How to price SEO work?
 

I find that pricing SEO is complicated. Many firms offer one-for all packages. I think custom prices are the way to go, due to differences between business.

Anyone have ideas on how to price SEO?

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

I think you need a package deal, but also you need to have a rate per month based on the need of the customer. Do you do SEO?

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

I'm wondering that if you only do custom prices, many people might be a bit leery that you're doing some funky math on them or that prices are completely subjective and even arbitrary. They'll also feel the need to haggle and barter down with you.

I think any successful company needs some solid figures to work with. I understand that each industry is different - perhaps a solid pricing formula for a keyword ranking based on the number of results returned for that keyword ... or something like that. Just some sort of solid figure that people can hold onto. SEO is an industry where people shop around, and if they just get a vague price range from you, it's going to make them want to go elsewhere where they can see exactly what they're buying and how much it is.

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

IMO a monthly fee works best, they keep on paying as long as they get the results :)

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

You shouldnt necessarily price SEO on position but on traffic, which isnt always the same thing. A good SEO company will be able to find a niche for some of the keywords that your customers will be using and therefore gear your SEO towards that. This may mean your on page 2 even, but you still get the traffic.

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

since seo is an ongoing growing process, I would always do a monthly fee and base it on how competitive the keywords are.

Re: How to price SEO work?
 

I agree with Site Tutor, give a monthly rate and an indicative amount of work this will cover. That's what I'd be most comfortable with.

It is also dependent on process.

Sometimes I have accounts that want aggressive results, this entails the bulk of the work being done in a short amount of time and then maintenance to retain, increase and social branding.

In this case, custom and monthly apply.

Pricing is based on the time it takes to accomplish that goal.

Great feedback Lea! Each client has different objectives and goals. That being said, i think it is important to take the time to fully understand the clients business and goals in order to project milestones and price your services. I wonder, would you consider or do you already charge clients an initial fee for this time? Or do you typically just have them sign a service contract?

It depands on how much time you need for ranking this keywords as well as how hard to rank it.