, the most common per-project fees are:
Freelancers: $101-$250
SEO agencies: $2,501โ$5,000
Consultants: $5,001โ$10,000
16. Per-project rates: Do experienced SEOs charge more per project?
Yes.
Check out the average per-project fees by years of experience:
2 years or less: $1,881.73
2+ years: $2,242.71
5-10 years: $9,087.31
Yes.
Check out the average per-project fees by years of experience:
2 years or less: $1,881.73
2+ years: $2,242.71
5-10 years: $9,087.31
17. Per-project rates: Do those offering services worldwide charge more than those serving local markets?
Yesโ40.8% more. ๐ฎ
Those offering their services locally charge $5,723.53 per project.
Comparably, those serving the worldwide market charge $8,056.56 per project.
Yesโ40.8% more. ๐ฎ
Those offering their services locally charge $5,723.53 per project.
Comparably, those serving the worldwide market charge $8,056.56 per project.
That wraps things up.
We hope our data study can guide SEOs to stop undercharging for their services.
SEO is a valuable skillโso don't be afraid to charge what you're worth. ๐
We hope our data study can guide SEOs to stop undercharging for their services.
SEO is a valuable skillโso don't be afraid to charge what you're worth. ๐
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