Member Avatar for thosecars82

Hello

I am wondering how I can charge for SEO services. I think one choice would be charging for every chain of words used to search in google depending on which page it shows up in google results and on which position in the page is shows up.

For example:
chain_1: "word11 word12 word13"
chain_2: "word21 word22 word23 word24"
chain_3: "word31 word32"
....
chain_n: "word_n1 ... word_nm" where m is the number of words of the chain n.

Therefore, we would charge:
for chain y we would charge

charge_y= f(page(chain_y),z) + g(positionInPage(chain_y),w)

z = oldPage(chain_y)-page(chain_y))

w = oldPositionInPage(chain_y)-positionInPage(chain_y))

f =
- decreasing function of the page in which the website shows up for a particular search and the difference with the page the website showed up for the same search before the SEO. The less the number of the page, the bigger the result function f returns.
- increasing function of z: The bigger the difference between the page number in which the website shows up before and after the optimization, the bigger the result f returns.

g =
- decreasing function of the position on the page in which the website shows up for a particular search. The less the position on the page, the bigger the result function g returns.
- increasing function of w in case oldPage(chain_y)>page(chain_y)


So we would end up adding all the charges:
totalCharge = charge_1+charge_2+....charge_n

Now, we would have to define f, g and h functions in order to have a specific way to charge for SEO services. Do you know how we could define specific funcionts f, g and h? Can you come up with any idea?

At the same time, the SEO services would always be charged as long as there was even a slight improvement of the SEO just becausse we are considering the h function

What do you think of this way of charging for SEO services?

Do you think it is feasible?

I would appreciate if you could tell me any advice, any way to improve it and
any other way to charge for SEO services that you think is better than the one I just described ...

Any suggestion is highly appreciated.


Thanks in advance

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by JessicaJohn

Dani AI

Generated

Good starting idea, — tying fees to measurable outcomes is the right mindset. In practice, a per‑keyword/per‑position billing model like the one you sketched is fragile and hard to sell. As notes, it’s too complex for most clients; rightly points out you must weight phrases by search volume and conversion; and is correct that competition and the desired target (first page vs. top 3) change effort and price.

A practical, client‑friendly alternative is a hybrid model: a one‑time audit/setup fee to establish a clean baseline (technical fixes, keyword research, agreed tracked set), a monthly retainer for ongoing work (content, on‑site, links, monitoring), plus a capped performance bonus tied to clear KPIs. Make business outcomes primary: organic conversions or revenue first, organic sessions second, and keyword rankings only as a transparency metric. Agree on a tracked set (10–30 priority phrases) and classify them A/B/C by volume and commercial intent — use that internally to allocate effort and weight bonuses, not to create an itemized bill per phrase.

Measurement rules you must put in the contract: capture a baseline snapshot on the start date, specify tools and geo/device settings (Google Search Console, GA/GA4, a rank tracker), and use 30–90 day rolling averages to smooth volatility. Define how seasonality, algorithm updates, and competitor actions change expectations; set realistic timelines (expect 3–6 months for meaningful, sustained results). Pay performance on net, sustained uplift and cap bonuses to limit exposure.

Keep invoices simple for clients: one page that states deliverables, KPIs, measurement method, and payment schedule (audit, retainer, bonus cap). Internally, keep any detailed scoring or formulas you prefer to prioritise work — but present outcomes, not math, to the client.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for canadafred

...What do you think of this way of charging for SEO services?

Do you think it is feasible?...

Try explaining all that to your client and see what the reaction is. Much too complicated for the average mind.

Member Avatar for Tiggerito

Will you pay them if words drop?

I use a similar system to rank a website, but I would never try and explain how it works to client, nor charge based on it. I just call it their market rank and use it to help indicate progress.

You want to make sure your functions take into account the value and relevance of the chains. How many people search using the phrase, does it convert, is it a localised, national or international position. Are places pages shown...

Member Avatar for RachelHankins

Rankpay is an SEO service that everyone needs to know about. They are providing an invaluable service, and it’s only a matter of time until everyone knows about them. They provide performance based search engine optimization. The best part about it? ZERO setup fees.

Member Avatar for JessicaJohn

It all depends on the keyword's competition and searches and ranking position you want to achieve. For example if your client ask for ranking on first page definitely its cost will be high and if he want to see his keywords in first 5 pages then its cost will be low.

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