Getting started with SEO can seem like a massive decision. There are lots of things to consider. Like, finding an agency you can trust. Getting sign off to launch the campaign. And, importantly, how much it will all cost.
So how much does SEO cost in the UK? Well, every business is different. And, therefore no two campaigns are the same. That’s why costs can vary massively depending on a number of factors.
To help you out, we’ve broken down what affects the cost of SEO in the UK, so you can make an informed decision when investing in your business’s online presence.
p.s. We’re experts in SEO, if you need any help get in touch
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What Affects the cost of SEO?
It might seem like a minefield, but SEO’s not a fixed price service. The cost can vary massively, depending on your goals, ambitions and budget. In reality, some level of SEO can be achieved with any budget. But, too little investment just isn’t worth it.
There are so many spinning plates, we’ve tried to break down the different parts, to highlight how they affect your budget. Just remember, the early bird catches the worm. Get out ahead of your competitors, as anyone not doing SEO will be left behind!
Current Website State
It might seem a simple place to start. But realistically, if you have a well kept website, with great speed and a strong Domain Authority, the technical side of SEO will be far easier. At the beginning of any project, we carry out a full audit of your site, to check health and performance (read our guide for more information about these audits).
If your website is brand new, has been neglected or has never been optimised for search engines, it may need more work to get up to speed. This could mean deeper technical improvements or more content creation, which can add to the cost of SEO.
Scope of Work
Go online, and you’ll see SEO managers championing their approach as the only one that drives growth. Truthfully, there are a number of different approaches to SEO, and when done right, they will deliver increased visibility and growth. What approach to take depends on the business needs and goals.
An important factor in the cost of any SEO campaign is the scope of work. How big is your site, and how big is your business. A small coffee shop, with an 8 page site will require a lot less work than a large eCommerce store selling thousands of products. (Just think about the differences in keyword research!).
The more work required, the higher the cost is likely to be.
Timeline
Depending on the approach you choose, the timeline will have a huge effect on your monthly costs. If you’re happy with the traditional, tried and tested SEO approach. Your agency will produce an agreed amount of content every month. Over-time your site will grow more and more authoritative. Driving traffic, leads and revenue.
However, more and more agencies are offering rapid SEO options – delivering content in “sprints” (A project management term for a short period of time to produce work). With rapid SEO, content production is at a much higher rate (never sacrificing quality).
This approach has a more immediate effect on traffic and a significant ROI, due to the sheer volume of high-quality content posted. Because of this, it also comes with a higher price tag. However, due to resource dedication, it’s the more cost effective approach (just like buying a large multi-pack of toilet roll).
We offer both solutions at Grow Green. But, what’s right for you depends on your own circumstances. If you want to discuss your options, or need any help or guidance, just get in touch.
Location
As a fully remote agency, we’re able to keep our costs low, while delivering a high volume of amazing content. However, many bricks and mortar agencies’ costs will be dictated by overheads.
SEO’s in larger cities, like London, will probably have higher costs. While businesses in smaller towns or rural areas could have lower costs. Although we’re based in London and Brighton (two of the most expensive areas of the country) we’re able to keep our costs extremely competitive, whilst being on hand to help in person.
Industry Competition
Everyone’s trying to get a slice of the same pie, and they’re fighting over the cherry on top.
The level of competition within your industry can have a significant impact on the cost of SEO. If you’re in a very competitive industry with lots of established players, it will probably take longer and require more effort to rank highly on search engines. This will naturally increase the cost of SEO.
SEO Agency
Finally, every SEO agency will price jobs differently, and costs can vary wildly. Some agencies might charge more due to their experience and reputation, while others may be more affordable but more specialised. It’s important to choose an agency that’s right for you.
Use our guide when choosing your SEO agency. It’s important to consider what we’ve said, so you don’t get stung.
How Much Does SEO Cost in the UK?
As we’ve shown, it’s difficult to give an exact answer until we’ve spoken with you. There are so many things that can affect the price. However, you came here to find out the answer to one question “How much does SEO cost in the UK?”. So, here’s a ballpark figure:
- A monthly retainer for a small business could range from £500 to £2,000 or more,
- It could top £5,000 to £10,000 a month for a large organisation (or even more).
It really depends on your budget and what you want to achieve. This might seem like a lot. But, SEO is one of the most important marketing tools out there. It should be a major part of your strategy this year.
Why Grow Green?
As a sustainable start-up of experienced digital marketers, we’re able to keep our costs low while providing incredible services. Making sure your values align with your agency’s is the best way to guarantee results (we know price is important too).
We’re a specialist agency set up to help businesses with a purpose succeed – find out how we can help you.
